Cresent Fine Furniture launches mixed container program

Bedrooms, entertainment pieces ship from Vietnam warehouse

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, January 11, 2011

GALLATIN, Tenn. — Case goods importer Cresent Fine Furniture is offering a new mixed container program it says will help large and smaller retailers order smaller quantities from Asia at container prices.

This storage bed, part of Cresent Fine Furniture’s Retreat Cherry collection, is among the bedrooms included in the company’s new mixed container program. It is in Appalachian cherry solids with a clear cherry finish.

Cresent has begun shipping product in the program from its climate-controlled warehouse in Vietnam.

Retailers can order pieces from six of the company's bestselling solid wood bedrooms, rather than having to order a full container of a single collection. The program also includes 10 popular media consoles.

Richard Tomkins, vice president of marketing, said the new program is particularly beneficial to retailers in the western half of the United States.

"With fuel prices increasing, LTL shipping costs are going up, and this new program will significantly reduce the landed cost of our furniture for most retailers," he said.

Because savings can vary from retailer to retailer based on their geographic location, he declined to reveal specific savings rates anticipated under the new program.

Cresent did say that the program is expected to offer retailers the flexibility they need when ordering product that ties in with promotional sales events. West Coast retailers can receive mixed containers in as little as three weeks, while East Coast retailers can receive product in as little as four to five weeks from order confirmation, the company said.

"The ability to pick your arrival date and the range of solid wood bedrooms and entertainment consoles available have been the most attractive selling points," said John Cash, Cresent's national sales manager.

The company will continue to offer full containers from Asia and also will continue to ship goods from its Gallatin, Tenn., warehouse.