HIGH POINT— The High Point Market is a wrap, but the planning for Spring introductions gets a jumpstart in a few weeks when Interwoven Textile Fair by ITA, the biannual textile show hosted by International Textile Assn., gets underway.

Interwoven Fall 2023 is Nov. 14-16 in High Point and will feature ITA member companies showcasing their latest fabrics, leathers and trims. More than 600 buying companies are expected to attend, including many buyers who will choose textiles for their 2024 upholstered furniture introductions. For Carrie Dillon, ITA managing director, the intersection of fashion and furniture starts at Interwoven.

“It’s exciting to think about the impact our show has on the trends in the home furnishings industry,” Dillon said. “Twelve to 18-months before a trend reaches the consumer market, it is presented in new textile and leather introductions at Interwoven.

“The designers pull inspiration from fashion, travel and trend forecasting resources like FS (Fashion Snoops) in creating their collections each season,” she continued. “Through our partnership with FS, we feature four new trends in each edition of our magazine, and these trends are showcased in a gallery at the show. ITA members submit samples from their new collections, and the FS team curates these into a comprehensive display located on floor 5 of Market Square. This is a great resource for buyers to get an overview of the trends and preview the introductions for the season. The textiles and leather selected at Interwoven Textile Fair by ITA are then put on the frames that are displayed at the following High Point Market, and six months after that they begin appearing on the retail floor.”

Dillon noted that ITA and FS have partnered with High Point Market Authority and the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame to choose one of the four trends shown at Interwoven Textile Fair by ITA and create a display at the Hall of Fame building that illustrates how the trends in textile design translate to upholstered furniture and other accessories. In addition to the trend display, Interwoven attendees can also access educational opportunities at the show.

“We continue to build on our goal of providing exceptional education during the show with two full days of seminars in November,” Dillon said. “On Tuesday, we will host a trend presentation from FS (Fashions Snoops) followed by a presentation by David Santi or Casa Santi on selecting textiles for windows and upholstery. Cotton Inc. will present on Transformative Technologies in Cotton and Tuesday’s education will finish with a panel discussion on embracing differences in the home furnishings industry.

“Wednesday will begin with a panel discussion on performance fabrics moderated by Eric Schneider of Fabrics & Furnishings International and panelists include Lance Keziah, president, Crypton; Keith Nail, vice president of quality assurance, Morgan Fabrics; Tammy Buckner, vice president of marketing, Culp Fabrics; and Scott Kahan, director of business development, Regal Fabrics,” Dillon continued. “Wednesday’s education continues with a seminar on Lenzing’s Ecovero Viscose with Walter Bridgham, senior business development manager with Lenzing Fibers, followed by a panel discussion with the Sustainable Furnishings Council on Textile Recycling and Sustainability.”

Interwoven hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A complete show schedule is available on the ITA website along with registration information.

See also: See which supplier is returning to Interwoven in November with a sustainability-inspired palette 

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FRANKFURT, Germany – Next year’s Heimtextil expo continues to grow, with the number of exhibitors now up more than 8% over the show’s January 2023 edition, which marked the event’s first full return since the pandemic.

The trade fair has now registered more than 2,600 exhibitors, building on the 2,400 companies that showed at the previous show. Heimtextil 2024 will take place from Jan. 9-12 at the Messe Frankfurt complex.

Here’s what to expect:

• The “Asian Excellence” and “Asian Selection” sectors for home textiles will have a strong showing. The top 4 exhibiting nations are China/Hong Kong, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
• The “Decorative & Furniture Fabrics” segment will showcase more than 300 weavers of decorative and upholstery fabrics.
• A large number of international brands and companies have also confirmed their participation in the “Smart Bedding” product area in Hall 11.0, including Advansa, Badenia Bettcomfort, Brinkhaus, Heinrich Häussling & Centa Star & Frankenstolz Schlafkomfort, John Cotton, Lenzing, Sasa Polyester, Sanders-Kauffmann, Traumina, Velamen and Wendre.
• The “Bed & Bath” area in Hall 12 has drawn “strong participation” from Portugal, Turkey and Egypt. Hall 12.0 will also feature well-known brands such as Bedding House, Corn. van Dijk, Klaus Herding, Sorema, Veritas, Welspun, Wülfing and Zorlu.
• The “Fibres & Yarns” area for decorative and upholstery fabrics is returning to Hall 4.0 on a larger scale to service fabric and curtain manufacturers, weavers, product developers and designers.
• The new “Carpets & Rugs” product segment in Hall 5.1 will debut with more than 90 exhibitors. Products will include fitted, handmade and custom-made carpets, machine-made woven carpets, mats and dirt-absorbing carpets, as well as rugs and runners.

