Size counts among recliner, motion upholstery intros
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, October 28, 2001
HIGH POINT — Pardon the cliché, but size matters in motion.
That proved true in offerings this market, which included products made for little and big bottoms, and for little and big living spaces.
And the emphasis seemed to be on the "little woman," who, manufacturers say, needs a smaller recliner to make herself comfortable.
Recliners were the big thing. And probably the biggest splash of all came from La-Z-Boy and its Faith Popcorn Cocooning Collection. Popcorn interviewed 7,000 women and found out they wanted smaller, more stylish chairs, upscale covers, a table on which to put things, and, above all, a recliner that doesn't look like a recliner.
The company displayed several of the new chairs in the $699 to $799 price range.
Popcorn, however, wasn't the only chapter in the gender-specific book this market. Several manufacturers touted recliners made for women, and others offered their own concept this market.
Ashley, for instance, had new woman-sized recliners in three styles and three colors, with sizes and depths designed to fit the female body. "The consumer is ultimately the lady and we must not forget them," said Lisa Adair, director of merchandising and design.
Small recliners were in, but so were bigger, oversize chairs — and not the Bubba type.
Oversize was offered in the form of size-and-a-half chairs, which seem to become more popular each market. Several manufacturers said women like to curl their legs under them, cuddle the kids beside them, or make space for the family pet.
And some said the chair-and-a-half is a good substitute for a loveseat in space-constricted areas. Franklin, Flexsteel, Berkline and a number of other companies offered the bigger version of the standard recliner, or expanded existing programs.
In addition to recliners targeted to women, BenchCraft had a space-saving idea this market with an ottoman that stores within the sofa and pulls out for seating, or as a sleeper. Part of the Sit, Sleep, Relax program, the piece also has a chaise and a power option, selling the biggest way for about $2,199.
Klaussner offered a new contemporary sofa and loveseat called Marcello that captured two continuing trends — size and pieces that look like stationary furniture.
"Overall, this is about eight or nine inches shorter," said Carl Schauble, design merchandiser, noting the scale was right for apartments and condos. And consumers, he said, "like the fact that it doesn't look like motion. We had good reaction to this."
Franklin used size to promote its value-oriented leather-vinyl match motion sofa, 91 inches long with a 39-inch back, targeted at the $899 price point. The pillowtop sofa features a scalloped seat and posts, hourglass arms and a lifetime warranty on foam.
Another strong performer for Franklin was a leather-vinyl match sectional — two recliners, console, full sleeper, wedge, armrest and cupholder — to retail for about $1,999.
"We're a low-cost producer trying to satisfy the demands of the marketplace," said Chuck Tidwell, product director.
| Sofa from BenchCraft has pull-out ottoman that doubles as an ottoman or as a sleeper. |
-
Just the Stats: Recliners
Jun 28, 2011 -
Motion sources look to jump-start sales
Sep 14, 2009 -
'Green' designs get spotlight at market
Oct 28, 2007 -
Casual dining gears to counter tough retail climate
Apr 26, 2006
Featured Company
-
Brandwise Inc.
Brandwise serves a model - not just an industry - by integrating, automating, and optimizing the entire sales channel, from wholesale Suppliers to their Reps and the Retailers they service. In short, our software helps Reps and Suppliers sell more and create... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
