New York — The hospitality fabrics jobber was in strong evidence at the 400+ exhibits at BoutiqueDesign-NY in November as the industry celebrates its best year yet since 2008. 

To a man, everyone had a great year, making the hospitality market the one bright spot in Furnishings  fabrics. There was talk of a 70,000 yard order written for curtaining at Wynn Hospitality in Las Vegas. That’s a big order--which hadn’t been seen in quite awhile.

Robert Duban, EVP of Kravet said the industry was up five to ten percent but he also said that Kravet beat 2013 by a country mile, with a double digit sales increase. Jobbers are buying more fabric from the North Ametican suppliers but China figures heavily in commodities. Turkey and India are also being sourced for contract goods.

–Eric Schneider