Markets are known for several great things. New products, design inspiration, idea sharing and — my personal favorite — hot topics. You know what I mean, the threads that infiltrate through every conversation you have.
Sometimes those conversations are in partner showrooms. Others take place on a shuttle or walking down the street to your next showroom stop. Maybe over a meal. Wherever they happen, interesting tidbits always bubble up.
Here are the big-picture, overriding topics that I expect to take center stage during spring High Point Market days.
Tariffs on top
The new administration has put tariffs front and center into its economic plan. Recently, the stock market hasn’t responded very well and is desperately telling Trump to stop the madness.
So far, as of this print deadline, the madness continues, and it appears the U.S. is in a full-blown trade war with China. Each side continues to ramp up reciprocal tariffs, sending cause for concern across the industry, as tariffs on products from other global trading partners climbing as well.
For furniture and mattress makers still sourcing from Asia, the implications are significant. Added costs and tighter margins, for example. Companies are weighing whether to eat the costs — which seems nearly impossible — pass them along to customers or revisit sourcing strategies.
And it’s not just a manufacturer’s issue. Retailers are keenly tuned in as well for the impact tariffs could have on their pricing, sourcing and the ultimate impact for consumer dollars.
Consumer confidence wobbles
While shoppers haven’t slammed the brakes on spending, they’re definitely easing off the gas. Inflation, higher interest rates and general economic unease are starting to affect how and where consumers spend. In an industry that thrives on discretionary dollars, this environment brings uncertainty.
Retailers are already adjusting: tightening inventory, leaning into promotions and getting creative with value messaging. Expect to hear a lot of “how’s business?” followed quickly by “people are being cautious.” For our industry, which has already weathered a post-pandemic reset, the question now is how to maintain momentum in a cooling environment.
Waiting for the other shoe
Is a recession coming? It depends on who you ask, but the question itself is fueling plenty of hallway talk. While GDP growth remains modest and unemployment relatively low, other signals — including a softening housing starts, rising delinquencies and consumer pullback — are flashing yellow.
For the home furnishings sector, long tied to housing activity and economic cycles, this kind of uncertainty can feel like standing on shifting sand. Some retailers are tightening inventory; others are playing offense with aggressive promotions. Either way, no one’s ignoring the elephant in the room. The mood may not be gloomy, but it’s definitely watchful.
So, as you walk the halls of High Point and take in all the color, texture and inspiration on display, don’t forget to listen for the undercurrent. These aren’t just side conversations; they are the challenges shaping the industry’s path forward.
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