Showtime Exhibitors Have High Hopes for High Quality in 2000
April 17, 2000
High Point - Exhibitors at High Point's Winter Showtime said they are beginning to sell more of their higher-end products. Several exhibitors at the show, which took place 11-15 January, are projecting an increase in sales for 2000, especially with better-end goods.
''Volume growth has been in price points between $4.50 and $8.50, whereas usually volume sales are below $4.50,'' said Tom Muzekari, vice president of sales and marketing for Fall River, Mass.-based Quaker. ''When the consumer has a choice of buying better fabrics, the consumer will pay if given the opportunity. We all want to sell better goods. Hopefully this is the sign of consumer interest in better fabrics and not just an effect of the booming economy,'' he said.
At Showtime, Quaker unveiled a fabric it calls ''Magic Carpet,'' which is an antique rug design in acrylic, polyester, cotton, and nylon that sells at $7.95 a yard.
Pat Sharkey, designer/merchandiser for Nipkow & Kobelt Inc., a New York-based firm, said sales have greatly increased with the company's line of India-produced silk shantung, which starts at $7.60 a yard and increases as customers add opulent touches such as steel mirrors, beads, and other decorative ornaments. ''At first only a few were interested in these luxurious looks for the home, but our business just keeps getting bigger. We feel like consumers are interested in giving a higher-end look to their homes.''
New this market from Nipkow & Kobelt is cashmere fabric decorated with beads, and double-sided dupioni with yarns and shimmering threads inside. ''We're finding that our clients are interested in these fabrics for upholstery pillows, bed covers, throws, and drapes,'' she said. ''We think the sheers will continue to be a fashion favorite.''
Andy Schwartz a sales manager at Doral Fabrics Inc. in Farmingdale, N.Y., agreed. ''We're getting most of our business at the high-end and the sheer silks are the ones selling best.'' Doral imports silks from India and China. Schwartz said Doral's fabrics are available from $11.50 to $40 a yard, but the expensive silks sell the most.
Chenilles continue to lead the way, but mills indicate they are giving fabrics dressier, more elegant styling versus the comfortable, lived-in look. Finishing is more important as well: the softer and more textural the better.
To boost the surface appeal of its introductions, Weave, based in Hackensack, New Jersey, showed textured plains with new boucle yarns and cotton-rayon-linen blend yarns. ''Chenille is still hot, and it appears it will stay that way,'' said Roger Berkley, president of Weave. ''There's definitely a home for better chenilles.''
Two companies betting on the appeal of better-end chenilles are Volfi International Inc., of Quebec, Canada, and Madison Park Fabrics of Plains, Pennsylvania. Volfi is attempting to capture a chunk of the American marketplace with its $7 to $9.95 a yard cotton chenilles. ''This market is so strong for the nicer goods,'' said Pierre Barthe, president of Sales of Volfi. ''This is our third season at Showtime and we're beginning to see the demand for our fabrics. We feel like we bring European values, but American prices and colors to the marketplace. Our fabrics are constructed at 70 pics. These strengths are appreciated by our developing American client base.''
Madison Park is a brand new division of American Silk Mills that was created specifically to attract upholstery manufacturers with a higher-end line of chenilles. The new line includes around 50 different looks at prices from $5.95 to $12.95, including upscale plaids and stripes in colorways of amethyst, mineral blue, and ruby. ''We've unveiled a line of cotton chenilles with bright, comfortable colors and more texture than you're used to seeing in the industry,'' said Mac Lane, sales manager.
Even leathers were shown with more sheen and creative treatments to give them a sophisticated look. Randall Wilson, director of sales and marketing for Friitala, Hickory, N.C., said that refined styling is important and rich designs featuring great color depth stand out. ''We are showcasing rustic products with a richer look and great feel that highlights leather's natural beauty,'' he said.
The summer Showtime is slated to take place 10-14 July in High Point, North Carolina. An expanded Market Square will provide for a total of 354,000 square feet of exhibitor space.
''Volume growth has been in price points between $4.50 and $8.50, whereas usually volume sales are below $4.50,'' said Tom Muzekari, vice president of sales and marketing for Fall River, Mass.-based Quaker. ''When the consumer has a choice of buying better fabrics, the consumer will pay if given the opportunity. We all want to sell better goods. Hopefully this is the sign of consumer interest in better fabrics and not just an effect of the booming economy,'' he said.
At Showtime, Quaker unveiled a fabric it calls ''Magic Carpet,'' which is an antique rug design in acrylic, polyester, cotton, and nylon that sells at $7.95 a yard.
Pat Sharkey, designer/merchandiser for Nipkow & Kobelt Inc., a New York-based firm, said sales have greatly increased with the company's line of India-produced silk shantung, which starts at $7.60 a yard and increases as customers add opulent touches such as steel mirrors, beads, and other decorative ornaments. ''At first only a few were interested in these luxurious looks for the home, but our business just keeps getting bigger. We feel like consumers are interested in giving a higher-end look to their homes.''
New this market from Nipkow & Kobelt is cashmere fabric decorated with beads, and double-sided dupioni with yarns and shimmering threads inside. ''We're finding that our clients are interested in these fabrics for upholstery pillows, bed covers, throws, and drapes,'' she said. ''We think the sheers will continue to be a fashion favorite.''
Andy Schwartz a sales manager at Doral Fabrics Inc. in Farmingdale, N.Y., agreed. ''We're getting most of our business at the high-end and the sheer silks are the ones selling best.'' Doral imports silks from India and China. Schwartz said Doral's fabrics are available from $11.50 to $40 a yard, but the expensive silks sell the most.
Chenilles continue to lead the way, but mills indicate they are giving fabrics dressier, more elegant styling versus the comfortable, lived-in look. Finishing is more important as well: the softer and more textural the better.
To boost the surface appeal of its introductions, Weave, based in Hackensack, New Jersey, showed textured plains with new boucle yarns and cotton-rayon-linen blend yarns. ''Chenille is still hot, and it appears it will stay that way,'' said Roger Berkley, president of Weave. ''There's definitely a home for better chenilles.''
Two companies betting on the appeal of better-end chenilles are Volfi International Inc., of Quebec, Canada, and Madison Park Fabrics of Plains, Pennsylvania. Volfi is attempting to capture a chunk of the American marketplace with its $7 to $9.95 a yard cotton chenilles. ''This market is so strong for the nicer goods,'' said Pierre Barthe, president of Sales of Volfi. ''This is our third season at Showtime and we're beginning to see the demand for our fabrics. We feel like we bring European values, but American prices and colors to the marketplace. Our fabrics are constructed at 70 pics. These strengths are appreciated by our developing American client base.''
Madison Park is a brand new division of American Silk Mills that was created specifically to attract upholstery manufacturers with a higher-end line of chenilles. The new line includes around 50 different looks at prices from $5.95 to $12.95, including upscale plaids and stripes in colorways of amethyst, mineral blue, and ruby. ''We've unveiled a line of cotton chenilles with bright, comfortable colors and more texture than you're used to seeing in the industry,'' said Mac Lane, sales manager.
Even leathers were shown with more sheen and creative treatments to give them a sophisticated look. Randall Wilson, director of sales and marketing for Friitala, Hickory, N.C., said that refined styling is important and rich designs featuring great color depth stand out. ''We are showcasing rustic products with a richer look and great feel that highlights leather's natural beauty,'' he said.
The summer Showtime is slated to take place 10-14 July in High Point, North Carolina. An expanded Market Square will provide for a total of 354,000 square feet of exhibitor space.
