Power recliner gaining popularity
Offers additional comfort and relaxation
By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, March 30, 2009
High Point —
 A power mechanism has boosted the popularity of the Richmond recliner, from Aspenhome. |
Remember the recliner with a built-in cooler? Or the motion sofa with the cell phone charger hidden inside the armrest?
Don't laugh. Gadgets and gimmicks have been synonymous with recliners and motion furniture almost as long as the categories have existed. And while some are truly forgettable, at least one — the motorized reclining mechanism — has gained widespread acceptance and is a popular option with consumers today.
In other words, it's no longer socially unacceptable to plug in your reclining furniture.
"I think that represents the future of comfort and relaxation," said Don Hunter, senior vice president of national accounts at Catnapper, the motion furniture unit of Jackson Furniture.
Actually, motorized mechanisms, commonly called power recliners, are hardly a futuristic idea at Catnapper. The company developed its first such unit in 1985, and Hunter said this "power" option is now available on about 10 recliners and 10 motion sofas and sectionals.
A more recent convert is David Blum, vice president of leather products at Aspenhome.
Blum said he became a believer in motorized mechanisms shortly after the company first made them available three years ago on its C2 line of motion furniture.
"Since we did that, our motion business literally has exploded," Blum said.
It was so popular, in fact, that Aspenhome decided to make motorized mechanisms standard equipment on the C2 line — a move that has met with little resistance, even though it can add as much as $200 to the retail price of a sectional.
"It's not really a price point decision," said Andrew Cohen, president of Human Touch, which markets an upper-end line of robotic massage chairs. "It always has been a popular feature for us."
Executives say the power mechanism is especially popular with women — many of whom struggle to open and close a traditional mechanism.
"Women like the comfort once it is open, but they sometimes have difficulty pushing the footrest into the closed position," said Blum. "Once they try it, they are pretty well sold on it."
Bruce Sinning, vice president of merchandising at Berkline, agreed, noting that the power mechanism recently was added to some glider/recliner models in his company's line. That allows the chair to fully recline — without any physical effort from the user, of course.
"Nobody has to reach on the outside of the chair and try to find the handle," said Sinning. "The power recliner has done very well for us, and we expect similar results with the glider."
In addition to the ease of use, Sinning and others said the power mechanism also makes women more amenable to getting a recliner in the first place.
In other words, it helps overcome the "bubba chair" objection.
"Power trumps all obstacles," said Hunter.
Berkline's power recliners utilize a two-part button on the outside of the right arm, while several other producers employ a button on the inside of the arm.
And some others, including Human Touch, have added a remote control unit.
But whatever activation method is used, the mechanism must be plugged into the nearest electrical outlet. And that means there is the ever-so-slight chance a consumer will be reclining when the power suddenly fails.
Many now have a battery backup unit for just such an occurrence.
 The upper-end Hero massage chair from Human Touch has power mechanisms for the back and ottoman. |
 A two-button operating unit is standard equipment on the right side of all Berkline power recliners. |
 The Challenger sectional, from Catnapper, includes several power mechanisms. |
 The Jet Stream home theater group from Flexsteel features power mechanisms. |
-
Power a game changer in motion showrooms
May 10, 2012 -
Updates keep motion hot at Hight Point Market
Oct 25, 2011 -
Power, quick-ship program fuel motion sales
Nov 17, 2011 -
Buyers flock to motion, recliner showrooms
May 2, 2011 -
Motion makers offering fresh looks to stir traffic
Apr 17, 2010
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
