Cont'd

In addition to the new exhibitors, the Tupelo Furniture Market also welcomed the return of exhibitors such as Broyhill, Sandberg, Stein World and American Mattress.

First-time exhibitor World Imports got off to a solid start, even before the market's opening bell.

"On Thursday, the day before the show officially opened, we saw 75 accounts," Jeff Wallner, vice president, said. "Even better, these are not tire-kickers — these people wrote orders."

Upholstery vendor Albany Inds. said the company began seeing customers as early as Wednesday, and by Thursday had seen several majors. "With a couple of majors, we've managed to either get new placements or work on new projects" for the upcoming season, said Brian Einhorn, vice president of global sales and marketing.

Another new exhibitor, and a new Mississippi-based company, was Fusion Furniture, which will produce upholstery in the $399 to $599 retail price points. President Bo Robbins said the Tupelo far exceeded his expectations.

"Obviously, everyone is looking for a deal," he said. "But nobody is coming in saying, ‘Take me to your cheapest corner.'"

Baumie

Of course the question is, is this just one-off restocking or the beginning of a trend. Time will tell