Furniture Today Blogs
A surprising twist to a controversial trucking program
The long-running battle over the controversial “clean truck” program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach took a surprising turn recently when the Long Beach port reached an out-of-court settlement on a lawsuit filed last year by the American Trucking Assn. According to a story in the Journal of Commerce, the Long Beach port said it would not require trucking companies using th ... More
About this blog
I\'m Larry Thomas, business editor of Furniture/Today. In my 17 years here, I\'ve written stories about everything from box springs to wicker chairs. For 12 years, I wrote the weekly \"Bedding Today\" column, which is now in the capable hands of executive editor David Perry. Since being named business editor in 2001, most of my stories have dealt with home entertainment furniture, recliners, financial news and furniture markets. I look forward to discussing key industry issues in this forum, and I welcome your thoughts and opinions.
More on upholstery and price points
After the appearance of the Upholstery Fabric & Style Survey in the October 5 issue, Furniture/Today’s research team fielded a call from a supplier who wanted to know the overall breakdown of upholstery unit market share by price point. Since we had not previously calculated those statistics, we quickly derived them and sent them along to the supplier as requested. In all fairness we th ... More
About this blog
Welcome to Furniture/Today’s Research blog. Each week we\'ll take a look at interesting research data related to the home furnishings industry. Our focus for the week may come from research we have conducted ourselves or it might be something we’ve come across and just want to share. We hope you’ll use this space too, to share your thoughts or to weigh in with what you think about the topic under discussion. Three members of Furniture/Today’s Research team, Research Manager Dana French and Research Specialists Judi Fulbright and Daphne Garland-McLean, will be sharing this forum, each bringing our own unique perspective. We look forward to hearing from you!
Where should ISPA look for leadership?
“This,” the bedding veteran said to me the other day, “will make a good blog: Should the International Sleep Products Assn. look for an association leader for its next president, or should it hire someone from within the bedding industry?” That is an interesting question, and it is one that is sparking discussion throughout the industry these days. I heard ... More
About this blog
David Perry Bedding Editor Hi! I'm David Perry, the bedding editor for Furniture/Today. This is an online version of my Bedding Today column, which appears weekly in the pages of Furniture/Today. I invite you to take advantage of this blog format to share your comments on the topics that I tackle each week..
Pilot Fatigue to Blame?
If you learned upon landing that your plane’s pilots had overshot the airport by 150 miles because they fell asleep at the controls, what would you feel? Terrified? Shocked? Lucky? I’d feel a mix of the above. In this week’s latest hit to the airline industry, a Northwest flight to Minneapolis overshot its destination and pilot fatigue could be to blame. Of course, the pilots ... More
About this blog
Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He was one of the youngest people to have passed the Board at age 31 and, with a specialty in Sleep Disorders and Neuropsychological Testing, is one of only 163 psychologists in the world with his credentials and distinction. His first book, GOOD NIGHT: The Sleep Doctor’s 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health (Dutton/Penguin), an Amazon Top 100 Best Seller, has been met with rave reviews and continues to change the lives of readers. It is now available in paperback as BEAUTY SLEEP: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep. As the subject of sleep gains greater momentum in our sleep-deprived society, Dr. Breus has become a widely recognized leader in this highly- evolving field. Dedicated to raising awareness of both sleep disorders and what he calls “disordered sleep” in the public and healthcare communities, Dr. Breus is on a mission to develop innovative education and communication programs. In addition to his private practice where he treats athletes, celebrities and the like, he also trains other sleep doctors and consults with major airlines, hotel chains, mattress manufacturers and retailers to provide the optimum sleep experience for their customers. His audio relaxation CD, distributed by Crowne Plaza Hotels and the online record store CD Baby, has been distributed to millions of listeners; and for the past 10 years, he has served as the Sleep Expert for WebMD Health, a leading Internet site for health-related information and pens “Sleep Matters” a monthly column in WebMD magazine. You can also find him on AOL where he is a Wellness Coach discussing topics from mattress choice to sleep apnea. His blogs can be found at WebMD, The Huffington Post, The Insomnia Blog and coming soon, Psychology Today.
