International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market:
The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market held in September in Chicago provides an insight into the latest trends for outdoor furniture.
The show, which is exclusively devoted to the indoor/outdoor casual furnishings industry, is the only one in the United States that is recognized and formally endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association and Casual Furniture Retailers Association. It is managed by MMPI, and Jaclyn Kotzum, MMPI's marketing director for the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, discussed some of the trends and developments for outdoor furniture.
On Market Attendance and How the Show has Grown over the Years:
She was very happy with the 2009 Market and feels that attendance has grown. "It was actually up a bit from last year. There were a lot of manufacturers and buyers with big orders and commitments." She feels it seems like a good sign for the industry.
She feels the show has grown over the years. There are temporary exhibitions as well as permanent ones, and a lot more exhibitions have opened up and expanded. A lot of companies feel the need to be a part of this. There are a lot more product offerings.
On New Products:
Jaclyn feels that outdoor furniture design is now more high end and fashion forward. There has been a vast improvement in weatherization. Outdoor furniture in now more multifunctional. For instance, you have umbrellas with docking stations and light fixtures.
Colors and patterns are more fashion forward. You notice runway colors and vibrant hues such as reds and yellows.
On Outdoor Trends:
An interesting thing is that a lot of indoor manufacturers are branching out and traditional retailers are also venturing into the outdoor furniture sector. Brands like Brown and Jordan continue to do well, while Century, La-Z-Boy, Broyhill, Laneventure have stepped into the outdoor sector.
With the interest in outdoor rooms, the importance of outdoor spaces has increased, homeowners are making more of an investment in it. Even when selling real estate, outdoor space is becoming a selling point.
On Indoor/Outdoor Furniture:
The distinction between indoor and outdoor furniture seems to be vanishing. Outdoor fabrics are now more attractive than ever, and come in better textures and colors. You can take the look from inside the home outside or vice versa. Outdoor pieces can be used outside the home or taken inside depending on your needs.
On the Greening of Outdoor Furniture:
A lot of manufacturers are using the green initiative. They are all doing it in different ways, with some using FSC certified wood. Others are building their furniture from reclaimed wood from different sources. You see recycled material such as recycled plastic and garbage bags.
