Furniture Today - January 20, 2003

When Beth and George Fisher became furniture retailers in 1996, they admittedly were clueless about the industry and the ups and downs of running a furniture store. Looking back, the Fishers say it was a blessing in disguise that they went into their first retail venture virtually blind.

• Bedding Today
• Mark these special dates on your bedding calendar

• Business Today
• Ethan Allen's net earnings up 8.9% in qtr.
• Rowe turns $2.1M profit in 4Q
• Jennifer posts profit on 7.7% revenue rise
• La-Z-Boy: Earnings will be at low end of projections
• Select Comfort pumps up 4th qtr. earnings forecast
• Decorize nets $1.1M in private stock sale to support growth

• News
• Broyhill names Katz, Pennell to new posts
• Ethan Allen's Kathwari receives peace award
• Microfibres taps DiFoggio
• Schreiner is sole CT chief; Bauman, Farley appointed
• Fulton joins MWW Home
• Winter market warm
• More free parking on tap for High Point
• Trends drive rug styles
• Summer Rug Market rescheduled to July 13–16
• Asia-based Lexington unit to develop, oversee imports
• Minneapolis to host 10 new exhibitors
• New Web site features Minneapolis events
• Myriad launches new sales module
• Sklar Peppler opens first freestanding U.S. store
• Grange, Aga show expanded mix in test markets
• Big Sandy putting name on West Va. civic arena
• Karel plans to expand in Long Beach
• MGM Transport buys Byrd's customer base
• Myriad users to meet March 9–12 in Hawaii
• Calabria joins IHFRA
• Obituaries
• Obituaries

• Opinion Today
• When a 3,000-year-old industry goes industrial

• Special Report
• Variety, price drive table sales
• Market Report
• Shermag wins top Canadian award
• Value drives upholstery
• Case goods win on great looks, variety
• Activity brisk in bedding
• Youth players serve up wide range of choices
• Industry gathers to salute award winners
• Hundreds kick off market in fine style
• Serta futons ready to unfold in Canada
• Antique reproductions may be next foot in door
• Safe's the word at Heimtextil
• Retailer Profile
• Norwalk: Not really the same

• Up Front
• Rug market battles blahs with better values
• Serta's largest licensees will merge with court OK
• Steinhafels plans to broaden offerings with 425,000-sq.-ft. Pewaukee complex
• Home theater a Vegas hit
• Kmart closing 326 more stores
• Mattress Discounters reorganization vote due
• Yelverton is Universal VP
• FFDM taps Ward for sales
• DMI expands Wynwood