Emily Newgaard, Vice President & Editorial Director at Big Furniture Group USA, reflects on the recent Las Vegas Market, while Dan Squires, Editor, also shares his viewpoint after attending the show for the first time.
Las Vegas Market Recap: Big Ideas, Big Connections, and Even Bigger Takeaways – Emily Newgaard
If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas Market, you know it’s more than just a trade show, it’s an experience. This year, the energy was high, the showrooms were packed, and the industry trends made one thing clear: 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for retail. Beyond the impressive product launches and innovative exhibits, LVM elevated the onsite experience like never before. Complimentary massages, morning mimosas, and themed evening gatherings kept the momentum going from sunup to sundown. Whether you were kicking off the day with a wellness break or wrapping it up with industry friends over cocktails, the atmosphere made sure business and connections flowed effortlessly.
Sustainability and technology took center stage, shaping the future of furniture and bedding. Brands rolled out eco-friendly materials, smart home integrations, and ultra-customizable designs to meet today’s evolving consumer demands. Adjustable bases and cooling mattresses were all the rage in bedding, while modular and space-saving furniture dominated showrooms—proving that flexible, multi-use living spaces are more than just a trend.
Beyond the exciting product launches, the popular discussions were all about the business side of retail—specifically, how to improve the point-of-sale (POS) and create seamless omnichannel interactions. Today’s shoppers expect a smooth, connected experience, whether they’re browsing online, shopping in-store, or bouncing between both. Retailers are realizing that outdated POS systems aren’t just inconvenient, they’re a serious roadblock to growth. Conversations focused on AI-driven shopping experiences, real-time inventory management, and fully integrated systems that connect sales, operations, and customer data. The big takeaway? Technology isn’t optional anymore. Retailers are doubling down on automation and omnichannel solutions to make transactions effortless, improve efficiency, and boost sales both online and in-store.
Let’s be real—one of the best parts of market is the people. Beyond the showroom floors and new product reveals, the best moments happened in conversations. Whether it was catching up with longtime industry friends, meeting new vendors, or swapping ideas over dinner, the networking scene was top-notch. LVM continues to strike the perfect balance between business and fun, proving that in this industry, relationships matter just as much as what you sell.
Las Vegas Market set the stage for an exciting year ahead. With fresh product innovations, evolving business strategies, and a retail landscape that’s changing fast, one thing is certain—those who embrace innovation and adapt to consumer expectations will be the ones leading the way.
From JFS to LVM – Dan Squires
Big Furniture Group’s Editor, Dan Squires, recaps on his recent – and first – visit to the Las Vegas Market.
Using the January Furniture Show (JFS) as the main example comparison for this article, the trip usually takes around three hours – depending on traffic of course. Add another eight to this and that just covers the flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas, home to Las Vegas Market – one of America’s most important trade shows. (That time obviously does not include the journey to the airport!)
Not to focus on what Sin City has to offer in its usual sense, this trip was purely work-based with attention on one detail many Vegas visitors don’t actually get to see. The American furniture trade in full swing. With JFS concluding its 2025 event, the comparisons were fresh with the most striking – and clearly obvious – the format of the ‘Market’. Unlike the traditional norm in the UK of exhibition stands taking over halls – one by one, presented as a line up with an easy to navigate walkway system bridging each hall and stand, the US Market is completely opposite.
Three massive buildings (A, B, C) greet you as you arrive with over 20 floors filled with furniture showrooms, each presented as a store experience. Some brands even have a whole floor – or multiple levels – dedicated to their products. The scale is huge. (Even the press room had its own space, catered with refreshments – all free of course too!)
The Market played host to over 4,000 exhibitors displaying more than 1,000,000 products! After my few days in Vegas, I only managed to get around just a handful – but these were very meaningful, well-spent hours with the time I got to share. Upon entering each building too, there were DJ’s, other music and food trucks all creating a party vibe. It’s hard not to get sucked into the atmosphere, especially when exhibitors endorse the same feeling. It’s a far cry from a Weatherspoon lunch at the NEC.
When meeting exhibitors across each building, it became clear that appointments were the way to help manage footfall and keep control of visitors. Each time entering a new store, reception greeted you and clarified either why you were visiting or who you had an appointment with. Furthermore, each store (the many I visited anyway) all provided plenty of food and drinks for guests and customers alike, really showcasing the level of hospitality. There were even a few that had the ‘big NFL game’ on TV – all while business was being done. It was also noted that I met Paul McCartney, Prince, Elvis, and Madonna – well, the equivalent in the US furniture world of course!
In fact, it gets so busy, I noticed one particular store mic-up a member of its team to lead a guided tour of the products on show. It stopped me in my tracks to just watch for a moment as the ‘tour’ had around 20-30 people following along like one big furniture conga. Onto the products. The market in the US has obvious points of difference in terms of taste, function and size, but there were a lot of products I could see that could potentially work in the UK too – or that are even on British shores already.
From heated seats, split mattress protectors on adjustable beds, new recycling-focussed brands and large corner sofas to even thicker mattress depths and technology within products, it was fascinating to see the array, and variety, of product on display. Some brands were trying things for different areas of the market, while others were launching completely new products. More of this will be unveiled soon as we explore more brands on a deeper level over the year. There were even a number of brands that earmarked their interest in the UK market, with some already plotting expansion routes. Again, more on this as things develop.
When walking the halls of a British trade show, you can easily aim on visiting every stand in a few days. With the Market, it is impossible – even if you stayed the entire duration of the show. And the thing is, the Las Vegas Market is just a baby compared to High Point, which is regarded as ‘another animal’ and known as the home furnishings capital of the world. The High Point Market, held in High Point, North Carolina, is actually the second largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, with over 11 million square feet and about 2,000 exhibitors throughout about 180 buildings.
As a final thought, the Las Vegas Market allowed the opportunity to explore and engage with the American furniture trade on a deeper level. With all the shows Las Vegas is famous for, who’d have thought the Market would be the show-stopper? Well, for the furniture trade, it’s a clear standout and one that is worth a visit – especially before tackling High Point!
