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Furniture|Today > Archives > 10/15/2001 Issue
Table of Contents
Furniture|Today -- 10/15/2001

Bedding Today
  • Sealy, Simmons poised to turn buyers' heads
    Although bedding remains a bit player at the High Point market, the industry may create a noticeable blip on buyers' radar screens here this week. This is due largely to major product rollouts by two of the industry's biggest producers, Sealy and Simmons. Simmons, as we've reported, is renting a hotel ballroom for a two-day showing of its new Beautyrest line, while Sealy is making significant ...

Business Today
  • Select Comfort gets more funding
    MINNEAPOLIS— Airbed manufacturer-retailer Select Comfort has secured $5 million in additional funding from Medallion Capital. The senior debt financing was provided under the terms of the company's $11 million convertible notes issued June 7. Select Comfort said it didn't expect to need additional capital for operating purposes in the foreseeable future.
  • Survey finds Americans expect recession
    NEW YORK— Nearly half of all Americans believe the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will push the United States into a recession, The Conference Board reports. The special consumer survey was based on a representative sample of more than 750 U.S. households and was conducted via phone on Sept. 18 and 19 by NFO WorldGroup.
  • Business confidence slips before Sept. 11 attacks
    NEW YORK— The Conference Board's Measure of Business Confidence fell to 48 in the third quarter, down four points from last quarter. Responses were taken before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The survey covers more than 125 chief executives from a wide range of industries. According to Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's Consumer Research Center, "A deterioration in business ...
  • Rent-Way, banks amend credit agreement
    ERIE, Pa.— Rent-Way has completed an amendment to its credit agreement and is no longer in forbearance with its bank group. Under terms of the amended agreement, Rent-Way's credit line is about $360 million. The rent-to-own major's total debt outstanding was about $306 million as of Sept. 30. William McDonnell, the company's chief financial officer, said, "We are pleased to have this am...

Insider's View
  • Let's lift our 'image' to match our 'reality'
    Thank you for coming to High Point. Be assured that your presence is appreciated. We sincerely believe this could be the most productive market ever as retailers and manufacturers work together to attract consumers back to our merchandise in 2002. Using the new year and our renewed national pride as a starting point, please help our industry project a new image as home and family continue to gr...

News
  • Leather resources enhance programs
    HIGH POINT— While no brand new companies have emerged in the hot category for this market, existing leather upholstery manufacturers are offering enhanced or upgraded programs to energize retail sales. Home Impressions, showing at 1634 North Main St., is making its official High Point debut. The long-established Asian distributor of Australian hides began producing its own branded leather...
  • Home office, exercise line gets preview here
    HIGH POINT— Hidden Grove, a new line of furniture that combines home office and exercise functions, is holding product previews with a select group of dealers during market here in the PMI showroom at 315 Russell St. The line's developers — TurnKey Products and Icon Health & Fitness — have invited about 30 top dealers to visit their showroom from Oct.
  • Stanley honors showroom 'mother' with A&T fund
    STANLEYTOWN, Va. — Case goods major Stanley Furniture has established an endowment fund in honor of Fannie Mae Thomas Parker, a longtime associate in the company's High Point showroom, who died earlier this year. The fund will assist students in the arts at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.
  • Drexel stores tout HGTV ties
    DREXEL, N.C.— Drexel Heritage is using in-store video monitors in a promotional campaign featuring Home & Garden Television in 200 stores nationwide. Each Drexel Heritage store has a monitor that plays a videotape with a montage of homes and designs from five HGTV programs the company sponsors.
  • Germans end show venture
    COLOGNE, Germany— KölnMesse and Messe Frankfurt mutually have decided to end their cooperation for Decovision, an international trend forum for furniture fabrics and leather. Planned as an annual event alternately staged by the trade show organizers, the event originally set for next May 22-24 in Frankfurt has been canceled.
  • TradeWinds tourney raises $20,000
    DAWSONVILLE, Ga.— Donations by 120 golfers and more than 100 companies and friends provided $20,000 for the Atlanta Union Mission at the Fifth Annual TradeWinds Partners Invitational Charity Golf Tournament. Donated funds went to help homeless and abused women and children at The Angel Wing, My Sister's Home and Village Atlanta, all divisions of the Atlanta Union Mission.
  • American attitude
    After a series of markets full of traditional European and exotic mixed-media style themes, several manufacturers are coming home for inspiration with new takes on Mission and Shaker, plus a round of introductions reminiscent of the great outdoors through design details or a more refined take on lodge ambience.
  • Rent Rite aquires two stores in Va.
    BOCA RATON, Fla.— Rent Rite has acquired its first two stores in Virginia, bringing the rent-to-own chain to 50 stores in eight states. Rent Rite, based here, acquired the stores, in Manassas and Fredericksburg, from Premier Rentals - RTO Investments. "The company plans to continue its expansion, opening or acquiring additional stores over the next 24 months, many of which will be in Vir...
  • Chateau d'Ax has Romanian facility
    LENTATE, Italy— Italian upholstery manufacturer Chateau d'Ax has opened a leather production facility in Arad, Romania. The 100,000-square-foot plant is Chateau d'Ax's first manufacturing site outside Italy. When fully operational, the plant will produce 5,000 seats per week. Chateau d'Ax said it chose the Romanian location for its strong labor force and its proximity to Italy.
  • Lane, Tempur-Pedic offering joint recliner lines
    HIGH POINT— Lane and Tempur-Pedic have teamed up for a new product aimed at expanding distribution avenues for both. Lane is using Tempur-Pedic's patented Tempur foam in two lines of recliners. The products are featured in both the Tempur-Pedic and Lane showrooms at market. The first line involves Lane's LeatherRest contemporary chairs and ottomans, with the joint products called Tempur...
