Furniture Today - August 25, 2008

Private-label financing can be a key part of an effective back-to-basics approach for furniture retailers who are seeking not only to survive but to gain market share in this tough economy, say furniture industry observers. The challenges of today's marketplace are well-known. They include a downturn in housing, coupled with a ripple effect from problems in equity lines; de...

• News
• Innovation puts Serta on hot streak
• Stanley goes Coastal
• Norwalk purchase still on
• NHFA-HGTV alliance on hold
• Finger's new direction

• Opinion Today
• Will Friedman's new book demystify green movement?

• Retail Giants
• Ashley unseats Wal-Mart as No. 1 retailer
• Wal-Mart, Target lead Top 5 discounters
• Ikea maintains top lifestyle specialist spot

• People Today
• Cain elected Hamilton Wrenn Design District Assn. president
• World Furniture Confederation appoints four execs to board

• Bedding Today
• Many retailers don't get it: Pushy salespeople a turnoff

• Editor's Desk
• Is your virtual store online yet?

• WithIt panel: Social trends impact furniture marketing

• Industry Numbers
• Foamex sales drop 22%, net income rises
• La-Z-Boy sales down
• BMTC sales advance 4.3% in second quarter

• Industry News
• Universal Leather taps Beckom for new post
• New F/T Web site goes live
• 3PD makes publications' Top 100 lists
• Tupelo traffic beats expectations
• McCollum launching occasional company
• Hickory Springs redesigns Web site
• Correction
• Richmond IFDA to hold seminars, tours
• F/T Web exclusives
• Tupelo sets Jan. dates
• Liquidators run Boscov's closing sales
• Hanna rejoins Chromcraft
• Commerce Dept. releases 2006 anti-dumping rates
• Beaulieu Canada re-enters area rug business
• Himel passes baton to Farah at Vitafoam
• Obituaries
• Kenneth C. Dewitt, furniture designer