Robb & Stucky Hires President
Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, July 12, 2011
Lush
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Robb & Stucky International has named 30-year industry veteran Steven Lush as its first president.
The company was formed recently by Samson Holding CEO Samuel Kuo and his family, which acquired the name and other intellectual assets of bankrupt Florida retailer Robb & Stucky in a May 25 bankruptcy auction.
For the past two years, Lush has been vice president of sales for the Eastern United States for Universal Furniture, one of Samson Holding's U.S. case goods resources. Before that, he was vice president of sales for manufacturer Hickory Chair and executive vice president of former Top 100 retailer Hendricks Furniture Group. He also has held sales and management posts with La-Z-Boy and Thomasville Furniture.
In his new role, he reports to Samuel Kuo.
Lush said Robb & Stucky International is working on finalizing its operating plan and merchandising strategy. He said he could not yet reveal specifics, such as the number or specific locations of stores the company might open in the U.S. or overseas.
"Our goal is to re-establish Robb & Stucky as the premier retailer of high-end furniture," he said. "Once we establish a successful model in the United States, we look forward to expanding into China."
It also is in the process of naming an executive team, and is looking at existing Robb & Stucky employees.
"They had a lot of talented and experienced people," Lush said. "We plan on beginning our recruiting process by speaking to the former employees first."
Lush started his career in the retail side of the industry about 30 years ago at the family owned Lush Brothers Furniture in the Northeast. His new job marks his return to the retail side of the business.
"The Robb & Stucky opportunity is similar to what I experienced at Hendricks' Thomasville division, which was also a start-up," he said. "We do not have a specific number of stores in mind yet. Our goal is to open locations where the market can support a full-service, high-end store."
He added that as with any new venture, "There are challenges involved, and in the high-end area, that is the case as well. But we see a lot of opportunities in the high-end, design-oriented furniture business."
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