  • Dossenbach, Aktrin join as consultants
    HIGH POINT— Research firm Aktrin Furniture Information Center and consultant Dossenbach Associates have combined resources to form consulting company Aktrin-Dossenbach Associates. Targeted clients include furniture manufacturers and other producers of wood products, as well as suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and other participants in these industries.
  • Boston Warehouse buys facility
    NORWOOD, Mass.— To accommodate sales growth and upgrade service to its customers, Boston Warehouse has purchased a new warehouse near its headquarters here. The facility increases the company's warehouse space by 25% and allows it to consolidate and organize inventory for all three of its divisions, including Boston Warehouse, Concepts 4 and BW Home.
  • Lines blurring between indoor, outdoor living
    WASHINGTON— People are spending more and more time outdoors, and the International Furnishings and Design Assn. believes that will be reflected in the further blurring of the boundary between indoor and outdoor living spaces. IFDA has compiled a report titled "20/20: IFDA's Vision for the Future," based on a survey it conducted among its members last year.
  • Rug retailers rethinking direct buying strategies
    HIGH POINT— In recent years, many major retailers have traveled abroad to buy hand-made rugs at the source. Current conditions are prompting some to rethink this strategy, particularly in terms of where they will travel. "I'm certainly not going to give up traveling abroad to buy rugs," said Bob Batt, executive vice president of Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha.
  • San Fran Mart sets hotel, travel specials for Jan.
    SAN FRANCISCO— The San Francisco Mart is offering special hotel rates for all attendees at its Winter Market 2002, scheduled for Jan. 18-21. Discounts on airfare and hotels can be obtained through the SFM's travel agency, R/A Performance Group, by calling (800) 472-4172. The deadline is Dec. 14.
  • FIT given $10 million
    NEW YORK— The Fashion Institute of Technology here has received a $10 million gift from retired Kohl executive Jay H. Baker and his wife, Patty. The college plans to change the name of its School of Business and Technology to the Patty and Jay H. Baker School of Business and Technology. The gift is the largest single contribution in FIT history — 10 times larger than any previous gift.
  • Birmingham show moved
    BIRMINGHAM, England— Trade Promotion Services has moved Intohome, an annual trade event for the home textiles and soft furnishings market, to run concurrently with Autumn Fair Birmingham next year. Both shows are scheduled for Sept. 1-4, 2002, at the National Exhibition Center here. "Following extensive research with exhibitors and visitors of the 2001 edition of Intohome, it became clear...
  • La-Z-Boy weaves Web links
    MONROE, Mich.— La-Z-Boy says it is the first in the industry to enable customers to design furniture and interact with local dealers on the Web, creating live leads for its dealers with a new Internet Catalog. Using advanced rendering technology from Intellitek, visitors to the www.lazboy.com site can now view any frame with the fabric or leather of their choice.
  • Study profiles Internet users
    SALT LAKE CITY— A study and analysis by Brigham Young University's business school identifies about 30% of Internet users as desirable e-commerce consumers, based on their willingness to buy online and their fear of conducting business via the Web. Supported by IBM, the study describes eight psychological profiles, ranging from nonshoppers to shopping lovers.
  • Thomasville Furniture closes fourth plant this year
    THOMASVILLE, N.C.— Thomasville Furniture is closing a plant in Hickory, N.C., the fourth plant to shut down this year but the first upholstery-making facility. Highland Avenue Plant No. 7's upholstery manufacturing will be moved to other Thomasville plants, principally in North Carolina at Hickory, Statesville and Troutman, said Chris Pfaff, president and chief executive officer.
  • Paris show to debut in New York
    PARIS— Maison & Objet, the twice-a-year home furnishings trade show here, plans to bring a smaller version of the market to New York in May. The debut event is set for May 18-20, to run concurrently with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Convention Center in New York.
  • Bumby named King Koil VP
    HINSDALE, Ill.— Mark Bumby has been named vice president of marketing for King Koil USA, the newly created entity that oversees the bedding producer's U.S. business. Bumby had worked in the marketing department at Spring Air since 1996. "Mark's personal touch and attention will be invaluable to our new King Koil national group," said Larry McKay, president.
  • Canadian factories eager to offer lots of products, programs
    HIGH POINT— Like their colleagues from the United States and the rest of the world, Canadian manufacturers are rolling out a host of new products and programs this week. And they're praying that despite the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and counter attacks, and a sputtering North American economy, retailers will turn out ready to fight for their share of a nervous consumer's disposable dollar.
  • Williamsburg online catalog honored in national contest
    WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The Williamsburg catalog's Web site, www.williamsburgmarketplace.com, has won the I. Merchant Silver Award in a competition of online catalogs from across the country. The competition was co-sponsored by Catalog Age and the Direct Marketing Assn. The Williamsburg site was honored in the Consumer Hard Goods/High Tech category.
  • Scotchgard inventors in hall of fame
    AKRON, Ohio— The "mother and father of Scotchgard" have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame here. Patsy Sherman and Samuel Smith invented Scotchgard, the popular treatment to repel stains on fabrics, in 1956 while working at 3M. Research shows that 84% of U.S. consumers recognize the name.
  • Rug importers shift production
    HIGH POINT— Hand-made rug importers with ties to Pakistan — and to other countries facing potential upheaval as the United States strikes at terrorist organizations — are shifting production to India and China. It is a trend that has been under way for several years, but the terrorist attacks of Sept.
