The Associated Press
HIGH POINT – The furniture market is getting some help from an unlikely competitor: Asian furniture businesses.


Companies from China and other parts of Asia — often reviled for taking U.S. furniture industry jobs — are leasing showroom space at the massive High Point Market for its available space, good lease rates and support for the industry.

The biannual show bills itself as the largest wholesale home furnishings event in the world. These days, interest in leasing showroom space is always good news, because lease rates are stagnant and the best buildings are full while space remains in peripheral areas. The current show ends Sunday.

High Point officials know their days of expanding showrooms are in the past. The wholesale furniture show about 90 miles west of Raleigh has more than 12 million square feet of space, and exhibitors have their pick of buildings.

High Point officials also worry about the threat of the nascent market in Las Vegas.

Despite the sensitivity in welcoming overseas competitors, market officials acknowledge that interest in leasing showroom space by any company shows High Point remains a desirable market.

Besides, most wood furniture comes from Asia, so the future of their business may depend on welcoming the competitors, said Tom Lindh, who manages more than a quarter of the exhibit space in the 3.5-million-square-foot International Home Furnishings Center.

 
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