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Furniture|Today > Archives > 06/04/2007 Issue
Table of Contents
Furniture|Today -- 06/04/2007

Bedding Today
  • Mattress Retailing 101
    New FR standard creates opportunity to boost sales
    Anew standard on fire-resistant mattresses offers the bedding industry an opportunity to add peace of mind to its long-established marketing messages of sleep quality and comfort. And it also offers the industry an unprecedented chance to significantly boost sales of bedding, according to consultant Don Hofmann.
  • Industry has mixed views on private equity players
    As one private equity company enters the bedding industry, another appears to be wrapping up its short and ill-fated venture into the world of mattresses. The role of private equity companies in the bedding industry is controversial. One body of opinion holds that those companies are too focused on financial issues and aren't a healthy force for our industry.

Editor's Desk
  • Good years the real anomaly?
    I'm sure you've heard the one about the two furniture retailers who were discussing business over drinks. One, who is having a tough time, says to the other, "Man, business is terrible. The consumer simply isn't buying furniture." The other, whose business is good, quips, "Oh, she's buying. She just isn't buying from you.

Industry Numbers
  • Williams-Sonoma profit off
    San Francisco— Top 100 company Williams-Sonoma, whose retail brands include Pottery Barn, said sales in its first quarter were 2.7% above last year's comparable period, but net income dropped more than 21%. The company blamed the earnings decline on increasing costs of goods sold and a sluggish retail environment that led to more price-oriented promotions.
  • L&P ups quarterly dividend
    Carthage, Mo.— Leggett & Platt has increased its quarterly stock dividend by 5.9% to 18 cents per share. The new dividend will be paid July 13 to shareholders of record on June 15. The components giant has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years, at an average compound annual growth rate of about 14%.
  • Sleep Country Canada sales climb 23.6%
    Toronto— Sleep Country Canada Income Fund said its three retail banners, two of which were acquired in last year's first quarter, posted a 23.6% sales increase in the first quarter. Net income for the specialty sleep shops advanced a more modest 8.3%. Sales were C$79.9 million in the quarter, up from C$64.
  • Amisco's 1Q sales decline 15.8% to C$7.5M
    L'Islet, Quebec— Metal furniture specialist Amisco Inds. said sales dropped 15.8% in its first quarter ended March 3, and the company incurred a net loss of C$93,424 or 2 Canadian cents per share. Sales in the latest quarter came to C$7.5 million, compared with C$8.9 million in last year's first quarter.
  • Owners confirm Leath will close, liquidate
    Atlanta— The owners of Leath Furniture have confirmed plans to shut down the entire chain after going-out-of-business sales that have already begun at most remaining stores. The Atlanta-based Top 100 company, with 18 Midwestern Leath stores and seven Modernage stores in Florida, was acquired last summer by SB Capital Group, a division of Schottenstein Stores, along with several Planned Fu...

Insider's View
  • Recalling 3 of the great, the quiet, the get-it-done heroes
    Please allow me to reflect on some of our industry's heroes that we've recently lost. Like most industries, we have some high-profile talking heads (like me!) but we're also blessed with some that are the good guys (and gals) that get things done, without a lot of fanfare. The loss of Bruce Lauritsen of Flexsteel hit very close to home.

