FeaturesKBIS SETS PACE FOR 201610 PERCENT INCREASE IN SHOW ATTENDANCE IS GOOD NEWS FOR INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
“The NKBA is proud to support Design and Construction Week as the kitchen and bath industry’s vibrant business forum,” says Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “The outstanding programming, top- notch learning opportunities, and the enthusiastic support of all our exhibitors at KBIS contribute to the event’s success and help us to fulfill our association mission to educate, inform, collaborate and inspire.” As a founding member of Design & Construction Week®, and in collaboration with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), KBIS co-located with the International Builders’ Show (IBS) for the third annual mega event. The International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE), The International Surface Event – SURFACES and The Tile Expo again took part in this year’s event. Early, unverified estimates show the 2016 Design & Construction Week® event drew more than 110,000 attendees and more than 500 members of the media. “We are proud that this year’s KBIS was one of the largest in the 50 year history of the show, featuring 128 new and additional exhibitors and an additional 30,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit and programming space,” said Brian Pagel, VP, Kitchen & Bath, Emerald Expositions. “The overwhelming crowds provided insight into the renewed confidence in the construction and design industry.” Read Full Feature Story INNOVATION BETTERS THE WORLD AT CES 2016More than 3,800 exhibitors unveiled their latest technologies across more than 2.47 million net square feet of exhibit space. CES 2016 touched every major global industry and
showcased the latest wave of products and technologies that are connecting the world, enhancing lives and solving global challenges. More than 170,000 industry professionals, including more than 50,000 from outside the U.S., were drawn to this high-level business event driving the ever-changing global technology industry. “At CES 2016 everyone saw that tech is about more than single products and services, it is about improving our world and providing hope for our future. It was awe-inspiring to see traditional and non-traditional ‘tech’ industries meet to brainstorm, partner and collaborate on ways to do business and address global issues,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. “Technology now touches every facet of our lives, from improving our workouts and the way we sleep, to keeping us safe on the roads and in our homes and even preventing or treating illnesses. CES has cemented its position as the global gathering place for all industries to be wowed by the tens of thousands of ways that technology is changing the world as we know it.” Read Full Feature Story LAS VEGAS MARKET: RECORD BUYER ATTENDANCE/HIGHEST LEASING ACTIVITY IN FIVE YEARS
Overall attendance hit an all-time high, fueled largely by recent explosive growth in gift and home décor resources, which resulted in gains of 22% in gift buyer attendance and 5% in home décor buyer attendance. At the same time, the furniture category– with nearly 100% occupancy in furniture showrooms, 95% of the nation’s bedding industry represented, and continued expansion among newly launched casual oors—maintained its strong buyer base. Buyers attended from all 50 states and 77 countries.
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Book Review
RE:THINKBy James Kane Jr. and Jennie Gilbert
Take heart, independent retailers—winning customers in the digital age just got easier
Being an independent retailer of durable goods in today’s digital age is not for the faint of heart. Just when you’ve navigated your business through the latest “perfect storm” in your competitive landscape—such as the explosion of online shopping, advent of social media and rise of the mobile consumer—another squall, such as showrooming, comes along. You’ve seen the showroomers on your store oor: shoppers with their smartphones in hand, busily tapping away. Are they texting, checking social media, comparing prices on your competitor’s site or looking at products in your store—only to buy them somewhere else? Independent retailers don't have the resources to adopt every emerging digital marketing trend, let alone monitor consumers’ shopping habits. That’s where RE:THiNK— 11 surprising things you should do now to win retail customers in the digital age comes in. Based on research conducted with durable goods retail consumers across the country, the book reveals surprising findings that will challenge fundamental assumptions independent retailers make about their businesses. It provides practical, actionable advice grounded in the way today’s consumer shops for durable goods. Read Full Book Review About The Authors
James Kane Jr. is the founder and CEO of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Retailer Web Services (RWS). Jennie Gilbert is the Chief Operating Officer of RWS. Together, they help independent retailers realize their dreams through the promise of technology.
Publisher: Retailer Web Services |
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