Furniture|Today 09/24/2001 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Furniture|Today -- 09/24/2001

Bedding Today

Sealy and Simmons sharpen their Web sites
Recognizing the increased use of the Internet as a research tool for big-ticket purchases, Sealy and Simmons recently overhauled their Web sites. The new-and-improved sites contain tons of easy-to-navigate product information, shopping tips and dealer locator systems that actually work! "Our goal is to empower the consumer by arming them with high-quality information so that they can feel confi...

Business Today

Furniture stock index falls 17.6% in aftermath of attacks
HIGH POINT — Plunging prices buffeted U.S. stock markets as they reopened Sept. 17, six days after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. In the first four trading days after the markets reopened, the Furniture/Today Stocks Index fell to 322.36 at the close of trading Sept. 20, off 17.
Pier 1 earnings down 22.1% in 2Q
Fort Worth, Texas— Pier 1 Imports posted a 22.1% drop in second-quarter profits and hinted it may ratchet back aggressive expansion plans if the slowdown continues. Net income for the quarter ended Sept. 1 fell to $13.8 million, or 14 cents per share, from $17.7 million in the same period a year ago, in line with previous guidance from the home furnishings specialty retailer.
Furniture spending dips to 10-year low
HIGH POINT — As a percentage of total U.S. consumer spending, furniture has dipped to its lowest point in at least a decade. Of every $100 spent on all goods through the first seven months of this year, 91 cents went to furniture. That's down from 95 cents for the full year 2000 and is the smallest share since before 1990.

