Promos pay off for wood sources
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, November 2, 2009
HIGH POINT — Case goods vendors who came to market with a bullish mix of product, pricing and promotions said they saw a positive return on their investment in commitments and written business.
As expected, promotional pricing drew crowds. But upper-end vendors also reported interest and order writing, signaling a demand among retailers to replenish inventories and add fresh items to their floors.
Many producers came to market with relatively short bedroom and dining groups aimed at providing essential pieces in packages that are easy to stock or show on the floor.
Lifestyle Enterprise had 18 new bedrooms priced to retail between $699 for a wall bed with headboard storage to a $2,499 European traditional set featuring a massive $799 four poster bed. Based on the response, the company will likely produce as many as 14 of these.
“Traffic has been off, but it's been a banner market for us,” said James Riddle, CEO said at market.
Magnussen Home also had an aggressive bedroom launch, with 17 new groups, 12 of which are expected to go into production. They cover styles from contemporary to European-influenced traditional with four-piece groups in the $1,299 to $1,699 retail range.
Higher priced goods and collections also fared well, including those at Century, Henredon, Maitland-Smith and Hekman.
Henredon's Artway, a 1940s Art Moderne-inspired bedroom, dining room and occasional collection with French and Italian design influences, had strong response among dealers, who liked the interplay of its Fiddleback and Beeswing Eucalyptus veneers.
Century said its Wellington Court did well with dealers who liked the collection's European traditional design influences. Signature pieces included a $16,500-retail double-pedestal dining table and a $10,500 four-poster bed with a tufted headboard option.
Other collections with upper-end looks and traditional design influences also did well at market.
These included Lexington Home Brands' Palos Verdes, a case goods and occasional collection with Old World European influences, and Pulaski's Wellington Manor, a 15-piece bedroom and formal dining collection with English traditional design.
Collections with larger SKU counts appealed to customers looking to add variety and color to their floors. Schnadig drew crowds with Caracole, an eclectic mix of bedroom, dining room, occasional and entertainment products in more than 42 finishes and materials. There are 65 case goods pieces, and the line also includes upholstery.
Other large whole-home collections doing well included Stanley Furniture's European Costa del Sol and Modern Craftsman groups, the latter a contemporary take on Arts & Crafts.
“Traffic has built every day, and we are seeing people we haven't seen before,” said Adam Tilley, vice president of product management at Stanley. “There is a lot of strong product out there, so people are getting excited about being in the business again.”
Hooker reported strong dealer interest in its 70-plus-piece Sanctuary, a casual traditional collection with European design influences. Dealers like the style and scale of the pieces, and the five key finishes available on individual pieces, officials said.
Licensed lines also made headway here.
American Drew received strong interest and orders for its new Jessica McClintock collection, and sister company Lea Inds. did well with its Nickelodeon youth bedroom line.
Chromcraft Revington reported strong reaction to two new whole-home lines in its Southern Living lineup as well as a third Southern Living group with casual dining.
Wood vendors offer range of styles, prices
10/17/2009Wood sources stick with traditional
09/27/2008Contrast in case goods
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