Furniture|Today 07/24/2006 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Furniture|Today -- 07/24/2006

Bedding Today

Five high-stakes questions as industry gathers in Vegas
As the bedding industry comes together in Las Vegas for another mattress-packed market, here are five questions that we will be seeking some answers to in the next few days: Hope you have a great market! Contact David Perry at dperry@reedbusiness.com

Editor's Desk

At low tide, it's time to focus
Summer is here, bringing with it those sultry, lazy-hazy days. While those words make for great song lyrics, they aren't music to the ears of home furnishings retailers, who are struggling to jump-start sales that have been anything but hot. Over the past few weeks, I've received a number of calls from retailers across the country voicing concern about the slowdown at retail.

Industry Numbers

Stanley 2Q earnings drop 32.4%
Stanleytown, Va.— Case goods manufacturer and importer Stanley Furniture's second-quarter earnings tumbled 32.4% from a record quarter a year ago as sales slipped 7.4%, reflecting weaker industry conditions, the company said. "Quite frankly, we expect this weaker sales environment to persist for a while, and as a result we have lowered our sales and earnings guidance for the balance of th...

Insider's View

Weak retail, currency changes rock import scene
In case you're feeling alone in wondering what happened to consumer spending, look at the auto sector. GM is offering zero percent financing for up to 60 months and up to $5,000 cash on some models. Ford has big rebates on 2006 models and Chrysler, in addition to all this, is giving purchasers a prepaid credit card with $1,000 for gasoline.

