HIGH POINT – A High-Point based fabrics company is announcing growth in sales that may further recent reports of a rebound in the upholstery, interior design and furniture industries.

Greenhouse Fabrics announced a “sizeable growth in sales” in a statement this week which could signal that “designers are on the rebound in 2010.”

Ryan McCullough, vice president of sales for the company, attributes part of that growth to special promotions the company has held to boost sales. Promotions for free shipping and discounts on large orders have grabbed the attention of some of the company’s customers, he said. But signs of a turnaround in the furniture retail sector may also play a part.

“From the people I’ve talked with, I see designers are finally getting the opportunity to bid and quote on more jobs,” McCullough said. “That may not translate into immediate sales, but at least there is some activity out there. There are a lot of people that are beginning projects and getting some projects in motion over the last three to six months, where as 12 to 18 months prior there was nothing out there.”

New construction continued to lag in North Carolina in April, according to a report released Friday from the Associated General Contractors of America. The report showed there were 172,000 construction jobs in the state in April, down from 173,800 in March. But sprucing up an existing home instead of moving into a new dwelling has also become a trend, McCullough said.

“Designers are giving us the feedback that they are getting a lot of small projects with groups that are staying put, such as redoing a kitchen here or a bathroom there,” he said. “There’s obviously been a lot of talk about the green movement. It doesn’t get much more green to re-do an existing piece of furniture or sofa in fabrics (instead of buying a new piece).”

Furniture Insights, a monthly industry report by Ken Smith, a CPA with Smith Leonard Consultants in High Point, has documented gains in new furniture orders for three consecutive months. The High Point Market also reported its first increase in registration numbers this spring for the first time two years. Those reports grouped together may mean good news for High Point’s upcoming Showtime fabric trade show in June.

“Retailers are excited to put new product in their storefront,” he said. “I would imagine the momentum would continue with Showtime.”

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