Now that the semi-annual High Point furniture market has come to a close and I’ve been able to sort through my notebook – which is filled to the brim with scribbled and hard-to-decipher notes – I wanted to point out a few trends and general themes I noticed.

Big new product intros

Suppliers are being aggressive with new product introductions in hopes that at least something will catch the eye of a retailer looking to round out their floor. Several debuted their biggest intros yet, while others brought out collections encompassing every category they offer.

Universal Furniture, for example, broadened its Modern collection with its largest expansion ever, adding 198 SKUs this market. New items cover upholstery and case goods, and include mirrors, bar cabinets, occasional chairs, dining sets, stools and more.

High-end supplier AICO was another to have its largest introduction ever, unveiling around 25 new collections, again spanning all of its categories. Other companies to have major debuts were Bernards Furniture, Sherill Furniture, Martin Furniture, Magnussen and Legacy Classic.

“Updated traditional” is a strong style trend

Traditional looks, particularly in case goods, are strong, continuing the trend seen last April. Suppliers are really ramping up their focus on the style, with many offering “updated” takes. One example is the new Revival collection from A.R.T., which honors the company’s 20th year of business.

“This is a collection that targets Grand Millennials,” said Doug Rozenboom, president of A.R.T., referencing a Millennial consumer who’s inspired by traditional design and seeks to blend vintage looks with modern touches.

Features of the line, which encompasses case pieces and upholstery, include swirl mahogany veneers and wood-backed dining chairs with tufted upholstered fronts and bead work. The company’s sister brand, Jonathan Charles, also focused on updated traditional with extremely decorative items “meant to evoke class and elegance.”

Other companies to push this style were Universal Furniture, Legacy Classic and Hooker Furniture. Hooker’s two new collections, Americana and Bella Donna, blend “classic aesthetics with today’s functionality to create two looks that will resonate with a broad spectrum of our customers,” said Mike Harris, president of case goods and upholstery.

New categories

This is a continuation of the big new product introduction trend talked about earlier, but still worthy of being pointed out. Case goods suppliers are expanding into new categories to both gain new customers and to strengthen business with existing buyers. Many have strong relationships with specific buyers, and those buyers have expressed interest in purchasing a wider range of product if a supplier were to offer it.

Domestic case good manufacturer Copeland Furniture made its debut into upholstery with the new Sierra collection. Magnussen also got into upholstery, unveiling 100 new SKUs in the category covering leather motion, fabric motion and fabric stationary. And Martin Furniture, a specialist in entertainment and home office furniture, entered the dining category with 15 collections.

Others to venture into new categories included Legacy Classic, which got into motion upholstery with 12 new sets; Artistica, which got into upholstery with six new sofas and chairs; and Vaughan-Bassett, which re-entered the dining category after a three-year absence.

Most handled STURDY the same way

At last spring’s market, suppliers were grappling with the challenges and uncertainty of meeting the STURDY Act. This fall, with the rule already in place, the challenges are largely over. But I wanted to know how these challenges were met.

Nearly every supplier I talked to reported meeting the standard in at least one of the following ways: adding weight to the back of a case piece, increasing the back panel’s thickness, and using ¾ extension drawer slides.

Last market, when I asked people what they were considering doing to meet the standard, many said the answer could lie in interlocking mechanisms that prevent more than one drawer from opening at a time. Last week, however, almost everyone I talked to opted not to go that route. One supplier said it was too risky, saying it could jeopardize the lifetime warranty it offers.

The majority of suppliers I talked to said they did not raise prices, instead opting to eat the costs themselves, which were minimal for some and painful for others. One prominent supplier, that wished to remain off the record, said retailers simply would not accept a price increase at this time. A few others echoed this sentiment.

Quick-ship and mixability are selling points

Quite a few suppliers are investing in programs to get product to retailers more quickly. High-end domestic manufacturer Stickley Furniture was one, unveiling its new express shipping program in which select items ship in either 30 or 60 days.

Legends Furniture was another, with a chief focus on expanding its Mixology program, which allows buyers to mix and match from all of the company’s categories out of its Vietnam warehouse. There are no minimums per item, and Legends handles all the logistics.

Domestic manufacturer Fusion Designs was another to put its focus here, adding two new dining lines to its quick-ship Essentials program. Under Essentials, buyers can get solid maple dining furniture in 10 days from time of order.

