Las Vegas Market buyers upbeat on opening day

Not surprisingly, exhibitors said buyers shopped hard for market specials and other deals, but the vast majority of them were optimistic about future trends. The optimism is evident, exhibitors said, even though a significant improvement in business doesn't appear to be imminent.

"We are looking for a good market," said Ashley Chairman Ron Wanek. "Initial traffic may have looked a little light, but it has since picked up and we are seeing all the dealers we expected to see."

Wanek and other exhibitors - especially those in Buildings B and C - said opening day traffic was light in the morning but had picked up noticeably by lunch time.

Bedding showrooms were particularly busy by afternoon, and most major upholstery, case goods and occasional furniture resources also reported brisk afternoon traffic.

"Our core dealers are here shopping in Vegas, and we expect to see our normal turnout of customers," said Bill Wittenberg, president of Klaussner.

"We had dealers in here on Sunday and they were writing orders," added Gabriel Pu, vice president of case goods and upholstery importer Acme Furniture. "We are off to a good start"

"So far I am pleasantly surprised," said Richard Olmeda, president and CEO of occasional and accent furniture specialist Stein World. "People are absolutely writing (orders.) They didn't come in to browse. They came in with a purpose."

That purpose, he said, is to align themselves with sources that can provide them a combination of product selection, value and quick delivery.

"The whole key is having it in stock," said Chris Podschun, president of upholstery producer and importer LaCrosse Furniture. "When you have a lot of selection and not a lot of inventory, you have learned to navigate the new economy."

Podschun and others who import said they continue to be plagued by shipping delays and significantly higher freight prices for containers. The delays forced some exhibitors to scramble to get samples set up in showrooms in time for Monday's opening.

Wittenberg said his company anticipated the longer shipping times and was able to accelerate the delivery of samples. "It was the right decision because in bedroom alone, we have seven new collections that we're introducing here this week," he said.

Pu said just about all retailers "were asking about container prices and shipping times."

"It means that $699 sofa may now be $799, or that $399 recliner may now be $499 - just because of the higher freight costs," said Bo Morrison, director of merchandising for recliners and home theater seating at Berkline. "But in reality, shipping costs are back to where they were about three years ago."

Heath Corso, marketing director for first-time Las Vegas exhibitor Premier Furniture, said the leather upholstery resource "had a good day" and is looking forward to showing the new line to more buyers on Tuesday - which he believes will be the company's busiest day at market.

"The reception has been good," Corso said. "The lighter colors seem to be doing especially well."

Editor-in-chief Ray Allegrezza and Associate Editor Thomas Russell contributed to this story.