Ligo looking beyond casual dining, Thailand
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, January 18, 2004
MOKENA, Ill. — Furniture importer and designer Ligo Products has concentrated its efforts in casual dining, importing about 90% of the category from a single source in Thailand.
To diversify its mix, Ligo is slowly building its line of occasional products and is adding new sources.
Occasional isn't new for Ligo, which for 10 years has had about five solid-wood groups produced by a factory in Thailand. But it saw an opportunity as more retailers have sought different styles at lower prices, said Dan Angus, the company's senior vice president of sales and marketing.
"We've had customers talking to us about additional resources they would like to get for occasional in starting price points," Angus said.
Ligo now has sources in three Chinese provinces, and a casual dining source in Vietnam. The expanded sourcing helped the company introduce about a dozen new occasional groups in October, including coffee and end tables retailing between $199 and $299.
Styling goes beyond Ligo's traditional solid-wood line. The tables are made from pine and oak, with glass, leather, metal, and granite and slate components, and include oval and round shapes.
The prices and looks, Angus said, are meant to tie in with leather upholstery groups that are becoming more affordable to the average consumer.
Based on positive reaction at market, Ligo plans to offer another 10 groups in the same price range in April, he said. The new products will include mainly tables, but the company also is looking at adding kitchen carts, small chests and other items in April or October.
Casual dining still represents about 90% of its estimated sales of just under $50 million. Bedroom and occasional account for the remainder — but growing sales in occasional could push the category to as much as 12%, Angus estimates.
One dealer impressed by the price and selection was Richmond, Va.-based The RoomStore. Don Porowski, vice president of merchandising, said the product shapes and styles tie in well with a lot of sectional upholstery on the market.
"We picked up two of the styles," said Porowski, including a table using slate, which his store had been seeking for some time. "They have always been a good resource. I have every confidence these new looks will do just as well as their solid-wood products have done.
"They are answering some real needs," he added. "They did their market research."
-
Higher-priced wood selling at High Point Market
Apr 25, 2012 -
Bonded leather making inroads
Sep 3, 2011 -
Leather vendors sell more at medium price points
Feb 11, 2011
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
