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Furniture|Today -- 07/26/2006
Market Daily
- Las Vegas Market
United holds pajama party
At The Market— Was it those lovely models in silk pajamas? Or was it the two new lines of bedding? Or was it the setting in one of Sin City's trendiest nightclubs? Those three elements came together here Monday night in spectacular fashion when United Sleep hosted an invitation-only party for retailers and guests at the Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace, where A-list celebrities like Paris...
- Las Vegas Market
Sealy set to test two Posturepedic airbeds
At The Market— A new breeze will soon be blowing through the airbed category, as industry sales leader Sealy confirmed here that it will introduce Posturepedic airbeds in select test markets this month. Two test models are a tighttop version retailing at $1,799 and a pillowtop at $1,999. The adjustable airbeds are marketed under the banner of RightTouch by Sealy Posturepedic.
- Las Vegas Market
Cologne fair takes look at design trends
At The Market— Market visitors here can see an exhibition of European design trends put together by the IMM Cologne fair in Germany. To create the presentation, Cologne commissioned experts to discover what trends and important developments are affecting interior design on a global basis. Panelists included Tom Dixon, Marie O'Mahony, Chantal Hamaide, Eero Koviosto, Ilse Crawford and Reiko...
- Las Vegas Market
Morris Furniture event raises $50,000 for charity
Fairborn, Ohio— Retailer Morris Furniture hosted its annual vendor appreciation dinner and charity golf benefit, raising $50,000 for The Children's Medical Center of Dayton, Ohio. Later, the Mathile Family Foundation matched the donation, bringing the total raised for the facility to $100,000. The golf outing at the NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, drew more than 100 golfers represent...
- Las Vegas Market
Spring Air honors Flexible Foam
Spencerville, Ohio— Poly-urethane foam producer Flexible Foam has received mattress manufacturer Spring Air's Vendor of the Year Award. Steve Bryant, Spring Air's senior vice president of manufacturing services, presented the award during Flexible Foam's sales and manufacturing meeting in June.
- Las Vegas Market
American West to provide transportation for Moroni
At The Market— Moroni, a designer and importer of upscale contemporary leather upholstery, has streamlined its distribution by contracting a national trucking firm to handle its shipping coast-to-coast. The Los Angeles-based company has signed up with American West Worldwide Express of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
- Las Vegas Market
SIScovers showing textiles in four market spaces
At The Market— SIScovers, a 20-year-old producer of bedding and other soft line goods, is sharing spaces at the Las Vegas Market with several companies. SIScovers will show with Lifestyle Solutions in Pavilions, space 12910; Master Design, in space 504 of the World Market Center; HomElegance, in WMC space 625; and Adonis Furniture, WMC space 1042.
- Las Vegas Market
Egyptian sources assessing Vegas for future showings
At The Market— The promoter of an Egyptian furniture show is bringing industry representatives to the July show here to assess whether it makes sense for them to show at future events. Expolink, which promotes the Furnex show in Cairo, will host the visit to the Las Vegas show July 23–27 to help companies learn more about the event and the opportunities to lease space for the July 2...
- Las Vegas Market
Two lines reflect glories of Kashmir
At The Market— The East India Company USA is exhibiting again this week at Interior Lifestyle USA, a trend showcase in the Las Vegas Convention Center held in conjunction with the Las Vegas market. President Rafique Kathwari said the company is presenting two distinct lines in its LVCC booth, space S63238.
- Las Vegas Market
U.S. pavilions on tap for 2007 Heimtextil
Washington— As it has for over 25 years, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel, or OTEXA, will sponsor U.S. pavilions at the 2007 Heimtextil fabric market in Frankfurt, Germany, Jan. 10–13. At the show, OTEXA will have one pavilion in Hall 4 for decorative and upholstery fabrics, and another in Hall 9 for bedding and accessories, floor coverings and wall cov...
- Las Vegas Market
Bigger screens, smaller units
At The Market— As TVs get larger, the entertainment furniture that houses them is getting smaller. That seeming contradiction is readily apparent here this week, where the massive wall systems that once dominated the category have taken a back seat to more compact units that accommodate today's popular — and wide — flat-screen TVs.