News

Java, juice and furniture?
Greensboro, N.C.— You may never hear "I'd like some leather with that latte," but at a new café here called Robust-ah, you can indeed try a little Mitchell Gold with your mocha or some Bob Williams with that biscotti. Seizing on the concept of "mixed retailing," co-owners Susan McAllister and Dent Hardin are selling custom upholstery from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams along with java,...
HomElegance in El Paso
El Paso, Texas— Case goods importer HomElegance has opened its 14th North American warehouse here. The 60,000-square-foot facility will serve the greater El Paso area as well as parts of New Mexico and areas near the Mexico border. HomElegance also has five warehouses in China, Malaysia and Vietnam, bringing its worldwide total to 19, said Jamie Collins, vice president of sales and market...
Francesco Molon selling to public in Fla.
Estero, Fla.— Italian furniture manufacturer Francesco Molon has opened its first factory-owned retail showroom in the International Design Center here, a new 250,000-square-foot Miromar development housing 30 high-end showrooms including Baker, Ann Sacks and Clive Christian. The company said the design center is in response to the rapid growth of the southwest Florida real estate market,...
Rooms Today a test
Columbus, Ohio— With the opening of two Rooms Today stores in Michigan, American Signature is testing a new format that bridges its promotional Value City Furniture brand and more upscale American Signature stores. The Top 100 company, which will pass $1.1 billion in sales in the fiscal year that ends this month, is counting on the concept to help propel future growth.
Atlanta rug traffic light
Atlanta— The summer rug market here held few surprises for exhibitors: light attendance, generally moderate amounts of new product and plenty of time to meet with major customers. It's no secret that retail sales have been hurting in recent months, which didn't help the July event. However, most vendors weren't downbeat.
Therapedic, Lady A pumping up with air(beds)
Las Vegas— Two Top 15 bedding producers are aiming to pump up their sales with new airbed introductions at the market here. Therapedic, which has been previewing its new AirTouch line, is making a high-profile showing with Standard in that producer's World Market Center showroom, space 953. And Lady Americana, showing in Pavilion 1, space 4005, expands its airbed offerings with a second m...
Cheers Sofa expands selection of traffic builders
Las Vegas— Cheers Sofa USA says it's offering high value products here that can be advertised at low prices and stir up traffic. "We are giving retailers items that can have a high impact to bring customers in the door," said Stephen Barr, president of the U.S. division of Man Wah Holdings, a publicly traded Chinese leather upholstery manufacturer.
Wells Fargo recognizes El Dorado for credit
Miami Gardens, Fla.— Top 100 store El Dorado Furniture's success with its private-label credit card program has earned it the Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services Client Award. Wells Fargo presents the award to deserving clients based on program participation and credit card sales volume. "We are honored to be recognized for our successful partnership," said Robert Capo, vice president o...
High Point says 55,381 buyers registered in April
High Point— Updated registration figures from the International Home Furnishings Market Authority indicate that over 55,000 buyers registered for the April market, the first that employed a centralized registration system. The 55,381 buyers identified by the system represent an increase of 10,000 to 15,000 from estimates used for previous markets.
Pennsylvania House moving into IHFC for October
High Point— Full-line resource Pennsylvania House says it is leaving its longtime showroom here to take a spot in the International Home Furnishings Center for the October market. Pennsylvania House, which has shown in a building across from the IHFC on Green Drive, will take over the former Fashion Bed Group space at C-700, next door to La-Z-Boy sister company Clayton Marcus at C-735.
La-Z-Boy honors top in-store gallery retailers
High Point— Upholstered furniture maker La-Z-Boy saluted its top-performing in-store gallery retailers at a dinner during the April market here. La-Z-Boy's in-store gallery network includes 319 stores throughout North America. Honored for outstanding performance based on growth during 2005 were: "We really appreciate these important dealers and their ongoing commitment to La-Z-Boy," said ...
La-Z-Boy taps Pinnacle Club award winners
Monroe, Mich.— La-Z-Boy has named the recipients of its Pinnacle Club award, recognizing the highest-achieving sales associates who participated in the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Peak Performance program in the company's seven sales regions in North America. The 2006 inductees include Courtney Gavrilovich of the Sterling Heights, Mich.
Harounian taps Arnault, Siminou, appoints Phillips
New York— Christie Arnault has been promoted to creative director and Chris Phillips named national sales manager for importer Harounian Rugs International. In addition, Richard Siminou has been given additional responsibilities as vice president and director of operations. Arnault, who has been with HRI for nearly four years, previously was an executive with several major furniture store...
Emami will be consultant to Jaipur after stepping down as president
Atlanta— Jaipur Rugs is forming a consulting partnership with Nader Emami, current president of Jaipur. He is resigning the post effective July 31 to develop Tapesh Enterprises, the marketing company he founded last month. The collaboration between Jaipur and Tapesh aims to capture market share and add value for Jaipur's customers, said Asha Chaudhary, CEO of Jaipur Rugs.
