In addition to eco-friendly and home-healthy products, more than 80% of consumers prefer to do business with companies that show corporate social responsibility, according to a 2015 study from Cone Communications. For the green leaders of the home furnishings industry, that means “taking a holistic approach encompassing energy efficiency, employment practices (safety, health, and welfare), and life cycle analysis,” said Gat Caperton, CEO of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia based Gat Creek. “Sustainability is an enterprise-wide endeavor. Consumers want to know what it’s made of, how it was made, and who made it. We talk as much about our passions and processes as we do our products. Consumers love this.”
If you’re looking for ways to establish and grow your position in the green market, the SFC can be an invaluable resource. Their Guide to Green at High Point Market shows you where to find sustainability-focused products, ideas, and people. To grow your sustainability knowledge and network, be sure to attend an SFC seminar or social gathering. You can see the full schedule in their Exhibitor Profile at highpointmarket.org, after mid-February and mid-August. For complete information about the organization’s initiatives and activities, stop by their showroom, T-591, on the top floor of Suites At Market Square.