News

Barratta joins La-Z-Boy
MONROE, Mich. — David Barratta, most recently a vice president at Kmart subsidiary Builders Square, has joined La-Z-Boy as director of real estate development. He is responsible for the development of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, including new locations and markets and relocations or expansions of existing stores.
Help on the way
HIGH POINT — The furniture industry has jumped into relief efforts for victims of the recent terrorist attacks, donating what could turn out to be millions of dollars, along with many items, for those most in need. In an effort hatched by Chief Executive Officer Scott Hymas, Salt Lake City-based retailer R.
Big-hitters out in force for market
HIGH POINT — Big furniture retailers are overwhelmingly committed to attending the October market in full force, a Furniture/Today sampling indicates. All 17 Top 100 furniture store chains contacted last week said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will not dissuade them from coming to High Point. Meanwhile, hotel room cancellations in the High Point area are running about even with last Oct...
Peterson brought industry together
HIGH POINT — Bill Peterson, Furniture/Today's founding editor, is remembered as a man of fairness and integrity who did much to bring the furniture industry together. Peterson, who died Sept. 16, put Furniture/Today on the editorial map after he and co-founder Steve Pond launched the newspaper in a downtown High Point furniture market building, where it had offices for many years.
Pulaski promotes four to VP positions
PULASKI, Va. — Case goods and occasional importer/manufacturer Pulaski Furniture has promoted Spencer Rygas, Pam Thomas, Dan Cheverton and Carl Hoffman to vice presidential posts. Rygas, who joined Pulaski in 1995, is vice president of administration, and will continue as general counsel. Thomas is vice president of inventory control and order fulfillment.
Retailer Dekor closes
ATLANTA — Dekor, the high-concept home store which opened less than a year ago, has closed. Three stores in the Atlanta area shut last week; a fourth in Douglasville, Ga., closed last month. Founded by former Home Depot executives Herb Biggers and Jim Inglis, Dekor combined an upscale product mix with middle-class affordability.
Robb & Stucky warehouse open
LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Robb & Stucky has opened a 180,000-square-foot warehouse here to better serve its stores in Florida, Texas and Arizona. The facility, near many of the Top 100 company's major suppliers, can hold $28 million in product in eight levels of racking, and has 15 loading docks.
Help on the way
HIGH POINT — The furniture industry has jumped into relief efforts for victims of the recent terrorist attacks, donating what could turn out to be millions of dollars, along with many items, for those most in need. In an effort hatched by Chief Executive Officer Scott Hymas, Salt Lake City-based retailer R.
Hooker home office sale in progress
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Hooker is sponsoring a national home office sale in support of its new SmartWorks by Hooker Premier Dealer program. The sale runs through Sept. 30. Participating retailers are receiving discounts and marketing support, including promotion of the sale on Hooker's Web site and a special SmartWorks dealer locator that will remain on the site.
Leon's renovates flagship
TORONTO — Leon's Furniture has renovated its flagship store here, part of the No. 3-ranked Canadian furniture retailer's ongoing expansion and capital improvement program. The 200,000-square-foot warehouse showroom complex in the suburb of Weston features an expanded Platinum Gallery, Leon's foray into higher-end bedroom, living room and dining room furniture.
High Point tightens security
HIGH POINT — A beefed up police presence and stringent on-street parking restrictions will greet marketgoers here next month. Judy Mendenhall, president of the International Home Furnishings Market Authority, said the new security measures, which will include police sharpshooters on downtown rooftops, are being implemented in the wake of the Sept.
Some events carry on; others postponed or canceled
HIGH POINT — Two weeks after the tragic events of Sept. 11, the industry is moving forward with several events and rescheduling or canceling some others. In the days immediately following the plane crashes, many event coordinators were forced to cancel as airlines shut down travel and the public mourned.
Magnussen bedrooms follow year of research
HIGH POINT — Magnussen Presidential's entry into bedroom was a year in the making. A series of consumer panels and dealer councils during product development was dubbed the Marco Polo Project, in honor of the 13th century Venetian's explorations and opening of new frontiers. Magnussen couldn't afford not to do the research, said President Jeff Cook.
Bill Peterson, Furniture/Today founding editor, dies
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Founding Furniture/Today editor Wilbert Paul "Bill" Peterson died Sept. 16 from complications following a heart attack at his home here. He was 73. Memorials may be made to the Bill Peterson Scholarship Fund, newly established at High Point University's Furniture Marketing Program, University Station, Montlieu Ave.
Hooker aims to keep plants busy
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Hooker's new home office display program is aimed at keeping its domestic plants busy in the face of tough import competition in other product categories. Ray Harm, senior vice president of sales, said the SmartWorks by Hooker program is designed to "get us back to the normal growth rate in home office we were experiencing before the economic downturn.
Virginia's Green Front readies N.C. store
FARMVILLE, Va. — Green Front Furniture will open a 31,000-square-foot-store in Raleigh, N.C., the Top 100 company's first foray into the state as it looks to a new venue for its offering of high-end goods at low prices. Green Front Interiors and Rugs is expected to open in early October in high-visibility leased property at the intersection of Capitol Boulevard and the Interstate 440 Belt...
New England market held as scheduled
WORCESTER, Mass. — The New England Furniture and Accessory Market is running as scheduled at the Centrum Center Arena and Convention Center here. The Centrum Center is a new venue for the Karel Exposition Management-organized trade show, which ends on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The market is sponsored by the Home Furnishings Assn.
Serta licensee in new plant
CINCINNATI — Serta's licensee here has moved into a new manufacturing facility that is more than twice the size of its former home. The new facility, which is about 10 miles from the previous plant, encompasses about 195,000 square feet on a 14-acre site. "The new plant is engineered with the most modern machinery and material-handling systems available," said Steve Lund, executive vice ...

Opinion Today

A hard-luck industry knows what matters
Sometimes it seems there's no escape from bad news, but please don't give up on this column just yet. A few weeks ago, I was thinking about asking my bosses to change my title to senior bankruptcy editor. That's what it felt like. HomeLife, Krause's, Ames, Heilig-Meyers, Roberds, This End Up — all bankrupt.
Bill Peterson's heart was big enough for us all
Bill Peterson was the father of Furniture/Today's editorial department. He also was a father figure to dozens of writers, editors, researchers and graphics people who worked with him in his remarkable 15-year career at the industry's business newspaper. He began by writing and editing every word that went in the paper, before he hired Henry Howard, now retired, as managing editor.
A friend who made a big difference
Furnitureland has lost a great friend, confidant and authority with the death last week of Bill Peterson, founding editor of Furniture/Today. Bill's death came a little more than a week after the 25th anniversary of the launch of the paper he was so instrumental in beginning, growing and making the industry's own.