Portuguese textiles, tableware shown in New York
New York— A new permanent showroom dedicated to home textiles and tableware from Portugal has opened here at 7 W. 34th St. The showroom features bedding, bath décor, rugs, kitchenware, lighting and accent items from 17 companies. They include B. Sousa Dias, Lumatex, Docofil and Bordalima (textiles), Castros e Marques (curtains), Cerutil (stoneware), Cruzinox (cooking utensils), F.
Highland Design, now bi-coastal, beefing up BR line
Las Vegas— This market is giving case goods resource Highland Design its first opportunity to show off its new stocking warehouse program for both coasts. Last year, the company opened a warehouse in City of Industry, outside Los Angeles. But it didn't launch its stocking program until it added another warehouse in High Point after this year's April market.
Therapedic spotlighting Ireland line at Standard
Las Vegas— Much as it did in High Point, Therapedic is looking to fellow Kathy Ireland brand partner Standard to give it a boost at the July market here. Therapedic is making its first World Market Center showing this market with its growing Kathy Ireland bedding line. It is showing more than a dozen Ireland models, at retails from $699 to $1,999, in Standard's WMC showroom, space 953.
Multimaster offers 5-year service plan for retailers
Las Vegas— Multimaster North America, which distributes cleaning, care and maintenance products for leather, fabric and wood, is at market here with an insured service plan it began offering less than a year ago. Multimaster, showing in the Las Vegas Convention Center, space S715, offers the five-year plan, underwritten by AIG, as a service warranty to consumers.
New Protect-A-Bed covering aims to keep out bed bugs
Las Vegas— Protect-A-Bed wants to keep those pesky bed bugs from biting, so it's adding a sleep set covering called Bug Off to its line of mattress protection products at the July market here. Reports indicate that bed bug infestations are on the rise around the country, and Protect-A-Bed executives say the company is doing its part to eliminate the problem.
Singapore council calls for design award entries
Singapore— The Singapore Furniture Inds. Council is calling for entries in its Furniture Design Awards 2007, a competition that aims to uncover innovative designs from Asia. This year's theme for participants in the Students and Young Designers categories is "green." "We want to pick out participants who can think beyond green as just a color and achieve furniture design breakthroughs tha...
Durham plans return to Aug. Toronto show
Durham, Ontario— After a three-year absence, bedroom maker Durham Furniture will return to Canada's Furniture Mart with a permanent space for the upcoming Toronto Summer Furniture Show, set for Aug. 14–16. Canada's Furniture Mart, in the International Center in Mississauga, Ontario, has about 50 permanent spaces.
Our Community
L.A. Mart holding benefit to support AIDS research
Los Angeles— L.A. Mart and many furniture, gift and accessory showrooms will cooperate July 29 in Takin' it to the Stars, the fifth annual fundraiser for Gift for Life benefiting the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Gift for Life is a volunteer group of professionals from the gift and home industries who are raising funds for amfAR, a nonprofit organization that supports AIDS resear...
Our Community
Pulaski donates furniture to Habitat group
Pulaski, Va.— Manufacturer and importer Pulaski Furniture has donated $40,000 worth of furniture to Habitat for Humanity. The company's Dawson Furniture subsidiary, based in Webb City, Mo., contributed a number of children's twin bed sets to the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity in that state's Jasper County.
San Francisco sets seminars for summer show
San Francisco— Retailers and design professionals can learn competitive business practices at seminars during the San Francisco Mart's Summer Home Furnishings Show, Aug. 3–6, and the San Francisco International Gift Fair, Aug. 5–8. Thursday, Aug. 3 Working with Italian Manufacturers Presented by Massimiliano De Simoni, international business consultant 2–3 p.
Free shuttles, food on tap at SF market
San Francisco— Buyers and design professionals shopping the San Francisco Mart's Summer Home Furnishings Show Aug. 3–6 can avail themselves of a number of amenities. They include: With a history spanning four generations, the San Francisco Mart, at 1355 Market St. between Ninth and Tenth streets, provides design professionals and buyers with stylish furnishings and educational oppor...
Mix 'n' mingle events in San Fran
San Francisco— Attendees at the August San Francisco Home Furnishings Show, held in cooperation with the SF International Gift Fair, will find plenty of opportunities for networking and socializing. The San Francisco Mart will offer free refreshments throughout the show, plus dinner and gas card giveaways.
Seeking Vegas bargains
Las Vegas— With business mostly fair to bad — except for a few strong pockets — retailers attending the home furnishing market here have their eyes peeled for bargains, traffic items and other ways to grab consumers' attention. A few buyers from the East Coast are sitting out this market, along with some high-end retailers who say there's not enough here yet at the top of the ...
Stores tap vibrant Hispanic market
Los Angeles— With an Hispanic population that's 7 million strong, and boasting buying power estimated at $66 billion, it's no wonder this market is blossoming with home furnishing retailers eager to earn their share. From longtime players such as Dearden's to one of the newer names in the market — Mexico-based FAMSA — home furnishings stores in the Los Angeles market that targ...
GERS demonstrating new store credit software
