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Furniture|Today -- 01/12/2004
Bedding Today
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Borreggine is right on key role of retailers
A new year always means a new beginning. But will the new year be one filled with good tidings for mattress men and women everywhere, or will the Grinch show up at some point? The fashionable and popular answer is that we will have a stronger year than last year, possibly even a breakout year, which sounds something like a "barnburner" of a year.
Business Today
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Select Comfort tops list with 163% stock gain
HIGH POINT — Breathing new life into a once-deflated airbed company, the executives at Select Comfort led the way in furniture stocks in 2003 with a stunning 163% gain. Rent-to-own chain Rent-Way and manufacturers Hooker and Rowe also saw share prices rise over 100% during a year that brought a healthy rebound to most of the industry's publicly held companies.
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Havertys posts strong Dec. gains
ATLANTA— Three home furnishings retailers reported mixed results for the holiday period, with Havertys posting its best month ever. Same-store sales for 113-store Havertys increased 9.9% in December over a year ago, while total sales grew 14.2% to $72.2 million for the month. For the year, sales rose 5.
News
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City plans growth push
TAMARAC, Fla. — City Furniture is spreading its wings with an aggressive expansion plan that includes the opening of a dozen dedicated Ashley Furniture HomeStores and a jump to Florida's Gulf Coast. The Top 100 company will begin construction next month on a 220,000-square-foot addition to its 660,000-square-foot headquarters, distribution center and showroom here — a $12 million p...
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Showtime buyers like what they see
HIGH POINT— Showtime staged a successful run last week, marked by good attendance by major furniture makers and retailers as well as smaller upholstery producers, home accent manufacturers and retailers. While the International Textile Market Assn., sponsors of the semiannual fabric market, didn't have official attendance figures at press time, most exhibitors said traffic was off perhaps...
- Obituaries
Larry Grossman, veteran retailer
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.— Larry Grossman, a pioneer in retailing contemporary furniture in the United States, has died of kidney and heart failure. He was 72. He operated five designer showrooms in New York and New Jersey called the House of Grossman. The company was among the first U.S. customers for Italian leather upholstery producer Natuzzi.
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WHFA debuts Solutions idea sessions for retailers
ROSEVILLE, Calif.— The Western Home Furnishings Assn.'s Solutions Interactive Network Meeting series will debut Jan. 13 with an event hosted by manufacturer and longtime WHFA supporter Sandberg Furniture. Solutions meetings, to be held during the year in various western cities, feature an open discussion of challenges that retailers face.
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Stickley set to begin $6M plant expansion
MANLIUS, N.Y.— Full-line high-end manufacturer Stickley is set to begin a $6 million expansion at its case goods plant here. The move is expected to add 30 workers, bringing total employment here to almost 1,000. A 30,000-square-foot warehouse anchors the expansion. That facility, which should be completed in June, will allow Stickley's existing 60,000-square-foot warehouse to accommodate...
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Spring Haven issue available soon
DALLAS— The spring issue of Haven, the Home Furnishings Council's consumer lifestyle magazine, will be available to home furnishings retailers in mid-January. To order, retailers may call (800) 521-HOME, fax (302) 761-9717, or send an e-mail to hfchaven@mindspring.com. "Because Haven is produced every quarter, retailers have a reason to invite their customers to come by at the arrival of ...
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Groups host fundraiser to help Florida panther
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Florida Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. and the Florida Retailers Assn. are hosting a February fundraiser to benefit the Florida panther. The dinner and pool tournament fundraiser will be held Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Dave and Busters in Hollywood, Fla. Donations are $150 per person in advance and $175 at the door.
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Universal Leather enters alliance to show in China
HIGH POINT— Universal Leather, an importer and distributor of South American hides, will show its leathers in China under an arrangement with Jerry & Co., an Asian furniture manufacturer. Jerry & Co., owned by Jerry Jiaan, is based in southern China. Jiaan also owns upholstery manufacturer Alison Furniture and makes products for other manufacturers.
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Corrections & Amplifications
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Private group acquires Calif. wood factory
ANAHEIM, Calif.— Orange Galleon Corp., a private investment group, has acquired case goods maker Mastercraft Furniture International here for an undisclosed amount. The group said it is looking to make further acquisitions in the furniture industry. Mastercraft, which has focused on pine and oak bedroom, entertainment and occasional furniture, continues to manufacture in a 12,000-square-...
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La-Z-Boy Canada adds 22nd store
BARRIE, Ontario— La-Z-Boy Canada has opened its 22nd freestanding La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store in this small city north of Toronto. The father-son team of Tom and Shawn Reid owns the 15,500-square-foot store. Tom is a veteran furniture retailer who with his other son, Scott, owns Reid's Countrywide Home Furnishing in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
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Internet proving both blessing and bane
HIGH POINT— The Internet proved again in 2003 that it is both a blessing and a curse. Supply chains became more efficient, e-commerce continued to expand both to consumers and among businesses, and systems improvements meant better connectedness throughout the industry. But last year may be more remembered for two blights on the new information economy — e-mail spam and computer vir...
