Furniture Today - March 8, 2004

One of the furniture industry's best profit centers is located behind closed doors. That's where aftermarket fabric protectors typically are applied, either back in the warehouse or out on the loading dock. And as technicians perform their job, it's almost like they're spraying gold for retail cash registers.

• Bedding Today
• Bloomie's reveals dark side, makes starry pitch

• Business Today
• Sealy 2nd half stronger
• Foamex cuts loss in 4th. qtr.
• Easyhome 4Q revenues up 9.3%
• Dorel 4Q sales rise 34.3% as net income grows 41.9%
• 3 chains post fair-to-strong Feb.
• FBI raises 1Q earnings guidance

• Insider's View
• Pricing should be logical and have proportionality

• News
• Wolf signs TV star designer
• WithIt event to discuss 'tools for change'
• WHFA launching workshops
• Corrections & Amplifications
• Wolf turns up heat on growth
• Sealy sells for $1.5 billion
• Industry backs FR uph. plan
• Proposal aims to preserve upholstery fabrics' soft feel
• Industry grows to $71.6B at retail in 2003, up 2.7%
• Declining prices a reason for shrinking share
• Furniture/Today updates estimates
• Dan Gomez leaves Mastercraft Interiors
• Cuvée closes after AsiaLink ties dropped
• FIDX to meet on March 19
• Obituaries
• Ned Gerken, Norwalk VP

• Opinion Today
• Are you bringing a purple cow to market?
• When customers become competitors

• Special Report
• Asian Connection
• The Asian connection
• Importers pursue different paths to growth
• Service, communication key to building a base
• Methodology for this project
• Up-and-Coming Importers: Orie Fritts, Tradespan
• Up-and-Coming Importers: Steven Yap, C-Global
• Product sources

• Up Front
• La-Z-Boy names Matlock sr. VP of sales, marketing
• Van Fossen will head research, product development for La-Z-Boy
• Lawrence gets Bekaert sales post
• Bedding makers say price increases on tap
• Market: Billion-dollar baby
• Tupelo expansion due for Aug.
• Casa Stradivari seeks buyer for showroom
• Lane taps Chenault, Patterson
• Mehalko leaves Towne Square
• Oughterson resigns at Harden