Las Vegas— GERS Retail Systems has signed marketing and system integration agreements with ApprovalWare, a provider of multilender and multimedia credit "decisioning" technology in the retail, mortgage, telecommunications and health care industries. The two companies are demonstrate their latest software applications by appointment at the July market here in the World Market Center, space...
Sandberg featuring top-of-bed textiles from Melrose Home
Las Vegas— Sandberg Furniture is featuring top-of-the-bed ensembles from soft goods source Melrose Home to accent new bedroom collections the case goods resource is introducing at the July market here. The joint marketing effort is designed to illustrate fresh merchandising ideas for Sandberg's retailers, and to help Melrose expand its market penetration to reach small and midsized retail...
Master Design moves sales administration to H.P.
High Point— Case goods importer Master Design Furniture has moved its sales administration offices to High Point. The six-employee office at 210. E. Lexington Ave. is handling a variety of sales, product development and marketing functions. Previously those operations were largely handled out of Ontario, Calif.
Master Design promotes two
High Point— Master Design Furniture has promoted Felix Zataray to vice president of sales administration and Jackie Osborne to director of product management. Both are new positions at the case goods importer, a division of Test Rite Products. Zataray and Osborne both report to Joe Elmore, executive vice president of sales, marketing and product development.
United Sleep's intros aiming for Pure fun
Las Vegas— United Sleep says its Las Vegas product showing is Pure entertainment. The bedding producer is showcasing its new lines here at an invitation-only event Monday, July 24, at the Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace. That exclusive club, whose owners include Celine Dion, Andre Agassi and Shaquille O'Neal, is one of the top celebrity hangouts in Las Vegas.
Bassett theft case in state's hands
Mount Airy, N.C.— Local authorities have turned over to the North Carolina attorney general's office the prosecution of eight former Bassett Furniture employees accused of stealing $2 million in furniture over seven years. Last November, the Surry County Sheriff's Department arrested eight former workers in the National/Mount Airy plant on seven felony counts of conspiracy to commit embez...
O'Shaughnessy to manage Texas Ikea store
Round Rock, Texas— Specialty retailer Ikea has appointed company veteran Jeff O'Shaughnessy manager of the store it is building in this central Texas city. Most recently manager of the Ikea store in Carson, Calif., O'Shaughnessy has been with the Swedish-based retailer since 1988. A native of Ottawa, he worked for other retailers in Canada before joining Ikea's Ottawa operations.
Corrections
BDO: Manufacturing profits down in '05
High Point— Operating profits took a hit at U.S. residential furniture manufacturers last year despite a slight increase in gross margins, according to a new report by the accounting firm BDO Seidman. In its annual operating report on manufacturers, the firm said gross margins have been growing because U.
Jennifer 3Q profit up 63.5% as sales grow
Woodbury, N.Y.— Upholstery retailer Jennifer Convertibles said sales in its third quarter jumped 16.5% and net income leaped 63.5% as the chain continued its turnaround. It marked the fifth consecutive quarterly profit since the retailer undertook a restructuring that has included the closing of more than 20 unprofitable stores in the past two years.
Williams-Sonoma CEO retires; retailer adjusts 2Q forecast
San Francisco— Ed Mueller, CEO of retailer Williams-Sonoma, retired this month and was replaced by his predecessor, company board Chairman Howard Lester. Williams-Sonoma, parent of home furnishings retailers Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma Home, also slightly reduced its revenue forecast for its second quarter, although it raised its earnings per share projection to reflect extra income ...
Powell opens Calif. facility
Culver City, Calif.— Case goods and occasional importer Powell has opened a 340,000-square-foot distribution center in Ontario, Calif., about 50 miles east of its headquarters here, to serve the western United States. East Coast shipments are handled through its 600,000-square-foot Greensboro, N.
Berrios named national sales manager at American Leather
Dallas— Rico Berrios has been promoted to national sales manager of custom upholstery maker American Leather. Berrios is responsible for leading the company's sales efforts and managing its sales representatives, called American Leather Brand Ambassadors. He replaces Casey Jones, who relocated to the Seattle area and is a sales rep in the Northwest.
Nath to head World Classics sales in U.S.
Ontario, Calif.— Case goods importer World Classics Furniture has hired Walter Nath as sales manager for its U.S. operations. Nath, who most recently was a partner and vice president of sales at Eagle Inds., reports to World Classics President Jisheng Li and Marketing Director James Yang. The sales manager's post previously was held by Ed Felton, who remains with the company in an adminis...
Streamlined Dinec marking relaunch in Vegas
Las Vegas— The relaunch of Canadian dining room and bedroom manufacturer Dinec is beginning at the market here this week, said its new president, Richard Landriault. The streamlined, custom-order producer is offering three new bedrooms and 10 new dining chairs, along with special market pricing, in its World Market Center showroom, space 654.
Sweet Smiling Home using 2nd warehouse
Los Angeles— Case goods importer Sweet Smiling Home is up and running at its second warehouse, a 50,000-square-foot facility in the downtown arts district here. Spokeswoman Yvonne Elliott said the company's collections from Indonesia, India, China and Vietnam are received and shipped at the facility.
