Coordinating occasional draws positive reaction
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, July 30, 2006
Las Vegas — Occasional furniture resources showing here generally said traffic was down from last July and January, but most were pleased with order-writing at the just-concluded market.
Many companies continued to coordinate new product to upholstery and home entertainment products in their lines, while others offered a variety of standalone items designed to give retailers something to talk about on their floors.
Universal had success with several existing mixed-media table groups combining wood and leather, glass and metal, and wood and metal elements. That included Hillcrest, a transitional group with textured faux leather on a wood frame and cast metal legs, and the more contemporary Eclipse, an oval-shaped tiered table with an inset smoked-glass top, walnut veneers and brushed metal frames.
With cocktails retailing around $299, the tables coordinate well with various Universal upholstery groups.
Broyhill offered new occasional products with the case goods collections it introduced here. They included Bennington and Chastain Park, with cocktails retailing at $249, and Carson Manor, which has cocktail tables around $399.
"We worked really hard to create more of a synergy between the occasional and upholstery," said Michael Delgatti, Broyhill's executive vice president of upholstery and occasional merchandising. "It makes it easier for the consumer to buy.
"It's our way of leveraging the brand in all product categories."
Other companies also reported success with occasional product tying in with existing wood lines.
Aspenhome had good dealer reaction to Barolo, a 100-piece whole home collection that includes six occasional pieces. The collection's northern Italian-inspired design featuring diamond-shaped patterns on lightly distressed pecan and birch veneers resounded well with buyers from the Western and East, as well as those from the Southeast and Canada, said Renee Loper, advertising and marketing manager.
"We're really excited about the versatility of the pieces," she said, noting the group combines look and function, with hidden features such as pullout surfaces and electrical outlets.
Somerton Home Furnishings offered $179 to $199 retail cocktails that coordinate with new home entertainment units and existing bedroom collections. The line received good response from mostly West Coast and Canadian customers, said Ed Roth, executive vice president.
Flexsteel had success with Chamberlain, an April launch that features occasional pieces in oyster and caramel finishes, coordinating with entertainment units, upholstery and game tables. Standalone tables with mixed-media elements — stone tops, glass tops and metal frames — also did well, thanks to their ability to coordinate with existing upholstery, said Chip Piekenbrock, director of retail development.
Other companies reporting good reaction to accent and occasional offerings included Powell, Ultimate Accents, Magnussen Home, Master Design, Universal and Furniture Classics, all of which offer it as part of their line or through individual home accent programs.
Pulaski had a number of new curio-style bathroom pieces with overhead lighting. They can be used to store items ranging from towels and linens to soap and shampoo.
The company also had a number of new loft-style items in its transitional Accentrics collection, ranging from an accent writing desk and cocktail and stacking tables to a room divider. The items are aimed at further boosting Pulaski's occasional business, which is up 30% this year, said Bill Sibbick, senior vice president of sales.
Bailey Street offered dealers a host of new items, from traditional hand-painted tables and sideboards to more contemporary glasstop tables with metal frames. Traffic was about even with last July but orders were up slightly, thanks largely to the number of new offerings, said President Greg Waylock.
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Occasional gets it together
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Occasional gets it together
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