Did I miss anything noteworthy? If you were at the High Point Market, let me know what you saw. Email me at rdalheim@furnituretoday.com.

See also:

• Go big with new product now, pull back later, says this case goods manufacturer
• Tip-over talk dominates case goods arena, but optimism still shines through

The post 5 takeaways from my trip to furniture market last week | Bobby Dalheim appeared first on Furniture Today.

At age 66 and with five grandchildren, my wife and I decided we needed a beach house for building sandcastles, chasing seagulls along the surf, and finding an exit path for an eventual retirement down the road.

So, we found a spot on the South Carolina coast and fell in love with a bright and cheerful home that was fully furnished. Wow. We could avoid the hassles of ordering furniture, waiting for delivery, hiring the decorator and trying to find all the accessories to match the decor. It was already done and perfectly met our taste and wants.

The case goods are Tommy Bahama. The upholstery is Grandin Road. The dining table is Four Hands. Much of the art is West Elm. The porch is furnished with Summer Classics. All the names were familiar to me and gave my wife and me comfort that the home was indeed in top shape.

As we moved in and got settled, we realized that some adjustments were needed to make the house a home and to truly become a Stump landing spot. This is where the learning came from.

With grandchildren we knew messes would occur, so we checked with Grandin Road and quickly learned we could purchase slip covers for the sofas. A few keystrokes later we had ordered several pairs of slipcovers.

Also, the children’s playroom needed appropriate furniture, so we ordered Sixpenny small chairs online, which were delivered in two weeks. With two infants we needed two cribs, and a quick scan of the web led us to Serena and Lily, which coincidentally was having a sale. They are on order and should arrive within a month.

We scanned the Wayfair website for ideas and several items popped up, and we quickly made the purchase.

Smaller decor items and household/kitchen goods were also easily purchased online. So, within a few days, our front door was stacked with boxes full of hairdryers, towels, linens, paper towels, etc. Fortunately, there is a recycling center right down the road!

What I learned, in summary:

• New and used home sales create immediate demand for furnishings. We know that intuitively, but I had forgotten the magnitude of the impact. With interest rates higher, home sales are down and hence our sluggish furniture economy right now.
• Online purchasing will continue to grow. It is easy and fast. Companies that can manage the in-stock inventory positions will be winners.
• Technology will be a key differentiator between the winners and losers. As we made our purchase decisions, we abandoned difficult websites and migrated to sites that were easy to navigate and accessible.

Come see us at the beach. The house is nicely adorned and open for company.

Tim Stump is founder and president of mergers and acquisition advisory firm Stump & Co.

The post What I learned about furniture when I bought a house | Tim Stump appeared first on Furniture Today.

I am upset.

I have health issues that are prohibiting me from attending this October’s High Point Market. And this after my spine and heart doctors had my hopes up that I could go for at least a long weekend.

High Point Market is more than just a business event for me. As I have said often, it is more like a reunion with hundreds of friends. And in many cases I have become friends with my old friend’s children and am proud to see their interest in the family business and taking over key roles. I could name a lot of names.

My family feels very connected to High Point, too. My son and his wife met at High Point University, had the wedding in High Point, and now her parents have moved to Richmond to be with the kids and their two children, 2 and 4.

While I am not a party-going guy, there are more events scheduled for market evenings than ever, and lots of new showrooms and buildings to explore, but really every showroom will be updated just for you.

I cannot remember going to market and not hearing a program or speech that taught me something helpful.

I won’t mention my favorite restaurant while I’m in town, but it is spelled Marisol.

I have had unforgettable experiences in High Point. My brace on my paralyzed leg broke one evening when I was emcee at a huge event. I had to hang on to the podium or fall.

Another time, a camera was stolen from my room at the old Holiday Inn, near the current Plaza building. That night around midnight there was a VERY LOUD KNOCK ON MY DOOR followed by, “Mr. Epperson, this is the POLICE!”

As I struggled to put on my brace so I could walk to the door, the voice and knocks kept getting LOUDER. The remainder of that market, people kept asking me what was happening in my hotel room.

While I won’t be there in person this fall, I look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming April High Point Market. It will be my 100th!

See also:

• Our time away from markets taught us four good lessons … and more | Jerry Epperson
• Be confident in the product we make and sell | Jerry Epperson

The post Yearning for a trip to High Point Market | Jerry Epperson appeared first on Furniture Today.

