Given the retail climate over the past couple of months it was no surprise that last month’s Summer LV Market was slow, but none of us expected the traffic to be 19% below our SSA showroom traffic in Summer 2022. Attendance matched last summer on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday it fell off sharply. Several exhibitors and reps said that several of the stores they normally see did not come to market at all.
That said, there were still deals being made. Vendor-to-retailer as well as vendor-to-vendor meetings were happening in every corner of the showroom. On Sunday Canada took home the $50 CA$H FOR SCAN – winners were Geoff McLeary from Sleepy’s The Mattress Store and Kyler Carlsen, Sleep Country Canada. On Monday/Tuesday Robyn Schenk from Babettes Furniture & Home Showroom in Leesburg and Jay Williams from Crazy J’s Furniture & Sleep Shop in Wichita got the cowbell ring and the CA$H. Congrats you guys!
Geoff McLeary • Sleepys The Mattress Store • CANADA
Kyler Carlsen • Sleep Country CANADA
Robyn Schenk • Babbette’s Furniture and Home • Leesburg
Jay Williams • Crazy J’s Furniture and Sleep Shop • Wichita
Let’s hear from some of the exhibiting companies
Mark Kozin from debuting Kathy Ireland Kids – “The show was slow-paced, however we were pleased with the outcome. We managed to establish some really good contacts and we received some very valuable feedback on our beds. We're looking forward to Winter Market.”
Arin Schultz from Naturepedic Organic – “It was great to be back at in the space. Traffic did seem very, very light this time but just walking around the show as a whole it was very slow in general. I’ve heard from a couple of other mfgs and stores that things are very quiet right now for them so the buyers are probably very hesitant. I have high hopes for Winter Market. As always it’s great to have you and your team stationed at the entrance it makes it a lot more inviting to the buyers. See you in January!”
Brent Polunsky from W.Silver Products – “Even though attendance was down, the people I had a chance to visit with were at the market to make changes to their lineup or find a new vendor. Our new split head adjustable bed was well received and helped us open up new dealers. I am looking forward to the next Vegas Market and hope it will be well attended.”
Naturepedic Organic
W. Silver Products
Kathy Ireland Kids
Pascal Roberge from Beaudoin Beds – “The team at the front is great and welcoming and I thought the Cash for scan initiative was fun and created excitement – ultimately for more people in the show room. The social events in the SSA space are always a great way to connect with other exhibitors and customers, keep offering those pretzels!”
Jane Areson from Areson Enterpirses – “It was slow as far buyers coming by the booth but we did make some good industry contacts.”
Alexa Williams from debuting Williams Co. Mattress – “We enjoyed our time at the Market and overall we had a good experience! We had the opportunity to make some new relationships and did create new customers. We also appreciated meeting new reps, and forming those new partnerships. Now that we understand how everything works, we are able to anticipate January!”
Arason Enterprises
Williams Co.
Beaudoin Beds
Peter Laurens from Baltica Naturals/Arcus Beds – “Given the very light traffic I can really just say that this market provided us with some unconventional potential clients--one group came looking for accessories rather than mattresses, another for mattresses but from abroad (Canada)--giving us a chance to explore marketing other products and in other countries.”
Philip Kraus from Electropedic/Organic Comfort – “The market was slow, but all the exhibitors were very optimistic about the winter 2024 market.”
Harry Goodman from Boccuzzi Home – “We used our extra time at LVM networking and making new contracts. It appears that the time and expense was well worth it. We added salespeople and other relationships that have huge potential. As always it was great catching up with old friends.”
Electropedic / Organic Comfort
Baltica Naturals / Arcus Beds
Boccuzzi Home
Brad Hall from Sonu Sleep – “We were extremely impressed and pleased with our first experience exhibiting in the SSA showroom. Everyone involved, especially the SSA staff and all of our neighbors, were very accommodating and welcomed us into the group. We look forward to coming back in January!”
Ryan Cleary from Health Guard – “While attendance was down, this July show reminded me that it isn’t always about the quantity but rather, the quality of the conversations had. We appreciate all the hard work that goes into making our experience seamless.”
SONU Sleep
Healthguard