Retailer to Retailer: Fall market was serious business
Cheryl Kees Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors
By Cheryl Kees Clendenon
If fall market 2020 had a t-shirt I think it should have proclaimed:
We scheduled.
We sat.
We shopped.
We spent.
Safely.
I was impressed with the level of concern and actions taken by the High Point Market Authority, IHFC, Market Square, 200 Steele and all the independent showrooms to make buyers and vendor employees feel safe and at ease. From door openers to people cleaning off escalator hand rails, the effort put forth was nothing short of amazing.
The air was akin to the last couple of days of a typical non-COVID market. A little slower, less crowded showrooms, more attentive reps and shorter lines at the food trucks. I love the education component of market and usually speak at one or two events myself, but the pace was less frenetic and it was conducive to doing business.
Our tried and true vendors were all there and showing new product — from Vanguard to Currey & Company to Younger, Arteriors, Made Goods, Caracole — they excited our senses and reenergized our COVID-weary passion for retail and our clients.
What did we buy? Nubbier textured fabrics, camel and