|
|
|
|
Furniture|Today -- 02/05/2007
Bedding Today
-
Shorter warranty crusade sparks interesting feedback
The message has come through loud and clear: Keep up the heat on the warranty issue. So I will. My crusade for shorter bedding warranties — three years would be nice but one year would be awesome — has been welcomed in a number of circles, some of them public and some of them private. There are some very interesting ideas out there on ways that shorter warranties can create new busi...
- Mattress Retailing 101
Should I talk about new fire resistant bedding materials?
Today's topic: How to sell mattresses with new fire-resistant materials. Overview: Serta was the first national bedding producer to incorporate new fire-resistant materials throughout its bedding lines. Initially, that company made safety part of its marketing program, but later concluded that effort wasn't worthwhile.
- Mattress Retailing 101
Attention bedding trainers: Give us your perspective
High Point— Attention all retail bedding sales trainers: Furniture/Today wants to hear from you. The newspaper is launching a new monthly feature that will give sales trainers a voice on key bedding issues. The first installment presents the trainers' thoughts on new fire-resistant bedding lines.
- Mattress Retailing 101
Trainers share tips on selling FR beds
Overview: Sales trainers have a new topic to consider these days: How to handle the issue of fire-resistant beds that will be on all retail floors by this summer. Thus far, the industry hasn't shown too much willingness to tout this issue with consumers. Some say that's because the introduction of FR bedding to date has been limited to a few major producers.
Editor's Desk
-
Yes, we do know how to dance
I can tell you the exact moment my parents grew old. It was the day they stopped dancing. As a kid, I often watched them suddenly get up and do their 30-second version of the fox trot, a brief and poorly executed routine that invariably ended with both of them laughing uncontrollably. One day, even though they still had the energy and stamina to dance, they somehow simply decided to remain seated.
Industry Numbers
-
Stanley 4Q sales drop 13.3%, profits off 23.7%
Stanleytown, Va.— Stanley Furniture's fourth-quarter sales were down 13.3% to $70.6 million and earnings were off 23.7% to $4.5 million, or 40 cents per share, compared with a record comparable 2005 quarter, the case goods manufacturer and importer reported. For the year, sales of $307.5 million were down 7.
-
L&P 4Q sales dip 2.2%; refund boosts income
Carthage, Mo.— Leggett & Platt, the largest supplier of furniture and bedding components, said fourth-quarter sales fell 2.2% but net income jumped 54.5%. The company said the income jump was due to a one-time gain from a refund of Canadian lumber duties, as well as lower restructuring costs and other expenses.
-
Tempur-Pedic sales jump 19% in 4Q, 12.9% for year
Lexington, Ky.— Paced by its rapidly growing U.S. mattress operations, specialty bedding producer Tempur-Pedic reported double-digit sales gains for the fourth quarter and the 2006 calendar year. The company, which manufactures visco-elastic foam mattresses, pillows and related products, said worldwide sales rose 19% to $256.
Insider's View
-
Why is mini-market more enjoyable than large one?
Seldom do you catch me speechless. After all these years, I tend to have standard answers ready for the most-often-asked questions. But on Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the lobby of the Radisson Hotel in High Point, I was stopped cold. A major, highly respected, well-known retailer asked, "Why do I look forward to the Lifestyle Enterprise mini-market in High Point but dread going to the regular spring a...
News
-
Furniture.com offers extranet for store networks
Waltham, Mass.— Furniture.com has launched a "dealer extranet" that will give e-commerce capability to manufacturers' dedicated store networks and retailers with a mix of corporate and independently owned stores. Launched in November, the extranet is now used by 21 independent retailers affiliated with Toronto-based Leon's Furniture, a Furniture.
-
Young execs group now part of AHFA
High Point— The Young Home Furnishings Professionals, an organization dedicated to attracting and keeping people under age 40 in the home furnishings industry, has become a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "YHFP brings excellent goals and objectives under the AHFA umbrella," said Andy Counts, CEO of the AHFA, a trade association mainly for manufacturers, importers and s...
-
Tax breaks proposed to protect N.C. jobs
High Point— Draft legislation suggested by a committee of industry supporters would allow tax incentives and property tax breaks to be used to protect remaining furniture manufacturing jobs in North Carolina. It also would provide $2 million over the next two years to the state's community college system to fund a Furniture Technology Center at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, N.
