What a difference a year makes!  Tupelo Furniture Market officials know this all too well and are pleased to note that the "difference" is of the positive variety. In fact, in the last year 100 or more "first-time" companies have been booked to show in Tupelo and many others have expanded their exhibit space at the close to 2 million sq. ft. convention facility.

"The economy is getting better and there has been a notable difference in the furniture industry," said Kevin J. Seddon, president of the Tupelo Furniture Market. "The housing market continues to improve and has remained relatively stable for awhile. This affects our industry positively." 

According to Seddon, many major manufacturers are increasing production and diversifying their product lines. Recently, well-known upholstery manufacturer United Furniture Industries expanded into casegoods. Conversely, Standard Furniture, a leading casegoods manufacturer successfully segued into upholstered furniture and began manufacturing Joanna Gaines new line of furniture, Magnolia Home. "This type of expansion and diversification is great for our industry and also for the Tupelo Furniture Market," continued Seddon.

In the last two years, the Tupelo Furniture Market has leased exhibit space to close to 200 new companies that had not shown in Tupelo before, or at least not in many years. "We have had great success attracting new business and bringing businesses back," explained Seddon. "United Furniture Industries, one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the country, signed a long-term agreement this past year with us and has already expanded their footprint in our facility by an additional 6,000 sq. ft. Also, we recently added a Design Resource Center where residential designers and furniture retailers will find designer brands such as John Richard, Maitland Smith, Henredon, Dexil, Curry & Company, Chelsea House, Oushak Rugs, Emzer Tile and fabrics and wall coverings including Fabricut, Kravet, Thibaut, Schumaucher and Phillip Jefferies."

Seddon indicated that Tupelo is experiencing growth in almost every sector of the furniture industry, explaining that the number of bedding manufacturers showing in Tupelo has grown to more than 41 companies. As a result, the August Tupelo market will hold a "Mattress Mania" promotion and many of the mattress and bedding companies will offer incentives that will greatly benefit retailers that show up and order at the event. He also noted growth in the rustic furniture sector and explained that the companies showcasing product in Tupelo now offer products that represent mid- and high-end price ranges.

Some of the industry's leading companies that have added Tupelo to their trade show recently include Bernards, Yosemite Home Décor, Brooklyn Bedding, Vermont Cedar Chair, Flash Furniture, Continental Home, CabinetBed, Wayne & Sons, Adam Trest Home, LLC, Kittrich, Mexsol, Beyond Borders, Artopia, Forever Green Art, Arason Cabinet Beds, Graphic Visions, Rustic Log Furniture, Wildwoods, Mountain Woods Furniture, Artistic Teak Traders, LLC, Simmons Bedding, Tempoe, MLily of Mississippi, Nationwide Furniture Distributors, Tidewater Finance Co., The White Elephant and many more.

(Source: Tupelo Furniture Market)