“Heimtextil provides a bundled and therefore efficient market overview of all global trends in the home and contract textiles industry on a central platform over four days,” said Olaf Schmidt, vice president of textiles and textile technologies for show organizer Messe Frankfurt.

See also:

• 5 quick findings from Heimtextil’s new textile trend forecast for 24/25
• Heimtextil appoints new director for home textiles

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) will mark its 30th anniversary at its March 1-4, 2024, trade show. MIFF organizer Informa Markets expects the 2024 edition to draw buyers from 140 countries and regions.

The anniversary edition of MIFF follows the show’s best year ever in 2023, with 673 exhibitors and a record $1.21 billion in sales orders and nearly 20,000 attendees.

For the 2024 event, the exhibition will be anchored by an array of Malaysia’s biggest exporters, joined by suppliers from China, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam.

“The industry is looking at MIFF as a resilient source to future proof their business,” said Kelie Lim, general manager, MIFF, adding, “The overwhelming response from exhibitors taking up space, noticeably from foreign companies, is another clear positive indicator of the strong buying power converging at MIFF.”

Held at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), exhibits are displayed across 17 halls at the two venues, offering contemporary home furnishings, office and hospitality furniture, in addition to accessories, decor, components and materials.

Top Malaysian manufacturers display in MITEC, at Rena Hall on level 2, and Muar Hall coordinated by the Muar Furniture Assn. at level 1. The MIFF Office segment is located at WTCKL, a short and free shuttle ride away.

Other curated areas include International Hall, Sofa Hall, the young designer zone for the xOrdinary showcase and MIFF Furniture Design Competition top entries.

Two exhibitor prizes will be awarded during the event: Best Presentation Award and Furniture Excellence Award. In addition, the MIFF Furniture Design Competition will honor winning designs from this year’s young designers. All award winners will be announced on the third day of the show.

For more about registration, exhibitors, products, accommodations and shuttle services, visit the MIFF website. With more first timers coming to the 2023 show, MIFF has extended its Valued Visitor Programme to include complimentary hotel accommodation for new international buyers on a first-come-first-served basis.

See also: MIFF 2023 expecting strong attendance for exhibitors, buyers at March event

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LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Market is gearing up for its winter edition, and registration is open now for the Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2024, event.

Some 4,000 gift, home décor and furnishings lines are set to unveil new products in showrooms and temporary exhibits across four buildings at World Market Center Las Vegas this winter.

The market’s permanent showrooms in Buildings A, B and C include 29 floors of home furnishings and bedding showrooms. One of the highlights for the upcoming market is the debut of a new design-driven destination, bringing 11 better furniture brands to B2.

In Building C, six floors house permanent gift showrooms. This winter, Andmore will continue to develop C11 as a resource for leading lifestyle lines with the addition of One Hundred 80 Degrees/Glitterville in a new corporate showroom.

In temporary exhibits, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas offers more than 600 gift and home resources presented in six categories: Design, Gift, Handmade, Home, Immediate Delivery and Luxe. Additionally, as part of high-end home remerchandising in Building B, more than 100 furniture temporaries will relocate to B6 beginning in January.

A full list of Las Vegas Market exhibitors is available online.

Andmore is also lining up a full slate of in-person seminars, webinars, awards and events to supplement the showrooms.

The market will feature CEU-accredited seminars, on-trend product displays, photo wall activations and daily amenities across the campus, and Andmore’s Market Snapshot program returns with what’s to come in the home décor and gift categories in 2024.

Watch the Las Vegas Market website for at-market events and amenities.