Lately we, and the industry, have been talking a lot about the business climate, the economy and the consumer penchant to pull back on discretionary spending when the consumer price index increases.

August delivered 0.6% CPI, and for the 12-month period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the index climbed 3.7%. September numbers are due out this week.

While we hear of companies like United Furniture/Lane, Klaussner Home Furnishings, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and more, we don’t always look at the impact a drop in consumer spending has on small business, which is where the majority of retailers in the industry fall on the size scale.

In addition to the CPI, here’s a stat that crossed my inbox this week that causes a bit of pause when considering independent retailers and small businesses in the U.S. and the role that segment plays in our economy and our industry.

The number of small business owners that were unable to pay their September rent in full inched up to 40%, and pertinent to our industry, 47% of retailers — nearly half of those surveyed — couldn’t pay their rent, according to Alignable’s September Rent Report that surveyed more than 4,500 small business owners. That 40% is up a percentage point from August and 10 percentage points from January’s 30% mark. Alignable is an online network consisting of more than 8 million small business members across 35,000 communities.

A good number of retailers in our industry rent their store spaces, and while that 47% number doesn’t consist of all home furnishings or mattress retail stores, it’s a strong indicator of an overall ugly trend that is likely impacting some of our retail connections.

No surprise here that the survey cited four economic issues contributing to the rent delinquency: revenue loss from fewer consumers in the marketplace, climbing interest rates, increased rental rates with more than half of the survey participants indicating that they are being charged more than they were paying six months ago and increased gas prices that continue to pinch consumers’ wallets.

According to the survey, the three states at the top of the small business rent troubles list are New York, New Jersey and Illinois. Illinois did show some improvement with the last survey indicating that its delinquency rate dropped six percentage points from 52% in August to 46% in September.

While I’m not one to spout a lot of doom and gloom, the numbers shared by Alignable are concerning.

Bedding and furniture insiders continue to tell our team that they don’t expect business conditions to start turning until the middle of 2024. Some that we have spoken with say even middle of next year is optimistic as we enter into what is sure to be a raucous — and I’m being kind here — election season. It’s already showing signs of anger and nastiness a year out.

Given that perspective, 2025 seems more likely, and as time lags on and the economic issues cited above remain in place, we are likely to see more retailers fall behind on rent or mortgages.

If that happens, we’ll lose more retail players and face continued consolidation.

See also:

• 3 observations from 3 local retail stores | Sheila Long O’Mara
• Finding the parallels between Klaussner and UFI/Lane | Sheila Long O’Mara

The post Retailers are feeling economic pinch; it shows when they can’t pay the rent | Sheila Long O’Mara appeared first on Furniture Today.

It’s High Point Market week, and before the market officially opens on Saturday there will be plenty of talk about traffic. How much of it came early? Who was in town on Monday? Tuesday? Are all the majors here? Who’s not coming? Do you think it will pick up?

Then, of course, the unofficial measurements begin. How long are the elevator lines? Do the halls seem crowded? What’s the parking situation? Foot traffic on the streets?

That will be followed by rationalizations: “it’s not the quantity it’s the quality” (I agree with this one actually) and “We saw the people we needed to see.” We’ve all heard and likely said these things or something like it at one point or another.

For the latest High Point Market news, click here to visit our Live From Market landing page.

The simple truth is there are fewer retailers today than there were 10 years ago, even fewer than there were 20 years ago and quite a lot fewer than there were 30 years ago. That’s why around 60% of the registered attendees at the Market this week will be interior designers. That channel remains highly fragmented and will continue to account for a high proportion of registrations and foot traffic.

But there’s a more relevant concern this week than traffic.

It’s open-to-buy.

Every retailer in the world could fly into High Point this week (we can all wish), but if they don’t have dollars allocated for new goods, their presence would mean little. After nearly two years of soft sales and lower foot traffic, retail inventories remain higher than most market exhibitors would like heading into a critical selling season.

I’ve spoken with several retailers in recent weeks, and the consensus is that retail open-to-buy, like consumers discretionary spending, is constrained. Despite many exhibitors coming to market with their “largest-ever” slates of new products, the likelihood is that much of what is new will not make it to retail floors. That’s not a function of traffic, but of inventory levels, consumer demand and the higher cost of borrowing.

In this environment, the traditional method of evaluating market success by counting the number of companies that get scanned into the showroom is unlikely to be an effective measure of actual market productivity.

