Sears Canada opens Natuzzi areas
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, April 13, 2003
Toronto — Sears Canada has opened Natuzzi galleries in its 48 furniture and appliance stores across the country.
The galleries opened simultaneously, with a ribbon cutting at the Toronto Eaton Center store by Mark Cohen, chairman and chief executive officer of Sears Canada, and Pasquale Natuzzi, chairman and founder of the Italian leather giant.
"This coast-to-coast exposure will make the Natuzzi brand widely available to consumers across the country," Cohen said. "Our business together has grown remarkably over the years."
Pasquale Natuzzi said the program is the culmination of a 15-year relationship between his company and Canada's largest furniture retailer. "What I have seen here represents the most important and exciting commercial experience of my life," he said.
"To be able to install 48 galleries at one time is an exceptional achievement," said Fred Starr, president and chief executive officer of Natuzzi Americas.
Averaging 3,000 square feet, the European-inspired, open-design galleries feature 13 sofas and three accent chairs exclusive to Sears Canada. In all, the galleries offer some 40,000 combinations of style — from modern to traditional — fabric and color. Each gallery sports a Natuzzi leather wall, special displays for its microfiber collection, and motion pieces and sofa-sleepers.
The largest gallery, at 6,000 square feet, is at the Eaton Center store here. Bruce Watton, national business manager/furniture for Sears Canada, said the space will be reconfigured later this summer to make room for the high-end Pasquale Natuzzi Collection, which will include occasional tables, rugs and accessories.
Starr said Natuzzi has been testing the gallery concept for the past year and plans as many as 300 in both Canada and the United States this year.
"The key to this concept is that the consumer really can focus on the product. We've kept everything clear and uncluttered," he said.
Galleries have been tested at Sandy's Furniture in Vancouver, British Columbia, Homeshow Canada in Toronto, Art Van in Detroit and Furnitureland South in High Point.
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