Products target growing children, youthful parents
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, September 18, 2006
Las Vegas — Furniture played a big part in the ABC Kids Expo here last week, with some two dozen case goods and crib manufacturers filling a chunk of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Among the key introductions:
-
Atlantic Furniture showed three convertible cribs as the juvenile furniture manufacturer broadens its offerings.
"It's a natural extension of the bunk bed business because we cater to the specialty retailers," said President Mark Valone.
The launch features one sleigh configuration in three finishes: natural, white and antique walnut.
"They are packed in one carton, and we drop-ship," Valone said.
The cribs' construction, support system and coordinating case goods make them attractive to retailers, he said.
Atlantic uses solid hardwoods and a proprietary metal spring support and mounting system. Valone said the silhouette coordinates well with the company's Windsor collection of youth bedroom furniture. To fill out the nursery, the company also added a changing table with hutch.
The cribs convert to a toddler or standard youth bed. The height is adjustable so the bed can be raised enough to accept a matching trundle bed or underneath storage drawers. Retail price points are $499 for cribs and $199 for the underbed storage trundle. All pieces are in stock. -
Youth furniture specialist A.P. Inds. has added a third product line, Artisans, which it believes will target a youthful demographic. Price points are about 10% higher than in the company's well-established Generations line. Artisans focuses on more detailing.
The group on display here had a rugged, distressed look from reclaimed wood. A.P. believes this style could attract parents in the 20-30 age range, who have more disposable income and don't want their nursery to look the same as their friends' rooms do. The initial group is shown in one finish, but the crib has a second option. A.P. will expand this line at future markets.
A.P. offers several finishes in the Generations line. More recently, the company targeted sharper price points with its Allure collections. Allure has the same quality as Generations, but is about 15% less expensive because it has simpler designs and fewer finish options.
The company also offered taller bed sizes at the show. More parents and children want better mattresses and more stylish bedding. Pillowtop mattresses are tall to begin with and with throw pillows on top, can dwarf a headboard. New this show was the taller headboard on the Princess bed with low-profile footboard.
A.P. also said it has renewed its licensing agreement with the Olsen twins. Mary Kate & Ashley is the company's top-selling group, and A.P. has begun development of a second collection to debut at the April High Point Market.
Zocalo's youth line, Z Generation, made its first appearance at the ABC Expo with additions to its tween/teen furniture groups.
After experimenting with youthful designs, Zocalo went in a different direction with the introduction of Z Generation in April 2005. The importer had built a niche over its 11 years in adult bedroom with contemporary and casual contemporary looks, and maintains that feel with Z Generation, with designs targeting older children and even young adults.
The five best-selling collections were on display, including a new padded-leather dresser and nightstand to match the upholstered bed and footboard trunk in Ariel.
"It's a great opportunity to connect with youth specialty buyers in a youth-focused environment," said Danny Olivas, marketing director. "Our goal is to bring retailers something truly unique."
Z Generation seeks to bridge the gap between teens and parents, reflecting a philosophy that teen furniture should be hip and stylish without losing reliability or functionality.
Media cabinets offer space for TVs and computers and also feature hidden storage for CDs and DVDs. Vanity dressers have flip-up mirrors and hidden storage, and desks include fold-down, rollout keyboard trays.
Las Vegas Market: Color counts in leather
09/16/2009Case goods sources set for busy market
07/24/2006Office sources score with downsized products
09/20/2009Case goods sources set for busy market
07/23/2006
