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Furniture|Today -- 04/25/2004
Market Daily
- High Point Market
LHFI marketing Levitz, Seaman's as distinct and separate brands
At The Market— Levitz Home Furnishings Inc. is tweaking the assortments, displays and marketing strategies of Levitz and Seaman's to better distinguish the two brands and eliminate consumer confusion. The company will continue to buy from common sources, but the assortments and display techniques will be distinct, said LHFI President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Scott.
- High Point Market
High-end wood producers lower opening price points
At The Market— High-end case goods suppliers are bringing new opening price points to market with less ornate collections and simpler finishes, allowing them to maintain construction quality while offering increased value. Jeffco's Chez Moi case goods and upholstery, for example, has a bedroom running at 40% below the company's usual retail prices.
- High Point Market
Future shoppers test products at Kids Choice Awards
At The Market— Two-dozen children from Northwoods Elementary in High Point had a chance to weigh in on what they really want in their bedrooms at the second annual Kids Choice Awards at Showplace Kids here. The awards had kids voting for their favorite youth bedroom furniture, nursery furniture, bedding, chair and accessory or toy, as well as their favorite item overall.
- High Point Market
New bedding products stir interest
At The Market— Buyers liked new bedding lines, including a broad assortment of specialty sleep offerings, and didn't balk at some higher prices for innerspring models. Strong orders should keep visco and latex bedding on the upswing, and also will solidify assortments of conventional innerspring bedding models.
- High Point Market
Rug vendors enjoy strong market
At The Market— This week's furniture market was the best in years for rug exhibitors. There was the usual grumbling about lack of traffic, but executives were all smiles when it came to the quantity of orders they generated. "There's a rumbling of positiveness at this market," said Ivan Phillips, president of Delos.
- High Point Market
Branding poses growing opportunity for furniture
At The Market— With an increasingly global marketplace and a wave of baby boomer inheritances on the horizon, furniture companies have a golden opportunity to brand themselves. That was a key message from speakers at a reception here for actress-designer Jaclyn Smith, who has lines of home furnishings at Largo, King Koil and Art & Frame Direct.
- High Point Market
Drexel-Heritage launches private-label fabric program
At The Market— Making upscale fabrics more accessible to mainstream consumers, Drexel-Heritage is launching a private-label fabric program featuring about 150 of Kravet Couture's best-selling patterns. Melanie Dunn, vice president of visual merchandising, said the program will allow Drexel stores and galleries to give their customers a choice of high-end upholstery covers at a lower cost ...
- High Point Market
Intercon's new strategy paying off
At The Market— Intercon's move to diversify its line of mostly country oak dining room tables and Windsor chairs into full collections is paying off. The company first dabbled in collections about two years ago with a bedroom and dining room group called Bordeaux. Since then, it has expanded its line with several more collections in Mission and Old World rustic styling.
- High Point Market
Home Design Show helps sources enhance brands
New York— Furniture sources and retailers exhibiting at the Home Design Show here last month said they were able to enhance their brands and also do some business at the event. The consumer show, in its fourth year, is a joint venture between Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. and Architectural Digest magazine.
- High Point Market
Canadian producer swims against tide with expansion
John Scarsella, president of high-end, solid-wood case goods producer Durham Furniture, did something unusual a few weeks ago. He raised his prices. A whopping 2.5%. Nonetheless, for the first time in a long time, a Canadian case goods producer increased prices on existing product. The usual strategy is to develop new product at new price points, then discontinue collections that are no longer...
- High Point Market
GE offers lower credit rates to HFIA retailers
Dallas— The Interiors Private Label Credit Card Program has introduced lower discount rates, with new point-of-purchase materials to help Home Furnishings International Assn. retailers sell more products and improve customer loyalty. The program is offered jointly by GE Retail Sale Finance and HFIA, based here.
- High Point Market
N.J. Thomasville store wins vacation
Princeton, N.J.— The Thomasville Home Furnishings store here was the winning location in the Dream Vacation Incentive Program sponsored by GE Retail Sales Finance and Thomasville Furniture. One cardholder application was randomly selected to determine which store and associates would be the prizewinners.
- High Point Market
Natura offers pet bedding
At The Market— These beds are dog-gone good. Specialty sleep producer Natura has entered the pet bed category. Fido now can enjoy the luxury of latex and the conforming feel of visco-elastic bedding, and won't have to worry about those steel price hikes in the innerspring category. The beds are offered in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large.