To assist market attendees with sourcing, networking and market logistics, the @Market App will accelerate badge pickup, showroom sorting and a recap guide following market. Before the market, the app — available in Android and seller versions — allows guest access and an in-app user tutorial.

For all Las Vegas Market information, including exhibitor directory, travel information and on-campus dining options, visit the Las Vegas Market website. To register, visit this registration page.

See also:

• Submit product information for Las Vegas Market, winter 20204
• Las Vegas Market dedicates new floor to high-end furnishings

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HIGH POINT — During its board meeting at the recent High Point Market, the High Point Market Authority (HPMA) announced updates to its board of directors, effective Oct. 18.

Christi Barbour, co-founder at Barbour Spangle Design, is board chair and president of the executive committee after serving as its vice president through 2023. Barbour is the board’s first woman to hold its top spot and also its first interior designer professional in the position. She succeeds Alex Shuford III, CEO of Rock House Farm Family of Brands and Century Furniture, who will transition to the role of immediate past chair.

“The High Point Market Authority serves at the intersection of the home furnishings industry and those that sustain it,” said Barbour. “As this term’s board chair, I’m excited to not only fortify, but also expand the connection between the communities creating and purchasing within our industry.”

Jeremy Hoff, CEO at Hooker Furnishings, will step into the vice chair role, and Blake Millinor, CEO, Valdese Weavers, will become treasurer.

The board of directors is responsible for support and guidance of the operations and marketing initiatives managed by HPMA.

The next High Point Market is scheduled for April 13-17, 2024. Registration will open in January.

See also:

• High Point Market Authority gets major state funding to improve Market District
• Market Authority campaign highlights High Point area’s Southern hospitality

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — HawaExpo 2024, the Vietnam export furniture fair, is set for March 6-9, 2024, and themed “Navigating the World of Possibility.”

Touted as the largest export furniture fair in the country, HawaExpo 2024 will have more than 700 exhibitors, spanning more than 3,000 booths and showcased in 56,000 square meters in the World Trade Center Binh Duong.

The tradeshow will feature three halls: Connect Hall, a hub for Vietnam’s furniture supply chain; Create Hall, a hub for interior design and innovation; and Craft Hall, connecting visitors with manufacturers of all sizes. Visitors can explore a complete catalog of local industry offerings, including furniture, original designs, lifestyle accessories, handicraft souvenirs, materials, hardware and related services.

HawaExpo 2024 offers free registration, 24/7 multi-channel support and a number of accommodation and travel discounts. Also, the expo’s 1 + 1 Program includes access to Hopefairs.com, the first furniture virtual exhibition platform in Vietnam.

See also:

• Vietnam Pavillion sets opening night event to launch its Market presentation
• VIFA Expo 2024 – Vietnam’s 16 years of presitge fair – set new dates in late February 2024

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GUANGZHOU, China — The 53rd edition of CIFF Guangzhou, a global furniture trade show, is set to offer phase 1 and phase 2 of the event in March 2024.

Following the theme “Design Trend, Global Trade and Full Supply Chain,” CIFF is scheduled for March 18-21 for home furniture, home décor and textiles, and outdoor and leisure furniture. Phase 2, set for March 28-31, will feature office furniture, commercial furniture, hotel furniture, and machinery and raw materials.

Some 4,000 exhibitors are expected to showcase at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou Pazhou, offering 830,000 square meters of showroom space for an anticipated 380,000 visitors.

During Phase 1, the Home Furniture sector will feature pavilions in Areas A, B, C and E, dedicated to design, sofa and bed, and dining and living. The Home Décor and Textile sector will include 700 exhibitors in eight new pavilions in Area D. The third sector, for outdoor furnishings, will feature 300 exhibitors I five pavilions in Area B.

During the second phase, more than 1,000 exhibitors will present Office and Commerical Space. At the same time, CIFM/Interzum Guangzhou 2024 will host more than 1,400 Chinese and international brands, showcasing technologies, machinery, materials and components.Several thematic events, design exhibitions, seminars and conferences will be held throughout the two phases and eight days, ranging from the CMF Trend Lab to the China Smart Sleep Exhibition.In addition, organizers offer the InterBiz Club to offer services to international buyersCIFF also will organize factor visits to select companies based on buyers requests.