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Retailers OK with Google searches
HIGH POINT— Although Google's latest reshuffling of how it searches the Web and presents findings has bothered many e-retailers, furniture retailers online welcome the changes. As the Internet search engine does every so often, Google recently overhauled its algorithms, or the mathematical formulas it uses to rank Web pages in response to a user's query.
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Bruehl North America launches Web site
RICHMOND, Va.— Upper-end German contemporary upholstery maker Design Intershop/ Bruehl North America has launched a Web site for its North American customers. The site, www.bruehlus.com, features the entire Bruehl line of 577 sofas, chairs and sofa-sleepers, available in 255 fabrics and leathers, along with occasional tables.
Opinion Today
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Private companies worth more today than in years
We should all congratulate bedding major Simmons for fetching $1.1 billion from a smart investor like Thomas H. Lee Partners, which once owned Stanley Furniture. Our history with Simmons goes back to when it was a public company run by Grant Simmons. Since then, there have been several owners, including Gulf & Western, Wesray, Merrill Lynch Capital, Investcorp and, most recently, Fenway.
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Hope for the best, plan for the worst in 2004
Welcome to 2004! My wish for each of you is that 2004 becomes a year of met objectives, both professional and personal. I guess I'm a hopeless optimist, but each January I feel a renewed sense of hope, energy, commitment and promise. As evidence of that, I came into the office on New Year's day (we are officially closed for the holiday) to write this column, do a heavy cleaning of my office and...
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Getting a handle on global marketing
Offshore sourcing is but one of many elements in global marketing, the latter the subject of a roundtable discussion during last week's Showtime fabric market in High Point. As Carol Gee, vice president of global brands for Invista and a roundtable participant, said, "Marketing, global or not, is about differentiation, which is your leg up on the competition.
Special Report
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2004 forecast: Modest growth to continue as economy improves
HIGH POINT— If you liked 2003, you should be happy with this year and the next. Furniture/Today's new consensus forecast for the U.S. furniture industry and the overall economy calls for continued modest growth. Total retail sales, reflected by U.S. consumer spending on furniture and bedding, is predicted to rise 4.
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WithIt, YHFE set conference
GREENSBORO, N.C . — Two industry groups, the Young Home Furnishings Executives and Women in the Home Industries Today, have set their 2004 Leadership Conference for Feb. 4-5 at the Airport Marriott here. The program, under the banner "Facing Challenge and Change Through Leadership Excellence," will feature seminars, coaching and group work sessions facilitated by Greensboro-based Staub L...
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Showtime full of color
HIGH POINT— Color was clearly the star at Showtime. With the seating business on the uptick, upholstery buyers liked having so much variety to choose from. The common mantra: "I'm here looking for something different." And when it came to specifics, most were talking color — what they liked and didn't like, how color was clearer and less muddy, and how it would play out with the con...
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Non-Asian leather suppliers struggle to hold prices
HIGH POINT — Leather sources in the United States, Italy and South America are struggling to keep prices steady until fall, but a stronger euro and increased competition from China are making that difficult. Leather suppliers showing at Showtime here last week were hoping China's focus on volume business will leave a niche for their own better-priced, fashion-driven specialty goods.
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Mad cow not a concern
HIGH POINT — The first case of mad cow disease reported in the United States left most leather exhibitors at Showtime unfazed. "It could cause a ripple because the availability of less hides worldwide would send those who import from the U.S. in search of a new source," said Eklain England, director of sales and marketing for Arpel Leather.
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Oclas Leather joins forces with Americo Gaita in North America
SAN FERNANDO, Calif.— Oclas Leather has an exclusive agreement to market and distribute Argentina-based Americo Gaita Tannery's residential upholstery leathers in North America. At Showtime, the Gaita line was on display at the Oclas booth in Suites at Market Square. Oclas and Gaita said the alliance will allow them to develop an aggressive merchandising effort for North America.
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Marlatex doubles capacity in N.C.
BELMONT, N.C.— Upholstery fabric producer Marlatex doubled its production space with a move last month into a new 50,000-square-foot facility here near Charlotte, N.C. Barnabus Martonffy, who started the family-owned business about 20 years ago, invested about $3 million in the building and equipment.
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Chesnutt replaces Moore at ATMI
WASHINGTON— Jim Chesnutt has replaced Billy Moore as chairman of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute. Chesnutt is president and chief executive officer of National Spinning in Washington, N.C., and was first vice chairman of ATMI. Moore stepped down as chairman after resigning from yarn producer Unifi and taking a position with Polymer Group, which is not a member of ATMI.
