by Numbers were flat from October, which officials said was extremely well attended
HIGH POINT — April High Point Market registrations were 6% above last April and flat with October, according to preliminary figures released by the High Point Market Authority on Wednesday.
The numbers are not actual attendance figures but instead are based on preregistrations and also registrations done on-site at market.
“We did see some great gains from last spring but were flat from last market, which was a fantastic market,” said Tammy Covington Nagem, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “We are holding that.”
Based on registrations, an estimated 60% of the attendees are non-stocking accounts including designers and interior design firms, for example, while 40% are traditional retailers.
New buyer registration was up 4.81% from last fall, said Ashley Grigg, HPMA vice president of strategic growth and partnerships, while new buyer registration was up 21% from last spring.
“It is very encouraging,” Grigg said. “We like to see those numbers.”
She added that the market authority also has continued outreach to keep new visitors coming to the market including new buyer orientation, mixers and even a new buyer survey planned immediately after the spring market. Recruitment and retention, she added, continue to be a major area of focus in getting new buyers coming to and returning to market.
Market officials said that entertainment at major events including two concerts held Saturday and Sunday continues to be a draw for market attendees.
International attendance was flat from the fall, but up 3% from the spring. In order, the largest groups of international buyers were from Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, followed by Asia in the No. 5 spot.
