JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The International Décor Outlet (IDO), the premiere factory-direct-to-consumer retailer of home décor and home improvement products, recently returned to the U.S. after a successful series of meetings and presentations to manufacturers and government officials in southern China.
CEO Warren Hickernell and Business Development Director Sarah Verus visited three major manufacturing cities in Guangdong province. In Foshan City, attending the presentation were Mr. Quanqing Tong, Deputy Director of the Foshan Bureau of Commerce; Mr. Weixiong Xie, Chair of the Foshan International Trade Development Council, and Mr. Guangling Chen, Chair of the Foshan Business Association, along with a capacity crowd of manufacturers and trade asociations.
In Zhongshan City, prior to the presentation to a large gathering of manufacturers, the IDO team met with Mrs. Yuexia Wu, Vice Mayor of Zhongshan City, Mr. RuiYun Li, the Deputy Director of the Zhongshan Bureau of Commerce, and Mr. Zuhua Lu, the Vice Chair of the Zhongshan Industry and Commerce Federation. In Dongguan City, the IDO delegation had a constructive meeting with Mr. Chaoming Lin, Vice Director of the Dongguan City Bureau of Commerce, and representatives of local manufacturers.
“This was a highly successful trip, “ noted Hickernell. “The government officials and the manufacturers were very receptive to the IDO model, and the manufacturers are very interested in participating with us in opening their own stores and selling their own brands in the U.S.”
Visiting 4 cities and presenting to capacity crowds, the IDO team outlined the opportunity to sell home improvement and home décor products directly to U.S. consumers. The presentations focused on the strength of the U.S. consumer marketplace and the growing U.S. economy, and the opportunities this growth presents for manufacturers.
“The response was nothing short of staggering,” Hickernell said. “Capacity crowds of manufacturers, trade association representatives and government officials were all eager to learn more about the IDO concept, and in many cases, looking to sign up right away!”
Accompanying the IDO team on the trip was Kelly Spratt, Chair of the McIntosh County Commission in Darien, Georgia, where the first IDO outlet is to be located. Commissioner Spratt was enthusiastic in her praise and support of IDO.
“The City of Darien, McIntosh County and the State of Georgia are all firmly behind this enterprise,” she said. “Any and all support that our governments can provide, IDO will have.”
Commissioner Spratt also provided economic data on the Coastal Georgia region and McIntosh County, detailing the advantages the location has for the manufacturers who will be selling their products there.
Also accompanying IDO was Brian Smith, CEO of JJ Atlantic Investment Group. Smith gave an overview of the U.S. economic situation, with particular emphasis on the strength of the U.S. consumer market.
He also presented information on how the IDO participating manufacturers can finance their U.S. operations through JJ Atlantic Investment Group.
The first IDO outlet, located in Darien, Georgia, is set to open in January 2016.