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Hill tapped as Nicopel agent
Greensboro, N.C.— Nicopel Leathers has named Keith Hill its North American agent. He operates Artisan Hill Leather here, and is responsible for sales and distribution of the Italian leather line in the United States and Canada. Hill reports to Nicola Scalzolaro, Nicopel's owner/president.
- Rug Preview
Rug introductions
Product Trends THOROUGHLY MODERN: Contemporary styling in both relaxed and sophisticated forms continues to gain strength. TRIBAL: The geometric forms of ancient weaving cultures have broad appeal for both contemporary casual, Lodge and leather furnishings. RED HOT, RUST AND PURPLE: Red continues to be the hottest color on the market, but earthy browns and oranges are coming on strong.
- Rug Preview
Shaw licensing Mary-Kate and Ashley
DALTON, Ga.— Teen superstars Mary-Kate and Ashley have signed a licensing agreement with Shaw Living for a collection of rugs targeted to tween and teen-age girls. The rugs, for girls age 5 to 19-plus, will debut at this week's Atlanta International Rug Market, which opens Jan. 15. The Mary-Kate and Ashley Collection will consist of about 20 styles of rugs, including funky florals, bold g...
- Rug Preview
Clean colors, streamlined styles driving
ATLANTA — Streamlined styling and clear, clean colors are rapidly becoming dominant in the rug business as the home furnishings market continues its swing toward casual contemporary looks. Rug buyers will be seeing more contemporary looks than ever as they convene at the Atlanta International Rug Market, Jan.
Up Front
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ITC's 6-0 vote clears way for probe of China imports
WASHINGTON— The International Trade Commission voted 6-0 Friday to make a preliminary determination of injury to U.S. wood bedroom furniture manufacturers from Chinese-made imports. In finding a reasonable indication of injury or threat of material injury, the ITC vote clears the way for a full investigation by the Department of Commerce into whether Chinese manufacturers are dumping wood...
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Innerspring group files petition
MEMPHIS, Tenn.— Seeking to obtain relief from what it describes as a rising tide of innerspring and box spring imports from China, the American Innerspring Manufacturers trade group has filed a safeguard petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission. AIM, whose members account for about 75% of U.
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FFDM promotes, hires sales execs
HIGH POINT— Case goods importer Fine Furniture Design and Marketing has promoted Howard Ward from sales and marketing executive to vice president of sales, and also named Mike Keveryn as vice president of sales. Both will work from FFDM headquarters here, focusing on national accounts. Keveryn was vice president of sales for American Drew, and also served as vice president of sales at Ber...
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Williams joins Universal
HIGH POINT— Case goods resource Universal Furniture has appointed Matthew Williams to the newly created position of vice president, occasional merchandising. He will be responsible for the design, development and business management of occasional table, wall system and home office products. He reports to Stephen Giles, vice president of merchandising.
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Doxey ends operations
ABERDEEN, N.C.— Ready-to-assemble manufacturer Doxey Furniture has ceased operation, closing its 200,000-square-foot plant here. Doxey lost its largest customer, OfficeMax, in December, and Republic Financial of Aurora, Colo., which owns the company, closed the plant Jan. 7. Republic acquired the Doxey loan from the company's longtime lender, Provident Bank of Cincinnati, in November.
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FMG sets symposium
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.— The Furniture Marketing Group will hold its 2004 symposium here Feb. 7-11 at the Westin Keirland Resort here. The buying group, made up of more than 50 large and midsized retailers specializing in promotional and midpriced merchandise, has invited Kathy Ireland, chief designer and chief executive officer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, to be the keynote speaker.
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California fire regulations stay on track
NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif.— Suppliers of fire-resistant materials hailed the news that California's proposed flammability regulations have been exempted from a freeze on pending regulatory action. That freeze, imposed by Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November, was lifted for the pending FR regulations at the end of December.
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Austin, Shaak leave Hickory White
HICKORY, N.C.— Randy Austin and Bob Shaak have resigned their respective positions of president and vice president of sales at high-end case goods manufacturer and importer Hickory White. Austin had been president of Hickory White since the company's purchase by the Sherrill Cos. in 1997. He was Hickory White's chief executive officer from late 1991 to 1997, and previously was president o...
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AmericasMart plans massive expansion
ATLANTA— AmericasMart, the apparel, gift and home furnishings trade complex in downtown Atlanta, is preparing for a massive expansion. On a two-acre parcel it acquired adjacent to the existing complex, AmericasMart will build a 2 million-square-foot expansion, boosting its exhibition space by 33%.
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Scott, Carothers to lead Levitz
WOODBURY, N.Y.— Veteran retail executive Mark Scott has been named president and chief operating officer of Levitz Home Furnishings, the parent company of retailers Levitz and Seaman's. Scott, who most recently held a senior management post at KB Toys, will oversee merchandising, marketing and advertising for the 76-store Levitz chain and 53-store Seaman's.
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