See also: CIFF Shanghai 2023 sees 10% increase in international attendance

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NEW YORK — Ultrasuede is returning to Interwoven for the November 2023 show and introducing a color palette that nods to the company’s sustainability focus in its latest collection.

Toray Industries Inc., makers of Ultrasuede HP high-performance fabric, will showcase the line’s latest hues in the “Into the Woods” collection at Interwoven, Nov. 14-16, in High Point. Company officials said the new color theme aptly reflects the brand’s focus on sustainability.

Fourteen complementary shades are included in the biophilic-themed color story, ranging from the lightest, a cream-based Tapioca to Coffee Bean, a rich, dark brown. Additional colors featured are: Tea Rose, a subtle mauve; Sunflower, a soft gold; and a series of plant-inspired hues featuring Laurel, Basil and Lotus Green. Representatives added that a Regal Blue hue punctuates the otherwise earthy tones to offer a visual point of contrast.

Earlier this year, Toray announced an increase in plant-based components used in Ultrasuede HP, to approximately 30% of its total composition with the subsequent addition of plant-based polyurethane. The polyurethane is composed of polyol made from the non-edible castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis). In 2015, Toray began incorporating partially plant-based polyester in the production of its high-performance material, using polyester polymerized with ethylene glycol made from waste molasses in sugarcane processing, which then accounted for approximately 14% of the total material composition.

Company officials said that Ultrasuede is the world’s first non-woven suede material manufactured this way, a result of the company’s commitment to innovation. By continuing its investment in sustainability-driven R&D, Toray is committed to developing a 100% plant-based material for its next generation, eco-luxury material.

The non-woven construction of Ultrasuede HP material makes it inherently stain-, moisture- and fade-resistant, setting it apart in the high-performance upholstery material category. Breathable, with a similar structure to animal hides, this leather-alternative material exceeds 200,000 double rubs in independent testing.

Toray’s Ultrasuede brand is returning to Interwoven after a break this spring. To make an appointment for the event or to learn more for residential and commercial upholstered furniture applications, contact Helen Brier, Ultrasuede sales and marketing manager, at helen.brier.b6@mail.toray.

See also:

• Interwoven’s May edition brings new members, new fashions, and an eye on 2024 
• Is ITA’s no-weekend market a precursor of things to come? 

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SHANGHAI — The 52nd China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Shanghai 2023) finished up last week with more than 93,000 visitors to the National Exhibition & Convention Center, including a 10.44% increase from 2019 in overseas attendees.

CIFF Shanghai 2023 featured eight major thematic exhibition areas and concurrently held four sub-exhibitions: Shanghai International Furniture Machinery & Woodworking Machinery Fair, CIFF Commercial Office Space Exhibition, CIFF Trend Life Aesthetics Exhibition and CIFF Urban Outdoor Exhibition.

During the four-day exhibition, the 2023 Global Furniture Industry Development Forum and China Commercial Design Trend Conference were held, with more than 20 speakers and guests on topics ranging from urban renewal and sustainable design to technological change and lifestyle and cultural integration.

See also: Design Hall to take center stage at CIFF Shanghai 2023

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By Powell Slaughter, Contributing Editor

HIGH POINT — Retailers are in better inventory and open-to-buy positions this High Point Market cycle, but a post-pandemic drop in overall business means buyers will be choosier than ever.

Major manufacturer shutdowns in the past 12 months create new opportunity for exhibitors at price points from middle to high. The bedroom category should get a boost after tip-over-standard uncertainty dampened April market appetites for the category.

Those are among takeaways from conversations with sponsoring exhibitors at Premarket.

Michael Campbell, CEO at leather upholstery vendor Leather Italia, said that while his customers want new product, they are far more specific about what they’re looking for.

“Instead of saying ‘Let’s see all your sectionals,’ they’ll say ‘I need a brown, a gray and a taupe in clean contemporary lines, and I need two of them,'” he said.