News
  • High Point Market offers hotel discounts for Oct.
    High Point— The High Point Market Authority again has secured blocks of rooms at discounted rates for the fall market, Oct. 1–7. Thirty-six hotels in the Piedmont Triad region, all with easy access to the market, are taking part. Market attendees can book rooms online at www.highpointmarket.
  • Recycling program ready for Bella-Dura
    Garfield, N.J.— Wearbest Sil-Tex Mills, the maker of Bella-Dura performance fabrics, and yarn producer American Fibers and Yarns have developed a recycling program for Bella-Dura products. According to Wearbest, fabrics sent to American Fibers and Yarns' facility in Bainbridge, Ga., will enter a recycling stream that will produce a variety of goods.
  • Deadline July 20 for seeking '07 dumping funds
    Washington— U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking requests from U.S. furniture manufacturers who want to claim shares of antidumping monies that will be made available this year. In a filing on its Web site, Customs lists $57 million as a preliminary amount available for disbursement as of April 30, for fiscal year 2007.
  • Tietex launches imports brand
    High Point— Fabric supplier Tietex Interiors has launched a brand called TradeWinds to focus on its import offerings and help its customers manage their offshore sourcing. At the Showtime fabric show here this week, the company is offering 50 new patterns and 500 SKUs in TradeWinds in contemporary, transitional and traditional styles at medium price points.
  • Pachter forms fabric source
    Los Angeles— Textile industry veteran Bruce Pachter has formed a new fabric source here called Gen, through a partnership with Chinese mill Taolin. The company is exhibiting this week at Showtime in High Point in the Suites at Market Square, space 1–1244. Pachter, previously vice president of sales at fabric supplier Chris Stone, is president and CEO of Gen, and Lily Dai is executiv...
  • Sleepy's to pay $200K to settle complaints
    New York— Bedding retailer Sleepy's has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve complaints and settle deceptive sales charges, according to this city's Department of Consumer Affairs. A spokesman for Sleepy's said the retailer did not admit wrongdoing and "reached a business decision" to settle the case.
  • Home Meridian chooses High Point for home office
    High Point— Furniture importer Home Meridian International said last week it has selected High Point for its new corporate headquarters. Earlier, the High Point City Council authorized $200,000 in incentives to help attract Home Meridian, parent of Pulaski and SLF, to the city. The company's senior management, along with design, sourcing and marketing staff, will occupy the third floor of...
  • Collier rejoins La-Z-Boy after 2-year absence
    Monroe, Mich.— Doug Collier has returned to La-Z-Boy as vice president and chief marketing officer after a two-year stint at airbed maker Select Comfort. He was vice president, marketing at La-Z-Boy from 2002 to 2005, when he left to take a similar post at Select Comfort. As chief marketing officer for La-Z-Boy, Collier will be responsible for coordinating La-Z-Boy brand initiatives.
  • Novita Textile expanding U.S. market presence
    High Point— Novita Textile, a specialist in flocked upholstery fabric, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market. It is showing at Showtime here this week in Suites at Market Square, space 1–1002. "We have enjoyed great success in building an international base of customers," said President David Rahimi.
  • WoodMarc closing plant, will still import
    Winterset, Iowa— Bedroom furniture manufacturer WoodMarc Enterprises said today that it is closing its plant here, but will continue as a furniture importer with product it currently sources from China. CEO Jerry Ruff said the imported line has been growing and making money while sales of domestic product have shrunk and the business has been losing money.
  • Bombay fields sale offers
    Fort Worth, Texas— The Bombay Company said its financial adviser, William Blair & Co., had received several non-binding offers to purchase the troubled specialty retailer. Bombay officials stressed the offers were non-binding and were subject to "substantial due diligence." There is no assurance that any of the offers will ultimately lead to a sale, officials said.
  • Zia sells sleep, not just beds
    Eden Prairie, Minn.— Merchandising menu for a different type of sleep shop: Sleepwear, low-key alarm clocks, tea, CDs of soothing music, sleep books and candles. Oh, and mattresses too. Veteran furniture retailer Jim Gabbert is exploring the softer side of sleep wity Zia, his new-concept prototype store here.
  • Tannery Moore & Giles starts afresh
    Forest, Va.— Moore & Giles, a leather supplier established in nearby Lynchburg nearly 75 years ago, is diving headlong into the 21st century with a new president, a new accessories line and, soon, a roomier warehouse. "We see ourselves as a design resource for leather, specializing in interesting, unique articles," said R.
  • Franklin workers get damages
    Calhoun City, Miss.— A state court here has awarded $3.8 million in damages to four workers at Franklin Corp.'s upholstery plant who claimed they were exposed to dangerous levels of a toxic chemical while working on a glue line. The jury in the case awarded over $9.4 million — $1.925 million in compensatory damages and $7.
  • Joan auction set for June 26
    Wilmington, Del.— The assets of bankrupt former fabric powerhouse Joan Fabrics are scheduled to be sold at auction June 26, according to an order filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here. Rick Mikels, an attorney for Joan, said, "We've had a number of interested buyers." But he declined to name any potential bidders for the assets, which include real estate, inventory, receivables, intellectua...
  • High Point has dates thru 2015
    High Point— The High Point Market Authority has released dates through 2015 that will put the market back on an April and October schedule starting next year. Much like the schedule before the Market Authority went to March–September dates this year, the April dates will vary from early to late in the month, while the October dates fall in the last half of the month.
  • Beaston leaves FFDM; Philpott named CEO
    High Point— Geoff Beaston has resigned as CEO of importer Fine Furniture Design & Marketing to pursue a job in product development for Columbus, Ohio-based Top 100 store chain American Signature. Several industry sources confirmed last week that Beaston was joining the retailer's High Point design office.
  • Byrnes joins United Home Fabrics
    Charlotte, N.C.— Industry veteran Tom Byrnes has joined fabric supplier United Home Fabrics International here as a partner and executive vice president. The company is showing for the first time at Showtime in High Point this week in the Suites at Market Square, space 1–746. Byrnes, who has worked in sales, marketing and merchandising at fabric suppliers Mastercraft Fabrics and P/K...
  • Craftex consolidates design, shows 6 groups
    Blue Bell, Pa.— Craftex Mills has consolidated its residential design department at its headquarters here, shifting some operations from High Point. Meanwhile, the company is showing fabrics at Showtime in High Point, which runs through Wednesday, that highlight six key trends in home furnishings.
  • Moore & Giles launches men's leather goods line
    Forest, Va.— Leather supplier Moore & Giles has launched a men's fashion line of luggage, wallets, money clips and other Italian leather goods. "This is a natural progression for us," said D. Tray Petty, vice president of residential upholstery. "This division was not created as a byproduct for scrap.
  • ICFF rugs: Different world, different attitude, ultra pricey
    New York— Rugs shown at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair here seem to come from a different planet than those shown at more mainstream markets in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas. It's not just a matter of high-end product versus middle and low end. It's a difference in attitude.
  • Coja exits High Point, sets road shows
    Concord, Ontario— Canadian leather upholstery manufacturer Coja is pulling out of the High Point Market after 20 years and will instead show its product on the road. The company's ground floor showroom in High Point's Hamilton Square, HS-111, will be taken over by Laurent Leather, a Hickory, N.
  • Calif. lawmakers vote down tougher formaldehyde limits
    Sacramento, Calif.— California lawmakers have voted down a bill that could have further cracked down on formaldehyde emissions from engineered wood products. The California Air Resources Board, or CARB, voted April 26 to impose tighter rules on formaldehyde vapors coming from plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard.
  • SPSC to combine with ISPA
    Alexandria, Va.— The Sleep Products Safety Council, a non-profit organization established by the mattress industry in 1986, will combine its operations with the International Sleep Products Assn., according to ISPA officials. They said the move will bring broader industry involvement and support to the SPSC's safety and research agenda.
  • Nation, Eitel in top ISPA posts
    Alexandria, Va.— Spring Air President Jim Nation has been elected chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn.'s board of directors, and Simmons Chairman Charlie Eitel has been elected vice chairman. Dick Doyle remains the trade association's president, and Bob Bobowski is treasurer. "I look forward to continuing the fine work of the many industry leaders who have preceded me in exp...
  • Finger Furniture's plans point to aggressive growth
    Sugar Land, Texas— Retailer Finger Furniture took the occasion of its annual charity golf event to give the industry an early look at its new high-tech distribution center, and to update attendees on its unprecedented expansion plans. The Top 100 store is moving into a roughly 400,000-square-foot distribution center and headquarters here that can be expanded to 500,000 square feet.
  • Englander taps Toman
    Billerica, Mass.— Kevin Toman, hired last week as president of Englander Sleep Products, says the group is aiming to expand its presence with major bedding retailers. Englander's licensees run "good local businesses, but they have never had a national presence," said Toman. "They have not been dominant with big-box retailers.
  • Riverside names pres.
    Fort Smith, Ark.— Case goods manufacturer and importer Riverside Furniture has promoted Scott Ostrander to president. Longtime leader Howard "Buddy" Spradlin, who had held the post, will remain CEO. The company also named Fred Henjes, a Riverside sales representative since 1989, to the new position of senior vice president of sales and marketing, and has promoted Mike Charlton to senior v...