  • HFIA offering new credit card financing options
    DALLAS— The Home Furnishings International Assn. credit card program has been enhanced to offer three new fixed-payment options. Consumer purchases of $2,000 through the HFIA's Interiors Card can now be financed over 12 months, 24 months or 36 months. The program, financed by GE Card Services, allows consumers to set up installment payments with an interest rate of 10.
  • MGM, Purnell join forces
    HIGH POINT— Delivery specialists MGM Transport and Purnell Furniture Services have joined forces. MGM will run Purnell's line-haul and less-than-truckload freight operations, while Purnell will maintain its clients and act as a sales agent for MGM. "Partnering with Purnell increases our customer base in the markets MGM serves day-in and day-out," said MGM President Edward Massood.
  • Exim rolls out EDI software
    GREENVILLE, S.C.— Exim Technologies has rolled out a beta release of its XM Commerce software, an electronic data interchange program that aims to take costs out of document transfers, transactions and communications. The XMC software suite translates transactions from any sending company's format into the recipient's system format.
  • Akchin promoted to VP, COO at Fraenkel
    BATON ROUGE, La.— Furniture and bedding manufacturer and distributor Fraenkel Co. has promoted Brian Akchin to the new position of vice president and chief operating officer. Akchin, who had been vice president of manufacturing, is now responsible for all furniture and mattress operations. He reports to Harvey Hoffman, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
  • B&H awarded bed rail patent
    ASHEBORO, N.C.— Supplier B&H Panel Co. has received a U.S. patent for a new promotional medium-density fiberboard bed rail product. The distinctive feature of the bed rail is a steel rivet used in the metal industry that B&H applied to wood furniture by riveting the bed hook into the MDF.
  • Flooring giant buys lighting store network
    MANCHESTER, N.H.— CCA Global Partners, the big floor coverings cooperative that includes Carpet One and Flooring America stores, has expanded into the broader home furnishings arena with the acquisition of Ilucio, an alliance of lighting stores. Based in Chattanooga, Tenn., Ilucio is a network of 65 independently owned lighting and home accent retailers in 29 states.
  • Switch to euro worries some European furniture execs
    HIGH POINT— The economy has U.S. furniture companies singing the blues, but at least this country isn't switching currencies. The European furniture industry faces a changeover to euro coins and notes on Jan. 1, causing additional angst for executives already troubled by Europe's economies. "There were predictions of the euro getting a one-time boost (with the conversion), but no longer,"...
  • FMCA marks 40th year, elects Curtis president
    KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C.— Members of the Furniture Manufacturers Credit Assn. heard from speakers and elected officers at their annual meeting here in late September. High Point-based FMCA, which has members from 115 North American furniture manufacturers, also celebrated its 40th anniversary with letters of congratulation from former President Bill Clinton, North Carolina Gov.
  • AFMA members offered Federal Express discounts
    HIGH POINT— American Furniture Manufacturers Assn. members can receive discounted rates on Federal Express shipping through a new program being launched this month. Discounts are available on ground, express, international and multi-weight packages. The savings, based on FedEx base rates, range from a 5% savings for under-five-pound packages on ground travel to as much as 30% on express i...
  • 2nd Sandberg tournament raises $45,000
    LOS ANGELES— The second annual William Hansen Sandberg Memorial Golf Tournament raised $45,000 for scholarships and medical research. Case goods manufacturer Sandberg Furniture organized the tournament in memory of the late Bill Sandberg, who was president of the family-owned company. He died in 1999 after a long struggle with a rare neuromuscular disease.
  • UFA show exhibitors contribute furniture
    MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.— Exhibitors at the 2001 Unfinished Furniture Assn. National Convention and Trade Show donated more than $15,000 worth of unfinished and finished furniture pieces to a Nashville, Tenn., charity. The donations will benefit The Rochelle Center, an agency offering job training and work opportunities to persons with developmental disabilities and memory loss.
  • Donation to FDC honors Hunziker
    HIGH POINT— The Furniture Discovery Center here has received a gift from Rachel Hunziker in memory of her late husband, Don Hunziker. She donated 544 shares of La-Z-Boy stock with an estimated value of $10,000. "Mrs. Hunziker's gift is one that is greatly appreciated not only because of its financial value, but also because Mr.
  • Child-care center backed by Bernhardt earns 5 stars
    LENOIR, N.C. — A child-care center sponsored by Bernhardt Furniture received the first five-star rating in Caldwell County for centers serving over 25 children. The facility opened in September 2000. It serves 120 children from 6 weeks to age 5 and employs 30 teachers and support staff. Once the center reaches full capacity, it will serve 100 more children.
  • Dallas group is ad agency for Bernhardt
    LENOIR, N.C. — Bernhardt Furniture has hired Dallas-based The Richards Group as its advertising agency of record. The agency will apply its proprietary branding discipline to the Bernhardt brand. "We admire The Richards Group's creative strength and its disciplined approach to brand building," said Heather Bloom, director for brand development for Bernhardt.
  • Mayo debuts upholstery line in High Point
    HIGH POINT — Mayo, a 36-year-old Texarkana, Texas-based upholstery maker, is making its High Point debut this market. Mayo is exhibiting on the lower level of the Eagle Inds. Building, 130 South Main St. The company had shown at the Dallas market for some 30 years before shifting to the Tupelo Furniture Market last year.
