Lighting vendors ride momentum into High Point

January’s Lightovation proved successful for many lighting suppliers despite economic uncertainty. Attendees came to do business, and vendors armed with new products and programs benefitted from buyer enthusiasm.
“We came out of Lightovation better than we expected,” Hubbardton Forge CEO Maria Mullen said. “Our distributors seemed really positive. They showed up, were engaged and ready to buy.”

Kalco President Snehal Shah added, “We set up the showroom as if the whole world was going to be there.” Sympathetic to lighting showroom challenges amidst rising costs, Kalco offered market incentives, such as a free-freight program with minimum purchase focused on number of pieces purchased rather than a dollar amount.

As newer economic complications loom — rising gas and travel costs, for example — vendors continue to be cautiously optimistic that the need to push through for successful business outcomes will hold this month at High Point Market.

Lighting suppliers also bolstered January’s Lightovation Market with new collections, new finishes and customizable options designed to entice buyers. The gamble of going all in with unique offerings was met with enthusiasm from buyers.

Designers and retailers shopping High Point Market can expect to see the new collections introduced in January, plus a few new options.

Hinkley 

According to Jennifer Kacludis, trade channel marketing manager, Hinkley had a “phenomenal” Lightovation with introductions across its brands and categories. The family-owned company introduced outdoor lighting, including landscape, outdoor and wet-rated ceiling fans.

While Hinkley saw an uptick across all its brands, the standout at Lightovation was the relaunch of its high-end Fredrick Raymond collection with new artistic designs and branding. “Fredrick Raymond is not mass-produced. These are all hand-touched pieces,” Kacludis said. “The target audience for the Fredrick Raymond line are individuals not affected by the economy. It’s about wanting something special to talk about.” Hinkley will introduce 10 new Fredrick Raymond pieces at this month’s High Point Market.

To ensure attendees at High Point Market see the latest from Hinkley, the company will host showroom events, including a Fredrick Raymond launch party.

“A big focus of ours is the design trade,” Kacludis said. “We’re really homing in on being your partner in statement-making design.” Market Square 143

Hubbardton Forge

Hubbardton Forge’s strong product introduction at January’s Lightovation tied into biophilic and organics, including a new clear-coated raw steel finish that was well-received. “The organic nature of what we launched was really popular,” Mullen noted. The raw steel was introduced on several fixtures and lamps and offers a unique aesthetic on each piece.

In addition, the Vermont-based lighting manufacturer rolled out new and custom leather options for the SNAP collection, introduced in October 2025, along with a new cone-shaped lighting element, adding additional options to the customizable program.

While Hubbardton Forge’s big introductions are slated for January and October, at this month’s High Point, it will focus on modifications, color options and customization, often for individual design projects. “High Point has a different customer base,” Mullen said, as this market brings a more designer-focused buyer to the showroom. “We don’t just show the line in High Point; we specify what customers need for their projects.”
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Kalco

Kalco is known for distinctive color, natural materials and unique configurations. In 2026, the company has expanded on those strengths. That paid off in January with a strong Lightovation that Shah hopes carries into High Point Market.

One of its strongest launches were large, customizable multidrop fixtures. Finishes and glass colors can be mixed and matched without having to get fully customized products. The January launch focused on retail buyers but will have even more significance this month. “In High Point, it becomes even more important because of the designer,” Shah noted. “These customers will be able to customize to their own specifications.”

Takayuki Ishii, vice president of design and development, added, “Last season we created a custom area in High Point to show the process from concept to finished product,” and that will be an important element in High Point this year too.

Kalco also continues to expand its color story. This year the standout was a popular white on glass that created a gradient from solid color to clear. In addition, new pinks were popular, and the company added Magenta to its Verde collection. In High Point, Kalco will also roll out new outdoor lighting.

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Quorum

Following a challenging 2025 that disrupted shipments, Quorum bounced back at January’s Lightovation with a full slate of new lighting and a remodeled showroom. According to David Patton, director of design, January’s focus on customer experience was a win for both Quorum and its buyers. “We saw the 2025 disruption as an opportunity to have something exciting to see when we got on the other side of it,” Patton noted. “We invested in doubling down on the customer’s experience.”

In addition to an updated showroom, Quorum focused on highlighting an elevated product mix with visual merchandising, pairing new collections, such as Endine and Favo, with custom wallpaper and supporting artwork.

The showroom updates also included cross-showcasing the company’s brands — Quorum, Oxygen, Cristal and Cyan — to reduce barriers to purchase.

For High Point Market, expect some visual updates in Quorum’s showroom, with a few additional elevated products.

“In today’s economy, we can’t afford to dismiss any channel of business that can drive revenue,” Patton said. “We’re here for the long haul because we’re passionate about what we do.” Suites at Market Square M-1000A, 1000B

Schonbek/Modern Forms

WAC Lighting introduced new technology to curated collections at Lightovation, alongside product launches across brands. It will bring that technology — WAC Home — to High Point as well. This tunable lighting technology has been applied to certain fixtures in both the Schonbek and Modern Forms brands, making it easy for consumers to set lighting to preferred specifications. “This feature has been so well-received,” said Kalin Scott, design showroom sales manager, WAC will be adding it to more products going forward. Schonbek also showcased the relaunch of colored crystal — Olivine, Black Diamond and Amethyst — as well as several new finishes — Vintage Brass and Burnished Brass, and a new White Jade stone finish.

For Schonbek and Modern Forms, High Point includes a focus on how products can be customized to cater to its designer clientele. “We can workshop custom projects together,” Scott said. “Designers can send a sketch, and we can deliver a product that’s never been seen before.”

On the heels of a strong Lightovation, Scott said, “we are expecting a terrific High Point Market.” IHFC H327

Varaluz

Varaluz is following its extensive January lighting launch with more newness for High Point Market. Having recently introduced close to 300 new lighting fixtures, Varaluz will expand its mirror category and introduce a new custom and bespoke lighting program. “Inside our High Point showroom, we’ve created a dedicated design studio where designers can come in with their project plans and actually build something truly one-of-a-kind,” said President Ron Henderson. “We’re pretty excited about it.” Market Square 290

Design-wise, the company is leaning further into its Moody Luxe direction. “Think New Victoria, New Romantic, Modern Parisian, Organic Modern and touches of Art Deco and Art Nouveau — all interpreted in a way that still feels contemporary,” Henderson continued.

The full library of Varaluz and Ciara Lighting will be on display in High Point so designers can experiment with the elements. “The goal is simple,” Henderson said. “We want to give our partner designers and our retailers the freedom to create lighting that’s completely their own.”

Overall, the sentiment among lighting suppliers is to continue to deliver the latest innovations and styles despite economic uncertainty. “You have to keep going until someone tells you to stop,” Mullen said. “You have to take care of your customers and refresh your business.”