Members approve home furnishings retail trade group merger

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 21, 2013

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Members of the National Home Furnishings Assn., the Western Home Furnishings Assn. and the Home Furnishings Independents Assn. voted this week to approve the groups' proposed merger, creating an industry retail trade group serving more than 2,000 corporate entities with more than 10,000 storefronts, officials announced today.

"We are tremendously excited about this official endorsement by the members," said Sharron Bradley, CEO of the newly formed alliance. "One voice for retailers nationwide will serve to promote and elevate the entire industry."

The new North American Home Furnishings Assn. will offer resources to provide increased negotiating power, cost efficiency and industry advocacy, officials said. Three offices will serve the organization with locations in the East, West and Central United States.

The effective merger date is May 1, and the new organization will launch at the Home Furnishings Industry Conference, June 2-4 in New Orleans.

The organization will host education and networking functions at the HFIC, including a town hall session featuring members of the NAHFA's newly appointed board sharing strategies and answering questions.

"This conference is an opportunity for members and the industry to be introduced to the North American Home Furnishings Assn. Attendees will also learn more about the direction and many benefits of the new organization," said Bradley. "And, a get together in New Orleans can't be anything but fun with lots of opportunities to get to know one another better."