Market Report: Las Vegas

What's happened at the Las Vegas market won't likely “stay in Vegas,” because the buzz about the burgeoning World Market Center (WMC) was loud. With the desert for a back yard, the possibility for growth is enormous; construction on the center's third building — the 2.1 million-square-foot building C — is already underway, and many of the 400-plus showrooms are spoken for.

There was also plenty of talk around the booths and showrooms about the additional competition other markets will face as Las Vegas continues to gain momentum. The High Point Furniture Market, which has really had no serious competitor for decades and has “owned” the market, was a subject of much conversation.

Many vendors we spoke to noted that High Point had become lax in customer service over the years, but added that they expected the North Carolina market would now start “perking up” its resources and assets to become more customer friendly.

Some vendors expressed fear that the two markets — Las Vegas and High Point — would compete head on and overlap their market dates. “This will truly be a hardship for us,” they told Gifts & Decorative Accessories, adding that such a move would not be in the best interest of the industry. “I'll have to choose between the two markets,” said one, noting that she didn't have the resources to attend two markets at the same time.

As for traffic… Even though it's not as busy as the winter market, vendors in general told us they were pleased with the amount of business being written. Lower, but better quality traffic volume, is definitely now the “new normal.”

For the complete Las Vegas gift show report, visit www.giftsanddec.com and click on “Direct From Market.”