Metal bed sources promote value, design
Discounts available in some Las Vegas showrooms
Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, February 12, 2009
 Amisco’s introductions include Tessa, an antique reproduction platform bed shown here in an antique brass finish, which retails at $599. |
LAS VEGAS — Metal bed vendors came to this week's market here with a mix of new product, programs and values aimed at spurring activity in the category.
Hillsdale Furniture is showing 10 new metal beds targeted to retail at $199 to $499 as well as four new metal daybeds that start at $149.
"Las Vegas (in winter) is the most-attended market," said Keith Merriwether, vice president of sales. "We see more people here than anywhere and we want to get as much exposure as we can. We are more aggressive in our approach in the winter and the spring."
Fashion Bed Group has eight new metal beds, mostly priced to retail at $299 to $499. Some are transitional models with textured finishes aimed at attracting more male consumers. Early this week, it was too soon to tell which ones were getting the best response, but Fashion Bed believes the styles and prices are right for today's marketplace, said Ron Ainsworth, senior vice president of procurement for company parent Leggett & Platt.
In particular, he said the line is hitting prices offered on beds with less complicated finishes. He also believes that certain design elements - from the angled posts on the Everett bed to the whimsical curves on the Grace bed - add a sense of style and value.
Amisco officials said the company is receiving positive early response to a $599 antique reproduction platform bed called the Tessa in an antique brass finish. It also is promoting several other beds introduced in Toronto and High Point in platform formats.
Due to savings it has achieved with currency rates and stabilized raw materials costs, Amisco also is offering buyers 20% to 30% discounts on seven models introduced in 2008 as well as a $50 discount on the cost of the Samson canopy bed introduced last fall in High Point. That decrease alone lowers the retail on that bed from $699 to $599.
Wesley Allen is showing some of its best-selling models from previous markets, some in slightly different configurations, said Terry Steed, vice president of sales.
"This focuses on the old 80/20 rule where 20% of the beds do 80% of the volume," Steed said. "Sometimes smaller showrooms make you do that."
Early in the show, he said it was hard to get a read on showroom traffic but that Wesley Allen had written some orders.
"Our dealers are pretty loyal," he said. "Once we get them, we tend to keep them."
Among the other companies showing metal or wood-and-metal bed combinations here are Lexington Home Brands, Shadow Mountain, Artisan Home and Prestige Furniture.
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Metal bed sources promote value, design
Feb 16, 2009
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