- Las Vegas Market
Magowitz cancer-fighting event set Dec. 2 in Phoenix
Phoenix— What does a symposium on pancreatic cancer have in common with a Texas hold 'em tournament? They're both new elements of this year's Seena Magowitz Golf Classic, a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer set here for Dec. 2. Cancer experts say the pancreatic variety is one of the deadliest cancers, but one that suffers from a lack of research funding.
- Las Vegas Market
Design Today®
Klaussner World Market Center 801 Austin, a reclining sofa, makes a two-tone statement in Nice Link's Ottawa vinyl and Voyage fabric. Pulaski World Market Center 554 Beckenham, part of the Keepsakes Home line, features blocked bracket feet, shaped tops, overscaled under-moldings and acanthus leaf urns atop beaded posts.
- Las Vegas Market
New Bailey Street CEO sees opportunities for growth
At The Market— The new chairman and CEO of Bailey Street Holding Company is optimistic about the growth opportunities for the accent furniture company, which spun off from retailer The Bombay Company just over a year ago. James E. Berk, who joined the company in late May, said he is impressed with its product development efforts and looks forward to expanding the line.
- Las Vegas Market
Specialty sleep sources highlight benefits
At The Market— Specialty sleep producers have a not-too-surprising assertion to make when it comes to their product. They say it provides a better way to sleep than conventional innerspring bedding. The producers, who are represented in force at the Las Vegas Market, say that their beds, cushioned with everything from visco-elastic foam to latex foam and from water to air, provide the cus...
- Las Vegas Market
New World Trading features hand-tooled leather
At The Market— New World Trading has combined Old World themes, Western styling and Spanish influences to create a novel mix of furniture and accessories. Based in Palm Springs, Calif., the seven-year-old partnership of Fernando Cervantes, his wife, Elizabeth Cervantes, and her brother, Nis Raphael, specializes in the vanishing art of hand-tooled leather home furnishings and accessories.
- Las Vegas Market
Emerald event to benefit Cancer Society
Tacoma, Wash.— A popular golf tournament that Emerald Home Furnishings has held for two decades takes on a special relevance this year, honoring a former and a current employee with donations to the American Cancer Society. In December, after a 10-month battle with colon cancer, purchasing department employee Janice Davidson died.
- Las Vegas Market
Exhibitors plump up pillow offerings
At The Market— A pillow is just a pillow, right? Wrong. Look at the wide variety of shapes, sizes and constructions offered in a plethora of pillow programs in bedding showrooms here. Bedding producers say that pillows are a natural add-on sale for the mattress. And, just like mattresses, pillows offer a full range of comfort levels at a broad spectrum of retail prices, from $9.
- Las Vegas Market
G. Romano debuts Couture's Funktion line
At The Market— Contemporary upholstery maker G. Romano has teamed with award-winning designer Normand Couture to create a collection called Funktion, which is debuting at the market here. This is G. Romano's inaugural showing in Las Vegas, where it also is entering several product categories, including upholstered beds and dining chairs.
- Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas product parade
All prices retail except where noted. For rugs, all prices retail for an approximate 5 by 8 size except where noted. Here are descriptions of new products and marketing programs being introduced at the Las Vegas market. The presentation is based on information provided by the exhibitors. Reprinted from the July 17 national issue of Furniture/Today, this information is presented in two parts as ...
- Las Vegas Market
Counter height becoming a mainstay in casual dining
At The Market— Counter height isn't just for the breakfast nook anymore. Many producers here say that taller tables have joined the ranks of real furniture, and can't be left out of any new dining collection. Several casual dining producers here say that counter height is the strongest niche in the category.
- Las Vegas Market
Motion makers turn up heat
At The Market— Motion upholstery manufacturers say the summer heat could be keeping some customers away from this market, but they're expecting a new wave of interest when Building B opens for the January show. Still, many West Coast retailers are using Las Vegas as a key resource and are limiting their visits to High Point to once a year, said Phil Cooper, vice president of marketing and...
- Las Vegas Market
Retailer says I went too far in touting 1-year warranties
Did I go too far with my recent call for a move to one-year manufacturer warranties on bedding? Some of you, my faithful readers, believe I have. A number of you have said that it would be more realistic to move from 10 years to five years, rather than ratchet manufacturer warranties all the way down to one year.
