Canadian Home Furnishings Market January 9-12

The From January 9 to January 12, 2010, more than 300 exhibitors will be primed to welcome retailers and designers to The Canadian Home Furnishings Market, which takes place each year at the International Centre in Mississauga, near Toronto.

After a decisively difficult year globally, and confident in emerging signs of economic recovery for 2010, Market exhibitors are showcasing exceptional creativity in their new collections that are ready to be unveiled to some 10,000 Market visitors.

"The economic recovery predicted by many experts for 2010 — a recovery whose signs are beginning to show — should revitalize furniture sales," said Jean François Michaud, Market CEO. However, it has been shown that consumer habits change quite considerably following a recession: they become more cautious and less impulsive with their purchases, and seek out the best balance between a product’s quality, price and added value. "The decisions made by industry professionals today are instrumental in determining the degree of success they can expect once consumers start buying again," Mr. Michaud added. "That's why we thought it was important to offer two Market conferences on post-recession business, presented by two renowned experts. Two conferences aimed at helping people in the industry to understand and adapt to changes happening in the marketplace."

On Saturday, January 9, Michelle Lamb, co-founder of Marketing Directions and Editorial Director of The Trend Curve trade newsletter, will examine the phenomenon of trends and explain how they shape our industry during her keynote entitled Staying Ahead of the Curve. Exactly how do trends get started? How do they shape our industry? How do we define them? And how do they evolve over time? Michelle will present the colours, patterns and designs that are IN, as well as those on their way OUT, and the enduring classics that will continue to influence home furnishings for years to come. Consumer research and analysis, innovation, a strong sense of design and creativity are key components of today's trends. And learning to detect or even anticipate trends is a crucial step towards satisfying the latest consumer demands.

On Sunday, January 10, Mary Brett Whitfield, Senior Vice-President of the Retail Forward Intelligence System™ will present a timely keynote entitled: Retail Landscape Redefined: Shoppers, Retailers, Suppliers. During this conference, Mary identifies the key changes and challenges associated with the post-recession retail landscape that will be critical to retailer and supplier growth strategies. The economic shocks of the past two years have created a greater urgency for retailers and suppliers to address changing shopper realities. Will conspicuous consumption return? Or is a conscientious, environmentally and socially conscious shopping mentality more likely to emerge?

In addition to lectures, the Market will host the 10th edition of its Trends Display, a Market favourite that continues to educate retailers with savvy ways to significantly enhance showroom windows and floors and help improve the in-store experience for consumers. Within the current economic climate, transforming showroom windows and floors with several proven key elements is a practical way to get consumers back into stores.

The Canadian Home Furnishing Market is the most comprehensive home furnishings offer for the Canadian market.

Schedule and activities at a glance: