'Infectious energy' permeates hot entertainment segment
By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, February 5, 2006
Las Vegas — The myriad of flat-panel television shapes and sizes has entertainment furniture producers scrambling to keep up with the latest trends, but none of them were complaining about it at last week's market.
The category is arguably the hottest in the home furnishings industry, and producers were happily signing up new retail customers and writing orders.
"The energy gets infectious," said Paul Coscarelli, a partner in APA Marketing, which sells the Encore line of entertainment furniture. "Everybody leaves with the feeling that the business is vibrant."
He and other executives said demand is soaring for wall systems and other pieces that accommodate flat-panel TVs.
"It has been a great show. It has been fun," said Karl Eulberg, vice president of sales at Kathy Ireland Home by Martin Furniture.
Producers said dealers were particularly interested in smaller-scaled wall systems for "small" flat-panel TVs of 48 inches or less.
Legends Furniture, for example, unveiled several wall systems that featured TV carts with adjustable bridges. Such models will accommodate screen sizes of 45 inches to 66 inches, said Tim Donk, marketing director.
"We had great response to it," Donk said. "We believe it will do well at retail."
Encore's new offerings included a wall system, home theater seating and accessories package that will retail for about $6,000, while Signature Home Furnishings focused on units with plasma TV lift mechanisms, and others that will accommodate flat-panel TVs designed to be wall-mounted.
"We had a very successful show," said Albert Lin, regional sales manager at Signature. "Dealers were very optimistic."
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