When staff members at Furniture|Today take part in events like last week’s High Point premarket, we typically focus on new product introductions by importers and manufacturers. Those vendors, in turn, give us an idea of how the event goes as far as retailer traffic and product commitments. 


That’s always good information to have. But it’s also a one-sided perspective that may not tell us all we need to know about an event like premarket, which took place Aug. 20-21. As event organizers will tell you, retailer perceptions and reaction are really what will help determine the potential and future of premarket, which has dwindled in importance for many retailers in recent years. 


We didn’t speak with all 60 or so retailers in town for premarket. But below are some comments from several who were here, beyond what...Read More

Last week we reported on furnituretoday.com two important developments relating to the antidumping case on Chinese-made wood bedroom furniture. 

One dealt with final duties imposed for goods shipped between June 24, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2005. The other named Chinese companies that got their names off an administrative review list for 2006.

If anyone was confused by both stories, we understand. The entire antidumping case has been a difficult one to grasp for most laypeople – ourselves included. When you throw in these two developments in the same week, it can get anyone confused, including, but not limited to, the manufacturers and their importers of record.

To help put things in perspective, we attempt here to further clarify some key points.

First and foremost, these duties, which are collected via the Byrd Amendm...Read More