The Tupelo Furniture Market's winter edition is now set for February 6-9, a change from the previous January schedule, according to market organizers.
In May, market officials announced that the dates of the winter market, traditionally held in February, would be shifted to mid-January in response to feedback from key exhibitors. In an interview with Furniture/Today in May, Kevin Seddon, president for the market, said that the January show dates would likely boost attendance from small and mid-sized retailers.
However, after further consideration, several exhibitors realized that the new dates would put the market in between Atlanta and Dallas shows, as well as ahead of Las Vegas, officials said.
They said the new Feb. 6-9 dates will put the Tupelo market a week after Las Vegas (Jan. 26-30), as well as a week before the Presidents Day weekend, a significant sales weekend for furniture retailers, and early in the tax season, an important retail period for promotional retailers that attract consumers purchasing furniture with tax refund checks.
Meanwhile, a new rival show in Mississippi, the Tunica Furniture Market, is still scheduled to be held for the first time for Jan. 8-9 in Tunica, Miss. Scott Morton, one of the organizers, said he has signed some exhibitors for the show and is seeking others.
Morton said Tupelo's switch back to February "helped me tremendously." He said his show will allow retailers to receive their orders before tax season.
