With the ever-changing news cycle, there are bound to be many topics to discuss at this week’s High Point Market. We polled some manufacturers to find out what they think will be the ‘hot’ topics of conversation.
“High Point is such a social market, and we love visiting with our long-time customers and meeting new people in so many retail and design businesses because we always learn something new. This season, I do expect there will be a lot of discussion surrounding the impact of the current state of affairs in our world with respect to the conflict in Iran and its impact on everything from travel to supply chain. No matter how carefully we plan, all of this has a trickle-down effect on overall operating margins. We’re staying positive but obviously watching the situation closely.”
Josh McKay
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Kalalou
“Tariffs will still be the polite elephant in the room – but dressed in a very chic outfit called ‘pricing strategy.’ The real conversation [will be] how do we deliver perceived luxury without actual insanity? Everyone is trying to thread the same needle: Elevated materials, but not precious for the sake of it; sculptural design, but still shippable; looks like a million bucks … doesn’t cost it. Tariffs will be the headline, but value engineering disguised as great design will be the subtext in every showroom that matters.”
Ron Henderson
Founder and Design Lead
“Probably tariffs, but I hope not! My hope is that we redirect the conversation back to what really matters: design and style.”
Coley Hull
Founder
Coley Home
“For all of the market, I would imagine freight, tariff rebates and store traffic. On our end, I think the opportunity to launch a new offering
that [is] available for customers when we turn them on is always something that stands out and is a discussion.”
Neil MacKenzie
Chief Marketing Officer
“It has to be the state of the overall market and demand. Help from the housing market doesn’t seem to be getting closer.”
John Hart
CEO
Arteriors
“Without question, pricing and how brands are navigating global pressures without compromising design. I think there’s a renewed focus on value not just cost, but craftsmanship, originality and brand integrity. People want to feel confident in what they’re specifying and selling.”
Nancy Lonoff
Principal & Designer
Crystorama
“We’ll probably still see plenty of tariff talk as well as rising prices in a broad sense — plus the uncertainty and volatility in the market. I also imagine we’ll be discussing the number of client projects coming to order.”
Eric Swanson
President
Loll Designs
“I hope it is the furniture collaboration with Christopher Todd and Moss Home, but if not, I think people will be exploring ways to navigate our rapidly changing industry. Although politics will have its part in the discussion, the ever-increasing use of AI, online shopping and DIY gurus are all reshaping how the design industry does business.”
Christopher Todd
Principal
“The thing I keep hearing, that shows no sign of slowing down, is just how frustrating it is for designers and retailers not to be able to control their own success as much anymore. The sheer unpredictability that we are all living with, and the changing nature of what we wake up to every day, has even the steadiest of customers feeling more conservative and less willing to move forward on projects and big investments. … Commerce certainly hasn’t stopped, and the higher end remains quite strong because the stock markets have held up, but there’s a level of hesitation that we won’t shake until some stability starts to reign.”
Jenny Heinzen York
Vice President of Marketing
Currey & Company
“Customization and American-made pieces.”
LaVern Hershberger
President and Creative Director
“From a business perspective, the overall economic outlook will always lead the conversation. From a design standpoint, materiality is becoming increasingly relevant. How materials are sourced, expressed and experienced is now central to both design and value perception.”
Eduardo Perez, Sr.
CEO
Adriana Hoyos Furnishings
“While there will undoubtedly be plenty of conversation around tariffs, global conflict, lead times and price pressures — those topics tend to follow every market cycle in one form or another — I suspect the real energy at market will come from something much more positive: the opportunity to reconnect and refocus on the business of creating beautiful spaces. After months of navigating headlines and uncertainty, there’s a real appetite across the industry to step back into showrooms, see great product, exchange ideas and talk about what’s next.”
Brad Cates
President and CEO
Sarreid LTD
“I would love for product to be the #1 topic, however we know that the war or tariffs will be on the top of people’s mind during the show. [But] who knows what may happen … Could be a whole different story [at market].”
Cecil Adams
Vice President and Creative Director
Currey & Company
“Confidence when making smart buying choices and partnering with brands that can deliver consistency in an evolving market.”
Pamela Burke
Global Sales Director
Blue Pheasant
“Oil, Iran, what the markets are doing.”
Jane Gish
CEO
Ann Gish
“I think [it] will be how the industry is navigating ongoing economic pressure, everything from tariffs to housing softness and supply chain issues. Over the past year, those challenges have shaped decision-making across the board. At the same time, there’s a clear shift happening on the product and trend side. We’re seeing a strong return to print and pattern, traditional silhouettes and more layered design. Richer colors and a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship reflect a broader desire for optimism and lasting value. We’re also seeing increased demand for accent pieces, allowing people to refresh the feel of their homes without a significant investment.”
Meganne Wecker
President
Skyline Furniture
“Tariffs will certainly be a buzzword still, but I hope we all turn our attention to the Muse and celebrate the amazing work we see brought to fruition at market.”
Ned Baker
Client Liaison Sales & Marketing
Tamarian Rugs