Chinese entrepreneur plans exhibition center
Zhaoxiang, China— A Chinese furniture retailer and entrepreneur is planning a huge furniture exhibition center west of Shanghai that he believes could one day overshadow High Point, Cologne and Milan. Zou Wenlong, founder of JiSheng WellBorn Co., a Changchun-based furniture manufacturer with an eight-store retail chain, said he wants to build a nearly 11 million-square-foot international ...
Armen Art distributing Divextra leather line
Las Vegas— California importer Armen Art will warehouse Italian upholstery maker Calia Italia's China-built line, Divextra, to the West Coast. The Divextra Collection by Armen Art, launching this market, will be distributed through the company's facilities in North Hollywood, said Bob Phillips, national sales manager for Armen Art (showing here in the World Market Center, space 230).
Casual group honors Swers for achievement
High Point— Retired textile veteran Allen Swers will receive the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented Sept. 15 by the Casual Furniture Retailers and the Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Assn. Swers was instrumental in the creation of Sunbrella casual furniture fabrics in 1982 when he approached Glen Raven about a casual line to complement the company's awning and marin...
Two weeks left for Pinnacle award submissions
New London, N.C.— About two weeks remain before the Aug. 4 deadline for submitting entries for the 2006 Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards, organized by the American Society of Furniture Designers. That's also the deadline for nominating candidates for the second annual ASFD President's Award, which honors talented young furniture designers.
Magazine names Vegas market Best New Show
Las Vegas— The Las Vegas Market has been named Best New Show in the trade show (stand-alone launch) category of Expo Magazine's 2006 awards. Las Vegas was recognized for its inaugural home and hospitality furnishings event, which attracted 60,000 attendees last July, according to organizers at the World Market Center.
Mattress flammability issue heating up again
High Point— The mattress flammability issue is heating up across the United States, in Canada and in China. Bedding producers and suppliers around the world are feeling the ripples of a tough new federal open flame standard for mattresses sold in the United States, which goes into effect next July.
Lilly group program aims to simplify FR compliance
St. Charles, Ill.— A fire-resistant mattress program offered by an industry consulting group aims to take the complexity out of a new federal mattress flammability standard. That U.S. standard, which goes into effect July 1, 2007, poses a series of challenges for mattress producers, some of which still have a lot of work to do before meeting that standard, suppliers of FR materials caution.
Fast-growing FAMSA eyes more U.S. stores
Los Angeles— FAMSA is one of the newest players in the Hispanic market here and one of the most aggressive. The big Monterrey, Mexico-based retailer opened its first U.S. store in San Fernando, Calif., on the northern end of the Los Angeles market, in 2001. Today it has 22 U.S. units, including 11 in the Los Angeles metro area and others in San Jose and Fresno, Calif.
Daniel's appeals beyond Hispanic shopper
Anaheim, Calif.— Like many of the retailers oriented to the Hispanic market in greater Los Angeles, Daniel Rosenberg has been expansion-minded from the get-go. He opened his first Daniel's Furniture store in 1992 — a 10,000-square-foot store in Anaheim that did $1 million its first year. In 2001, he moved to a former Home Depot location with a 50,000-square-foot showroom and attache...
Dearden's offers much more than furniture
Los Angeles— In the 1990s, the operators of Dearden's realized that many of its Hispanic immigrant customers were looking for ways to visit family in their home countries. But they couldn't find a travel agency both willing to help them with the details and to put the trip on credit. That spawned Dearden's own travel agency, now in all seven stores.
Full service key to success for La Curacao
Los Angeles— If Jerry Azarkman was starting from scratch, he's not so sure he'd be selling furniture at La Curacao. At the six Los Angeles department stores averaging 100,000 square feet, furniture is as important a part of the mix as electronics, appliances, jewelry, gadgets and gifts, but it takes up more floor space than other products, and the writeoffs from merchandise returns are hi...
Casa Linda shifts to better goods in a better setting
Los Angeles— One of the most furniture-oriented of the retailers targeting the Hispanic market here, Casa Linda, opened its first store in 1981 in Commerce, Calif. Owner Ben Liberman has since closed that first unit, building in its place a four-store chain that, despite current softness in business, has managed to grow sales about 24% a year, said Carmen Macias, longtime general manager ...
Ireland products will use Basofil FR fibers
Los Angeles— Kathy Ireland is adding fire-resistant products to her growing stable of home furnishings lines. Kathy Ireland Worldwide has partnered with McKinnon-Land of Charlotte, N.C., for the use of its Basofil flame-resistant fiber technology, already in use in the bedding industry. This marks the first designer-backed FR product in the mattress industry.
Knickerbocker taps Tamburelli as sales manager
Carlstadt, N.J.— Knickerbocker Bed Co., aiming to expand the reach of its premium bedding support systems, has added a veteran bedding retailer to its team. Frank Tamburelli has been named sales manager and given the responsibility of presenting the company's expanded product lineup to national accounts.

