Editor's notes
Tanya K. Merritte, Managing Editor -- Kids Today, 10/1/2005
Last month's All Baby and Child Expo turned out to be one of the biggest juvenile shows in recent memory. About 3,700 buyers jammed into the Las Vegas Convention Center to see what exhibitors had to offer, and many were not disappointed.
"The best show I ever attended." "I picked up new vendors." These are just some of the comments I heard repeatedly during the show and afterward. It seems nearly everyone was able to find just what they needed to keep their store inventory fresh. A couple of retailers told me they were really pleased with their current vendors, who they said stepped up to the plate and delivered some great new product.
It seems the ABC Expo is hitting its stride, and many of those in the independent specialty store business are realizing this is a show they can't afford to miss. And that goes for retailers and manufacturers alike. Young America, the youth division of Stanley Furniture, was one of the bigger names to make its Expo debut in 2005. Glenn Prillaman, senior vice president of Young America, noted that the show is a "must-attend for exhibitors who are serious about being significant" in the juvenile industry. Judging from the turnout at this year's show (more than 8,000) and the fact that more than half of this year's 717 exhibitors have already signed up for 2006, I would say his observation is on point.
Now many of us are turning our attention to High Point. I attended premarket, and I was impressed by much of what I saw. Many manufacturers are really stepping out there and taking chances. Of course, there will always be a place for sweet white bedroom groups for girls, but exhibitors now seem eager to really grab the trickier tween and teen markets.
Youth continues to grow in High Point as well, with manufacturers such as Legacy Classic and Opus Designs expanding their showrooms. And more adult furniture players are getting into the category with Klaussner Furniture and Largo International making their youth debuts this month.
Between ABC and High Point, I see real momentum in the youth industry, and that's welcome news to us all.
