Market

The Vegas market has a very strong mattress/bedding presence, and the World Market Center has done a good job bringing energy and focus to this sector. With Stump & Companys recently announced sale of Jamison Bedding to Solstice Sleep Products, we were busy on the bedding floors actively talking‎ with buyers and sellers.

Mergers & Acquisitions are front and center as the general economy is getting stronger, the furniture trends are positive, and capital remains relatively cheap. Strong companies are buying weak ones, large companies are buying small ones, and Private Equity is furiously looking for deals given their huge pool of available funds.

Many exhibitors indicated they are enjoying a more regular High Point presence with their customers, via the First Tuesday initiative and other private meetings at the showrooms.

The Stump team enjoyed a full 2 days of Neocon this week in Chicago as we witnessed an energetic gathering of commercial furniture specialists.

The Stump team traveled to Chicago this week for the annual office/contract furnishings show called NeoCon.

Contract/Commercial furniture folks are upbeat, as business is strong across all sectors, and most people believe we have another 2-4 years of growth ahead of us.

The halls were jammed this year for the annual commercial furniture exhibition in Chicago. Attitudes were upbeat and most of our clients are signaling good sales and profits for the year.

The Stump team attended both the September 20-23 Casual show and the October 4-6 Neocon show in Chicago's famed Merchandise Mart. After a long, COVID-induced pause, we found both to be upbeat despite mixed traffic.

There was a vibrant and upbeat backdrop for BDNY (Boutique & Design: New York). We spoke with over 100 hospitality CEOs who all, despite a sluggish fall for many, seem optimistic about the growth in the hospitality sector and a clear path of continued strong growth through 2017 and likely into 2018.

BDNY (Boutique & Design: New York) was packed and energetic, with many companies reporting record traffic. The Javitz Center format continues to be a hit with small booths that enable companies to efficiently display capabilities and conduct meaningful business without an undue amount of overhead.

The Stump team spent an uncharacteristically brief 24-hours in High Point last week at the Fall Market. With extra working days added for exhibitors, partially closed/“appointment-only” showroom policies, and ever-present COVID precautions we did not roam the halls nor shake hands as normal.

The Stump team visited High Point Market this week and met with dozens of industry CEOs. Several trends emerged as hot topics of conversation. Read our key takeaways.

There are strong strategic buyers interested in growth and diversification of products and manufacturing capabilities. Private equity companies are investing in the space, indicating that there is additional investment to follow.

The environment heading into Neocon is upbeat—with stock prices high, the general economic environment strong and the M&A industry hot.

Masked and temperature checked (and with hand-sanitizer in pockets), our team spent two very upbeat days in High Point for PreMarket. Furniture Today called it the “mother of all PreMarkets” - we agree.

This has been a strange springtime for the world and the furniture industry.

Stump & Company has had a very strong 12 months with four ‎transactions closed in the Hospitality Sector in 2017 and 2018. We look forward to several other announcements in the coming months.

The weeklong Spring Residential High Point Market was upbeat and busy. The resounding feeling was that this market was a success, with the energy and enthusiasm of 2006/2007. We spoke with 200+ industry CEOs who described business as good in spite of a weak first quarter with some retailers.

Optimism at the market was palpable. Most owners mentioned looking 1-2-3 years down the road and seeing encouraging signs for increased sales growth and shareholder value creation. With these good feelings comes renewed chatter in the Merger & Acquisition market. Many Private Equity firms want out of existing positions, while plenty of others want in. Some will want to add to existing portfolios to bolster their holdings. Strategic acquisitions are likewise heating up.

The High Point Market continues to be a “can’t miss” show for residential furnishings. This year was no exception, and exhibitors felt that traffic was good and order writing was consistent with prior years. Positivity prevailed and exhibitors and attendees alike were upbeat in this economic climate, despite the noise and confusion of state and national politics.

This was one of the best markets in years, a sentiment shared by most people we encountered during our 6 days in High Point.

The general sentiment was that the furniture industry is in transition and management teams need constant vigilance and a willingness to adapt to succeed in this rapidly changing environment.

ur team kicked off 2019 with a flurry of travel. January’s tradeshow gauntlet was in full force with back to back shows for three consecutive weeks. The Vegas market this week was the highlight.

Today would be the last day of the Spring High Point Market, so we wanted to update everyone on the major themes we are hearing from our clients and friends, based on numerous calls over the last few weeks.