Collier 'Selects' new job
By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, July 4, 2005
Minneapolis — Doug Collier, La-Z-Boy's chief marketing officer since 2002, has left the company to take a senior management post with bedding major Select Comfort.
Beginning July 1, Collier will be senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the airbed manufacturer and retailer.
"Doug's leadership in the marketing and development of consumer durable products and experience in the retail field will ensure we continue building brand awareness and providing the best product for our consumers," said Bill McLaughlin, Select Comfort's chairman and CEO.
Collier will report to McLaughlin. He replaces Noel Schenker, who resigned from the company in April
At La-Z-Boy, Collier oversaw marketing and development activities for the company's Furniture Galleries stores and also was involved with the launch of the Todd Oldham by La-Z-Boy collection.
"Doug provided many valuable contributions and perspectives since joining our company three years ago," said Kurt Darrow, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy. "He and the team he assembled have enabled us to broaden and expand the power of the La-Z-Boy brand and drive improved performance of our Furniture Galleries system."
Collier is wrapping up his duties with La-Z-Boy this week at the biennial meeting of Furniture Galleries dealers in Las Vegas.
La-Z-Boy has 337 standalone Furniture Galleries stores, and also sells its products in hundreds of other furniture stores and specialty stores. Select Comfort, on the other hand, generates most of its sales from 367 company-owned stores.
Separately, Select Comfort said last week it is projecting earnings of 98 cents to $1.06 per share for 2005. The company earned 80 cents per share in 2004 on sales of $558 million.
The company said this year's sales should be 15% to 20% ahead of 2004, with same-store sales up 7% to 12%.
