In response to growing industry demand, International Market Centers (IMC) is rapidly expanding its fixed-wire lighting resources across its High Point, Las Vegas and Atlanta campuses. For designers, specialty lighting retailers and furniture retailers, this means having a robust, curated selection of lighting products at their fingertips throughout the year.
At High Point Market and Las Vegas Market alone, IMC doubled its fixed-wire lighting resources in six months starting last fall. This trajectory continues going into the summer and fall markets in 2022.
“As manufacturing innovations make design-driven fixed-wire lighting more accessible for residential use, designers are increasingly specifying these high-end, decorative pieces for their projects,” said Scott Eckman, IMC executive vice president, chief revenue officer.
The design community turns to IMC markets to see fresh fixed-wire lighting products interspersed with thousands of other complementary home decor lines. Eckman said this cross-category shopping experience creates new synergies and exposes lighting brands to a design trade in search of what’s new and next.
“Opening showrooms at designer markets like High Point Market, Las Vegas Market and Atlanta Market allows lighting brands to showcase their product to these tastemakers, whether they are placing orders directly with manufacturers or ultimately working through their local lighting showrooms,” Eckman said.
Along with designers, this lighting expansion offers a great opportunity for specialty lighting retailers and whole home businesses. Lighting retailers are always in need of more unique products to keep their sales floors fresh. For whole home sellers, a growing need for diverse lighting offerings—and not just portable lighting—means they’re looking for both furniture and fixed-wire lighting when they head to market.
“Successful retailers are recognizing the need to diversify their merchandise mix to stay relevant in today’s market. Sourcing lighting at a cross-category market lets them efficiently buy in additional verticals while finding the brands they need in their primary business. Lighting buyers at High Point Market are finding success in its expansive accessories resources while those attending Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market are finding new revenue streams across the décor and lifestyle spectrum,” Eckman said.
Notable exhibitors at these markets include Visual Comfort in Las Vegas and High Point, Arteriors in Las Vegas and High Point, Hudson Valley Lighting Group in Las Vegas and High Point, Elegant Lighting in Las Vegas, Robert Abbey in High Point, Crystorama in High Point, Lowcountry Originals in Atlanta, and Currey & Co, Jamie Young Co. and ELK Lighting at all three markets.
Recent IMC market lighting highlights include the following:
- Hinkley and Varaluz opened new showrooms at the Fall 2021 High Point Market
- Hubbardton Forge more than doubled its space at the Fall 2021 High Point Market
- Kalco Lighting, Lite Source and Schonbek opened new showrooms at the Spring 2022 High Point Market
- Craftmade opened a new showroom at the Winter 2021 Las Vegas Market
- Hubbardton Forge will debut a 9,000 sq ft showroom at the Winter 2022 Las Vegas Market
- Currey & Co. opened a new flagship showroom in Atlanta last summer
- Elk Home, Lowcountry Originals and Jamie Young Company expanded at the 2022 Atlanta Winter Market
This ongoing product expansion not only presents great opportunities for designers and retailers, but for lighting vendors as well. By exhibiting in all market locations, lighting vendors can gain access to the most influential furniture and home decor buyers.
Along with designers and retailers, these key buyer groups include architects and developers, hospitality representatives, department stores, wholesalers and more.
For lighting businesses interested in gaining exposure to market attendees, long-term leases in permanent IMC showrooms can help to build equity so buyers know where to find them at each market.
Permanent showrooms can also be leveraged for off-market sales opportunities, year-round appointments and buying events. IMC buildings offer a full schedule of seminars and networking events to draw buyers to the buildings and keep them there longer. Additional market support for lessees includes marketing support, buyer outreach, and on-site branding opportunities.
For more information, visit imcenters.com. Fixed-wire lighting brands interested in IMC’s markets can contact Mark Furlet at mfurlet@imcenters.com.