CIT’S BANKRUPTCY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (PART 2)
1. Background: Last month we discussed “What CIT Groups’ Bankruptcy Will Mean For You.” Since then, CIT Group Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection hoping to restructure its debt and remain in business (although dependent on the holding company that has filed for bankruptcy, CIT’s operating subsidiaries remain outside of Ch ... More
About this blog
Jerry Cohen Hello. I\'m Jerry Cohen and with this blog I\'ll be providing insight and solutions regarding legal matters affecting the furniture industry, including operational issues, trends, and current and proposed legislation. I’ve worked on the business and legal side of the furniture industry which gives me an unusual perspective on the complexities we face. My firm and I currently counsel furniture manufacturers and national, regional and local retailers with their corporate, commercial and intellectual property transactions, as well as day to day matters. In the course of our work we deal on a regular basis with federal, state and local authorities, attorneys general, financial institutions (such as banks, asset based lenders, hedge funds and private equity); licensors and licensees; the media; sale promoters; creditors and debtors, landlords, and others. Have a comment? Add it to this blog or write to jcohen@homefurnishingslaw.com
Ways to Save Money on Your Market Follow Up
The National Rep Trade Association, IHFRA, has developed a number of benefits this last year that are excellent ways for reps to save money on after market follow ups. Since we are all putting presentations together over the next several weeks here are a few of the discounts you can take advantage of as an IHFRA member. FedEx - Make sure you are signed up with Fed EX for up to 26% discounts on sh ... More
About this blog
Hi, I’m Mike Root, President of Furniture Sales of Mid-America, a furniture wholesale company in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states that has been recognized by numerous national furniture factories for sales excellence including Salesman of the Year more than 10 times. Recently I was appointed to the Executive Committee of the International Home Furnishings Representative’s Association (IHFRA), and asked to write this blog. I see incredible opportunities for our industry to make a difference in people’s lives. It will be my intention to share with you whatever positive stories I hear from around the country as they relate to the home furnishings industry. True, this is a blog for furniture representatives. But the reality is that we are all representing the home furnishings industry. Therefore I will write to and for reps, but hopefully the message will resonate with all throughout the industry. My perspective is one of a third generation furniture guy. My father, Emmet Root, is still active as a rep after over 50 years. I myself have been a rep since 1994. Before that I was in furniture retail, wholesale and rental for over 10 years where I was recognized by the Small Business Administration as an Entrepreneur of the Year. I was also honored by the Omaha Chamber of Commerce for leading a company as one of the Top 25 Fastest Growing Enterprises three years in a row. I’ve seen just about all sides of the industry, and I love every bit of it. My background of sales and marketing has led the past several years to extended studies in direct response marketing to help my dealers sell more with less effort. Some cost effective promotional items for reps and retailers to help maximize your customer’s value can be found on my website at www.FurniturePromotions.com. I recently co-authored a book “Secrets of Peak Performers: Wealth Creating Strategies from the World’s Most Successful Entrepreneurs”. More information about me or my book can be found on my blog at www.MikeRoot.com. To contact me please email me at meroot@mikeroot.com.
NUMBER THEORY
Years ago I read the science fiction book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. It is a bit wacky but a lot of fun. In the book a computer churns for 7.5 million years to determine “the answer to everything” and finally arrives at the answer: 42. I think about this when I see people who spend most of their time delving into report after repo ... More
About this blog
Hi. I'm Eric Easter. I am President of Kittle's Furniture. I've been in our industry for over 30 years. During that time I’ve held positions ranging from cashier to CEO. Along the way, I've held executive leadership positions both in manufacturing and retailing. I've also been responsible for leading initiatives in merchandising, marketing, sales, and operations for leading companies like Kittle's, Thomasville, Boyles and Huntington Furniture. Leadership has always been a passion of mine and nothing delights me more than seeing good people become great leaders. This blog, while discussing a myriad of topics, will focus on leadership. I look forward to hearing from you!
Gallery to keep customer/buyers focused on product and fun
Last week, we reported the exciting news about Houston-based Gallery Furniture’s plan to bring a group of consumer/buyers to High Point this week to seek out new product for its floors.One question we had: What if these consumers experience reverse sticker shock when they get here? Will they blog about it? Will they ever want to pay retail again? In an e-mail, Gallery’s Gil Velasquez ... More
About this blog
Hello! I’m Clint Engel senior retail editor at Furniture/Today, where I cover all things retail. I’ll use this blog to offer my thoughts on both the furniture retail scene and general retail, but more importantly, as a vehicle to bring in and link to other ideas and sources of information that could prove useful to you. I hope you’ll use this space to share your thoughts, too. Also feel free to contact me directly at clinte@reedbusiness.com or 336-605-1129.
Fresh Design & the Pinnacle Awards!