- High Point Market
Habersham, Peel Rugs form licensing partnership
At The Market— Habersham Furniture has partnered with Peel Rugs in a licensed rug program making its debut here in the Habersham showroom, Market Square 142, and the Peel showroom, Suites at Market Square 434. This is Habersham's first licensing partnership, according to Matt Eddy, president. Many of the rug designs have been inspired the Habersham furniture, said Peel Rugs President Elay...
- High Point Market
Where in the world is Sealy headquarters?
Trinity … er … Archdale, N.C.— Call it a Tale of Two Cities. Sealy, the world's largest mattress producer, is located in both of the cities in the dateline on this story. Sort of. Since Sealy first moved to this neck of the woods in 1999, the bedding producer has said it is in Trinity, a small city in Randolph County not far from High Point.
- High Point Market
Occasional resources return to their strengths
At The Market— Occasional furniture producers returned to their strengths this market, offering an array of new goods with painted designs, carvings and mixed media. A few years ago, with occasional production shifting mostly offshore, tables and other accent pieces paraded a plethora of handcrafted details.
- High Point Market
Order books get workout in motion, recliner spaces
At The Market— Order-writing, once thought to be a lost art in High Point, has returned to motion furniture and recliner showrooms. Producers said they have been inundated this market with buyers eager to replenish inventories and freshen up their floors with the latest styles and innovations. That has kept sales representatives and executives working at warp speed since Wednesday, the da...
- High Point Market
Rowe's Robin Bruce line showing 60 new fabrics
At The Market— Robin Bruce, Rowe's upper-tier line, is showing 60 new fabrics for its upholstery collections here, the largest-ever fabric introduction for the line. Each of the line's collections — Loft, Attic and Garden — has 20 new fabrics. In the Loft group, said Amy Archer, creative director and designer, "We're going for a sexy contemporary so there aren't too many hard ...
- High Point Market
Everybody wants a slice of Sealy
Archdale, N.C.— One end of Sealy Drive is just inside the Trinity city limit. The other end is in Archdale. And Sealy's headquarters is located halfway down Sealy Drive, accessible from a road that winds to the buildings through a beautifully landscaped campus. Which catches Sealy in a territorial trap.
- High Point Market
Gefen wins 2 awards for series, video
At The Market— Gefen Productions, producer of the High Point market television show "Home Fashion Report," has received two Communicator Awards in an international competition honoring work in the communications field. The company's customer-relations training series for American Express won the Award of Excellence, the highest honor in the competition, in the multimedia/interactive categ...
- High Point Market
ISPA lobbies to support U.S. manufacturing
Alexandria, Va.— U.S. bedding producers have joined a nationwide campaign to stress the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy. Bedding has not been hit as hard by imports as other sectors of the home furnishings industry, but bedding producers are doing their part to raise awareness of key issues facing U.
- High Point Market
Variety of educational seminars on tap during last days of market
At The Market— This April's International Home Furnishings Market again is featuring a wide variety of educational programs. Unless noted, reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend. All seminars without a specific location listed are held in the National Home Furnishings Assn.
- High Point Market
Pagers available from IHFRA for market
High Point– The International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. is teaming up again with North State Communications to offer Sun Telecom ST750 numeric pagers for use during the International Home Furnishings Market. The fee is $39.95 plus a $30 refundable deposit. The fee includes activation, rental and unlimited pages throughout the market.
- High Point Market
Many transportation options available
High Point— A variety of transportation services are available to help marketgoers navigate their way around this April's event. They include: Hotel shuttles Shuttles are provided free of charge to and from market and more than 100 hotels in the area, including to and from Burlington and Winston-Salem.
- High Point Market
Social activities abound during market
Sunday, April 25 Breakfast C&D Building Mimosas, Bloody Marys, cappuccino, gourmet coffee, fresh juice, homemade bakery items, coffee cake, quiche and fruit. 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Sunday buyers breakfast Full breakfast buffet is served featuring a variety of entrees, bread, pastries, coffees and tea.
