Subscribe to Furniture Today
Subscribe to Enewsletters
Other Home Furnishing Sites
Home Accents Today
Kids Today
Casual Living
Bedding Today
Garden Decor
Home Textiles Today
Gifts & Dec
Playthings
Search:        
Sponsored by
Furniture|Today > Archives > 04/10/2006 Issue
Table of Contents
Furniture|Today -- 04/10/2006

Bedding Today
  • First Bedding Conference sparked spirit of camaraderie
    What happens when you assemble an A-plus lineup of retailers, producers and suppliers, address key industry issues, celebrate retail successes, tackle challenges and provide plenty of networking opportunities? You have the kind of rousing success we enjoyed with our inaugural Bedding Conference at the end of last month, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Henderson, Nev.

Editor's Desk
  • Hardest-working man in Arkansas
    I grew up in New York, and often spent Friday nights at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It was there that I first saw Mr. Please, Please, Please, the hardest-working man in show business: James Brown. However, after attending another kind of show, the Arkansas Homefurnishings Market, sponsored by the Arkansas Home Furnishings Assn.

Industry Numbers
  • Pier 1 posts 4Q loss
    Fort Worth, Texas— Pier 1 Imports reported a $10 million loss in its fiscal fourth quarter, citing a dip in same-store sales, a loss from its former United Kingdom retail operation and charges related to speeding up the closing of weak stores. The net loss for the period ended Feb. 25 was a turnaround from an $18.
  • Hooker profit up 20.7%
    Martinsville, Va.— Stronger sales of imported wood and metal furniture helped Hooker Furniture to a 20.7% increase in first-quarter earnings, the company reported. Sales of $85.3 million in the three months ended Feb. 28 were up 6% from the same period a year earlier. Earnings came to $3.6 million.
  • Retailers report little change in March sales
    Atlanta— March brought mild sales gains and declines to three publicly held furniture retailers, with Havertys up, The Bombay Company down and Pier 1 Imports reporting a little of both. Atlanta-based full-line retailer Havertys said sales for the month were up 2.3% from March 2005 to $74.2 million, with same-store sales up 0.
  • BMTC 4Q earnings decline 12.6%
    Montreal— An increasingly competitive Quebec marketplace resulted in flat fourth-quarter revenues and a 12.6% drop in net earnings for BMTC Group, the largest full-line furniture retailer in the province. In the quarter, the company recorded revenues of C$212.6 million, virtually the same as in the comparable 2004 quarter.

Insider's View
  • Rescuing a U.S. wood plant: But will it work?
    The recent reopening of Lexington's Plant No. 2 after it was closed late last year by Lexington Home Brands rightfully has received a great deal of attention. It is a rare promising sign for U.S. furniture manufacturing. More than 250 domestic wood furniture factories have closed since 2000. Everyone has high hopes for the new Linwood Furniture.