  • Serta, Springs offer bedding textiles line
    ITASCA, Ill. — Bedding major Serta has signed a licensing agreement with textile giant Springs Inds. to produce a line of Serta-brand mattress pads, bed pillows and sheets. The new program, unveiled at the New York Home Textiles Market, is Serta's first effort to put its name on textiles and related products.
  • Leather source Sadesa opens plant in China
    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina— South American leather supplier Sadesa is expanding its operations in Asia with the opening of a plant in China. The company has a processing arrangement with Nanhai Mimosa Leathers, based near the Chinese city of Guangzhou. Sadesa said the new facility will supply customers more quickly.
  • Chamberlain is merchandising VP at Dinaire
    BUFFALO, N.Y. — Christine Chamberlain has been promoted to vice president of merchandising at Dinaire, a new position at the manufacturer of casual dining furniture. Previously, she was director of merchandising. In addition, Melissa Kenneweg has joined the company as sales associate. She reports to Chamberlain.
  • Goodwin Weavers rolling out Thomas Kinkade rugs
    HIGH POINT— After a sneak preview in April, Goodwin Weavers is rolling out its licensed Thomas Kinkade rugs in full force at this market, marking its entry into the room-size rug arena. The woven polypropylene rugs retail at about $299 in a 6 by 9 size. Featuring romantic florals and traditional English manor designs, the rugs coordinate with Thomas Kinkade licensed upholstery.
  • Noonoo assists Radici USA's rug marketing
    SPARTANBURG, S.C.— Noonoo Rug Co. has agreed to assist Radici USA in the marketing and sales of Radici machine-made rug collections. Noonoo will display the collections in its Atlanta, High Point and Secaucus, N.J., showrooms. The rugs have been designed by Millennium Textile Designs of Secaucus, a company created last year by several Noonoo executives.
  • Costikyan Carpets opens designer showroom in N.J.
    LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.— Costikyan Carpets has opened a designer showroom in New Providence, N.J. Costikyan Home features the company's hand-made Tibetan and Chinese rug collections. The showroom also includes rugs from Feizy, Abadjian, Renaissance Tapestry and Rugs by Robinson. The company also is offering rug restoration and cleaning services through the showroom.
  • Ultrasuede boosts profile
    NEW YORK— Ultrasuede, a longtime favorite of high-end upholstery producers, is ramping up its profile among furniture makers, retailers and consumers with a new range of prints designed to enhance versatility and help counter the influx of less-expensive faux suedes. "It was time to move beyond solids," said Richard Tobin, director of sales and marketing, furniture division, for Toray Ult...
  • Mega Group gearing up to grow under Graydon
    TORONTO— Mega Group, Canada's second-largest buying group, is assembling a new senior management team under recently appointed President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Graydon to implement its long-planned retail systems. This team will strengthen the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based Mega's existing banner programs while rolling out new retail concepts and unveiling a common point-of-sa...
  • Mega set to support 2002 show in Calgary
    SASKATOON, Saskatchewan— Mega Group will support next year's furniture market in Calgary, Alberta, but isn't committing beyond that. "We will be there next June but there are no guarantees after that," said Michael Graydon, the buying group's president and chief executive officer. Mega and Furniture West, the Winnipeg, Manitoba-based factory association that sponsors the market, will mee...
  • Mega salutes retiring president Papasadero
    TORONTO— Some 250 members of Mega Group as well as staffers, suppliers and spouses attended a farewell dinner for retiring President and Chief Executive Officer Otto Papasadero at the buying group's fall meeting here. Papasadero was hailed for his nine years of service to Mega. The dinner also capped two days of seminars and merchandising meetings featuring speakers such as Elly Valas, ex...
  • England opens first dedicated store in Missouri
    ARNOLD, Mo.— England has opened its first stand-alone England Quality Home Furnishings store here. Previously operating as Towne Sofa & Sleep Center, the 5,000-square-foot store is owned by John Saksa. England, formerly England/Corsair, has opened more than 65 Custom Comfort Centers nationwide since the initiation of the store-within-a-store concept in November 1998.
  • Companies aid players with bedding
    SPOKANE, Wash.— National Furniture and Perfect Rest Bedding are again supplying a place to sleep for local minor-league baseball players. Last year, Jim Hanley, National Furniture's sales manager and a season-ticket holder of the Single-A Spokane Indians, learned that some players were sleeping on floors in cramped apartments.
  • New software helps manage damaged goods
    MARTINSVILLE, Va.— CorrectLink, a new software product from Sitestar Applied Technologies here, aims to help importers manage handling of flawed merchandise. The software tracks damaged goods while allowing users to assemble data on which items are most likely to be damaged, what the problems are, and from whom the most damaged goods are received.
  • Paris furniture show reorganizing for Jan. 2002 run
    PARIS — To better accommodate its 50,000 buyers, organizers of the Salon du Meuble here have completely redrawn its layout. The reorganization, to be unveiled at the 2002 show in January, will aggregate promotionally priced and midpriced goods in roughly one half of the show, and higher-end, more niche-oriented furniture and accessories in the other half.
  • Austin Horn has Hemingway bedding textiles
    HIGH POINT— The Austin Horn Collection is introducing at market here four groups of home textiles bedding as part of the licensed Ernest Hemingway Collection. The groups include comforters, duvets, bedskirts, decorative pillows and throws, all designed by Dian Austin to reflect the flavor of Hemingway's eclectic residences.
  • Pa. showroom adding carpet, lighting galleries
    PITTSBURGH— Designer showroom Marforth Limited here is expanding by 18,000 square feet to add custom carpet and lighting galleries. The expanded showroom, scheduled to open Nov. 1, will provide more space for the company's furniture, fabrics, wall coverings, Oriental rugs and accessories, said John Miller.