People Today

Levine promoted at Therapedic
BROCKTON, Mass. —Mitchell Levine has been promoted to sales manager at Therapedic New England. He has been the bedding plant's leading salesman for seven years. In his new post, Levine will supervise four salesmen in New England, while retaining a few of his own accounts and overseeing account expansion.
People on the Move
People on the Move
Lane honors Guynes
TUPELO, Miss. — Lane has named Rusty Guynes as its 2000 Salesperson of the Year. Past winners include David Bassett, Tim Canada, Scott Kruger, Jon Drosnock and Tod Shepherd.

Special Report

Special Report
Industry boosted by Brazilian government
SAO PAOLO, Brazil — While furniture is one of 16 industries that the Brazilian government is actively promoting to the world, it's already got a headstart. "It's one of the first industries we've been working with because the opportunity is huge," said Dorothea Wernick, executive director of APEX, the federal agency to promote exports.
Special Report
Brazil poised to impact U.S.
SAO PAOLO, Brazil — A long-time factory executive and now an import consultant, Jeff Holmes believes the Brazilian industry could be ready to make a powerful impact as a supplier to retailers, distributors and factory brands in the United States. A consultant to the Promovel export initiative in Brazil, Holmes adds that he's felt that way for many years, but it remains to be seen whether ...
Special Report
Harrods welcomes new line in style
LONDON — The Harrods Fine Furniture Collection came home to its illustrious parent here with a lavish launch that featured high-style partying and heavy-hitting promotion. Mohamed Al Fayed, the chairman of the world-renowned department store, mingled with the more than 250 guests who attended the kickoff party.
Special Report
Successes bolstering industry's faith in Web
BOSTON — A few true Internet success stories are beginning to emerge in the industry, signifying an evolution in how furniture companies are viewing the medium. Once viewed primarily as a tool of destruction, disintermediation and going direct, the Internet is increasingly embraced by furniture retailers and manufacturers as an efficient, cost-effective way to reach consumers one at a tim...
Special Report
Lexington adds features to site
Lexington, N.C. — Lexington Home Brands has relaunched its Web site with a new look and several features designed to make it easier for consumers to browse and shop. It's the third upgrade since October 1995. Among the enhancements is a scrapbook feature that allows consumers to save and create furniture items and ideas.
Special Report
Consumers search online by category, not brand
NEWTON, Mass. — Analysis of Internet tracking data from HomePortfolio.com shows that consumers overwhelmingly shop by product category and not by brand. The Internet marketing services company tracked consumer behavior on its Web site in June and found that 80% of site visitors searched for home design products by room and category.
Special Report
Ethnic influences strong at Maison
PARIS— Ethnic influences extending from the Far East, Middle East and Africa to areas such as Provence in France formed a key direction at the Maison & Objet show here this month. Other strong themes were a new color energy and a revival of period pieces. While bold, electric citrus colors were ubiquitous at the last several shows here, they have been stepped down to magenta and warm...
Special Report
Chairs stand tall at Promosedia
UDINE, Italy — While some people may view the world as a series of black-or-white propositions, not so with the Italians. Throughout Italy and elsewhere in Europe, color is king. Nowhere was that more apparent than at the recent Promosedia show, held here each year. For the past 25 years, Promosedia, the group that sponsors the International Chair Exhibition, has turned the spotlight on c...
Special Report
Brazilian manufacturers focus on U.S.
SAO PAOLO, Brazil — Brazilian furniture manufacturers, whose roots are in European design, are focused on the United States as a market for their furniture. Encouraged by attractive exchange rates and an organized effort by the Brazilian government to grease the skids of international trade, more and more furniture manufacturers here are redesigning their lines and making overtures to U.
Special Report
Brazilian exports to U.S. moving cautiously, slowly
SAO PAOLO, Brazil — While most manufacturers here say that exporting to the United States sounds like an opportunity worth exploring, only a few dozen have laid the groundwork for international sales, and just a handful have taken action. There appears to be no single strategy. While some Brazilian companies such as Renar, Niroflex and Sierra Moveis have already established High Point sho...