Opinion Today

Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor
Retailers should be marking up those imports I just read your article on store closings ("Retail landscape in flux," page 1, June 19) and would like to comment on it. I am a rep, one who had 12 accounts go out of business last year, most of whom I sold two or three lines to. Sure, business is slow. Sure, retail furniture has very high expenses and low turns compared to many other forms of retail.
Private-label programs bright spot for rugs
In recent months, this column has gone over to the dark side, addressing such depressing issues as squeezed profits, price erosion and the lack of coherent statistics in the rug business. My friends are telling me to lighten up, already. So this time, I want to talk about a positive development that may mean bright days ahead for the rug business.
Preoccupation with price hurts industry
The furniture industry's preoccupation with price is not much different from that of many other kinds of consumer products, and particularly those in the home furnishings arena — home textiles, for instance. Imports from China and other Southeast Asian nations obviously have had a critical impact on pricing, resulting in deflation as many in furnitureland moved further down the pricing la...

People Today

People on the Move
People on the Move
Executives Haverty Furniture Cos. Atlanta — Retailer Haverty Furniture Cos. has made several promotions. Janet E. Taylor has been promoted to vice president and general counsel. She joined Havertys in 2005 as vice president, law, and earlier was a partner in the Atlanta office of King and Spalding.

Product Spotlight

Rugs
Capel World Market Center 226 Stone Manor, from the Biltmore Estate For Your Home collection, is hand tufted of hard-twist wool. Made in India. $699 in 5 by 8. Chandra Rugs Las Vegas Convention Center S-71127 Black & White is part of the Janelle Style collection of hand-tufted wool rugs from India.
Occasional
Curvet/Collage Las Vegas Convention Center S-61301 The Easy Fusion group of tables features heat-formed, 5/8-inch-thick glass in three different textures and sizes. Naos/Collage Las Vegas Convention Center S-61301 The Apollo lamp table sports mixed media elements, including a glass top and chrome base.
Bedding
Four Seasons Hotel Making a special showing at the Four Seasons Hotel, Simmons aims to make a high-end statement with its new luxury Beautyrest Black line. Rejuvenite Las Vegas Convention Center S-63016 This display is part of a new branded pillow program offered by Latex International. Therapedic World Market Center 953 Top 10 producer Therapedic makes a strong specialty sleep statement with i...
This and that
Four Hands World Pavilions 26404 This sideboard is part of the Beijing collection, in solid elm wood. Inspired by ancient Oriental decor, each piece is constructed with traditional Chinese joinery and hand painted. Bago Luma Collections World Market Center 423 This ornate floor candelabra is an addition to the Bago Luma Collections.
Home office
Four Hands World Pavilions 26404 Part of the Cambridge collection, this bookcase features hand-rubbed edging and brass hardware. Hand crafted of solid poplar wood, the piece is traditional in style and versatile in function. $845 retail. Riverside Las Vegas Convention Center S-60003 Haverhill is an upscale, six-piece home collection in a Sangria cherry finish.
Home entertainment
Sunny Designs World Market Center 1019 A warm tobacco and vintage black finish gives the Cottage entertainment console a sophisticated, yet casual appearance. Sharelle World Market Center 214 A wenge and glass finish, surrounding an oak veneer base, highlights the Vision television stand from Sharelle.
Stationary upholstery
Aspenhome World Market Center 910/1030 The Barolo desk features Northern Italian style elements, including diamond motifs, concave drawers, chamfer corners and a curved decorative stretcher. Alligator World Market Center 939 This TV armoire is available in a variety of painted finishes. Safavieh Home Furnishings World Market Center 101 The company's new lounge chair program includes the Boston,...
Leather
Halo Las Vegas Convention Center S-72615 Rocket is a contemporary-shaped leather tub chair. In vintage distressed leather for $495. Leather Italia USA Las Vegas Convention Center S-61215 Stationary four-piece leather groups include Boston, a classic silhouette with rolled arms, padded front sides and back and hand-crafted nailhead trim.
Motion upholstery