-
NHFA holds import workshop
Charleston, S.C.— The National Home Furnishings Assn. will hold a workshop here Feb. 25–26 on importing for furniture retailers. The workshop will focus on the elements and logistics of importing, and will include a tour of the Port of Charleston showing how the port handles security concerns without impeding legitimate travel and trade.
-
Peters named president of CR-Home's Cochrane
Las Vegas— Chromcraft Revington has promoted Paul Peters, former vice president of sales and marketing for Cochrane Furniture, to president of the Cochrane brand of CR-Home, the portfolio of home furnishings brands produced by Chromcraft Revington. Peters' post is newly created and part of Chromcraft Revington's transition from a traditional divisional structure to one that coordinates th...
-
Moretti gets new La-Z-Boy post
Monroe, Mich.— Former Jordan's Furniture executive Anthony Moretti has joined La-Z-Boy Inc. as vice president of merchandising, a new post. Moretti, a 30-year industry veteran, will be responsible for assisting La-Z-Boy with fabric and frame selection, as well as the design and development of new products for La-Z-Boy's three non-branded upholstery companies, Bauhaus, Sam Moore and England.
-
Greenbaum joins Kinwai
Union City, Calif.— Gary Greenbaum has joined Kinwai USA as vice president of sales and marketing. Greenbaum most recently was with furniture source Jeffco, and earlier held management posts with manufacturer Natuzzi and in retail at Boyles Furniture, Hickory, N.C., and at Wayside Furniture, his family's Connecticut chain.
-
Cates is Thomasville sales VP
Thomasville, N.C.— Thomasville has hired former Directions and Mitchell Gold sales executive Brad Cates as vice president of sales and retail development. Cates most recently was vice president of sales at upholstery source Directions. He also has worked in publishing and as a brand manager at Calvin Klein.
-
Coaster promotes Konetzny
Santa Fe Springs, Calif.— Coaster Company of America has promoted Toby Konetzny to director of marketing, a new position. He will manage all marketing functions related to how the company is presented. Konetzny has been with the importer for seven years, most recently as merchandise manager. He has held various responsibilities in product management, e-commerce, advertising and marketing.
-
New Green Front store to expand D.C. presence
Farmville, Va.— Green Front Furniture will expand its metro Washington presence in April with the opening of an 80,000-square-foot showroom in Manassas, Va. The store will replace a two-level, 32,000-square-foot showroom 30 minutes north of Manassas in Sterling, Va., giving Green Front space to broaden its offerings in northern Virginia, including at the high end.
-
Natuzzi may appeal dismissal of China lawsuit against DeCoro
Santeramo In Colle, Italy— Leather upholstery manufacturer Natuzzi may appeal a Hong Kong court's dismissal of a lawsuit it had filed against competitor DeCoro over design and hiring issues, according to a statement issued by Natuzzi. On Jan. 16, the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Court dismissed the suit, which has been argued for years.
-
Master Design creating Sandra Lee line
Las Vegas— Wood furniture importer Master Design has signed its first licensing deal, partnering with TV personality Sandra Lee. A QVC veteran, Lee now hosts "Semi-Homemade Cooking by Sandra Lee" on the Food Network and is working on her 12th cooking and decorating book with Meredith Publishing.
-
Hong Kong's Kinetic plans to open 300 U.S. stores
Las Vegas— First-time Las Vegas exhibitor Hong Kong Kangsheng Group, which showed here as Kinetic, has more than 1,000 stores in China and Europe and has its sights set on the United States. The China-based manufacturer of contemporary leather upholstery said it plans to open as many as 300 Kinetic U.
-
Alan White to reopen
Shannon, Miss.— Upholstery maker Alan White, which closed in January citing financial and business pressures, is set to be acquired by Canadian investment company WAM Inc., which also owns Sklar Peppler. The 350,000-square-foot Alan White factory here is expected to be back in production soon. WAM owner and President Bill Malish, a turnaround specialist who restructured Sklar after purcha...
-
Pier 1 hires TJX exec
Fort Worth, Texas— Specialty retailer Pier 1 Imports has named veteran retailer and recent TJX executive Alex Smith president and CEO, effective Feb. 19 when current Chairman and CEO Marvin Girouard is set to retire. Tom Thomas, a Pier 1 director, will become non-executive chairman. Smith most recently was senior executive vice president-group president for TJX Cos.
