Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living set High Point Market event with ASID talk and new launches

Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living will co-host an ASID designer talk at High Point Market on Oct. 18, while unveiling more than 50 new introductions and a new retail gallery program. The brands are also spotlighting new indoor and outdoor collections at their shared 8,000-square-foot showroom in downtown High Point.

Why it matters: - The event puts two trade-focused furniture brands in front of designers, retailers and hospitality buyers during High Point Market, one of the industry's biggest buying moments. - Armen Living's new Retail Gallery Program is aimed at helping stores merchandise bar and dining seating more effectively. - The launches add new inventory and customization options at a time when the brands say demand from designers and retail accounts is growing.

What happened: - Armen Living and Uwharrie Outdoor Living will co-host an ASID designer talk on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at their new showroom at 417 S. Wrenn Street in downtown High Point. - The showroom spans 8,000 square feet. - The brands will be open during High Point Market from Monday, Oct. 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 21. - The event is presented by Khoi Vo, CEO of ASID, and is titled “Procurement as Profit: Strengthening Revenue Streams Through Procurement.” - The panel includes Catherine French, founder and principal of Cat French Design; Antonio DeLoatch, founder and principal designer of Antonio DeLoatch Designs; and Holly Lightfoot, director of product development for both brands. - Holly Lightfoot will lead a tour of Uwharrie Outdoor Living's Made in America custom outdoor collections after the talk. - The brands will host daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 through Tuesday, Oct. 20. - Buyers can book appointments with National Sales Manager Reb Nicholson by phone at (336) 688-7918 or by email at Reb@armenliving.com.

The details: - The ASID session will focus on procurement as a strategic revenue stream and how design firms can build stronger practices and create sustainable value for clients. - Uwharrie Outdoor Living is showing custom made-to-order outdoor furniture handcrafted in High Point, North Carolina. - The brand says its outdoor furniture line has been built for more than 40 years around classic American styling, comfort and character. - Uwharrie Outdoor Living's products include Adirondack-style chairs and related pieces in multiple colors, sizes and styles, spanning traditional, transitional and contemporary designs. - The company says its pieces are warranted for life and handmade to each client's exact specifications. - Reb Nicholson said the casual dining and barstool category is growing strongly with design and retail customers. - Nicholson said the brands will premiere new introductions in barstools, dining and leather upholstery, along with 50 new items and additional programs. - Armen Living is launching a Retail Gallery Program with customizable display and signage options for bar and dining seating. - Armen Living says it has more than 500 in-stock SKUs in bar and counter stools and about 1,000 active inventory items across bar, dining, living and outdoor categories. - The brand says its private label capabilities and broad inventory support immediate delivery. - The Solara Modular Kitchen Collection is one of Armen Living's featured outdoor introductions. - Solara uses solid kiln-dried eucalyptus wood in a natural finish with a Superstone top in Dune Beige. - The collection includes an Island Storage Unit with an umbrella hole and space for a cooler insert, an Open Island with magnetic catches and pivot hinges, a Double Door Storage Unit with stainless steel drawer glides, a Single Door Storage Unit with magnetic catches and pivot hinges, and a Corner Unit. - Armen Living will debut Solara pieces at market, including a Kitchen Island and Island Bar with coordinating Solara Barstools. - The Solara Barstools use the same eucalyptus wood base and light brown, 100% olefin outdoor fabric. - The collection also includes a Wine/Beverage Cooler Unit that fits a standard outdoor beverage or wine fridge and has removable interior shelves. - The company says the cooler unit is sold separately from the fridge.

Between the lines: - The showroom move to downtown High Point signals a stronger push to concentrate trade traffic around a single market location. - The ASID partnership gives the brands an education-led platform, not just a product showcase. - The Retail Gallery Program suggests Armen Living wants to support sell-through, not only wholesale placement, by improving in-store presentation. - The emphasis on custom outdoor furniture, rapid inventory and retail programs points to a strategy built around both premium design and faster commercial execution.

What's next: - Buyers and designers can visit the showroom throughout High Point Market to see the new introductions from both brands. - Market guests can attend the ASID talk on Oct. 18 and join the daily happy hour events during the week. - Armen Living says additional market specials, exclusive deals and extended terms are available through Reb Nicholson.