My partner Jerod Lazan of Mortise and Tenon and www.YourFurnitureLink.com and I have been asked to be presenters at the Pinnacle Award Ceremony. We are so excited we can’t tell you! As boutique furniture buyers we have always been on the search for great design, first and foremost. Pricing was important, but not at the top of our list. Good design in our industry separates the men from th ... More
About this blog
Hi! I'm Vicki Semke. Mig and Tig is a Furniture store in Chicago that I started with my husband, Kirk Schlupp. We have been on the retail front lines since 1993. Inspired by Mig and Tig Furniture, Yourfurniturelink.com was launched with Jerod Lazan of Mortise & Tenon, Los Angeles. Yourfurniturelink.com is a furniture directory that features furniture manufacturers ranging from contemporary to antique and eco-friendly if you are going green. Consumers and Retail Buyers view furniture lines and manufacturers direct consumers to local furniture stores for product purchases. Our perspective comes as a home furnishings retailer on the front lines. We will explore how to meet the challenges we face in this new era. Today's rapidly changing marketplace requires intuitiveness and flexibility. With this blog on Furniture Today, we hope to share insight, strategies and practical solutions for the long term sustainability of our businesses. I invite you to share your comments, suggestions and ideas as we move forward into a very dynamic time in our industry. I look forward to hearing from you at Vicki@yourfurniturelink.com Yourfurniturelink.com MigandTig.com MortiseTenon.com
China Labor Shortage Has Long-Term Industry Implications
As we reported in our Oct. 5 edition, China’s furniture industry is having a bit of a labor crunch. Coastal area factories that let go workers due to a slowdown in orders need to rehire some of those workers as those orders pick back up. The problem is that, minus unemployment benefits like we are used to here in the U.S., many of those workers have returned to rural areas where they can re ... More
About this blog
Tom Russell Associate Editor I’m Tom Russell and have worked at Furniture/Today since August 2003. Since then, I have had covered the international side of the business from a logistics and sourcing standpoint. Since then, I also have visited several furniture trade shows and manufacturing plants in Asia, which has helped me gain some perspective about the industry in that part of the world. As I continue covering the import side of the business, I look forward to building on that knowledge base through conversations with industry officials and future overseas plant tours overseas. From time to time, I will file news and other industry perspectives on-line and, as always, welcome your response to these Web postings. ( to view or add public comments click on \"Add your Comment\" below each blog post)
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 B ... More
About this blog
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
Jerry Lewis and the Furniture Business
I watched a bit of the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy over the Labor Day weekend. The man, at 84 years of age has created an enviable legacy for himself over the last 50 years in the donations he has raised and indeed the lives he has been instrumental in prolonging. Love him or loath him, he understands one thing that has been at the core of his success as a fundraiser. He is unafrai ... More
About this blog
Jim Green Hi, I’m Jim Green, author of the three volume set of books on the retail furniture business, Furniture Retailing 101 . The set of books looks at the industry from a newcomer’s perspective and covers the fundamentals and basics of nearly every aspect of furniture retailing. Though it has been written for the novice, I believe the book set will have real value to individuals entering the business from other industries, journalists, analysts, manufacturing executives and representatives and anyone with an interest in learning more about our industry. I have over 30 years experience in both the supply and retail sides of the furniture business, and hold an MBA in Management. In this Web log I will write about some of the more basic and rudimentary aspects of our business and present observations of some of what I have learned over the past three decades. Visit my web site at www.furnitureindustry101.com . Contact me at jim@furnitureindustry101.com or phone 727 347-1201.
WHY DO CEO's DO IT?
I do it. Jerod Lazan of http://yourfurniturelink.com and http://mortisetenon.com does it. Chris Brogan (@ChrisBrogan) , owner of one of the most successful social media agencies in the country, http://newmarketinglabs.com and co-author of the new ” must read” book “Trust Agents” does it. Sarah Thornton , co-owner with her husband, Andy ,of Richmond, VA based retailer, ... More
About this blog
Leslie Carothers Retail Ideas columnist Hi, I\'m Leslie Carothers, principal of The Kaleidoscope Partnership, a national company specializing in helping retailers and manufacturers use the internet and their websites to powerfully drive traffic and profitability. I have been involved in all aspects of the retail home furnishings business for over 25 years-especially with respect to sales, sales training, writing, speaking and consulting. By writing this blog, I hope to educate, inform and stimulate you to try new ideas in your own businesses that can help you make money and engage with today’s customers in ways that are fun, personalized and relevant –to them. I welcome all of your comments so we can have a shared dialogue benefitting our entire industry. Please feel free to either email me at leslie@tkpartnership.com or call me at 713-705.2482.
A secondary furniture market?
A common comment you might hear in this industry is: Where is the secondary market for furnishings? When furniture is no longer needed in your home, where should it go? This is probably no secret, but aside from the hand-me-down route and Goodwill shops, you might try Craigslist. I recently sold the bulk of my furniture on Craigslist. I probably made about $200 cash in less than a week, selling a ... More
About this blog
My name is Heath E. Combs and I am a staff writer for Furniture/Today. I cover casual dining, occasional and green product categories here and often write about regulatory issues affecting our industry. In my blog “The Writer’s Bureau” I’ll discuss the general business climate may be, any interesting trends I find that could carry over into our industry and what I’m hearing from you in our conversations or in my travels. I’m interested in hearing from you here and feel free to contact me directly at heath.combs@reedbusiness.com.