Instead, it might prove more instructional to measure the number of “new” accounts that walk through the door. This number might help companies better understand the potential for market share growth and where that growth is coming from. Or perhaps a measure of new slots gained on existing floors or new accounts opened could prove effective, at least given the difficulty of finding a normal timeframe against which to measure comparative results these days.

Whatever the measure, discussions of “traffic” at markets are not the benchmark they once were. The real measure of success this market will be who can capture their share (and maybe someone else’s) of what is certain to be a smaller pool of open-to-buy dollars.

See you ‘round the market.

See also:

• One High Point Market trend you’ll miss if you look too closely | Bill McLoughlin
• Premarket ‘barometer’ charts industry’s competitive activity | Bill McLoughlin

The post The key to success at High Point Market this week is not traffic | Bill McLoughlin appeared first on Furniture Today.

As we enter the October market, there is a lot of noise around the economy and government policies that affect consumer psyche. Does that impact their desire to upgrade their home furnishings in the near future? That is the question. And what will be the mindset retailers and factories have towards new product introduced at market? I am cautiously optimistic.

There are some very real challenges that will be facing some people that may have impact on their ability to purchase home furnishings. After three years of deferral due to pandemic policy, the roughly $1.75 trillion of outstanding student loans in the U.S. started accruing interest again this month. For the 44 million Americans with student debt, payments resumed in October. Now the borrowers will face loans with the highest interest rates in 15 years.

It is likely that spending habits will change for some recently graduated buyers as they rearrange their household budgets. Roughly 70% of the U.S. economy is tied in one way or another to consumer spending; the inflation in food, gas and housing is also taking money out of the household budgets.

Since furniture is a highly deferrable purchase, it is likely that when consumers change their spending behavior, segments of the furniture industry will feel a pinch. We are already starting to see it in our industry from publicly traded companies reporting slumping sales. In a recent survey, 70% of respondents said they plan to shop more often at discount retailers. Pressure on individual’s budgets will send them into value purchases.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people who are not worried about the price of gas, food or student debt. In many places, I see new home construction selling out quickly. In my town due to high demand, there are houses selling for many times what they would have sold for before the pandemic. Those who are not encumbered by debt and have money to spend on cruises and travel, will also find their way to spending on home furnishings given the right offer. There is always money moving around in the marketplace if the offering is right.

So what do I expect for market? A mixed bag. Promotional vendors should do well gaining floor placements at the expense of higher-priced, slower-moving products. Consumers will downgrade their wants and needs to fit their pocketbook, and retailers will change their offerings accordingly. Retailers also will be looking for items they can show at great prices in their advertisements. Value will be the key.

It also could be a surprisingly good market for new introductions. On many retailers’ floors the offering is the same thing from the same vendors. Thus, they compete to see who can be the lowest price. Some retail floors get stale, and a customer that comes in time after time looking for something new will eventually find it elsewhere or on the Internet.

This market is an opportunity to freshen up the floors with value products and new looks that will not be on every other floor. New product that excites the customers to update their home furnishings should also do very well.

Have a great market.

See also:

• Thoughts for sales reps in challenging times | Mike Root
• Ideas for sales reps to beat the summertime blahs | Mike Root

The post Market expectations for October 2023 | Mike Root appeared first on Furniture Today.

Furniture retailers are grappling with the enduring perception of oversupply, despite a surge in consumer spending. In 2009, the United States witnessed a peak of 56.5 square feet of retail space per capita, yet this figure has since steadily declined to 54.3 square feet per capita, marking a 3.9% reduction. This shift has transpired alongside an increase in both population and retail spending.

The pandemic prompted a significant spending spree, with consumers elevating their spending on goods by 35% and services by 21% since February 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

However, this upswing in spending has failed to dispel the lingering oversupply perception within the retail sector. Retail construction remains subdued, and aging malls have undergone redevelopment, resulting in the demolition of more than 130 million square feet of retail space over the past five years.

In the furniture retail sector, retailers have managed to adapt to this challenge by maintaining inventory growth, albeit at a slower pace than population and spending increases. This highlights their adeptness at efficiently managing supply chains to balance inventory and demand.

While the shift in supply per capita impacts one market differently than another, in numerous top markets there has been a decrease in total retail space over the past 15 years, particularly in areas with robust population growth. In response, furniture retailers in these markets are focusing on optimizing their existing spaces.

