International Market Centers (IMC) today announced the launch of a multi-phase reorganization of the largest of its 17 High Point properties – the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) – which will create a dynamic new shopping experience through strategic relocations of top furniture brands onto contiguous floors and the creation of an additional predominantly accessories floor beginning in October 2022.
“Rarely do we have the opportunity to intentionally create new merchandise neighborhoods in this iconic High Point destination,” said Scott Eckman, IMC executive vice president, chief revenue officer. “No other building has the depth and breadth of furniture, bedding and décor product as IHFC and this restack and investment in the building will allow us to best showcase the cornerstone of IMC’s High Point portfolio.”
IHFC Reorganization
The strategic relocations of some 20+ home furnishings brands will create a contiguous seven-story furniture destination anchored by some of the most influential brands in the industry including Ashley Furniture, AICO, Bassett Furniture, Bernhardt, Flexsteel, Lane Venture, La-Z-Boy, Magnussen, United Furniture and more.
With these relocations, Floor 5 of IHFC becomes a strong new design destination featuring a robust selection of accessories, lighting, rugs and textiles at the top of a contiguous multi-floor accessories collection that begins with the celebrated InterHall temporary exhibits on the ground floor. Some eight home décor and furniture brands – including Akara, Art Carpet, GTR Leather, LR Home, Palmetto Home, Rizzy, SAMS International and Zuo – launch the new accessories floor beginning in October 2022.
“A thoughtful reorganization of showrooms will enrich IHFC’s venerable collection of brands,” added Eckman. “Our similar projects at World Market Center Las Vegas and AmericasMart Atlanta have proven that an optimized marketplace encourages discovery for buyers and allows categories to truly flourish. This investment will allow us to grow both our furniture and accessories offerings and reinforce the impact of IHFC.”
International Market Centers’ (IMC) International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) and its landmark InterHall destination are the epicenter of design-driven home furnishings sourcing with nearly 400 permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits.
Physical Improvements Include Façade
Complementing the product reorganization is an exterior update that modernizes the overall look and feel of IHFC. Upgrades include a new architectural finish for the Commerce façade and a re-surfacing of the entire building exterior. The project launches in the fourth quarter of 2022 with completion for the Spring 2024 High Point Market.
Additionally, to allow for easy access to multiple showrooms, IMC is adding an additional internal corridor to Floors 5 and 7 as part of the relocations. This update joins additional capital investments in IHFC including new paint, carpeting and lighting throughout the building. Additional physical updates are to be announced.
“The IHFC updates are just one element in IMC’s ongoing plan to update our furniture and home décor presentations in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas,” added Eckman. “We are actively launching initiatives to expand our offerings to attract new business channels and improve the overall sourcing experience.”
In line with this, IMC is developing new programming and related activities in connection with category expansion and refinement, kicking off with the new “Illuminate High Point Market” guide featuring 17 participating showrooms at the Spring 2022 Market. A designer-driven fixed-wire lighting initiative has doubled the resources in High Point and Las Vegas since October of 2021. In High Point, new showrooms for Kalco Lighting, Lite Source and Schonbek are set to debut at the 2022 Spring Market, joining the recently opened showrooms for Hinkley,Varaluz and Hudson Valley Lighting and an expanded Hubbardton Forge. In Las Vegas, new brands include Craftmade, Hudson Valley Lighting and Hubbardton Forge.