And then there were 2!
Now that Yahoo and Microsoft have come to an agreement to make Bing the provider of search services on Yahoo, you might be wondering how this will impact your search marketing program. This deal combines the number two and number three players in search to create a contender with about 30% of the search market. This is still a distant second from Google’s 65% market share. Still, Bing may b ... More
About this blog
Hi, I’m Penny Schneck, the Online Sales Manager for Furniture/Today. Over the last seven years I’ve seen the Internet transform not just the way we advertise, but the way we do business. It is the great disintermediary. I’ve personally seen it change the travel, financial services and employment advertising businesses. I’ve no doubts that its impact on the way we buy and sell home furnishings will continue to grow. This growth will be accelerated by the recession as consumers and businesses look for new ways to communicate and transact business. The Web is certainly the Wild West of our time with global implications and new technologies at every turn, but that’s what makes it exciting. Join us on this special blog for a lively discussion on the benefits and challenges the Web offers to our industry. I look forward to a lively debate! Email: penny.schneck@reedbusiness.com
Is the Furniture Industry ready for RFID?
In the last couple of years, RFID (Radio-frequency identification) has been used in many industries. Although there are many cost saving opportunities by using RFID in furniture manufacturing and retail, RFID has not been adapted by the industry. The ability of scanning many items without line of sight, the ability to identify many items at once with fixed readers without any manual scan makes R ... More
About this blog
Hi, I’m Riaz Husein, Vice President of Operations and IT at Morris Furniture Company. I have spent over 20 years in Supply Chain and Logistics operations. During that time, I have developed supply chain strategies as a management consultant and managed operations as an executive at Fortune 500 companies. As I led initiatives across a variety of industries, a common trait that I noticed is that well executed Supply Chain and Logistics operations can provide a clear competitive advantage to any business. As a participant in a furniture operations performance group, I realized that business owners and executives in the furniture industry also had a keen interest in achieving excellence their distribution, delivery and customer service operations. I hope that this blog will serve as a forum to share best practices and improve our operations. Along the way, we will discuss innovative supply chain solutions as well as new technologies in the furniture industry. I welcome your feedback, questions, and topic suggestions. Please contact me at rhusein@morrishomefurnishings.com.
Artistry in Atlanta
Eco-friendly materials, patterns inspired by nature, and bright, cheerful colors were among the themes seen in new furniture and rugs introduced at this month’s gift, rug and home furnishings market here. Here are some highlights: This hand-painted bow-front chest with polka-dot pattern is new from Sterling Inds. This Greek key accent table is new from Global Views. A whimsical botanical ... More
About this blog
Hi, I’m Gary James. I’ve been with Furniture/Today for 20 years. I started my career here reporting on case goods and now serve as special projects editor. I’m responsible for the newspaper’s First Look and Best of Market product sections and, as a result, enjoy a front-row seat for observing the industry’s key style trends. I’ve also covered a number of international furniture and fabric shows, traveling to Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Egypt. In this blog, I’ll be highlighting the latest developments on the furniture design front. I’d welcome your input into what’s hot in furniture. Contact me at gjames@reedbusiness.com.
"Furniture Wars" a good summer read
I just finished Mike Dugan’s book “Furniture Wars: How America Lost a Fifty Billion Dollar Industry” and I highly recommend it. Not to find out why Asia makes most of our wood furniture these days. That’s a two-word answer: Lower costs. No, what’s really interesting about “Furniture Wars” is its blow-by-blow account of the decades of infighting in t ... More
About this blog
Jay McIntosh News Editor Hi! I’m Jay McIntosh, news editor at Furniture/Today, and it’s my job to keep track of the issues and events of the day. I’ll use this space to offer comments or insights that I hope will bring something new to the table. I welcome your responses and suggestions.
No knockoffs, please
Here are a few upholstery pieces that won’t be knocked off anytime soon: One is William Gordon’s Kimono Chaise, covered with obi fabric, the same finely woven fabric that’s held kimonos together through centuries of Japanese women and men (even Samurai warriors wore them). The Kimono Chaise was shown recently at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York by kimo ... More
About this blog
Welcome to the Furniture|Today weblog and, in particular, to my own piece cyber-chatter. They tell me this is the newest place to communicate, and my doing it tells you that, yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. I go back to \'79 when F|T was a baby, and have covered almost every beat in the industry. Currently, my specialty is stationary upholstered furniture and retail technology. Occasionally, I\'d like to share some thoughts with you about the seating segment of the industry and other things as well. And since this is an open forum, I\'ll hope you\'ll share some with me.
