Let's replace the High Point Market 'wizard'
Staff -- Furniture Today, 3/19/2007

Recently, questionable decisions have been made for the furniture industry. The decision to, first, change the month of the High Point Market and, second, alter the days of the week that comprise the market are of particular importance. These decisions are not to be taken lightly. In this letter, I am not going to debate all the particulars, but I will state a fact, which is that the weather in March is not as practical as April. Furthermore, from its inception, the High Point Market has always been in October and April. My question is: Who is the single person that originated these ideas and lobbied for support among influential people before presenting them to the industry at large?

If this person is identifiable, what can be done to replace this individual as a leader in our industry? The new leader should not be an MBA passing through the ranks of a public company; he or she should have their name on the cornerstone of a largish company and preferably own stock in the International Home Furnishings Center. It is possible that co-leadership with a retailer of analogous credentials would also be a beneficial leadership arrangement for the furniture industry.

The leading position should not be the press or a person solely involved in developing or leasing real estate. In this industry, the food chain is: consumer, retailer, wholesale importers and manufacturers.

The former are merely enablers of the product flow. A pressing goal would be to consolidate the number of markets; the retailers and wholesalers cannot afford to support them all. Recent decisions, made without any input from industry sectors, have made High Point Market less reliable and less accessible, and so more expendable. One market that does not need to go away is High Point.

As significant market decisions increase, so does the need for valued leadership, an involved leader the market community can see and understand. So Toto, pull back the curtain and let's replace the wizard!

James E. Breece III, President, Payne Street Imports