  • Tom Seely has craft-y way of competing with imports
    BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Competing with imports means differentiating one's product. For Tom Seely Furniture here in the northeast corner of West Virginia, that means hands-on, high-end production. Tom Seely Furniture is hand-built by craftsmen out of solid sugar pine, oak or cherry. The company believes in straight lines and open surfaces that show the wood's grace and warmth.
  • Gat Caperton wins over Tom Seely employees
    BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — When Gat Caperton took over Tom Seely Furniture in 1996 when he was 28 years old, many of the longtime employees feared for the company's future. Five years later, the still-young president and chief executive officer has won over the workers with his enthusiasm and business knowledge.
  • Canadian retailers seeking ways to entice consumers
    HIGH POINT— The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks won't prevent leading Canadian furniture retailers from attending market this week, but waning consumer confidence is prompting a cautious, deliberate hunt for values by buyers. Most majors, large independents and the buying groups have their entire merchandising teams here, trekking from showroom to showroom and conducting business as usual.
  • Powell unveils new logos, unit names
    HIGH POINT— Powell, an importer of a wide variety of adult and juvenile furniture, is unveiling a series of new logos at the October market to more clearly identify products in its four major business units. Along with the new logos, the company is renaming its Generations for the 21st Century line Powell Limited.
  • Pacific Green targets West Coast retailers
    SAN FRANCISCO— Ten-year-old furniture producer Pacific Green exhibited in San Francisco for the first time at the summer market, targeting limited West Coast distribution for its bedroom, dining room, leather upholstery and occasional furniture, crafted from reinforced palmwood produced in Fiji.
  • King Hickory collection satisfies nesting needs
    HIGH POINT— Believing that consumers will not only be spending more time cocooning but also nesting, King Hickory is at market with the Great Rooms Collection, an expanded line of upholstered furniture designed to facilitate lifestyle shift. " 'Nesting' will be a much used word in upholstered furniture in the near and distant future and we think the Great Rooms Collection is the perfect v...
  • Most stick to market plans
    HIGH POINT— Only 9% of retailers who responded to a Furniture/Today survey plan to shorten their stays at the October market, and three-quarters said they would bring the same number of buyers. Most respondents, 61%, said they plan to stick with the same price points, and 39% will be looking to make some changes.
  • Turner joins Legacy as VP of sales
    GREENSBORO, N.C.— In response to growth, importer Legacy Classic Furniture here has added Don Turner to its management team in the new post of vice president of sales. He has been national sales manager at leather upholstery producer LeatherTrend for the past three years. Prior to that he was Bernhardt's sales representative in Georgia and South Carolina for over 10 years.
  • Legacy Classic nearly doubles market showroom
    HIGH POINT— Case goods and occasional importer Legacy Classic Furniture has nearly doubled the size of its market showroom in the Furniture Plaza Building, to 14,000 square feet. "The space is highly visible (on the second floor just above La-Z-Boy) and has arguably the easiest access of any space in the market building," said Kevin O'Connor, Legacy Classic president.
  • Furniture industry continues relief efforts
  • Stickley to use HP showroom as store
    HIGH POINT— High-end case goods and upholstery maker Stickley Furniture plans to open its seventh dedicated store next month — its market showroom here. Beginning Nov. 7, the showroom will be open to the public Monday through Saturday except during the April and October furniture markets.
  • Marconi joins Leather Master
    PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.— Leather Master Products/Stainsafe has named former Homelife executive Beth Marconi as strategic development. She assumes the duties of Heather Bolick, who left the company to join leather supplier Leather Services of America, and also will expand Leather Master's manufacturer programs and develop initiatives to grow the business.
  • Leather Services taps Bolick
    HICKORY, N.C.— Heather Bolick has joined leather supplier Leather Services of America in the newly created post of vice president of sales and project management. Bolick, who had been national sales manager for Leather Master Products/Stainsafe since 1997, is responsible for developing Leather Services of America's warehouse program and for marketing its tannery-direct program and assisti...
  • Corrections & amplifications
    A list on page 10 of the Oct. 8 Furniture/Today had an incorrect showroom location for Primex International. The company is showing in the International Home Furnishings Center, space M201. A story on page 4 of the Oct. 8 issue incorrectly suggested that Wolf Furniture's planned York, Pa., store could be its first without manufacturers' galleries.
  • Our business OK, but the industry may be in trouble, F/T survey finds
    HIGH POINT — Most retailers and manufacturers say their own business will be OK in the fourth quarter, but believe the industry as a whole may be in trouble, according to an informal Internet survey by Furniture/Today. Two-thirds of both retailers and manufacturers said they believe the industry will fare worse in the fourth quarter than it did in the first three quarters.
  • Canada's 1Q furnishings sales up 8.9%
    OTTAWA— Statistics Canada said sales of home furnishings and electronics in Canada grew 8.9% in the first quarter to C$4.7 billion. The largest sales gains were for telephones and home office electronics, excluding computers, up 25%; mattresses and foundations, up 16.9%; and computers, related equipment and software, up 15.
  • Nourison pubishes Rug Primer
    SADDLEBROOK, N.J. — Nourison has published a Rug Primer geared to educating both retailers and consumers. "The information is intended primarily to assist the consumer in making an informed and educated choice in the purchase of a rug," said Alex Peykar, a Nourison principal. The booklet contains information about the history of rug making, various construction techniques, classic desig...
