Furniture Today - April 5, 2004

As more of the U.S. population ages, furniture manufacturers and marketers have an emerging challenge and opportunity to create products for a sizable niche market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people between 65 and 84 will rise by 35 million over the next half century, representing 25% of total population growth during that time.

• Bedding Today
• ISPA Expo showcases importance of family

• Business Today
• Natuzzi sales up, profits off
• Consumer confidence flat in March
• Pier 1 4Q sales up 6.6%, profits dip 10.6%
• Hooker 1Q sales rise 5%
• Bassett 1Q net income doubles

• Insider's View
• Three years of deflation likely to end this year

• News
• Leather fights off weak dollar
• Factory orders rise 11% in Jan.; shipments up 1%
• Furniture Outlets grows
• Bush in Chapter 11; creditors to own co.
• La-Z-Boy braces for duties
• Retailer likes Ashley concept
• Corrections & Amplifications
• NCTO faces textile challenges
• Textile groups in period of flux
• Datacolor grows in China
• Hodges returns as Master Design president
• Chateau d'Ax taps Filloy as nat'l sales mgr.
• Obituaries
• Ralph Lombardi, Century VP

• Opinion Today
• The consumer: We'd better treat her right
• Fabrics: A world in constant flux

• People Today
• Rivers joins Tempur-Pedic
• People on the Move
• People on the Move

• Special Report
• ISPA Expo rolls on fast track
• Carman follows in father's footsteps with industry award
• Conference Report
• Myriad conference keys on technology, growth
• Egger: Boost profits by controlling what's really important
• Caruso: Give shoppers 'exits' from your furniture displays
• Riley: Follow road map to sales excellence
• Market Events
• Educational seminars on tap for market
• Social activities during market
• Food, beverage choices abound
• Pagers available for rental from IHFRA
• Area physicians offering medical care at market
• New At Market
• New at Market: Bedding/Metal Beds
• New at Market: Motion Furniture
• New at Market: RTA
• New at Market: Home Office
• New at Market: Rugs

• Store Openings
• Hefner installs Broyhill gallery
• La-Z-Boy opens N.J., Md. stores
• WG&...as DeCoro in all stores
• Bowden & Carr adds La-Z-Boy

• Up Front
• Companies eye alternate import sources
• Berkline/BenchCraft taking Showplace floor
• Spring Air is first major to test China-made mattresses in U.S.
• Spring Air cutting warranties to 5 yrs.
• Ashley gets a cat
• Simmons not raising prices
• H&S taps David Gerstner
• Lane promotes Holliman
• Dan River in Chapter 11