- Las Vegas Market
WMC offers online showroom planner
At The Market— If you can't find something in the showrooms and hallways here, try looking online. The World Market Center says its free My Market Connections program, available on the WMC's www.lasvegasmarket.com Web site, has attracted thousands of users since it debuted five weeks ago. Dana Pretner, director of marketing and public relations for the WMC, describes the technology as a "...
- Las Vegas Market
Lane honors Modernage with Diamond award
Tupelo, Miss.— Lane Home Furnishings has honored retailer Modernage Furniture of Vero Beach, Fla., part of Top 100 chain Leath/Modernage, with its Diamond Award. The honor goes to dealers that achieve more than $1 million in volume with the manufacturer. Lane also presented Bronze Awards, which go to dealers that achieve increases of 25% to 50% in business with the company, to Caldwell Fu...
- Las Vegas Market
Tween scene going strong
If you're looking for a way to grow your business you might consider hopping on the tween bandwagon. Tweens fit into two groups, emerging, ages 8–10 and transitioning, ages 11–12. Tweens are an almost 20 million strong market that accounts for at least $260 billion in estimated spending. They spend about $10 billion annually on their own with $176 billion spent on them by their pare...
- Las Vegas Market
Kids today: Show Biz
This unique boy's lamp is part of J.W. Pike's Field & Stream collection and is designed to resemble a fly fishing rod. It's crafted of resin with a golden oak/black walnut finish. Kids Line's Stop and Go bedding features a construction theme in corduroy, twill, stripes and checks. The quilt and sham set, $130, has structured quilting and appliqued trucks, signs and arrows.
- Las Vegas Market
Metal beds: Small presence but growing attention here
At The Market— Metal bed vendors have a small presence here, but those making the scene say they're pleased with attendance and dealer interest. "It's starting to pick up, so we're encouraged," said Stephen Sczubelek, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Fashion Bed Group, part of Leggett & Platt.
- Las Vegas Market
Pulaski showcasing two curios with puck-size movable lights
At The Market— Pulaski Furniture says its latest round of consumer research has led to a number of new products, including curios with movable lights. Also new are fashion-forward accessory items for the bathroom, some of which are multi-functional. Jim Kelly, Pulaski's executive vice president, said recent research with more than 500 consumers showed that their top desire in curios was m...
- Las Vegas Market
S&F partner looks to luxury hotels for consumer bedding tips
At The Market— Design firm ForrestPerkins says consumers who want to bring a luxury hotel experience into their homes should buy the best mattress they can afford. "The place where you spend one-third of your life is no place to scrimp," said the firm, which has partnered with Stearns & Foster in a Sleep in Style program that commemorates the bedding manufacturer's 160th anniversary.
- Las Vegas Market
Aspenhome seeks leg up with electric-powered lift
At The Market— Aspenhome is introducing here the Santa Rosa leather sofa, loveseat and recliner group with a new feature — electric-powered leg rests that move with the push of a button. A forward push controls up and down leg rest movements, while a backward push makes the back recline for maximum comfort.
- Las Vegas Market
Reclaimed teak furniture maker moves south to Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Ariz.— Global Surroundings, which describes itself as an ecologically friendly furniture supplier, is relocating its business here to focus on the growth on its strongest sales region, the southwestern United States. The company, which specializes in rustic casual dining, bedroom, outdoor and office furniture made of reclaimed teak, had been based in Minneapolis for nine years...
- Las Vegas Market
New Hiatt frames feature 'glam' styling, textures
At The Market— Upscale upholstery specialist Hiatt Furniture is accentuating textures and "glam" looks at this week's market. "We are using a lot of different textures on a dozen new frames," said Eddie Schroder, director of merchandising and marketing for Hiatt, which is in the World Market Center, space 925.
- Las Vegas Market
OFMA golf tourney set for Aug. 30
Mississauga, Ontario— The Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. will hold its annual all-industry golf tournament Aug. 30 at the Glen Eagle Golf Club in nearby Bolton. Before teeing off, the factory group will hold its annual general meeting. The 10 a.m. session will feature reports from Laine Reynolds, chairman of the board, association President David Hanna, and John Power, chairman of ...