Emerald Home Furnishings Sands 231 This three-over-three, biscuit-back motion sofa, with enhanced pillowtop arms, is among Emerald's new offerings. Aspen Leather World Market Center 910/1030 The Santa Rosa leather collection features this push-button, electric-powered recliner in 20 colors. Hiatt Furniture World Market Center 925 Cindy, a leather rocker, combines practicality and function in gr...
Bedroom
Fashion Bed Group World Market Center 901 Shelby is a Louis Philippe-style sleigh model in a mahogany finish. It retails for $499. Bourne Las Vegas Convention Center S-60939 The solid-mahogany Leaf bed features hand-carved leaf designs. Wynwood World Market Center 501 The Knob Creek collection was a hit at High Point for Wynwood, and now the group makes its Vegas premiere.
Dining
GS Furniture World Pavilions 27604 Inspired by rugged and romantic visions of life in the West, the Chaparral bar features solid walnut and select veneers with a protective lacquer finish. Other details include framing and raised panels, hand-carved accents and granite inserts. Jofran World Pavilions 28105 From Jofran's new mixing warehouse in Vietnam comes this 54-inch table with butterfly leaf.

Product Strategies

Eclectic mix of styles on tap in occasional
Las Vegas— Occasional and accent furniture will be well represented among new products available being shown here this week. A mix of brand new introductions and products launched at the April High Point market will give buyers plenty of selection in a variety of styles and price points. At Aspenhome, occasional plays a key role in Barolo, a northern Italian-influenced, 100-piece collecti...
Casual dining sources explore new price points, fresh finishes
Las Vegas— With the market here becoming a part of the exhibit cycle, casual dining resources showing at the July event are experimenting with new price points, new brands and new finishes. At APA Marketing, that means introducing a higher price point and seeing if it draws buyer commitments, said Bob Lephart, sales manager for the Henderson, Nev.
Home office vendors see opportunity at higher end
Las Vegas— Sources are strengthening the higher end of their home office lineups at this summer's Las Vegas market. Sheue-Wen Lee, CEO at Winners Only, said the company is entering the high-end home office category for the first time this market and will have three new finishes for the category, including walnut, bird's-eye and a black-and-cherry tone.
Fresh shapes, colors distinguish upholstery
Las Vegas— Upholstery vendors are bringing an abundance of new products and taking new directions at the market here in hopes of shaking dealers out of the summer doldrums. "The mood is going to be that you better have something special or they're going to walk on by," said Casey Fisher, owner of Los Angeles-based Haute House Home Furnishings.
Entertainment sources encourage dealers to tap into new demand
Las Vegas— Buoyed by continuing consumer demand for flat-panel televisions, producers of home entertainment furniture are convinced they can help dealers successfully navigate the choppy retail waters that have been prevalent in the furniture business in recent months. Producers believe rapidly falling TV prices will only pump up demand further, which, in turn, should give furniture retai...
Rug makers expect to extend reach in Vegas
Las Vegas— This summer's Las Vegas market is giving rug exhibitors a jolt of energy. Undaunted by lackluster sales at retail, many rug vendors are expecting Las Vegas to attract new faces and fresh business. "If anything can get people out, it's Las Vegas, even if it's 105 degrees," said Eric Birnbach, president of Capel.
Bedding sources offer variety of new promos
Las Vegas— A number of new airbeds, the addition of a luxury Beautyrest line, and the launch of new traffic-building promotions are among the mattress highlights of this bedding-heavy market here. Specialty sleep bedding, especially latex and visco models, will have a high profile across the market.
New frames, covers take spotlight in motion, leather spaces
Las Vegas— Lane Home Furnishings, Leather Italia USA, Best Home Furnishings and El Ran are among the sources introducing new leather and motion seating at this week's market here. Hamilton & Spill and Palatial Furniture also are offering new leathers on existing frames, while other producers are choosing to emphasize their hits from High Point with West Coast prospects.
Case goods sources set for busy market
Las Vegas— The Las Vegas market may not have that "brand new" feeling anymore, but a resurgent thrill is still growing among case goods exhibitors. This is the third event for the fledgling show, but manufacturers think the best is yet to come, especially with a second building on the verge of opening.

