CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Sales force data shows furniture, fabrics and wallpaper are some of the items people have been purchasing while in quarantine.
“It's been very profitable for people in the interior design business,” said Alexis Hunter, owner of Alexis Hunter Interior Designs.
Hunter runs her Corpus Christi design business from home mostly doing special orders and consultations. But with sales of those items increasing 51% in the last year, Hunter says it has been difficult to meet the demand of her business.
“Just talking to the sales rep the other day and he said that they could not get any of their fabrics out of India where a lot of the mills are,” she said.
Depending on the arrival of her special orders, Hunter says she has to keep a close eye on limited stock to keep up with her competition.
“I have had instances where I’ve had a coffee table in Dallas for literally six weeks before I get to Corpus Christi which is taking longer than normal,” she said.
Jon Bartkowiak, general manager of Buddy Walker Home Furnishings in Corpus Christi, says his store is also waiting for shipments to arrive.
”There is a backup in the factories," Bartkowiak said. "It’s taking about eight to 10 weeks to get our product in, whereas most of the other furniture stores to my understanding are (taking) 24 to 26 weeks.”
Buddy Walker Furnishings has seen an increase in re-decorating, but most people are avoiding shipment delays by shopping locally.
“We've been in business for 50 years which has definitely helped us because we have relationships with our manufactures as well as with our shipping companies,” said Cora Waters, owner of Buddy Walker Home Furnishing.
Like many others, Hunter says she has to move forward to keep business going.
“We got our order in just in time," she said. "We got our 10 yards.”
Alexis Hunter Interior Design encourages people to shop local for quality service.
Buddy Walker Home Furnishing offers something different where you can purchase items right off the floor.
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