Many furniture retailers are navigating the changing landscape by taking a consumer-centric approach.

Recognizing evolving consumer preferences, furniture retailers have invested in improving the in-store experience and embracing digital transformation. Technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have gained prominence, allowing customers to visualize furniture in their homes before making a purchase. This shift was accelerated during the pandemic as online furniture shopping gained traction.

They are also enhancing their supply chain resilience by improving forecasting, implementing efficient procurement practices and just-in-time inventory management, ensuring that they can manage inventory efficiently and minimize oversupply.

Lastly, furniture retailers are expanding their offerings beyond traditional furniture. They have ventured into home decor, smart home technology and services such as interior design consultations. This diversification not only meets changing consumer needs, but also presents opportunities to optimize retail space effectively.

While the furniture retailer sector is a part of the broader retail industry, it faces unique challenges regarding the perception of oversupply. Adapting to evolving consumer preferences, enhancing the shopping experience both in-store and online, and building resilient supply chains will be pivotal for furniture retailers to successfully navigate this evolving retail landscape.

Ben Haverty has more than 30 years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur in the furniture industry, operating retail stores, home delivery warehouses and regional distribution facilities. As the lead of Colliers Furniture Industry Service Team, he works with Colliers integrated real estate services to provide comprehensive solutions for every stage of the furniture industry supply chain.

See also:

• Where is consumer spending? NRF economist analyzes the numbers
• How furniture retailers can navigate rent increase in a challenging environment | Ben Haverty

The post How can furniture retailers adapt to retail space shrinking? | Ben Haverty appeared first on Furniture Today.

It’s High Point Market season, which means talk of emerging trends will soon fill the air. The good news is the depth and breadth of new products on display is expected to be among the largest in years.

It’s both a response to challenges at retail, where it’s been painfully difficult to capture and hold consumers’ attention, and a release of pent-up product development stifled by pandemic-related market factors. We saw that trend emerge last October and gain steam in April. Expect the wave of “new” to continue this fall.

There will be no shortage of new finishes and colors, patterns and styles. And of course, there will be countless white bouclé sofas, which are now as ubiquitous as ants at a picnic (although hopefully more welcome).

But there’s one trend that may not be as obvious. And the closer you look the more likely you are to miss it. Because this trend is not about color, or style, finish or fabric.

It’s about competition.

Periodically a trend emerges that has more to do with strategy and business model than with color and style. This isn’t a new trend. In fact, it’s ebbed and flowed in its impact for most of the past decade. It’s a function of companies’ need to grow business in a flat market, coupled with the desire of increasingly large and influential retailers to consolidate their vendor base.

You might call it the drive to be “whole home.” It’s a trend that has seen case goods players entering the upholstery segment and upholstery resources looking to layer in case offerings. Again, not a new phenomenon but one that periodically accelerates bringing a new range of players into the battle.

And a battle it has become.

The need to capture market share in a flat — some say shrinking — market has most everyone looking covetously at their competitors’ businesses. As you shop the market, you’ll notice that most showrooms have a product category you would not have found there a few years ago. Maybe it’s outdoor furniture where there was none before. Maybe it’s motion upholstery at a one-time case goods specialist. It might even be accessories and décor at a long-time furniture company.

The latest wave of diversification is seeing companies move well beyond their historic core businesses to encompass entirely new segments of the home furnishings industry. Looking at some of the most recent M&A activity you’ll notice that much of it is aimed at taking companies into categories in which they had little or no previous penetration.

This isn’t a strategy aimed at capturing new slots on a selling floor or gaining additional capacity as much as it is about opening and strengthening new channels or creating a beachhead in an entirely new area of the retail selling floor.

It’s worth watching this emerging battle between those looking to capture new space and those looking to defend it. It could well be the defining aspect of competition over the next few years.

See also:

• Are Barbie, Beyonce and Taylor Swift killing the furniture business? | Bill McLoughlin
• Time for a reset? Increasingly complex challenges put premium on change management | Bill McLoughlin

The post One High Point Market trend you’ll miss if you look too closely | Bill McLoughlin appeared first on Furniture Today.

HIGH POINT — Like the old Spanish adage referencing the cobbler’s children who have no shoes, our home furnishings editors are often so busy reporting about the industry that they ignore their own homes while pursuing stories about product, people, markets and business.

