Are Furniture Markets Still a Good Idea For Retailers?

Join Gerry Borreggine of Inside Track sponsored by Therapedic International as he interviews Dave Perry, contributing editor of Sleep Savvy and Bedtimes, at the High Point Market. Discover the vibrancy, excitement, and promise that comes with attending this renowned market. Learn why retailers should consider participating and how it contributes to their business. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with industry knowledge and market experiences.

Key Takeaways

Are furniture markets still a good idea for retailers?

• Importance is not diminishing.
• Helps retailers promote their business and stay aggressive.
• Markets generate excitement.

Transcript

Gerry Borreggine
I am Gerry Borreggine of Inside Track, sponsored by Therapedic International, and I’m here live at the High Point Market with. Who are you? Who is this guy? Wait a minute. This is Dave Perry. The famous Dave Perry, contributing editor of Sleep Savvy and Bedtimes. Welcome to High Point, Dave.

Dave Perry
I live here, so it’s great to be here.

Gerry Borreggine
Well, welcome back.

Dave Perry
And it’s great to be back. Love the vibe of the Market. I was thinking the other day. I’ve been doing Market now about 40 years, so I’m closing in on 80 Markets. How about you?

Gerry Borreggine
Not that many. I didn’t start coming to Market when I was a retailer. At first we hardly ever came to a Market. Our mattress manufacturers always had a private showing in their factories for us, so we never really went to a Market, I think, until the late eighties. So when my dad’s been coming was coming to High Point from 1965.

So that was my introduction to High Point, the culture of High Point, the food of High Point. I mean, we were the only family in South Philadelphia eating grits.

Dave Perry
Well, you’re officially a Southerner then.

Gerry Borreggine
I don’t know if I’m official, but I I’m happy and I feel very comfortable here.

Dave Perry
Let’s talk a little bit about Market. Are Markets more important than ever, do you think?

Gerry Borreggine
I think that they are the same importance as they were. But I think the important thing for the Market is that they’re not diminishing the importance of their place and what they need to be knowledgeable to approach their consumers. The Markets have something to offer the retail. So I think in that regard, the Market isn’t more important than it used to be, but it’s just as important and that’s a pretty powerful statement for the Market.

Dave Perry
What should retailers do? You know, business has been soft lately. Is there a special opportunity in those times to come to Market?

Gerry Borreggine
Well, I think, you know, the first opportunity is they should continue to promote their business and continue to advertise and be aggressive in the marketplace. And being aggressive in the marketplace includes attending a Market. I must say, you can’t attend every Market. We talked about it earlier. There are four Markets a year, major Markets now. Can a retailer afford to go to four Markets a year?

That’s questionable, But is it necessary? I don’t even think it’s really necessary, but it doesn’t diminish the importance that I think a Market does provide to the retail customer base.

Dave Perry
You know, one thing that always strikes me about Market is just the excitement of Market. There is undeniably I mean, you know, we were talking earlier about High Point. It’s kind of quiet between markets, kind of quiet, maybe an understatement this area. But the town comes alive.

Gerry Borreggine
There’s a promise.

Dave Perry
The promise of spring. Let’s talk about that.

Gerry Borreggine
And you’re right about the excitement of being in the Market, just being here today. And maybe it’s because I’m getting older and I’m becoming more sentimental, but I. I just get choked up just looking at it all. And there’s a vibrancy here. There’s a there’s a there’s a vibe here. And it’s a beautiful day. It’s just a lot of excitement in the air.

Dave Perry
You know, at that ISPA conference in March where we’re I was honored and thanks to ISPA for that wonderful salute, there was just a feeling that night that this was a special time in the industry. And I think when the industry gets together, it always feels good about being together. Things look better when we’re kind of when we can, you know, talk shop and be with our colleagues.

Gerry Borreggine
See, people you may not have seen in six months. That’s a big thing just to be seen and be seen. But there’s an excitement about our Market. There’s an optimism that comes with spring and a promise that comes with it. And this Market is part of that.

Dave Perry
Yeah, it really is. So. Well, always great catching up with you. Hope it’s a great event.

Gerry Borreggine
We do this now. We used to just shake hands where we can.

Dave Perry
We’d love to do that. We blow it up. Ready?

Gerry Borreggine
That’s how it’s done.

Tips by Gerry Borreggine, CEO and president of Therapedic International. For more Inside Track tips, click here.