NHFA selects 2009 Retailers of the Year

Don Marks, Miller-Waldrop Furniture to be honored during High Point Market

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 20, 2009

Don Marks

HIGH POINT — Don Marks, recently retired from Badcock Home Furniture & More, and Miller-Waldrop Furniture, led by Kent and Beckey Waldrop, are the National Home Furnishings Assn.'s Retailers of the Year for 2009. Marks is the honoree in the large retailer category, with annual sales of more than $10 million, and Miller-Waldrop is the winner among small retailers. Retailers of the Year are selected on three criteria: service to the home furnishings industry, contributions to their communities and creative leadership of their companies.

The industry will recognize the accomplishments of Marks, the Waldrops and their teams of associates at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Monday evening, April 27, during the High Point Market. The gala will be held on the Club Floor, Green Wing, International Home Furnishings Center.

Kent and Beckey Waldrop, Miller-Waldrop Furniture, Hobbs, N.M

Marks was president and CEO of Mulberry, Fla.-based Badcock & More, a Top 100 company with more than 300 stores. He joined the company in 1998 and was the first non-Badcock family member to hold the top position.

In the first eight years of his tenure, company profits increased 280%. He is credited with bringing about a unified store image and new marketing practices and was instrumental in the implementation of supply chain operations for the company, according to the NHFA.

Marks' charitable and community involvement include Ronald McDonald House, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Furniture Hall of Fame, City of Hope and his local church.

Kent and Beckey Waldrop are third-generation furniture retailers of their Hobbs, N.M., company. In the past three years, Miller-Waldrop Furniture has increased sales, gross margins and profits, and in each year its customers have voted it the best furniture store in the county.

According to the NHFA, the Waldrops and their associates focus on innovation and integrity in their business practices, and are eager to discover new merchandising, marketing and sales ideas while also delivering superior customer service.

The Waldrops have worked for Habitat for Humanity Hobbs, the Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children program and Adopt-A-School program. Many of the teacher lounges in the local school district have been refurbished by Miller-Waldrop. Kent Waldrop has also been active with the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce and the local Rotary Club.