Feb 1, 2016

Las Vegas Market announces record buying attendance, highest level of leasing activity in five years

With record levels of new and expanded resources and double-digit gains in buyer attendance, the Winter Las Vegas Market delivered on its promise to create the leading buying platform for furniture, home décor and gifts in the western United States, January 24-28, 2016.  Starting strong — with the busiest-ever opening day in its 10-year history — and with solid attendance and brisk order writing continuing throughout the five-day Market – buyers and suppliers alike reported success posting significant gains in sales volume and new customer acquisition.

Overall attendance hit an all-time high, fueled largely by recent explosive growth in gift and home décor resources, which resulted in gains of 22 percent in gift buyer attendance and 5 percent in home décor buyer attendance.  At the same time, the furniture category — with nearly full occupancy in furniture showrooms, 95 percent of the nation’s bedding industry represented, and continued expansion among newly launched casual floors – maintained its strong buyer base.  Buyers attended from all 50 states and 77 countries.

“Winter Market was extremely strong with robust traffic. Despite weather-related travel delays, people were committed to getting here and we set another Las Vegas buyer attendance record,” said Scott Eckman, executive vice president of Marketing and Furniture Leasing, International Market Centers (IMC).

With the highest level of leasing activity in five years, the Winter Market offered buyers access to more than 330 new resources, with 146 new showrooms debuting on 40 floors in three buildings, and nearly 180 new exhibitors premiering in the newly expanded Pavilions at Las Vegas Market.

Buyers were enthusiastic about the quality and variety of merchandise presented at Winter Market, as well as the Market’s easy navigation and welcoming approach. Heather Thomas of California-based Prim’s Hardware and Home asserted, “I have been to a lot of markets and Las Vegas is the best. It is easy to navigate and everyone is extremely friendly and helpful

Overall, vendors at Winter Market were thrilled with the retail traffic, experiencing strong order writing throughout the week and garnering exposure to new customers.  Chris Watson of home décor resource Watson & Company pointed out, “Each Market we see a step-up in order writing.  This Market we’ve experienced a double digit increase from Market a year ago.”

First time exhibitors were particularly pleased with their results. “This is our first time showing in Las Vegas and for us this has been a really good Market,” remarked Harri Pakka, group CEO for furniture supplier Luonto. “We’ve opened accounts from all over the U.S.; mostly the Western states. We are very happy and this Market has been better than we expected.”