-
FBI 4Q earnings fall 88%
St. Louis— Sluggish sales and aggressive promotions sent Furniture Brands International's earnings tumbling 88% in the fourth quarter to $2.1 million, the manufacturer and importer reported. Sales in the quarter were down 1.2% from a year earlier to $586.5 million, and up 1.3% for the year to $2.
-
Vegas business booms
Las Vegas— Ignoring the effects of the industry's prolonged sales slump, enthusiastic furniture buyers and sellers jammed the Las Vegas Market last week in record numbers as the fast-growing trade show opened its second showroom building. Showroom traffic and order-writing were heavy — especially during the first three days of the five-day event — and the mood was upbeat.
-
Buyers like almost all they see at WMC
Las Vegas— Furniture retailers shopping the market here last week were overwhelmingly positive about the expanded breadth of exhibitors, products and price points, and punctured the premarket notion that tough business conditions might lead to light buying. That's not to say this market was perfect.
-
Retail icon Rawson Haverty dies at 86
Atlanta— Rawson Haverty, chairman emeritus of Top 100 store Havertys, who led, modernized and grew the chain for over four decades, died here after a brief illness. He was 86. Haverty was president of the Atlanta-based retailer from 1955 to 1984, CEO from 1955 to 1990, and chairman from 1984 to 2000.
-
Sunny Designs expanding in China to serve U.S.
Las Vegas— Case goods importer Sunny Designs is expanding its manufacturing presence in China as part of an effort to boost its ability to serve U.S. retailers. The company now has two 150,000-square-foot factories in Tianjin, one for dining and one that makes home office and entertainment, occasional tables, barstools and some dining.
-
Lyon, Equifax offer broader credit reports
Las Vegas— Lyon Mercantile Group is teaming with credit data giant Equifax to introduce what it calls the most comprehensive business credit information in the industry. Called the Enhanced Lyon Pride Credit Report, it will combine information from Lyon's database with Equifax's extensive commercial data to allow home furnishings and giftware providers to make informed credit risk decisions.
-
Several sources introduce lines with reclaimed wood
Las Vegas— Some case goods manufacturers and importers showing here last week were touting reclaimed wood, believing it will help dealers attract consumers seeking a certain look and a "green" story. The wood comes from a variety of sources, ranging from old barns in Louisiana to old bridges and mines in Russia.
-
Sustainable Furniture Council moving forward
Las Vegas— The Sustainable Furniture Council met with about 30 vendors, retailers and suppliers at the Four Hands showroom during market to update the industry on its plans. With a board of directors in place, the group is developing sustainability standards and promoting the use of sustainable raw materials in furniture.
-
Lexington taps Taylor-Smith for new post
Thomasville, N.C.— Lexington Home Brands has named Cheminne Taylor-Smith to the newly created post of director of marketing and communications, effective immediately. Most recently, Taylor-Smith was editor-in-chief of InFurniture Magazine, which was acquired in January by a competing trade magazine, Home Furnishings Business.
-
Lexington hires Wilson as executive consultant
Thomasville, N.C.— Industry veteran Steve Wilson has joined importer and manufacturer Lexington Home Brands as executive sales consultant. He has 30 years of sales experience in furniture, most recently as president of Durham Furniture. He also held management posts with Stanley and Universal, and previously spent 18 years in sales for Lexington, in both upholstery and case goods.
-
Ireland teams with Sleep Comfort for pillows
Carthage, Mo.— Kathy Ireland is expanding her reach in the bedding category with a line of pillows and sleep accessories from a Leggett & Platt division. Sleep Comfort Systems, part of L&P's Urethane Technologies division, has announced an agreement with the designer and marketer's company for a Kathy Ireland Home line of foam pillows, mattress toppers, support pillows and pads an...
-
Parrish launching photo studio
High Point— Interior design and photography consultant Diana Parrish is launching a photography studio near the heart of the furniture market area here. Diana Parrish Design and Photography is in a new building at 905 W. Market Center Drive. She is the sole owner. "This is a move I contemplated for years and a decision that many of my clients, business associates and friends have been urg...
-
Furniture World to liquidate
Salem, N.H.— The owner of Furniture World will soon begin liquidating his remaining furniture and leather upholstery specialty stores. Mark Bedrick, president and owner of the Salem, N.H.-based retailer, said going-out-of-business sales should start by the end of the month for Furniture World stores in Salem, Windham, Nashua and Manchester, N.
