Editor's Desk
Ray Allegrezza Editor in Chief Welcome to Furniture/Today\'s latest Web site feature--blogs. Each week in my Editor\'s Desk blog we\'ll take a look at interesting news or events in the furniture industry. The most important part of this whole process will be your input. So, take a look at my posts below and weigh in with what you think by clicking on \"Add Your Comment\" at the bottom of each blog. -- Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief
Industry's ready to rock and roll
Despite the gloomy economy, the next few days promise to be anything but.In fact, so many big stories will unfold this week that it's almost a challenge to know where to begin. It's incredibly energizing to watch an industry that, despite the uncertain economy, is willing to bet large on itself.Since market leaders tend to set the direction, I have to tip my hat to Ashley CEO Todd Wanek as he make... Read More
Comments (4)Logistics Seminar coming up soon
Believe it or not, our first annual Logistics Seminar is right around the corner! Judging by the attendance figures, this is a topic that is on everyone's radar, especially in this challenging environment.We've put together a fast-paced, fact-filled agenda that will look at what's going on with ocean freight, home delivery and warehousing.A number of our panels will feature directional retailers... Read More
Comments (0)Let's pitch in and help
As you undoubtedly know, some 123 people lost their lives in Joplin, MO. as the result of a deadly EF-5 tornado.Joplin is a mere 13 miles from Carthage, which is home to Leggett & Platt, a company that employs a number of my industry friends, including Mark Quinn, segment vice president of marketing.Fortunately, Mark and his family are safe. Others, however, have stories that don't end as well.Ma... Read More
Comments (0)Lynn Davis will be missed
When I got the call that my friend, Lynn Davis, had been killed by the tornado that decimated parts of Mississippi and other Southern states yesterday, I literally felt as if I had been punched in the stomach. I was stunned and shocked and didn't want to believe what I was hearing. In a subsequent phone conversation with Bill Cleveland, former president of the Tupelo Furniture Mart, I was told t... Read More
Comments (28)Let's all scream for High Point
Welcome to market! All signs are pointing to a hectic week punctuated by new showrooms, new exhibitors, new products and lots of screaming.That's right, screaming. But don't worry, there's no cause for alarm unless you're an exhibitor offering products that don't scream value.In a story appearing on the front page of this issue, Clint Engel, our talented senior retail editor, polled a number of re... Read More
Comments (4)FT plans Logistics Conference in June
Since it launched in September of 1976, the goal of Furniture/Today has always been to bring our audience the facts, figures and insights needed to help them grow their businesses.In today's market, the key ingredient to being successful is speed to market. And without superior logistics, it's highly unlikely that a company can perform quickly or efficiently enough to stay in the game.With that r... Read More
Comments (0)Remembering my friend, Hershel
With the recent passing of veteran retailer Hershel Alpert, the industry lost an incredible resource and I lost a very special friend.The timing of this sad event, in close proximity to our annual Leadership Conference, is especially significant to me.I joined Furniture Today about 15 years ago late in November. In fact, my first day on the job found me in not in our editorial offices in North C... Read More
Comments (9)FT web site changes
Here at Furniture/Today, we always look for ways to bring added value to you, often in the form of more news, analysis, statistics, more updates of people, products and so on.When we added a talkback section on our website, which allowed users to comment on news stories, the goal was to give you more of an opportunity to comment on those items.However, due to a growing issue stemming from highly i... Read More
Comments (23)The Magnussen Throwdown: Are you in sync with consumers?
Now, more than ever, suppliers need to “get it right” before they bring new collections to market. Let’s face it– investing money, especially in this economic climate, on things that “will never see the saw “ is not only a major waste of dollars, but it doesn’t make much sense either. Recently, a handful of suppliers are investing money to poll consumers about the appeal of lines they are planni... Read More
Comments (4)Remembering Don Marks...
Over the weekend, Don Marks, Badcock’s president and CEO from 1998 to 2008, passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. For those of you fortunate enough to have known him, you know what an asset he was not only to Badcock, but to the industry at large. Even after his recent retirement, Don played an active role in the company via his position as valued member of Badcock’s Board of Direct... Read More
Comments (3)Ikea May Be Overselling The "In-Store" Experience
Leave it to IKEA. At a time when most retailers are scratching their heads for ways to entice shoppers into their stores, it appears that the IKEA location in Beijing needs to find ways to get customers to go home. Really. There was a recent story in the L.A. Times reporting how scores of shoppers in and around Beijing take day trips to IKEA. Sounds like that would be good news, right? Maybe not.... Read More
Comments (1)Memo to furniture retailers: Facebook is your friend!
Wesley Lee, manager of a Thomasville store, is a man after my own heart. He looks for good news and when he finds it, he is quick to share it. Today, he sent me a note along with a just-issed report from BIGresearch that is worth sharing with you. Recently, BIGresearch polled more than 22,000 consumers regarding their utilization of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and o... Read More
Comments (2)