- High Point Market
Better days ahead in leather arena
At The Market— Leather upholstery buyers were searching for better looks and better leathers this market, and manufacturers were more than happy to oblige. New lines also went over well with retailers. "Dealers were seeking better looks and higher-end leather, such as our upscale Pasquale Natuzzi Collezione," said John Phillips, executive vice president of Natuzzi Americas.
- High Point Market
Jaclyn Smith to add eight categories this fall
At The Market— Jaclyn Smith International plans an aggressive product push for October, and is set to add eight new categories to her branding program. Smith is partnering with Nightengale Associates to market a new group called Jaclyn Smith Home that will include lamps, wallpaper and borders, area rugs, table linens, printed fabrics, home textiles, photo frames and florals.
- High Point Market
Give us your best shot
At The Market— Furniture/Today is soliciting photographs of new products for its Best of Market section, to appear in the May 3 issue. To be considered, products must be well-received introductions at this market. Furniture and rugs in all categories and price points will be considered. The deadline for submitting products for the Best of Market section is 10 a.
- High Point Market
Norton Hall set for '04-'05 school year
At The Market— About 100 furniture industry leaders and supporters toured the future home of High Point University's home furnishings and design school Saturday morning during a program at the soon-to-be-completed Patrick Norton Hall. The $3.2 million facility, which will be finished in time for the 2004-05 school year, will be the home of the Knabusch-Shoemaker International School of Ho...
- High Point Market
Innovative futon unit wins ASFD scholarship
At The Market— Joshua Brincko, a graduate student at Kent State University in Ohio, has won the 2004 David Kline Memorial Scholarship from the American Society of Furniture Designers and Hafele America. Brincko received a $4,000 check Friday night at the Colonial Country Club in Thomas-ville. He was honored for one of his designs, called a Swigga bed, with futon and underbed storage options.
- High Point Market
Big-box chains eye fresh RTA product
At The Market— Buyers from the big-box chains are giving long looks to the fresh ideas and new categories presented this market in ready-to-assemble furniture showrooms. While some major producers in this high-stakes category may be wrestling with sales declines and losses, none is attempting to win placements with the same old, same-old approach.
- High Point Market
Lee Inds. moves house for showroom space
At The Market— When you pass the corner of High and Lindsey streets, at the east end of the Market Square complex, do you feel like something's missing? It's the big, old Queen Anne-style house, which has been replaced by a large white tent that's serving as an annex to the Lee Inds. showroom. The house had anchored that corner since 1899.
- High Point Market
Serta says flammability debate misses the mark
At The Market— Serta, the first national producer to market fire-resistant bedding lines, says the current debate over California's impending flammability law misses the mark. "The real question isn't whether the law is enforceable, but whether the industry is interested in making safer mattresses for consumers," said Serta President Ed Lilly.
- High Point Market
Shop At Home Network skipping this market
At The Market— Shop at Home Network, the nationwide television network that made its debut at High Point last October, is staying at home this time. Company spokesperson Kearstin Patterson declined to explain why the company decided not to come back to market this week, nor did she say whether it will ever return.
- High Point Market
New Henkel chest honors co. founders
At The Market— High-end manufacturer Henkel-Harris is honoring founders Carroll and Mary Henkel with the first piece in the new Legacy collection, the Mary Henkel Chest. The chest was inspired by an antique chest given to Mary Henkel's maternal grandmother as a wedding gift. Each chest will be hand-signed and numbered on the bottom of the drawer by Mary's son, William Henkel.
- High Point Market
Federated considering Marshall Field's purchase
Cincinnati— Federated Department Stores said last week it is exploring the possible acquisition of the Marshall Field's department store group from Target Corp. Target said last month it intended to review alternatives for the 62-store Midwest division, including a possible sale.
- High Point Market
Drexel Heritage partners with Disney on promotions
AT THE MARKET— Drexel Heritage and Hollywood have a thing going on. This summer, the full-line manufacturer and importer will load its stores with the Princess Mia bedroom in a cross-marketing agreement with Walt Disney's upcoming feature film, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement." Mia is the titular princess in the movie, a sequel to the hit, "The Princess Diaries.
- High Point Market
DMSI buys Charles Keath catalogs
Chicago— Direct Marketing Services Inc. here has purchased the home furnishings catalog Charles Keath for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Keath "allows us to move into a more upscale, higher income and more mature customer base," said DMSI President David Milgrom.