-
Austin starts Vietnam-based consultancy
Ho Chi Minh City— Industry veteran Randy Austin is opening a consulting firm here next month after easing out of his job at Theodore Alexander. In November, importer Paul Maitland-Smith International/Theodore Alexander said Austin was retiring as president and that Antony Maitland-Smith, nephew of founder Paul Maitland-Smith, would be the new president of PMI and president/general directo...
-
Palliser appoints Murillo vice president of sales
Winnipeg, Manitoba— Armando Murillo has joined Palliser as vice president of sales for the southern United States and Latin America. Murillo has worked in the furniture industry for 12 years at the retail and wholesale levels, in Mexico, the United States and Canada. He has worked for companies including retailers The Brick, based in Edmonton, Alberta, and Sit 'n Sleep, Montebello, Calif.
-
Crate & Barrel expanding facility
Lincolnton, N.C.— Specialty retailer Crate & Barrel will spend $8.4 million to expand its distribution center here from 211,000 to 383,000 square feet. The project will create at least 10 new jobs and will begin immediately, according to a Lincoln County Economic Develop Assn. press release.
-
Q: With the increased size of the World Market Center in Las Vegas, are you finding more variety in terms of product, styles and price points than you've seen in the past?
"Absolutely, just from the standpoint that more people are showing here, so you're going to see more product and more variety. And with Building C going up, it's only going to grow in that sense." Jeff Hosking, PMD Furniture Direct, Columbus, Ohio "This is my first market here, but this has the best selection I've seen in my career.
-
Mattress Firm acquired
Houston— J.W. Childs, a Boston-based private equity firm, and senior management of Mattress Firm here have acquired the Top 100 sleep shop chain from majority shareholder Sun Capital Partners and plan to speed up expansion. Terms weren't disclosed, but a Standard & Poor's report on Mattress Firm's holding company referred to a $450 million acquisition.
-
Study: New bed really helps
Alexandria, Va.— Want to reduce your back pain and stiffness? Try a new mattress. That's one of the more significant findings of what bedding leaders are hailing as a groundbreaking bedding study at Oklahoma State University. The study, published in the winter issue of the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, supports the importance of a new mattress in lowering back pain and stiffness.
-
Primo Designs taps Banister
High Point— Case goods importer Primo Designs has hired industry veteran David Banister as president and chief sales officer. David Ballard, who has been president for the past six years, was promoted to chief operating officer. Banister has been vice president of sales at Lexington Home Brands for two years.
- Obituaries
Obituaries
-
Ethan Allen sales, earnings fall
Danbury, Conn.— Ethan Allen's sales declined 6.7% in its second quarter ended Dec. 31 and earnings were 12.9% below the comparable period a year earlier, the retailer and manufacturer reported. Still, Chairman and CEO Farooq Kathwari said management was pleased with the company's performance in the latest quarter, which included operating income of 14.
-
Factory orders, shipments slip 8%
High Point— Furniture factory orders and shipments skidded to an 8% decline in November compared to the same month a year earlier, according to accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard. The weak month followed a relatively stronger October, when orders were down 2% and shipments were off just 3%.
-
Corrections
-
Excelsior expanding IHFC showroom
High Point— Contemporary furniture specialist Excelsior Designs is adding 2,800 square feet to its market showroom in the International Home Furnishings Center, bringing total square footage to about 13,000. The expanded space will display additions to the company's Nicole Miller Collection at the spring High Point Market, which starts March 26.
Opinion Today
-
Can't we all just get around (in Vegas)?
No one will challenge the success of the new market showcase — Building B — that the World Market Center folks opened for the market last week in Las Vegas. But that success was not clear-cut across all aspects of what makes or breaks a market. What appears to be an emerging industry consensus is that some homework concerning the market's infrastructure needs to be done.
Special Report
- Retail Bedding Spotlight
Specialists sell a wider mix of bedding
High Point— Bedding specialty stores sell a much higher percentage of specialty sleep products than do furniture stores, according to a retail bedding survey conducted by Furniture/Today. The survey shows that furniture stores have only minimal sales in the specialty sleep categories of airbeds, waterbeds, adjustable beds and futons, while bedding specialty retailers are doing much better...