Special Report

Inside China's Bedding Industry
Feng shui holds sway in mattress factories
Shaoxing, China— Mattress makers in China use Eastern beliefs and inspirational sayings that would be right at home in the West to give their companies an edge in the marketplace. It's a case of feng shui meeting Zig Ziglar. Two of China's largest mattress makers — Xilinmen, based here, and Stylution, based in Dongguan — have factory complexes that employ principles of feng sh...
Inside China's Bedding Industry
The many faces of China
Shanghai, China— Nestled into an airy second-floor perch in the city's oldest teahouse, I savored a bottomless cup of steaming-hot green tea. It was a very Chinese thing to do on this fine day, when brilliant sunshine bathed the Old City. I had escaped the crowds swirling through the alleyways of the bazaars around Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden built hundreds of years ago that...
Inside China's Bedding Industry
Stores are small; folks want it firm ... and fast
Shaoxing, China— National Highway 104 here is Furniture Row. Several large home furnishings retail malls line the major thoroughfare in this eastern China city, giving shoppers plenty of options on everything from sofas to tables to mattresses. But unlike in the United States, where retailers often carry several brands, these retail centers usually put separate brands in separate stores.
Inside China's Bedding Industry
Chinese suppliers tout innovation, lower prices
Dongguan, China— Chinese foam and fiber suppliers are increasingly targeting the United States with their mattress products. Sometimes those products go into mattresses made in China for shipment to the United States. But suppliers also send their products directly to U.S. bedding producers or distributors.
Inside China's Bedding Industry
Wages on rise; skilled workers needed
Dongguan, China— Compared to their colleagues in the United States, Chinese mattress factory workers make meager wages and work longer hours. The $2,400 they might make in a year is less than one-tenth what a U.S. factory worker can easily earn. But employment in China often includes room and board, with many workers living in dormitories at factory complexes.

Store Openings

La-Z-Boy launches store in Georgia
Evans, Ga.— Top 25 furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy, has opened a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store here on Washington Road. The 14,000-square-foot dedicated store features a full selection of La-Z-Boy furniture and accent pieces and is in the company's New Generation format, including a professionally staffed design center.
Indiana's American Home unveils England gallery
Fort Wayne, Ind.— Furniture retailer American Home has installed an England gallery in its store here. The new Custom Comfort Center occupies 4,000 square feet of the 44,000-square-foot store. The gallery features stationary, motion and leather upholstery and occasional tables. American Home is owned by Kim and Buck Buckhardt.
Miller Brother's installs England
Falls Creek, Pa.— Miller Brother's Furniture has opened a Custom Comfort Center by England in its store here. The gallery, which offers upholstery and occasional tables, occupies 4,500 square feet of the 40,000-square-foot store. Store owners Jess and Duane Miller decided to open the Falls Creek gallery earlier this year after receiving positive response to the England gallery in their Pu...

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