News
  • Blackaby to speak at market prayer breakfast
    High Point— The 12th annual Furniture Fellowship Prayer Breakfast is slated for 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the ballroom of the International Home Furnishings Center, on the 11th floor of the Green wing. Praise Foundation will lead the worship and music. Dr. Henry T. Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International, is the keynote speaker.
  • Furniture fashion show set April 29
    High Point— Showroom building owner Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. will present a furniture fashion runway show during the upcoming market here later this month. The inaugural event, called Allure 06, will take place in the Century Courtyard of the Suites at Market Square at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 29, and is open to all marketgoers.
  • Acme opens N.J. warehouse
    City of Industry, Calif.— Asian importer Acme Furniture has opened a 150,000-square-foot warehouse in South Brunswick, N.J., to augment its 100,000-square-foot distribution center in New York City. The warehouse will service customers on the East Coast, said Vice President Marvin Ruben. Other Acme distribution points are in Atlanta, Miami and City of Industry.
  • Bombay taps Bradley
    Fort Worth, Texas— Vicki Bradley is taking on the role of vice president of The Bombay Company's U.S. stores in addition to her duties as president of its Canadian operations. She replaces Patsy Holmes, who left the specialty retailer last week. Bradley has been president of Bombay's Canadian operations since October 1999.
  • Ashley dealer growing
    Olean, N.Y.— The Ashley Furniture HomeStores licensee in western New York state plans to open three more stores and a distribution center by early 2007 in a growth push expected to more than double annual sales. Tim Quinn, co-owner and a managing partner in three dedicated Ashley stores, said a fourth 45,000-square-foot unit is under construction in Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, and ...
  • Karel brings back Atlantic City show
    Aventura, Fla.— After a 13-year hiatus, Karel Exposition Management is returning to Atlantic City, N.J., to produce the Atlantic City Furniture and Accessory Market May 7–9. The market for furniture, lighting, bedding and decorative accessories will be held in the Atlantic City Convention Center.
  • Kelley, Sloopka to speak at WHFA conference in Hawaii
    Roseville, Calif.— The Western Home Furnishings Assn. will hold its annual conference and trade show May 21–23 at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island of Hawaii. The conference includes 18 educational seminars, and attendees will receive a free DVD worth $595. More than 30 exhibitors will participate in the trade show.
  • Wal-Mart recalls wooden rockers
    Washington— Three wooden rocking chairs sold by Wal-Mart since spring 2004 have been voluntarily recalled by the giant retailer. The recall, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, stemmed from too much curvature on the chairs' runners, which can cause them to tip over, according to the CPSC.
  • Macy's to add Martha Stewart products
    New York— A new agreement to bring Martha Stewart Collection products to Macy's doesn't involve furniture, but might add it later. "I think the furniture business has potential for us," Tim Adams, CEO of Macy's Home Store, said in an interview after Stewart and Macy's announced the agreement last week.
  • Dan Ide joins Progressive
    Claremont, N.C.— Case goods and occasional producer Progressive Furniture continues to grow its staff, adding industry veteran Dan Ide as vice president of sales for the eastern region. Progressive, owned by Sauder Woodworking, acquired Royal Patina in July and has added three executives since then — Tamara Evans, vice president of occasional, entertainment and casual dining for Pro...
  • Correction
    A story about Portugal's ExportHome show on page 1 of the March 27 issue was incorrect in saying which line the Moveme/Intereme group of companies intends to show in the Shanghai, China, market in two years. It will show its Portuguese-made line, Moveme.
  • Broyhill names sales mgrs.
    Lenoir, N.C.— Broyhill Furniture Inds. has named two industry sales veterans to oversee its eastern and western territories. Phil Goodson, a Broyhill sales representative for the past 21 years, has been named Eastern sales manager. He replaces Bob Armfield, a former regional sales manager who left the company.
  • Willis role grows at Classic Leather, Statesville Chair
    Hickory, N.C.— Jody Willis has been named key accounts manager for Classic Leather and Statesville Chair. His responsibilities in the newly created position include selling and servicing private-label, catalog and design showroom accounts. Willis, who joined the company nearly 19 years ago, and Kim Long also continue as co-merchandise managers.
  • Glabman-Himes, Microfibres end 22-year association
    Winston-Salem, N.C.— Fabric supplier Microfibres and international marketing company Glabman-Himes have ended their association after 22 years. Mike Czarnecki, vice president of sales and marketing for Microfibres, an 80-year-old specialist in flocked upholstery fabrics, said the company will hire its own sales force.
  • Levitz lands credit line
    Woodbury, N.Y.— Levitz Furniture has secured a three-year, $89 million credit line and will begin opening stores as part of its post-bankruptcy revitalization effort. The revolving credit facility through Banc of America Securities and Back Bay Capital Funding replaces a $55 million facility dating from December, when Levitz — formerly Levitz Home Furnishings Inc.
  • Gorman's furnishes corporate housing
    Farmington Hills, Mich.— Bernie Moray has found big furiture business in an unexpected place — class A apartments. The co-owner and CEO of the upscale Gorman's in greater Detroit started Gorman's Corporate Housing Furniture about three years ago. A local builder had steered him to the hidden potential of selling to the owners and managers of deluxe apartment complexes, who in turn l...
  • Z Gallerie bites into Big Apple
    New York— There's a new letter in this city's trendy SoHo area — a Z. Mike and Joe Zeiden and their sister, Carol Malfatti, overcame the daunting challenges that Manhattan poses in merchandising furniture — including arranging handling and delivery and obtaining enough floor space — to open their first Z Gallerie store here.
  • Liverpool site targets Mexicans in the U.S.