- High Point Market
HPU's Cox awarded Haverty Cup
At The Market— Jennifer Cox, a High Point University senior, was named 2004 winner of the Haverty Cup, which is presented annually to the school's outstanding home furnishings graduate. Cox, a native of Dobson, N.C., will graduate next month with a major in home furnishings marketing and a minor in business administration.
- High Point Market
Industry research team renews grant
Raleigh, N.C.— Researchers studying the future of the U.S. wood furniture industry will continue their efforts for at least another year thanks to the renewal of a federal grant. Moreover, the group's work will expand to better represent the supplier side of the business. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided another $30,000 to fund North Carolina State University and USDA resea...
- High Point Market
Upholstery shows its colors
At The Market— High-end companies are talking color this market, and no one is shouting louder than Henredon. President Steve McKee said the company wants to return to its perch as a top style leader, and is infusing a new sense of color and fashion in the Henredon upholstery line. "We've been too monochromatic.
- High Point Market
Case goods: Thumbs up
At The Market— Despite the threat of duties on Chinese bedroom, the war in Iraq and election-year uncertainty, case goods suppliers are rating this market from decent to outstanding. Exhibitors said attention to service issues and sourcing contingency plans are playing well with retailers. Also finding favor is a strategy by several high-end suppliers to pay increased attention to opening...
- High Point Market
LHFI plans 11 stores
At The Market— Levitz Home Furnishings Inc. will open 11 stores over the next two years, part of an aggressive strategy by its new leaders to build the Levitz Furniture and Seaman's Furniture brands into dominant players in all their markets. The Top 100 company will open five Levitz stores this year, filling in its greater New York, Seattle and Southern and Northern California markets wi...
- High Point Market
Question: What's coming on strong this year at your store?
A: "It's definitely the urban cottage look. We're doing a lot of the blacks and the whites, but our people are asking us for more color. That's what we're looking for here because it's the look people want." Risa Priestley, Coastal Colors, Destin, Fla. A: "Bedroom, master bedroom. We import, and in our stores, seven pieces for $2,000 seems to work real good.
- High Point Market
Accent chairs offer style, color, function
At The Market— Sofas and beds may get all the glory, but occasional chairs offer a lot of style, color and function in a small package. Scattered about showrooms, these chairs come in a huge variety of wood finishes and fabrics, allowing for coordinated or eclectic looks. The personality of a piece often can't come out in a fully upholstered item like a sofa or recliner because product de...
- High Point Market
IHFRA honors 2
At The Market— Jack Walts and Linda Ledet won the top awards from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. at the Furniture Industry Awards Gala here. IHFRA presented the Pillar of the Industry award to Walts of Keller Furniture Mfg. He is recovering from a fall and was represented at the market banquet by his three children, Tommy, Terry and Jill.
- High Point Market
LeDuc is new ISPA chairman
Indianapolis— Spring Air licensee Tom LeDuc has been elected chairman of the board of the International Sleep Products Assn. He succeeds Richard Diamonstein, executive vice president of King Koil Mid-Atlantic, who becomes vice president of the board. Diamonstein was re-elected to a one-year trustee term.
- High Point Market
Expressions sitting pretty in pink
At The Market— Pink is the color of this market and Ronna Griest, president of Expressions, is making the point with panache. Her witty presentation in the Expressions Custom Furniture booth at Space 1-1330 in the Suites at Market Square is infused with the color. "When you have just 1,000 square feet," Griest says, "you have to find a way to make people stop and smile.
- High Point Market
Robb & Stucky hosts showcase
Boca Raton— Robb & Stucky's home furnishings showroom and design studio in Mizner Park here recently hosted its first Luxury Property Showcase, featuring 25 of the area's buildings and real estate companies. Cynthia Sandler, Robb & Stucky's director of marketing, said the retailer offered the store as a backdrop for customers to learn about residential opportunities.
- High Point Market
'Pedic' packs powerful punch in bedding
At The Market— It's the hottest suffix in bedding, one of the longest running, and it packs a powerful punch. "Pedic" lines are proliferating in the bedding marketplace these days, popping up like so many spring flowers. The granddaddy of them all is Sealy's flagship line, Posturepedic, which got its start back in the 1950s.
