High Point Market HPMKT 2026

High Point Spring Market Expected to Draw Nearly 75,000 Visitors Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Market director Tammy Covington confirmed nearly 75,000 visitors registered for the five-day Spring 2026 Market, featuring more than 2,000 exhibitors across approximately 180 buildings and 12 million square feet of showroom space. The event generates $6.7 billion in annual economic impact for North Carolina, described by Covington as 'like having four Super Bowls right here in our city.' Despite tariff headwinds and raw material cost pressures, the Market serves as the industry's central forum where difficult conversations happen and leaders navigate changes in policy for the next six-month selling cycle

What Happened at High Point Market: Upbeat Mood Despite Tariff Headwinds

Despite widespread assumptions that tariff headwinds, surging freight costs, and dwindling designer pipelines would create a doom-and-gloom affair, the mood on the street was far more upbeat than Markets in recent memory. Official registration numbers indicated attendance was more or less even with last October's, with companies registered down 1% but individuals registered down only 0.1% — meaning firms brought larger teams. International buyers were up 1%, and 1,200 new buyer companies attended High Point for the first time. Several brands reported scanning a record number of badges by Tuesday

ANDMORE Unveils New and Expanded Brand Lineup for Spring 2026 High Point Market

ANDMORE announced a robust mix of new, expanding, and relocating exhibitors across its 17-property footprint. Permanent showroom additions included Avasa Home, De Rucci Healthy Sleep, Folia Living, Home Creative, JLA Home, and Purple. New temporary exhibitors included CFC, DESIGNPhilippines, and Lit Moments Candle Company. SALON, Suites at Market Square, and INTERHALL opened Friday, April 24, extending the buying window to six full days. Daily seminars covered business strategy, innovation, sustainability, and design excellence

Tariff Relief Sparks Renewed Momentum for Rug Brands in High Point

Rug importers at Spring Market reported a notable rebound in business following the February removal of the 50% tariff on Indian goods, with many exhibitors citing stronger-than-expected traffic and renewed buyer confidence. Several vendors said early days — particularly Thursday and Friday — proved unexpectedly busy, signaling a shift in momentum. The renewed optimism was matched by noticeable product evolution, with exhibitors leaning into texture, pattern, and customization while highlighting craftsmanship and heritage

Customs Delays and Tariff Uncertainty Disrupt Global Exhibitors at High Point Market

A wave of tightened U.S. customs inspections combined with tariff confusion and an ongoing war in Iran left a number of international furniture exhibitors without their products when Spring Market opened in April. Customs processing times slowed noticeably over the six weeks prior to Market, creating a bottleneck that hit new-to-market importers especially hard. A group of six first-time exhibitors from Bangladesh had their furniture delayed at customs during Market week, though they made connections and planned to return for Fall Market. Another international exhibitor, from Ukraine, made a permanent switch from ocean freight to air cargo

Market Takeaways: There's a Race to 'Better' Across All Price Points

A recurring theme in showrooms across Spring 2026 Market was a good/better/best product strategy, even among manufacturers traditionally at the lower end of the price spectrum. With budget furniture shoppers facing tough financial times and promotional purchases often financed, many showrooms focused on next-level offerings to attract mid-to-upper income consumers. The definition of value shifted from a race to the bottom to a race to relevance — with immersive sound, hidden storage, and sliding chaise features providing added justification for price

HPMA Announces Move to Expanded Headquarters Location in 2027

The High Point Market Authority announced plans to relocate its headquarters to 115 S. Hamilton St. in 2027, occupying a 21,000-square-foot third floor in a new building owned by Hamilton Global, LLC. The expanded location will consolidate guest services currently spread across downtown. HPMA President and CEO Tammy Covington noted it will be the third site since the organization's founding in 2001