  • Martin Pierce combines traditional, contemporary
    LOS ANGELES— Martin Pierce Furnishings, a design-oriented line of case goods and upholstery, is looking to traditional sources for contemporary looks in its new collections, Hedgerow and Ascot. The company, founded by English expatriate Martin Pierce, a sculptor and furniture designer, specializes in small production runs of high-style furniture.
  • Thomasville names agency
    THOMASVILLE, N.C.— Thomasville Furniture Inds. has named McCarthy Mambro Bertino Advertising to handle national corporate advertising, branding and media buys. The Boston-based agency's other clients include Jiffy Lube and The Boston Beer Company, brewer of Samuel Adams. Chris Pfaff, Thomasville president and chief executive officer, said the agency's key advantages were its level of tal...

Opinion Today
  • If it's real good, buy it and flaunt it
    Here I am, again, yakking to you on the official opening day of market, and I don't even know if you're at market or running around the store trying to put out one of your daily fires. However, I do know this is not a typical market with the usual whoop-dee-doo. But what I have to say are the same things we've yakked about together for about 50 markets.
  • Let's all set the bar high, and take care of business
    With our nation's attention rightly focused on military action in response to last month's terrorist attacks, I anticipate a subdued atmosphere at market, even if things go well from a business point of view. A lot of people have expressed concern about such security measures as police officers posted on the roofs of showroom buildings, even though they've been there in years past.
  • Let's all discuss some basic issues
    In the face of the global uncertainty that hovers over this market and all business activities, some critical issues must be reckoned with in furnitureland. The ability to survive and thrive is the basic issue both retailers and manufacturers must address in the coming months. In the past decade, things were purring along so well that some business basics were ignored, or at least put at the bo...
  • Retailers need to bring market excitement home
    A few weeks ago, Furniture/Today broke with a 25-year tradition. Instead of featuring the week's latest news, we used page one of our Oct. 1 issue to publish an open letter to the industry. At the heart of the letter was the belief that we need to get back to the business of getting back to business.

People Today
  • Kahn elected to Tri-State hall of fame
    MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa.—Harry Kahn, chairman of contemporary store Jonns Interiors here and two Bassett Furniture Direct units, has been elected to the Hall of Fame of the Tri-State Furniture Assn. of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. He was recognized for excellence in the retail furniture industry and for his lifetime achievements.
  • People on the Move
    People on the Move

Special Report
  • Retailer Profile
    Small Va. retailer enjoys big reputation
    CHANTILLY, Va.— About 15 miles from the nation's capitol stands a small furniture store with a big reputation, Village Antiques and Reproductions. Led by its determined owner, May Laedtke, the business has lasted for three decades. Laedtke, who turns 84 on Oct. 28, is still involved in the operation of the business she started "for fun" in 1971 after her husband, Bud, had retired as an Ai...
  • Market Report
    Valencia proves rustic looks can be sophisticated
    VALENCIA, SPAIN— Case goods and occasional furniture were the clear fashion standouts at the 38th Feria Internacional del Mueble de Valencia here last month. Moving upscale from their traditional rustic roots, a number of Spanish furniture manufacturers offered sophisticated rusticana — more polish, more refined accents and less heavy carvings — at the Valencia International F...

Store Openings
  • Raymour opens Pa. store
    ABINGTON, Pa.— Northeast chain Raymour & Flanigan has opened a 58,000-square-foot store in this metro Philadelphia city. The new store features a 5,700-square-foot Berkline gallery, a Sealy and Stearns & Foster Sleep Center, and an enhanced Kidstown gallery, in addition to furniture from Broyhill, La-Z-Boy, Natuzzi and others.
  • Leather Factory adds unit
    Chandler, Ariz.— Specialty retailer-manufacturer The Leather Factory has opened a store here, its second in Arizona. The company, led by Sy Katz, chairman and chief executive officer, and Larry Katz, president, operates 16 stores in California, Arizona and Seattle. The other Arizona store is in Scottsdale.
  • N.J. La-Z-Boy store debuts
    MAPLE SHADE, N.J.— La-Z-Boy has opened a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store in this suburban Philadelphia community. The 14,200-square-foot store, which showcases a broad selection of the Monroe, Mich.-based producer's upholstery and occasional lines, is managed by Ernestine Cosby.
  • Norwalk unveils 2 galleries
    NORWALK, Ohio— Two Norwalk Furniture retailers have opened Your Home Fashion Centers in their stores. Maibach's in Sterling, Ohio, has installed a 3,000-square-foot gallery. Gary Maibach is president of the family-owned store. In Foley, Ala., Dixie Furniture has unveiled a 5,000-square-foot Norwalk installation.
  • Barebones installs Berkline
    GLEN FALLS, N.Y. — Barebones Furniture has installed a Berkline Comfort Gallery in its store here. The 4,500-square-foot gallery offers a full line of upholstery groups, sectionals, leather seating and recliners from Morristown, Tenn.-based Berkline.

Supplement
  • Market Guide
    Occasional offers more pieces from proven lines
    HIGH POINT— With the furniture industry as a whole suffering from lower sales, many manufacturers are being a little more cautious with their occasional introductions this week. Rather than experiment with lots of new collections, companies are offering more pieces in successful collections from the past year.
  • Market Guide
    Case goods priced to move
    HIGH POINT— The number people walking the show might be down this week, but case goods buyers who do make the trek to market could find that pricing alone on new product made the trip worthwhile. And while April saw many manufacturers reacting to a softening retail market with fairly limited introductions in terms of sheer numbers, such is not the case in October.