-
Taiwanese producers aim to grow through niches
Taipei, Taiwan— Once the No. 1 import source for U.S. wood furniture, Taiwan fell off many buyers' radar screens in the early 1990s as mainland China began its rise to dominance. But despite the exodus of wood manufacturing across the strait that separates the two countries, Taiwan maintains an important role in global furniture sourcing, particularly in metal and glass furniture.
- Vegas Highlights
Vegas now a hub for rugs
Las Vegas— With the opening of World Market Center Building B last week, Las Vegas became a major venue for the rug business with some 30 permanent rug showrooms, up from about a dozen six months ago. Vendors here viewed the Las Vegas show as an opportunity to make deeper penetration into the Western states and further inroads into the furniture channel.
- Vegas Highlights
Occasional offerings abound
Las Vegas— Buyers seeking function and style had plenty to choose from at occasional and accent furniture vendors showing here last week. Thanks to larger showrooms and first-time exhibitors, there was more product to see, and that helped spur heavy showroom traffic. For some vendors, functionality was a key part of the marketing pitch.
- Vegas Highlights
Entertainment resources enjoy brisk activity
Las Vegas— Continuing to benefit from the consumer's love affair with flat-panel televisions, showrooms featuring entertainment furniture enjoyed brisk traffic and order-writing at market. Exhibitors said entertainment furniture remains a bright spot in an otherwise murky retail landscape, and said buyers were eager to develop programs that would allow them to piggyback onto electronics p...
- Vegas Highlights
Home office traffic heavy
Las Vegas— The excitement surrounding the opening of Building B in the World Market Center translated into heavy traffic for home office vendors. "We saw our first customer at 7:20 a.m. (Monday) and it was nonstop after that," said Vanessa Martinez, brand manager for Kathy Ireland Home by Martin.
- Vegas Highlights
Bedding exhibitors, buyers give rave reviews
Las Vegas— The strongest bedding market ever assembled got rave reviews last week from bedding makers and retailers alike. "This is the center of the bedding universe," said Roger Magowitz, president of retailer Mattress Discounters in Virginia Beach, Va. "I wasn't in a bedding showroom that wasn't mobbed.
- Vegas Highlights
BR resources see vibrant action
Las Vegas— The World Market Center is no longer High Point's little brother for many bedroom furniture exhibitors. Case goods sources showing here last week said they saw as many, if not more, buyers here than at the average High Point Market. The launch of Building B drew much attention — and checkbooks — to showrooms, prompting discussion and rumors about which wood companie...
- Vegas Highlights
Dining draws strong buyer interest
Las Vegas— Heavy traffic translated into strong interest in dining programs here. Exhibitors said they were pleased with attendance and buyer reception of their goods. At HomElegance, traffic was way up over last July and "significantly up" over January 2006, said Jamie Collins, vice president of sales and marketing, adding buyers placed orders, more so than in High Point.
- Vegas Highlights
Activity strong in upholstery
Las Vegas— Stationary upholstery manufacturers had strong praise for the strength of traffic and the volume of business here. "It was a writing market," said Richard Brodlieb, sales and marketing manager for Istikbal/Sunset International. From promotional to the high end, executives reported the market lived up to expectations.
- Vegas Highlights
Motion garners more serious interest
Las Vegas— Motion upholstery resources that rolled out new product and programs here last week were more than pleased with the results. Several resources that moved to the main World Market Center buildings said they were rewarded with a more serious audience. Roy Calcagne, senior vice president of Universal and president of sister upholstery producer Craftmaster, had shown in the tempora...
- Vegas Highlights
Casual dining sources come into focus on small spaces
Las Vegas— Differentiation and focus were the stories here for casual dining producers. Several cited a trend toward smaller cases for smaller spaces. Cochrane, in a new and larger space here, added a top-grain leather option for dining chair seats, and emphasized its strength as a solid wood resource.
- Vegas Highlights
Youth producers pleased
Las Vegas— Manufacturers in the youth category, including several making their Las Vegas Market debut, reported brisk business. Legacy Classic Kids was a first-time exhibitor and Jeff Stone, vice president of merchandising, youth and casual dining, said he was pleased with his Building B space.
- Vegas Highlights
Leather furniture resources report vigorous market
Las Vegas— Leather upholstery resources were pleased with their quick out-of-the gate start at last week's market here, and said it resulted in brisk order-writing. "I seriously cannot remember a market where there were this many people in our showroom at one time," said Evan Ritchie, distribution manager for Emerald Home Furnishings.
|
|
|