Supplement

Consumer Buying Trends
Mattresses, beds — an obvious match
It's almost Furniture Sales 101 to say we should sell a mattress to someone buying new bedroom furniture. But remembering the basics when it comes to the relationship between buying new bedroom furniture and a new mattress is critical. If consumers follow through with their buying plans this year, almost half of this year's mattress' dollars will come from households that are shopping for bedro...
Consumer Buying Trends
Older couples outspend for bedding
They plan to buy at a rate lower than their percentage of the population. They usually have well-established homes and no children living at home to wear out the boxsprings. So what makes working older couples and retired older couples worth noting as good prospects for purchasing mattresses and boxsprings? Two things come to mind: First, these two demographic groups have the highest plan-to-sp...
Consumer Buying Trends
Young are hot prospects
As with almost every other product category covered by Furniture/Today's Consumer Buying Trends 2001 survey, younger consumers are the hottest prospects for buying mattresses and boxsprings. Although young singles, young parents and middle parents do not top the list in terms of the amount they spent or plan to spend on bedding, they are buying at a rate that outpaces their proportion to the po...

Up Front

Starr to head Natuzzi Americas
HIGH POINT — Former Thomasville president Fred Starr has been named president and chief executive officer of upholstery giant Natuzzi Americas, effective Oct. 1. He becomes the third person to hold the title in 18 months. Starr, 68, succeeds Dino Lorusso, who requested reassignment to Italy to spend more time with his family.
Magnussen launching BR division
HIGH POINT — Importer Magnussen Presidential will launch a new bedroom division with six collections at the October market. The groups were shown at premarket here earlier this month. Styles range from traditional English and ornate Italian to West Indies and Art Deco-influenced groups. Beds in the line, made in China, will retail from $799 to $1,799.
Powell appoints four to VP positions
CULVER CITY, Calif. — Importer Powell has appointed four vice presidents in its merchandising department as part of a restructuring of that staff. Andrew Cohen, president and chief operating officer, said, "The new structure of our merchandising team will allow us to continue our efforts to diversify our product line and meet the needs of our customers.
Smith will join Jaymar
TORONTO — Linda Smith has been named to a senior sales and marketing position with upholstery maker Jaymar Furniture. For the past three years, she has been director of member services for the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. Smith was OFMA's senior staff person following the retirement of George Sinclair as executive vice president earlier this year.
Chris Hart named COO, pres
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — Chris Hart has been names president and chief operating officer of promotional case goods and entertainment furniture manufacturer Hart Furniture here. The post of president most recently was held by his father, Tommy Hart, who continues as a member of the board of directors.
A woman's touch at La-Z-Boy
MONROE, Mich. — What do women want? A recliner tailored to feminine preferences, according to La-Z-Boy and consultant Faith Popcorn. The company has signed an agreement with trend forecaster Popcorn to produce a line of recliners made for women, to debut at the October High Point market. Her marketing firm, BrainReserve, researched the features women look for in reclining chairs and use...
Lea appoints Boone sales vice president
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Lee Boone, formally of Universal Furniture, has been named vice president of sales at youth bedroom major Lea Inds. He is responsible for sales in the eastern half of the United States, and reports to Bryan Edwards, national vice president of sales. "Lee's professionalism, enthusiasm and demonstrated business-building abilities should serve us well," said Lamont Hope, ...
Quebec exhibitors optimistic
QUEBEC CITY — Although the U.S. terrorist attacks were uppermost in everyone's minds and could further dampen consumer confidence, exhibitors at the Salon du Meuble de Québec came away optimistic about business prospects for the coming months. "The show was great for us," said Johanne Dionne, sales manager for contemporary case goods and upholstery producer Huppé of Victoriavil...
Hooker rolling out displays
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Nearly 300 retailers nationwide are installing SmartWorks by Hooker home office displays in their stores this month. The presentations, covering either 400 square feet or 800 square feet, feature seven to 14 of Hooker's home office systems, supported by extensive merchandising and point-of-purchase materials.
Top execs leave Pier 1's Cargo division
FORT WORTH, Texas — James Allen and Lisa Thornton, president and executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, respectively, have left Pier 1 Import's youth-oriented Cargo Furniture subsidiary. Pier 1 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marvin Girouard would not identify their replacements.

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