The passage of House Bill 2 (HB2), North Carolina’s new law preventing municipalities from enacting LGBT protection in public services, is having an impact on retail and related industries in the state. The most high-profile effect has been on the High Point Furniture Market, considered to be North Carolina’s largest annual economic event.
The Executive Committee of the High Point Market Authority released a statement, stating “hundreds and perhaps thousands” of customers have cancelled their plans to attend due to the passage of HB2. In addition, North Carolina-based retail design consultant Mike Moore is calling for an “intelligent boycott” of this year’s Market, which is set to open April 16, 2016.
“Republican Governor McCrory and his legislators have, quite cleverly, forced the home furnishings industry into an impossible situation,” said Moore in a statement. “Our dilemma is this: how can we send Raleigh a thunderous message of disapproval without harming our friends and colleagues in the process?
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How? Stay home, buy more. Invest the travel savings into your inventory and vendors,” Moore continued. “Take your business away from North Carolina, not from your vendors. I’ve found politicians react quickly when their money dries up.”
The High Point Market generates more than 600,000 visitor days and is responsible for 37,000 jobs in the state.