- High Point Market
Bay donates furniture to Cancer Center
Chicago— Visitors to the Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Ill., now have comfortable furniture on which to sit, thanks to Bay Furniture. The family-run furniture retailer donated furniture for two of the center's support group rooms and entirely furnished the center's resource center. Items donated include sofas, chairs, tables, lamps and artwork.
- High Point Market
Sklar Peppler presents chair to Toronto doctor
Whitby, Ontario— When he learned the first recipient of the Charles H. Hollenberg Chair in Medicine didn't have a comfortable chair, Bob Tweedy, chairman and CEO of Sklar Peppler, took corrective action. Dr. Michael Baker was presented with his Sklar Peppler chair at the upholstery company's Toronto showroom.
- High Point Market
Bograd's sale benefits museum
Riverdale, N.J.— Retailer Bograd's Fine Furniture here conducted a sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms in Morris Plains, N.J. A check for $5,600 was given to the museum to assist in the ongoing restoration of Gustav Stickley's Craftsman Farms to its 1911-1917 appearance.
- High Point Market
Kaufman given award
Hebron, Conn.— Bob Kaufman, president of retailer Bob's Discount Furniture, has been given the 2003 Youth Advocate Award by Easter Seals Connecticut for his support of young people with special needs. Last summer, Kaufman hosted Bob's Camp for Children at Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks, in conjunction with Family & Children's Aid, the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services an...
- High Point Market
David Kaplan launches sourcing, consulting firm
Boston— A former executive with the Robert Allen Group and Beacon Hill Showrooms has formed a home furnishings sourcing and consulting business. David Kaplan Jr. launched Kaplan Associates last spring to consult with home furnishings companies on supply chain management and other issues, and the company evolved last fall into a product development business sourcing high-end occasional go...
- High Point Market
ADL to honor Judy George, Farooq Kathwari
New York— Two innovative and successful home furnishings executives, Judy George and Farooq Kathwari, will be honored in May by the Anti-Defamation League's National Interior Furnishings & Design Division. George, founder and CEO of Norwood, Mass.-based Domain Furniture, will receive this year's American Heritage Award.
- High Point Market
Carpet One plans to add 250 stores
Manchester, N.H.— Floor covering retailing cooperative Carpet One plans to add 250 stores over the next five years, adding new members and growing the store counts of existing members. The company said it is set to offer aggressive financing packages, real estate services, and full-service store development and site-check programs.
- High Point Market
Karel adds winter Orlando show
Aventura, Fla.— Karel Exposition Management is expanding close to its home base here by adding another market in Orlando. The new show is set for Jan. 28-30, 2005, in the city's Orange County Convention Center. Karel Exposition Management, the nation's largest producer of "drive-in" furniture and accessory markets, expects the additional show to be a sellout.
- High Point Market
Tupelo extends market's tax exemption
Tupelo, Miss.— The Tupelo City Council has narrowly approved a 10-year extension of the Tupelo Furniture Market's property tax exemption. On a 5-4 vote, the council allowed the market to keep its exemption through 2014. Furniture market President Bill Cleveland said he was pleased with the vote, and he pledged to continue to work with the city and the surrounding area to promote the twice...
- High Point Market
Pets & People line new at Ikea stores
Plymouth Meeting, Pa.— Ikea Home Furnishings has introduced a line of pet products to help pet lovers further incorporate their furry friends into their lives. Ikea designers, pet experts and pet lovers have developed the Pets & People line with the philosophy, "the more you give, the more they give.
- High Point Market
Old Hickory furnishes Furnitureland South café
High Point— The new Bear Rock Café at retailer Furnitureland South in High Point has given manufacturer Old Hickory Furniture more room to show off its rustic-style products. The manufacturer furnished the restaurant with dining and pub tables, chairs, barstools, sofas and occasional tables.
- High Point Market
Midwest group honors D. Edmunds and Bay Furniture
Elmwood Park, Ill.— Bay Furniture and D. Edmunds Interiors and Floor Fashions won the top retailer honors at the annual awards banquet of the Greater Midwest Home Furnishings Assn., a chapter of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. About 200 sales representatives, retailers and guests attended the party at Elmcrest Banquets here.
- High Point Market
More home theater seating among best-sellers in motion
At The Market— Home theater seating continues to attract considerable attention from dealers hoping to reach DVD-crazed consumers. Producers say that, while there's still plenty of interest in configurations with four seats or more, units with two to three seats increasingly are among their best-sellers.
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