    Mexico City— Mexican department store giant Liverpool has launched an online effort targeting Mexican consumers in the United States who want to buy furniture and other goods for their family and friends back home. The new service, Liverpool Entrega Directa, enables consumers to buy furniture, appliances, electronics and other merchandise online at liverpoolentregadirecta.
  • BailComm, Symetri join forces for Web programs
    Greensboro, N.C.— Seeking to leverage their strengths, BailComm and Symetri Corp. are joining forces to design, create and manage Internet-based marketing programs for furniture companies. New York City-based BailComm specializes in newsletter publishing and retail events. The company delivers customized communications via printed newsletters, live seminars and the Internet.
  • Sealy IPO rakes in $448M
    Archdale, N.C.— Bedding major Sealy raised $448 million in its initial public offering of common stock on April 7 as its shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The bedding producer said it will receive net proceeds of $295 million from the offering, more than half of which will be used to repay debt.
  • Jan. orders up 6%, BDO says
    High Point— This year started on a positive note for U.S. residential furniture factories, with January orders up 6% from the same month a year earlier, said BDO Seidman. Shipments, however, were flat in the month as backlogs rose 10% from December and slightly from January 2005, the accounting and consulting firm said.
  • Casinger appointed editor of Kids Today
    High Point— Lisa Casinger has been named editor of Kids Today, a sister publication of Furniture/Today. She replaces Jane Kitchen. Casinger has been the retail editor of Home Accents Today, another sister publication, for the past four years. Before that, she was editor of the National Home Furnishings Assn.
  • Bottomley is keynoter at Mega Group meeting
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan— Entrepreneur and futurist Jim Bottomley will be the keynote speaker at Mega Group's annual general meeting and conference, which will be held May 11–13 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. The conference theme is "Now is the Time." Bottomley, a partner in the strategic planning and marketing consulting firm The Breken Group, has managed such well-known ...
  • Pa. store owner gets probation in state sales tax case
    Lancaster, Pa.— The owner of a closed furniture store here was sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered to pay nearly $129,000 in back taxes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Richard Burkhart, who owned the former Burkhart's Furniture on Manheim Pike in Lancaster, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of state tax offenses in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, the Revenue...
  • Rooms To Go adding to Disney, Crawford lines
    Seffner, Fla.— Looking to build on the success of its licensed Cindy Crawford and Disney furniture lines, retailer Rooms To Go will add two Disney themes this fall and more Crawford goods, while it works on a third licensed collection. The nation's largest furniture store is readying youth groups linked to upcoming Disney movies "Cars" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel.
  • ASID honors Illinois chapter
    Chicago— The American Society of Interior Designers honored its Illinois chapter last month with ASID's first National Community Service Award. The award, presented at Interiors 06: The ASID Conference on Design in Nashville, Tenn., recognizes outstanding achievement in design and honors community work.
  • Memorial foundation sets 3rd annual golf tournament
    St. Louis— The Scott Harris Oliphant Memorial Foundation is set to tee off its third annual golf tournament and a dinner at Gateway National Golf Course here May 19. A portion of the proceeds from this year's event, which draws about half its support from the furniture industry, will help the family of a 7-year-old diagnosed with cancer in September.
  • Canada's Home, Magi Seal launch program
    Elmira, Ontario— Buying group/retailer Home Furniture has launched its first private-label furniture and bedding protection program in co-operation with Magi Seal Corp. Called Premier Furniture Care, the exclusive program will provide the 65-unit buying group's customers with comprehensive service protection for five years against accidental stains or damage to home furnishings.
  • Ikea planning to build factory in Portugal
    Porto, Portugal— Swedish furniture giant Ikea plans to invest 32 million euros to build a factory in Portugal aimed mostly at the export market. Located in Ponte de Lima, about 250 miles north of Lisbon, the facility will create some 220 jobs and export about 90% of its production to Ikea stores in the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean basin.
  • FIT honors Webster
    New York— The 10th annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast for the Home Products Development Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology drew a sellout crowd at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel here last week. As a result of the event, the scholarship fund now is approaching $1 million, said Peter Scotese, chairman emeritus of FIT.
  • Latvian RTA maker Amber enters U.S.
    Atlanta— Amber Furniture, a Latvian ready-to-assemble furniture maker whose products are sold extensively in Europe, has opened a U.S. office here and hired industry veteran Michael Loe to oversee sales and marketing. The company makes juvenile furniture and case goods, and currently is shipping to the United States on a container-direct basis.
  • Kaplan joins American Lighting and Furniture
    Riverside, Calif.— Stephen Kaplan has been named corporate vice president, sales and marketing, for American Lighting and Furniture Group here, a new position. He reports to John Yeh, chairman, and Bernard Koay, president. Kaplan is an industry veteran who has held sales and management positions with manufacturers including Rowe, Bauhaus, Cone Mills and Malden.
  • Obituaries
    William E. Blakley, veteran retailer
    Scottsdale, Ariz.— Long-time furniture retailer William E. Blakley has died. He was 81. Blakley spent most of his career with Eugene, Ore.-based Rubenstein Furniture Co. He was involved in sales and store management for the company's units in Eugene and Salem, Ore., from 1955 until his retirement in 1985.
  • Brownstone adding East Coast warehouse
    Richmond, Calif.— Case goods manufacturer and importer Brownstone Furniture is getting ready to open its first U.S. East Coast warehouse and its first warehouse in Vietnam this month. Starting in mid to late April, Brownstone's East Coast facility in Greensboro, N.C., will stock and ship bedroom furniture in the company's Metropolitan, Gramercy, Soho, Lisbon, Bancroft and Heights collecti...

