Share this on

Pricing, service take priority in upholstery

By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, February 1, 2010

TUPELO, Miss. —

Value pricing and speedy delivery were the key topics as buyers shopped upholstery showrooms at the January furniture market here.

Producers said buyers generally were in an optimistic frame of mind, but remained mindful of the need to develop promotions that will draw consumers to their stores.

“Dealers are searching for items that will give them an advantage in their marketplace,” said Don Hunter, senior vice president of major accounts at motion upholstery resource Catnapper.

“Business is still tough, and (retailers) need things that set them apart.”

Hunter said Catnapper was especially successful at market with an expanded lineup of recliners with power reclining mechanisms. The newest models, which retail for $499 to $599, include one with a glider mechanism and another with a footrest that extends automatically as the unit is reclined.

Motion furniture also was a popular attraction at Affordable Furniture, an upholstery producer that entered the category less than six months ago. Ron Teeter, vice president of sales, said a pair of sofas with two reclining seats that will retail for about $499 were popular at the show.

“We'll definitely do more products in this category,” said Teeter. “This gives us a chance to get more retail floor space, and it's easy to combine stationary and motion on our trucks.”

Gentry Long, vice president of startup producer HomeStretch, said his new company's stationary sofas at $699 and $799 were well-received, and said the first units will be shipped to dealers in early March.

Share this on

Power a game changer in motion showrooms

May 10, 2012

Expectations on rise for Tupelo

Jan 18, 2010

Motion, leather among stars in upholstery spaces

Feb 22, 2012

Las Vegas Market: Early results look good in upholstery

Feb 1, 2012

HIGH POINT MARKET: Power reclining mechanisms attract buyers

Oct 21, 2009

Also by this author

Also by Larry Thomas

Featured Company

Wright Labels

Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more

Most Recent Resources

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Here is a selection of products shown at this month's International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here.

Networking at the 13th annual F/T Leadership Conference

NAPLES, Fla. — Industry executives and guests took the opportunity to network and play golf during down time at Furniture/Today's 13th annual Leadership Conference here this month.