Make the Most of Market: Business tactics and takeaways to use throughout the year.  

So many of us say every six months, “I can’t believe High Point Furniture Market is here again, weren’t we all here just a few weeks ago?”.  Time does fly but market seems to be the constant that creeps up sooner than we can ever imagine. It also becomes a whirlwind when we are actually there. There are so many places, people, and products to see that you often get back home after it’s all over and wonder if you got everything out of it you possibly could! 

I was born and raised in High Point—yes, some of us are actually from there! I love going back for Market, where I showcase my collections for Fairfield Chair, Crystorama Lighting, A&B Home, and Paragon. It’s also a great time to meet buyers, spot trends, and grow my design resources. I’ll be sharing tips to help you make the most of your Market visit. I will also share a few of my favorite hidden gems around High Point.

Finding Store Styling Inspiration

    Interhall is one of my favorite spots for inspiration. Though the showrooms are smaller and often temporary, they’re packed with creative ideas for maximizing space and showcasing products. It’s a great place to see smart lighting techniques and inventive displays. I always snap photos to reference later and even recreate some of the best setups in my own spaces.

Take in the Sales Rep Soundbites 

  As I’m going through a showroom with one of my sales reps I like to write down some of the talking points and product special details they tell me. I can then in turn share it with my clients when I’m proposing the item for their project.  I like having insight on why something was designed in a particular way or what makes it different or desirable. It helps me sell it.  There’s value in sharing this information with your sales staff when new product arrives on your store floor. It’s good to get them on board offering all they know about what you’re selling.  Those little nuggets of vision and wisdom are important to get the conversation started about all you’re offering! 

Trend Spotting and Tracking

   Market is full of inspiration, but the key is using it year-round in your business. Spotting trends helps position you as a forward-thinking retailer. Just pick the ones that fit your audience. Use what you find to create design boards with colors, fabrics, and products you have or expect. Sharing these fresh looks shows you’re ‘on-trend,’ not just ‘trendy.’ It also gives your sales team valuable insight into smart, beautiful presentations.

The Libby Lowdown – The Inside Scoop from a High Point Native

• Cool Cocktails

       We all have our favorite showroom for a sip and a snack. One of my favorite spots is when the 200 Steele Building does their cocktail hour in the main lobby rotunda that’s open to all buyers. It’s on a different night each market but they always have a pianist playing. The food and drinks are delicious and the space is gorgeous.  

• Expect the Unexpected

    An off-the-beaten-path building showroom that I sneak away to for unexpected market surprises is Texture Imports (517 South Hamilton Street). They fly so far under the radar there’s no website to see anything!  It’s a large collection of one-of-a-kind accessories using reclaimed roots, rattan, blown glass, resin, iron, pineapple and natural materials. They also have handcrafted tables, baskets, mirrors, consoles and seating. It’s such a hidden gem! 

Welcoming Watering Holes

• Real Kitchen & Market’s Wine and Tap room, I realized the favorite food I’d eat at any market party was catered by them, and they opened up this small space for drinks and appetizers which is laid back and great. 
• Tipsy’z Tavern on Westchester Drive, a casual bar and restaurant that serves great, big burgers. Some nights they have live music. It’s full of locals having fun and it’s off the Market radar for the most part! 
• Natty Green’s Kitchen and Market, they have a fabulous butcher shop as part of the space. Their steaks, chops and meats are phenomenal and the design is a modern, cool, big, open loft-like feel.  It’s in Greensboro 

Steal a Quiet Moment

  When I want to have some quiet time to clear my head or rest my feet I love the glass-enclosed walkway that connects IHFC Main to the Wrenn Wing, on the third floor. It’s very quiet with little window seats built in, so there’s a spot to sit and plop down all your bags. It’s nice to be flooded with natural light for a few minutes since so many of the showrooms don’t have windows.

If you are coming to the Spring Market, I encourage you to come see my collections with Fairfield Chair Co., Crystorama Lighting, A&B Home, and Paragon. Stop by and say hello! I can’t wait to see everyone!