Opinion Today
  • Do messy questions have tidy answers?
    As the surge to offshore sourcing continues to grow, the upholstered furniture segment is faced with a number of challenges unique to its business. Emerging first and foremost is the price differential between the same frame with made-in-China fabrics on a made-in-China frame, vs. the same frame with special-order fabrics made in the United States.

People Today
  • Tribuzio-Hilliard promotes Huffman to mktg. director
    Greensboro, N.C.— Tribuzio-Hilliard Studio, a visual communications company specializing in photography, graphic design, prepress and printing, has promoted Leigh Huffman to director of marketing. Her responsibilities include new business development and increasing brand awareness for the studio.
  • People on the Move
    People on the Move
    Marketing/Sales Jasper Cabinet Grand Rapids, Mich. — Occasional and accent furniture manufacturer Jasper Cabinet has added 13 sales representatives as it looks to boost business on the Eastern Seaboard, in the Midwest and parts of California. These are in addition to the six sales reps it hired last October to cover northern Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania,...

Special Report
  • Reaching younger consumers
    High Point— To reach the coveted 20- to 35-year-old age bracket, furniture manufacturers are practicing the tenets of Marketing 101: Examine the customer's lifestyle. Design and market goods that are a good fit for that lifestyle. Make it easy and painless to buy. Jennifer Sievertsen, vice president of brand marketing for La-Z-Boy, said that the two sides of the equation — design an...
  • The young pose a moving target
    High Point— Manufacturers work hard to determine the styles and prices that will hold the most appeal for typical consumers between the ages of 20 and 35. But this group is often a moving target. Jennifer Sievertsen, vice president of brand marketing for La-Z-Boy, said that on the retail side, the Todd Oldham collection provides an introduction to the company — while other offerings...
  • Market Events
    Educational seminars set for market
    All seminars will be held in NHFA's Retailer Resource Center, IHFC Main, 12th floor, unless otherwise noted. Thursday, April 27 8:30–9:30 a.m. The Closing Code Philip Gutsell , Gutsell & Associates How often have you seen or heard your sales associates and designers miss sales opportunities they could have had? This seminar will give you the "closing code" to pre-empt the excuses and ...
  • Conference Report
    Bedding conference draws 200+
    Henderson, Nev.— The first all-industry Bedding Conference, sponsored by Furniture/Today, drew more than 200 retailers, producers and suppliers for its three-day run here March 29–31. Keynote speaker Len Gaby, CEO of Phoenix-based retailer Sleep America, said it was the first such gathering he had seen in his 35 years in the industry.
  • Market Events
    Variety of market socials on tap
    Tuesday, April 25 5–7 p.m. End Your Day on Elm Live music, complimentary beverages and appetizers. On the Plaza at 220 Elm Wednesday, April 26 5–7 p.m. End Your Day on Elm Live music, complimentary beverages and appetizers. On the Plaza at 220 Elm Thursday, April 27 8:30–10 a.m. Complimentary breakfast Coffee, juice, fruit and an assortment of breakfast items.
  • Market Events
    Food, beverages for sale at market buildings
    220 Elm Cappuccino bar 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m. On the Plaza at 220 Elm Elm Street Grille at the 3rd Cup 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Level Three, Skywalk entrance Continental breakfast of bagels, danish, coffee, juices. Fresh lunch sandwiches, salads with grilled steak or chicken, cookies, brownies and drinks.
  • Market Events
    CFMA offers members tools to manage credit risks
    Anaheim, Calif.— The California Furniture Manufacturers Assn. is offering credit management tools to its members. Through Bank of America, CFMA members can process credit cards at a qualified rate of 2.06%. This enables money savings, faster payment, and another method of payment from customers.
  • Conference Report
    Conference attendees network at the Ritz
    Henderson, Nev.— The luxurious Ritz-Carlton here offered the perfect setting for a round of social events at the Furniture/Today Bedding Conference. Leggett & Platt and its Fashion Bed Group hosted the opening-night reception, which gave the 200-plus conference-goers a chance to see who was on hand and to catch up on the latest business developments.
  • Conference Report
    Six Retail Giants honored at gala
    Henderson, Nev.— Furniture/Today honored six leading bedding retailers at its Bedding Conference, hailing them for sharing "a deep commitment to the bedding industry." Each of the six — Select Comfort, Sleep Train, Better Bedding, Sit 'n Sleep, Ergo Customized Comfort and Long's Bedding & Interiors — was named a Retail Giant of Bedding at a gala awards dinner that was a hi...
  • Conference Report
    Mattress warranties hot topic at conference
    Henderson, Nev.— Although mattress warranties didn't appear on the agenda of Furniture/Today's first-ever Bedding Conference, the topic clearly was top of mind. Several speakers identified warranties as a key issue facing the bedding industry, while others used their time at the podium to push for a reduction in the industry-standard 10-year warranty.
  • Conference Report
    Selling sleep to women brings success to Gabys
    Henderson, Nev.— Long before the first Sleep America store was opened in 1997, Len and Debbie Gaby finalized two elements of their business plan that turned out to be critical to the success of what is now a 33-store mattress specialty chain. They decided they were going to sell sleep — not mattresses — and they were going to sell sleep to women.
  • New at Market
    Home office
    All prices retail • In-depth stories on home office introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue Aspen Home IHFC M-604 Aspen Home is adding hutches for its NanoDesk laptop desks. These units feature a new technology-driven element called Store Charge, a surge-protected power strip designed to store and charge cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, Blackberry units ...
  • New at Market
    Motion furniture
    Berkline SP 4th floor Best Home Furnishings 239 S. MAIN ST. Brooks Furniture FP 515 The new Patriot Series of glider rockers at $349 to $399 features a sophisticated sleigh look with details such as cornice-framed end panels and curved arms. Each model has a plush tufted back and a wide seating area.
  • New at Market
    Bedding/metal beds
    All prices retail • In-depth stories on bedding introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue Amisco IHFC H-504 Bassett Mirror Market on Green, 6th floor Expanding into the daybed category with four models: West End, traditional styling in cane cherry, $1,199; Huntington, neoclassical styling in medium cherry, $1,199; Regent, traditional lattice in a black cherry finish...
  • New at Market
    Rugs
    All prices are suggested retail for an approximate 5 × 8 size, except where noted • In-depth stories on rug introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue. Abbyson IHFC D-337 Capel MS112 New braids made in the United States: Chandra Rugs SP 2444 The Janelle Style collection consists of 30 hand-tufted wool designs in transitional styles.
  • New at Market
    Wicker
    Art & Frame Direct CTT 95, 200, 210 Expanded product line in wicker/rattan category includes the Solaris living room collection, which integrates careful weaving with a hardwood framework. David Francis Furniture 200 N. Hamiltion 331 Expanding its styling to embrace both contemporary and traditional genres.

