Strong sales mark successful Home Textiles Market Week

29 Aug '09

4 min read

Renewed energy and enthusiasm, coupled with consistent order-writing and a marked increase in attendance, resulted in strong sales during Home Textiles Market Week, August 14- 20, 2009, in New York City. The semi-annual market for mid-to-high-end home textiles spanned three locations across New York City - the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) at both the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94, 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 W New York.

With a combined total of almost 500 suppliers across the three market venues, Home Textiles Market Week offers the biggest collection of home textiles resources in the United States. The summer 2009 Home Textiles Market Week drew more than 31,000 attendees from 50 states and 85 countries, which represents a 5.6% increase over the winter market, to New York City.

"The traffic at Javits and Pier 94 was consistently heavy, and retailers were actively placing orders," said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. "Many companies reported record-breaking sales."

"The traffic has been terrific," said NYIGF exhibitor Catherine Stemmler of SDH Enterprises. "Order-writing is up, and that equals success for us. Retailers who stopped by our booth represented all parts of the country, although there was a greater concentration from the Mid-Atlantic states."

As part of overall regional, national and international gains, NYIGF reported significant increases in attendance from the southeast, southwest, and west coast of the United States, topped by a 90% increase in buyers from Florida. International attendance at Market also was up, lead by an 88% increase from Canada.

Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York, also noted an upbeat atmosphere. "The mood was very optimistic, which resulted in robust order writing. Our showrooms reported impressive results at this market, and we enjoyed strong attendance. Many area retailers opted for New York as opposed to traveling to other shows, a factor which clearly contributed to the show's success."

Scott Harper of The Mary Harper Group, a 7 W tenant and NYIGF exhibitor said, "We worked really hard to find lines that will appeal to a large cross-section of buyers, and the show has been better than we had expected."

Buyer attendance at 230 Fifth Avenue also increased - by 10 percent - over the winter 2009 market. Executive Director Jane Gural-Senders noted, "Order writing has been strong, and buyer traffic throughout the building has been consistent. 230 Fifth Avenue is on the upswing this market with exceedingly positive feedback from the showrooms."

Marlo Lorenz, a 230 Tenant at THRO, echoed the overall optimism of Market Week, and its import to the industry's future, saying "My buyers were upbeat and positive, and they wrote orders! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!"

Once again the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards recognized product innovation and excellence among the nearly 200 exhibitors in NYIGF's At Home featuring Home Textiles division. V Rugs & Home was awarded "Best of Market" for its Green Bamboo Outdoor Pillow; and four additional companies received individual Best New Product category awards. Summer 2009 winners were: Plover Organic for its Cartouche Quilt in the "Bed" category; Libeco Lagae for its Vence Bed Set in the "Bath" category; Lintex for its Alexa Kimono, made of 100% Belgian linen category; and Dash & Albert for its Zipper Rug in the "Home Accessories" category.

Home Textiles Market Week features a wide range of better home fashion products includes bed and bath fashions, table linens, kitchen textiles, towels, decorative accessories, area rugs, window treatments and decorative fabrics.The winter edition of New York Home Textiles Market Week will take place Friday, January 29, through Thursday, February 4, 2010, in New York City.

New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF)

More Textiles News - United States Of America...