Furniture Today - March 27, 2006

Leather upholstery maker Natuzzi is closing six of its eight Kingdom of Leather stores in the London area, and plans to replace them with Natuzzi-branded stores in trendier locations. Natuzzi acquired the stores about three years ago. The replacement stores are expected to open over the next two years.

• Special Report
• Bedroom balance
• Asian mfrs. step up U.S. presence
• U.S. importers investing in Asian factories
• Leather sources head East
• Show Report
• Portugal steps up export efforts
• Market Report
• Largest-ever Singapore market draws 17,838
• Upholstery vendors make statement in Singapore
• IFFS to add woodworking show
• Singapore government providing $10M to fund development of design talent

• Industry Numbers
• Bombay posts loss, to close stores
• Williams-Sonoma has double-digit yearly gains
• Cost Plus World Market sales up 6.8% in year; profits plunge 33%
• Easyhome to buy more shares

• Editor's Desk
• Really big idea: Let's get moving

• Opinion Today
• U.S. rug industry not as large as India hoped
• Upholstery manufacturers show caution

• People Today
• Znamiec joins Luana Living
• People on the Move
• People on the Move

• Insider's View
• Why your store needs a few jaw-dropping items

• Store Openings
• Wyoming retailer has Ekornes gallery
• La-Z-Boy debuts 2

• News
• Myriad users explore tech's role in growth
• Qubein, Riley inspire attendees
• Furniture Values Intl. launching aspenhome
• Pier 1 sells UK-based retail group
• Leggett & Platt, Felters Group join forces for FR products
• Eastman House signs on with Therapedic
• Sears to re-enter RTA
• Fuhrman joins Durham
• Casey heads H.P. market
• Qubein transforming HPU
• Qubein continues to win kudos
• O'Sullivan expects to exit Ch. 11 with $50M financing
• Quaker moves to avoid default
• ADL to honor Johansens, Wittenberg
• Supplier buys case goods mfr. Eagle Inds.
• Z Gallerie opens 1st N.Y. store
• Hickory Springs opens 1st China plant
• Carolina Mills closing 2 factories
• Crump heads N.C. Furniture Export Office
• N.J. Supreme Court rules against RAC
• Select Comfort opens 400th store in Reno
• Magrish gets JLA Home sales post
• Coconis finishes expansion
• Cantrex realigns management team
• MMPI adds amenities
• Correction
• Bradington-Young to show in IHFC
• Restonic moves headquarters
• JCPenney, Madden raise funds for N.Y. charity
• WMC streamlines Web site
• Sands show set to open on Sunday in July
• Want a piece of BlarneyStone?
• Mattress Firm Texas unit is BIG
• China leather source taps Barr to head U.S. marketing arm
• Riccio to follow Risley at La-Z-Boy

• Bedding Today
• Why bedding retailers, producers differ on issues

• Supplement
• Bedding Today
• Seeds of future success planted firmly in past
• A dozen questions for Hypnos' Keen
• Latex International: Expect big gains in visco, latex bedding shipments
• Grid2 creating Hollywood buzz
• Select Comfort stages remarkable rebound
• Sleep Train keeps growth engine stoked
• Better Bedding builds on tradition
• Sit 'n Sleep's philosophy: Bigger can be better
• Family-run Long's finds success, fame in NYC
• Ergo takes customized approach to comfort
• Spring Air marks 80th anniversary
• Notable ads from past
• Vintage ads explore familiar themes
• Memory chaser