Store Openings
  • Roanoke retailer installs Rowe gallery
    Roanoke, Va.— Custom upholstery manufacturer Rowe Furniture has installed a studiorowe gallery in Mostly Sofas & So Much More here, the first studiorowe in metro Roanoke. Mostly Sofas has dedicated 3,800 square feet within its 40,000-square-foot showroom to the Rowe gallery. The store was established in 1994 and is co-owned by Stewart and Kathleen Boehmer.
  • La-Z-Boy opens store in Delaware
    Newark, Del.— Top 25 furniture manufacturer, La-Z-Boy has opened a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store here on New Churchmans Road. The store incorporates the company's New Generation design format. The 16,200-square-foot store features a full selection of La-Z-Boy furniture, accent pieces, and a professionally staffed design center.
  • Toronto adds La-Z-Boy unit
    Mississauga, Ontario— Top 25 U.S. furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy has opened a metro Toronto La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store on Dundas Street West here, just east of the Oakville city limit. The 30,500-square-foot store features a wide selection of furniture from La-Z-Boy, La-Z-Boy Kidz and Kincaid, and mattresses from Serta.

Supplement
  • Consumer Buying Trends
    Bedding spending rises to $10.6B in '05 as more consumers buy high-end goods
    High Point—Fifteen million U.S. households bought a mattress last year, adding $10.6 billion to retail coffers. These massive figures make bedding one of the largest categories in furniture, representing 14% of all furniture and bedding retail sales in 2005. Since 2000, consumers have been steadily spending more for a mattress, a median of $425 in 2000 compared with a median of $500 in 20...

Please visit these other Reed Business sites