  • Market Guide
    Leather gets aggressive with pricing
    HIGH POINT — Although still shaken by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, leather upholstery manufacturers are rolling up their sleeves and getting down to business in preparation for the International Home Furnishings Market here. Ironically, not only do leather manufacturers deal with products on an international scale, but the executives themselves represent a mini-United Nations of so...
  • Market Guide
    Rug vendors take low-key approach to intros
    HIGH POINT— Area rug vendors are coming to market with a lot of new product but little hoopla. Some are postponing splashy new collections or cutting back on big parties that had been planned. Others will be going ahead with introductions but taking a low-key approach. "We feel very strongly that we must go ahead with new products, and we are introducing our new Raymond Waites collection...
  • Market Guide
    Frequent introductions may help rug business this year
    HIGH POINT— Rug vendors frequently complain that they must bring out new lines four times a year to hit the various channels of distribution. But this fall, that costly practice may be operating in their favor. Many will show fine-tuned versions of the products that were introduced at Atlanta's Area Rug Market in July.
  • Market Guide
    Designer collections key upholstery
    HIGH POINT— A trio of high-powered designers highlights stationary upholstery introductions this market. The three — Christopher Lowell, Stanley Jay Friedman and Michael Weiss — are bringing out new collections in the contemporary and transitional categories. And designers like Lillian August, with established upholstery collections, are adding to their assortments, too.
  • Market Guide
    Home office moves to spark activity
    HIGH POINT— Small office/home office producers are expecting this market to be a quiet one, given the shadow that looms over the economy in the wake of September's terrorist strikes in New York and Washington. But exhibitors are still doing all they can to spark activity in this segment, which remains a relative bright spot in the industry.
  • Market Guide
    Youth bedroom goes natural
    HIGH POINT— Natural wood finishes abound in youth furniture this market. Youth manufacturers such as Stanley and Huppé are making use of natural woods with clear finishes to show the beauty of the wood. Stanley introduces the UR Gr8 (you are great) collection, in birch and maple with a light, natural amber finish or in poplar with a white finish.
  • Market Guide
    Glider rockers get sleek & sexy
    HIGH POINT— Glider rockers are moving from chunky and clunky to sleek and sexy this week as producers stress two themes: fashion and innovation, with quick-ship programs tossed in as well. "It's fast becoming a fashion product," said Brian Woolley, vice president of sales for specialist Towne Square, a division of Dutailier.
  • Market Guide
    Bedding boosts biz with product, promos
    HIGH POINT— Although the bedding industry appears headed for its worst year in nearly two decades, the handful of producers who maintain showrooms here are trying to boost business with a variety of product introductions and marketing efforts. Producers say that, while it's important for dealers to have effective products and promotions in place for the inevitable rebound, such efforts ca...
  • Market Guide
    Wolf set to unveil lighter futon mattress
    HIGH POINT— Wolf Bedding, a major producer of futon mattresses, is set to unveil a cotton-based fiber cushioning material that the company says is lighter and more durable than pure cotton. The new fiber, called Aerolife, also has greater resilience than cotton, which tends to shift and create flat spots in futon mattresses after repeated use, said company president Tony Wolf.
  • Market Guide
    Comfortaire returns to High Point market
    HIGH POINT — Comfortaire, a producer of air beds and other specialty sleep products, is marking its return to the market here with a three-model collection that includes a pair of high-end foam mattresses. The new lineup, named the Healthy Choice collection, also has the company's newest air sleep system, the Royal Aire.
  • Market Guide
    Metal beds producers conservative with intros
    HIGH POINT — Although no one is boasting about record-setting sales this year, metal bed producers say business has been surprisingly strong leading up to market. Most say the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30, will wind up being the strongest quarter this year — even though the quarter included several days when business all but ground to a halt following the Sept.
  • Market Guide
    Casual dining mfrs. turn spotlight on fashion
    High Point—Casual dining resources are coming to market this week determined to prove they're in a fashion category consumers will embrace for its styling, color and attention to detail. Producers say they usually make their big splash in April, but note that during a downturn, retailers need fresh looks to excite consumers.
  • Market Guide
    RTA producers look for retail opportunities
    HIGH POINT— As Big Box retailers go, so goes flat-pack furniture. That explains why the past 12 months have been a struggle for ready-to-assemble furniture, with the events of Sept. 11 providing a series of tragic exclamation marks. As damaging as the terrorist attacks and the ensuing buildup to war have been to consumer confidence and retail sales, RTA manufacturing executives are choosi...
  • Market Guide
    RTA vendors explore tactics for boosting retail sales
    HIGH POINT— Winning looks at moderate and promotional price points are expanding in the ready-to-assemble category as makers explore methods to kick-start retail sales. Each company has its own ideas on how to give business a boost. Bush Furniture, for instance, is prepared to ship its new products immediately, a departure from the normal practice of gauging interest and then deciding whe...
  • Market Guide
    Motion upholstery touts new sizes, more bargains
    HIGH POINT— While judiciously covering the basics, motion manufacturers will be offering scaled-up and scaled-down product, less gadgetry and more bargains as they get ready for the October market here. The news from the world of motion may be in the presence of lower price points in fall line-ups and in the absence of upper-end products like shiatsu massagers — in full force at the...
