Michael J. Knell
May return in a couple years, says president

TORONTO — Leda Furniture has decided to pull out of the High Point Market after showing at the semiannual event for more than 15 years.

“This was not an easy decision to make,” said Marco Confalone, president of the family-owed, midpriced to high-end case goods producer. “But with buyer behaviors towards attending markets changing, coupled with an inability to find a suitable new showroom location conducive to providing proper case goods displays, we have decided not to renew the lease on our current location and just pull out of the market.” 

Leda had displayed on the fifth floor of the International Home Furnishings Center for the past five years

“Due to some renovations to our floor wing of the building, we found that the fifth floor location had become a low-traffic corridor attracting limited walk-by traffic,” Confalone said. “Plus with the number of buyers now attending only one market a year, it was not prudent to remain at that location.”

He said Leda isn’t pursuing a Las Vegas Market location because the show does not yet cater to retailers in its price points, but added that the company will keep an eye on the Nevada event.

Although Leda won’t have a U.S. showroom presence, it continues its marketing efforts in the country through its sales team. The company also is promoting a program for retailers to visit its Toronto showroom and factory.

“We have always offered to fly current and potential retailers to our facility,” Confalone said. 

He said Leda isn’t abandoning the High Point Market permanently. He anticipates returning in a couple of years “once market attendance and the furniture economy improve.”

Meanwhile, the company is using its showroom budget to print catalogs and point-of-purchase items and to develop the retailer fly-in program, he said. Retailers can find out more about the fly-in program by contacting their sales representatives or e-mailing Leda at info@ledafurniture.com.