PeopLoungers scores with stationary intros
Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, October 28, 2002
High Point — Motion furniture maker PeopLoungers jumped into the stationary category this market with 14 new fabric groups totaling about 75 pieces.
The introduction, in a renovated showroom, hits popular style categories in the $499 to $799 price points, complementing the company's motion price points of $599 to $899.
"We can ship this on the same trucks with our motion furniture," said Vandy Baker, vice president of merchandising. "It makes us more important to our existing network of dealers."
The stationary line will have a dedicated, refitted factory in Littleton, Miss. Baker said the facility was capable of doing "several million dollars" in annual shipments.
"We have become known for quality and tailoring in our motion line, and are taking those qualities and putting them into our stationary line," he said.
Point-of-purchase materials include a schematic of a sofa's construction and a list of 46 features ranging from frames to cushions. The company also has a cut-away showing a chair's innards.
New groups include sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, chaises and accent pieces. A contemporary 92-inch sofa in Richloom's Honduras suede would retail for $599; a denim sofa, $499; and a sofa with tapestry cover, $599.
PeopLoungers was in stationary before, but let it fizzle out in favor of motion. Leather stationary pieces are expected in the near future. The stationary collection was shown to dealers at premarket. "Just about everybody who saw it, bought it," said Baker.