The disciplined buying focus on retailers’ part has altered Leather Italia’s approach to its line. While the 41 frames it will show at Premarket and October market is within its average, the existing goods are getting a trim.

“We’re moving around our assortment and not hanging on as long to give an opportunity to underperforming we believe might do well later,” Campbell said, using a sports analogy. “A freshman on the football team could play now and give some minutes but needs development. We’re keeping those sophomores and juniors we know perform on the field.”

Bringing the goods

Hooker Furnishings didn’t skimp on introductions, with two full case goods collections for the Hooker brand alone. Retailers are ready again to see new product, said CEO Jeremy Hoff, and facetime with customers is even more vital these days.

“Retailers are more selective; nothing’s easy,” he said. “Everything is more difficult from a demand standpoint, and they’re managing what they buy differently.”

Hoff pointed out soft demand’s level of impact on orders often now depends upon the product’s inventory requirements.

“The case goods container business probably is the most negatively impacted,” Hoff noted. “Inventoried case goods are better. Domestic upholstery has been the least impacted during this demand downturn. For each level of inventory commitment, the demand environment is harder.”

Hoff said the company’s strong balance sheet and recent good news in the field create a better outlook moving forward: “Our order rates across the entire company are up double digits for the past two months. It’s not back to what I’d call normal, but it’s getting there.”

Universal goes full bore this market with perhaps its largest introduction ever in the form, not of a collection, but a 198-SKU expansion of its Modern line comprising case goods, upholstery and occasional.

“We look at this as a business vs. a singular collection,” said CEO Sean O’Connor. The new collection includes upholstery from the now fully integrated North Carolina plant acquired from Southern Furniture four years ago next month. “We’re infusing the right upholstery with it, as well as a series of jewelry items.”

Considering still-cautious buyers, a near 200-piece launch might appear a gamble, but a look at the goods shows a big range of scales and looks that retailers wanting a cohesive modern presentation on their floors can mix and match, and go as deep or broad as they need.

“What we’ve hear in our travels is that (buyers) want something new, so we wanted to make sure we’re prepared to show them that,” O’Connor said. “That’s across the board from big box to boutiques.”

New approaches

High-end furniture and accessories vendor Phillips Collection looks to broaden its customer reach while maintaining its trademark use of unique materials in designer styles.

“We’ve been great at the high-end, but we haven’t at the mass market,” said CEO Mark Phillips. While the line always got high style marks from retailers, “many don’t understand (the line) or believe it might be too expensive for their market. Our goal now is to bridge that gap, to make functional products at realizable price points that have ‘wow.'”

To do that, the company is combining the established design chops of Vice President Jason Phillips and his team with big investments in technology to efficiently manage a huge SKU selection in a timely manner, with the ability to more efficiently produce goods unique by nature but of a similar piece. Standardization where possible, accurate photography and live inventory updates are key.

For example, if a retailer in San Diego sells a particular table in live-edge reclaimed teak, that table and associated photography immediately disappear from inventory available to all other customers while still giving the latter a selection of very similar pieces.

Vaughan-Bassett Furniture’s re-introduction of dining room is paramount to countering the industry’s post-COVID sales slump and at the same time better utilizing its work force.

“We were a little surprised, not that business went down, but (that it) went back down to 2019 levels,” said President Doug Bassett, adding that the addition of six post-COVID bedrooms saw no increase in sales.

The Dovetail dining room in the company’s Artisan & Post solid wood program employs currently under-utilized workers from the Galax bedroom facility in the nearby former Webb Furniture plant. It is making and boxing goods for 48-hour-or-less shipment. Come October, Vaughan-Bassett also will have a new solid cherry dining room and bedroom in another collaboration with HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier.

A dedicated dining production facility is a key element to support growth in the category efficiently, since Vaughan-Bassett’s main plant is geared toward bedroom production.

“We’re not forcing the tables and chairs through a plant designed for bedroom, and we never have to stop bedroom production to switch over to dining,” Bassett said. “By October 2024 we intend to have four solid wood dining collections we hope will add $15 million to 20$ million in volume.”

See also:

• Fall Premarket in full swing
• What was on retailers’ minds at Premarket? Here’s how 9 answered

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