  • Market Guide
    This and That
  • Market Guide
    Occasional Tables
  • Market Guide
    Dining Room
  • Market Guide
    Home Office
  • Market Guide
    Home Entertainment
  • Market Guide
    Occasional
  • Market Guide
    Leather Upholstery
  • Market Guide
    Motion Upholstery
  • Market Guide
    Wicker and Rattan
  • Market Guide
    Rugs
  • Market Guide
    Bedroom
  • Market Guide
    Youth Bedroom
  • Market Guide
    Metal Beds
  • Market Guide
    Casual Dining
  • Market Guide
    Great outdoors
    Depending on whom you talk to, the "outdoor life" means anything from waking up miles from the nearest road in a tent ensconced in an alpine meadow to parking the Winnebago in a camping area replete with store, showers, restaurants and other modern conveniences. Maybe it's just a drive in the country.
  • Market Guide
    Shapely Shaker, milder Mission
    Remember the "lifestyle" wave a couple of years ago, with a slew of collections in light maple or ash with pewter hardware and lines reminiscent of Mission or Shaker? Don't look now, but that look's style cousins is making the rounds again this week, in a more imaginative approach than before. In the product shown here, manufacturers are taking the clean purity of Mission and Shaker and adding ...
  • Market Guide
    Fine lines
    Contemporary design continues its celebration of clean lines and lean shapes. This season's case goods are boldly austere, ranging from the cubist forms — both seen and imagined — emanating from Hickory White's sideboard, to the sleek tonal quality of Hurtado's accent hardware. Upholstery ratchets up, too, with such curvilinear applications as Rick Lee's supple sectional for America...
  • Market Guide
    Lifestyle transitions
    Lifestyle, all the rage a couple of years ago, re-emerges in two versions this month, with the incarnation on this page recalling the original category's lighter wood finishes. For form, however, this new theme relies more on transitional shapes rather than the Shaker and Mission lines from before. Hardware gets a lot of attention here, adding a jewelry touch to simpler, often almost contempora...
  • Market Guide
    Mediterranean influence
    While still true to its characteristic metal work detailing, Mediterranean sheds its heavy mood in favor of lighter finishes. This is a style that mixes media in its presentations, often blending metal, wood and glass. Case pieces feature ornate scroll work detail, whether carved, etched or painted.
  • Market Guide
    European heritage
    European looks — ranging from English country to the French Louis Philippe — take on a slightly more casual, comfortable feel. But the classic traditional elements that characterize these pieces are still in place — carvings, distressed or antiqued finishes, beautiful wood grains and timeless fabrics.
  • Market Guide
    Exclusive First Look: Stationary Upholstery

Up Front
  • Attacks undercut rebound
    HIGH POINT— The furniture industry was getting a tantalizing hint of economic recovery, but the terrorist attacks and their aftermath seem to have blown any rebound right out of the water. "It was kind of spotty but OK up until Sept. 11, and then things pretty much shut down," said Doug Campbell, vice president and controller of Oklahoma City-based retailer Evans Furniture.
  • Bassett taps Swanston for retail post
    BASSETT, Va.— Bassett Furniture has named Tom Swanston executive vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for the full-line manufacturer's retail initiatives. With more than 30 years of retail experience, he has been a consultant to Bassett for the past year and half, helping develop its current retail models.
  • Cohen leaves Powell Co.; Ruff adds president title
    CULVER CITY, Calif.— Andrew Cohen has resigned as president of Powell Co. after a career of almost 20 years at the importer. Jerry Ruff, the former Lane Co. president who joined Powell in August as chief executive officer, has added the title of president. Ruff and Cohen both declined to comment on the changes.
  • Havertys' sales decline
    ATLANTA— Havertys' same-store sales tumbled 11.6% in September, and the retailer reduced its earnings expectations for the third quarter. Total sales declined 6.5% to $55.6 million from the same month a year ago. "Business declined significantly during the week of the attacks on the United States and translated into lower delivered sales for the month," said Jay Slater, Havertys president...
  • MacGregor joins OFMA
    TORONTO— Industry veteran Kathryn MacGregor has been named director of member services for the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. She succeeds Linda Smith, who has joined Canadian upholstery maker Jaymar Furniture. A longtime furniture buyer for Sears Canada, MacGregor also held senior management posts with Décor-Rest and the Conant Ball/Chanderic division of Shermag before joinin...
  • Balzer VP at La-Z-Boy Canada
    WATERLOO, Ontario— Ron Balzer, a veteran sales executive, has been named national sales manager for La-Z-Boy Canada. He succeeds Mark Wiltshire, who was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing for the subsidiary of U.S.-based La-Z-Boy earlier this year on the retirement of Iain Douglas.
  • Jeff Santanello joins Amini
    SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif.— Jeff Santanello has joined Amini Innovation Corp. as director of sales and marketing, a new position at the case goods importer. He reports to Larry Rinaldi, vice president of sales and marketing. Santanello previously was national sales manager at Arbek Furniture, where he worked for nine years, starting in the traffic department.
  • Retailers: Let's deal!
    HIGH POINT — With business in the tank for some and scant signs of an economic rebound on the horizon, most retailers say they're coming to market focused largely on deals and spot shopping. Whether their business has held up or slowed down, many used the word "conservative" to describe their buying strategies.
  • RTO pioneer Talley retires at Rent-A-Center
    PLANO, Texas— Ernest Talley, widely considered the father of the rent-to-own industry, has retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Rent-A-Center. Rent-A-Center, North America's biggest RTO chain with revenues in the first half of $882.5 million, announced Talley's retirement last week and said it was effective immediately.
  • Krause's liquidation sales under way
    BREA, Calif.— Krause's Furniture is going out of business after two bids to rescue the custom upholstery manufacturer-retailer failed. Buxbaum Group of Encino Calif., has been hired to liquidate inventories of the 57 Krause's Custom Crafted Furniture and Castro Convertibles stores that remained open after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in July.

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