With that in mind and just for fun, we asked our team what’s on their own personal consumer horizon for home. Here’s what they said:

Bill McLouglin, editor in chief, Furniture Today

Rugs, wall décor and a classically styled credenza to serve as a television display unit, not just a stand but something that encompasses storage for media. Area rugs for dining room and runners for several hallways. It would be great to find something classic in style but with refreshed, modern colorways. Prints, multi-media art and even classic framed art are all on my radar to refresh the living room and dining room.

Vicky Jarrett, managing editor, Furniture Today

The next two big things on our list are a refrigerator and sofa. Make that three: a new mattress, too.

Thomas Lester, retail editor, Furniture Today

While most of my home furnishings are either relatively new or in pretty good shape, I think the next thing I might be interested in is a nicer patio set. I’ve got a bit more outside space and having something attractive and durable would really make it that much better.

Bobby Dalheim, senior editor, Furniture Today

A mattress. As new parents, my wife and I are struggling to get sleep as it is, and our 15-year-old mattress isn’t helping matters. I’m not sure of the kind yet and haven’t looked into it too much. But we could really use something soon. Anything to get more sleep!

Sheila Long O’Mara, executive editor, Furniture Today

1. Lumber to build a pergola.
2. Three decent-sized watercolors for the great room.
3. A pet-friendly, teenager-friendly, yet nice looking sofa, for the bonus room.

Andrea Lillo, executive editor, Designers Today

I just ordered a new exhaust fan for my bathroom because the first new one was a dud. But that’s not exciting. I renovated my bathroom this summer, and – now that I’ve recovered from that – I’m going to tackle my kitchen next. It’s a galley kitchen. I’ll be replacing my cabinets, countertops, refrigerator, range, microwave and flooring, as well as adding a dishwasher (I’m currently the dishwasher).

Anne Flynn Wear, assistant managing editor, Home Accents Today

We are looking for a few new rugs for the dining room and kitchen area as our next home purchase. The rugs we have are several decades old at this point.

Cindy Hodnett, executive editor, Home Accents Today and Designers Today

An industrial strength, smaller-scale, island-vibe sofa for the sunroom that will hold up to 6’3” body types AND fit the year-round summer aesthetic at the same time. It’s a tough ask!

Next week’s Fun Friday question: Where do you like to eat during High Point Market?

See also:

• Next-gen retail: Nebraska Furniture Mart launches 37B with an eye on the future
• How to describe Big Lots new store format? There’s no place like home.

The post Just for fun: We asked our editors about their next home purchase appeared first on Furniture Today.

I am proud of my 20-year-old granddaughter who is a rising junior at Virginia Tech. She is doing well in her courses, which is in a medical field that works with people with disabilities. Imagine that.

We had a long conversation this weekend about her plans for graduate school and life. Of course, I enjoyed hearing about her furniture feelings.

One frustration was how some furniture is almost disposable when you buy it. Her new apartment at Tech has a balcony, and she needs chairs. Her choice according to her are “junky” folding or plastic ones at a mass merchant or much more expensive metal ones that often cannot be bought except in a five-piece set.

Another consideration is transporting every item the four hours to Blacksburg, Va. Her SUV barely holds all her non-furnishings as it is. Her current boyfriend recently got a car barely large enough for him. I owned the family pick-up but gave it away when we migrated to a condo.

She needs a sofa, preferably a sleeper. Do you buy the mattress separately? I never considered that. Her experience with futons (yes, multiple futons) is too miserable to discuss. Do they make futons for anyone but poor students?

Then we discussed other options like stealing our stuff so her grandmother gets to buy new. I’m less than enthused.

Looking for pass-me-downs among friends and family? Maybe. Internet want ads? Ugh.

Of course, my solution was go to a local furniture store in Blacksburg or Christiansburg that can solve all your needs. Wonder if my buddy Marc Schewel has a store there? Or the nice folks at Grand Home or Virginia Furniture or maybe Ashley among so many choices.

Then we went on to discuss her residential plans after school. Does anyone listen to this generation? She doubts it.

By the way, growing up she went to lots of High Point Markets. It was our fun family thing to do on Sundays, and she loved it. Her brother liked it so much he attended HPU.

See also:

• Time to chat? Gen Z reveals ways to improve their online shopping experience
• Gen Zers can be just like every other shopper, until they’re not

The post Listening to a 20-something on furniture, housing and more | Jerry Epperson appeared first on Furniture Today.