- Las Vegas Market
Jan. market 'pivotal'
At The Market— Leather upholstery resources showing here this week have been buoyed by the level of traffic, but say the best is yet to come as they await the opening of Building B in January and the increased business it will bring. "The indications are that January is going to be pivotal for the Las Vegas market," said Lee Faustch, vice president of residential upholstery for Flexsteel.
- Las Vegas Market
Ekornes' no-stress home
Alesund, Norway— This idyllic setting at the edge of one of this region's many fjords is not where one would expect to find the heart of the Norwegian furniture industry. With snow-capped peaks surrounding cold, clear waters, it seems more like a setting for fishing villages or artists' colonies.
- Las Vegas Market
Occasional gets it together
At The Market— Occasional furniture resources here continue to coordinate new product to upholstery frames and home entertainment pieces in their lines. Others have a variety of stand-alone items that give retailers something to talk about on their sales floors. While they say traffic has been down from last July and even the January market, vendors are generally pleased with this market'...
- Las Vegas Market
Case goods solid here
At The Market— Reports of sluggish retail business haven't stopped case goods suppliers from gaining commitments and orders this week. Several manufacturers said they had heard that retail was soft, but it didn't seem to be hurting this market. "Sales were really good earlier in the year," said Bill Sibbick, Pulaski's senior vice president of sales.
- Las Vegas Market
Bedding pulls out the stops
At The Market— Bedding producers are pulling a little bit of everything out of their bag of marketing tricks here, aiming to help bedding retailers regain the magic on their sales floors this fall. Reports on traffic ranged from "less than expected" to "strong," with some producers wondering if the summer heat might be keeping some buyers at home.
- Las Vegas Market
Action mixed in upholstery
At The Market— The first days of the summer market here got mixed reviews from upholstery vendors, some saying it is an active market and others describing it as so-so. "We were busy this morning, but it slowed down this afternoon," said G. Wayne Miller, vice president of Canadian manufacturer and importer Flair Design, on Tuesday.
- Las Vegas Market
Dovetail showing Indian product
At The Market— About 10 years ago, Dovetail Furniture & Designs first looked to India as a source of case goods and occasional furniture. Today, those goods figure prominently in its line, representing as much as 60% of sales. This market, it continues the tradition with a new dining and occasional collection sourced out of India called the Florence group.
- Las Vegas Market
Intercon: 30 years ... and an elephant
Salt Lake City— Tom Turpin, CEO of Intercon, never would've guessed that a few barstools and an elephant would carry him this far. Intercon, a dining, bedroom, home office and entertainment resource known for its logo of a 5,000-pound elephant using a chair as a footstool, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
- Las Vegas Market
Intercon adds ad support to mixed-container effort
At The Market— Solid-wood case goods supplier Intercon is offering its dealers advertising support for a mixed-container program it introduced earlier this year. The program offers retailers a strategic marketing and advertising plan tied to major selling events during the year. The first mailers emphasizing products from the mixed-container warehouse will be delivered on Labor Day weeken...
- Las Vegas Market
Interactive Health chair mimics feel of human hands
At The Market— Robotic massage specialist Interactive Health is introducing here the Ultimate Human Touch chair, its most high-tech massage recliner to date. The HT-1650 chair locates pressure points and delivers a healing back rub as it mimics the feel of human hands, while massaging head to toe, the company said.
- Las Vegas Market
Robotic massage specialist to back pro beach volleyball
Long Beach, Calif.— Interactive Health, a marketer of robotic massage chairs and related products, has signed a one-year sponsorship agreement with the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. As part of the deal, Interactive Health's iJoy 130 chair has been designated as the "official massage chair of the AVP Tour.
- Las Vegas Market
Bedding vet launches sales training firm
Los Angeles— Bedding veteran Tim Sommer has seen a lot of sales representatives come and go in the bedding arena. And he's figured out a thing or two about what makes the good reps thrive in today's challenging bedding climate. Sommer has put his insights into workshops that he calls "The Indispensable Rep.
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