U.S. furniture makers to measure the scale of their products in response to young home buyers move into an older, small town houses and condominiums, an industry analyst said yesterday at the opening of the International Home Furnishings Market.
"They will not be able to use a large bed, said WW" Jerry "Epperson Jr., a furniture industry analyst based in Richmond, Va.
He said that almost every retailer at the market shows sell furniture lines are smaller.
More than 2,500 exhibitors from around the world showing the housing furniture in the annual spring market in High Point. Purchasers of furniture retailers watch what's new in products displayed on the entire 12 million square feet of exhibition space in 188 buildings. These products could end up in the showroom store in the fall, prime season for spending home decor. In all, 70,000 buyers and others in the industry are expected to attend the furniture market, which ended Wednesday.
Epperson said the downtown revitalization has forced furniture makers to offer a product line of smaller, particularly in mattresses and bedroom sets. But while the makers offering lower scale, prices increased - especially for sleeping.
"You can spend some real coin in bed if you want," said Epperson, noting the explosion of new technologies using a foam mattress, air and now gel.
The analyst said he does not expect a pronounced decline in housing sales - an important barometer for sales of furniture - and he adds that many other people who witnessed the industry has been surprised by how tough the real estate market remains in the face of higher interest rates.
A new housing mix changes can create an interesting scenario, Epperson said. "We can have a wave of housing (in units), but can be less extensive decorating," if the sale of smaller starter tilt toward the house.
He said the furniture industry comes from a mixture of the first quarter, which ended with a period of weak sales in March. Which came after the 3.1 percent increase in sales last year.
The increasing role of Chinese furniture shipments to U.S. $ 5 billion market in the minds of many at the exhibition.
In an overview of the industry, Epperson said at least 20 Asian manufacturers, particularly China, the U.S. has a direct sales force to sell to U.S. retailers. Some companies build their own warehouses in the United States that would allow them to sell to independent retailers. Sofa shipping costs from China to the West Coast is $ 90, and shipping from China to the East Coast costs $ 120, Epperson said.
He said in his report that the price of furniture is never more complex. Shoppers can find bargains on leather and wood furniture, while products with steel, and foam-based materials have seen oil prices rise.
Epperson said the furniture retailer has been a battleground between retailers and established companies that sell through the Internet or catalog. Also, more and more "nonfurniture shops" that sell furniture lines, including Home Depot and Kroger grocery chain.
In the battle for customers, Century Furniture Industries, Hickory, NC, maker of high-end furniture, is to upgrade its Web site to meet customer expectations, President and CEO Robert J. Maricich said. He added that 38 percent of upscale furniture ordered by the interior decorator to work for clients.
Epperson said the market changes is a long-term trend, and he warned people who think that buying goods over the Internet is not practical.
"They're the same people who say women will not buy apparel through the Internet," said Epperson. "They've proven dramatically wrong."
"They will not be able to use a large bed, said WW" Jerry "Epperson Jr., a furniture industry analyst based in Richmond, Va.
He said that almost every retailer at the market shows sell furniture lines are smaller.
More than 2,500 exhibitors from around the world showing the housing furniture in the annual spring market in High Point. Purchasers of furniture retailers watch what's new in products displayed on the entire 12 million square feet of exhibition space in 188 buildings. These products could end up in the showroom store in the fall, prime season for spending home decor. In all, 70,000 buyers and others in the industry are expected to attend the furniture market, which ended Wednesday.
Epperson said the downtown revitalization has forced furniture makers to offer a product line of smaller, particularly in mattresses and bedroom sets. But while the makers offering lower scale, prices increased - especially for sleeping.
"You can spend some real coin in bed if you want," said Epperson, noting the explosion of new technologies using a foam mattress, air and now gel.
The analyst said he does not expect a pronounced decline in housing sales - an important barometer for sales of furniture - and he adds that many other people who witnessed the industry has been surprised by how tough the real estate market remains in the face of higher interest rates.
A new housing mix changes can create an interesting scenario, Epperson said. "We can have a wave of housing (in units), but can be less extensive decorating," if the sale of smaller starter tilt toward the house.
He said the furniture industry comes from a mixture of the first quarter, which ended with a period of weak sales in March. Which came after the 3.1 percent increase in sales last year.
The increasing role of Chinese furniture shipments to U.S. $ 5 billion market in the minds of many at the exhibition.
In an overview of the industry, Epperson said at least 20 Asian manufacturers, particularly China, the U.S. has a direct sales force to sell to U.S. retailers. Some companies build their own warehouses in the United States that would allow them to sell to independent retailers. Sofa shipping costs from China to the West Coast is $ 90, and shipping from China to the East Coast costs $ 120, Epperson said.
He said in his report that the price of furniture is never more complex. Shoppers can find bargains on leather and wood furniture, while products with steel, and foam-based materials have seen oil prices rise.
Epperson said the furniture retailer has been a battleground between retailers and established companies that sell through the Internet or catalog. Also, more and more "nonfurniture shops" that sell furniture lines, including Home Depot and Kroger grocery chain.
In the battle for customers, Century Furniture Industries, Hickory, NC, maker of high-end furniture, is to upgrade its Web site to meet customer expectations, President and CEO Robert J. Maricich said. He added that 38 percent of upscale furniture ordered by the interior decorator to work for clients.
Epperson said the market changes is a long-term trend, and he warned people who think that buying goods over the Internet is not practical.
"They're the same people who say women will not buy apparel through the Internet," said Epperson. "They've proven dramatically wrong."
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