The demand for Product is no longer a speculation after seeing attendance at Atlanta

If you thought the pandemic-fueled surge in demand for home furnishings might be tapering off, the recent Atlanta Gift & Home Market probably squashed that speculation.

Zuo and other Atlanta exhibitors were kept busy throughout the week-long event, even though most reports indicated attendance was only about 50 percent of a “normal” January market. But those who did venture to Atlanta were there to buy. There’s wasn’t much tire-kicking or empty promises to come back later.

Buyers – most of whom were designers or executives from smaller locally-owned stores and regional independents, simply took their cues from the 1980s Queen song “I Want It All and I Want It Now.”

And they had good reason to want their orders filled right away, as continuing supply chain problems have led to lengthy delays in producing and shipping most goods made in Asian factories. Compounding the situation is the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, which begins Feb. 11 and lasts until Feb. 26 in most parts of the country.

During Chinese New Year, factories all over the country close down to allow workers to return to their families and celebrate. The shutdowns also affect many factories in neighboring countries because they rely on Chinese factories for critical components such as fabric and recliner mechanisms.

And while the 50 percent attendance figure doesn’t sound impressive, it’s significantly higher than the last edition of the Atlanta Market in August. Officials at International Market Centers, the company that operates the market, said attendance was, in fact, up 158 percent from the August show. In addition, 90 percent of Atlanta’s exhibitors opened their showrooms, up from 70 percent in August.

The vast majority of buyers, according to IMC, were from the southeastern U.S. and drove to Atlanta – an indication that many are still reluctant to get on an airplane.

But all things considered, the Atlanta show was a welcome sign that the furniture business is still a good place to be, as demand continues to be robust. Just place your orders now to avoid being shut out.