Opinion Today
  • Who will pay eco-friendly premium?
    There's an apparent groundswell taking place in home furnishings and furniture. It's the whole eco movement, whether organic, friendly, sustainable or renewable. The buzz words are flying thick and fast. At the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, it seemed that if stuff for the home wasn't eco-sensitive in some way, it was no good.

Special Report
  • Stationary Upholstery
    POP tools help stores stir upholstery sales
    High Point— From point-of-purchase materials to special displays, upholstered furniture manufacturers have initiated a variety of programs to help retailers with product sell-through. Particularly now, with business in the tank, stores are looking for whatever help they can get, whether it's on the scale of an Ashley or La-Z-Boy or a more modest approach.

Store Openings
  • England opens N.C., Ind. galleries
    New Tazewell, Tenn.— Custom upholstery manufacturer England has unveiled galleries in stores in North Carolina and Indiana. Ashby's Furniture in Raleigh, N.C., has dedicated 4,000 square feet of its 22,000-square-foot store to an England Custom Comfort Center. Owners Rachel and Steve Ashby have another store in nearby Durham, and have been in business for 30 years.
  • Zocalo installs two
    San Francisco— Case goods and leather upholstery importer Zocalo has installed galleries in stores in Arkansas and California. Swank Furniture, owned by Wade Quinn III, in Jonesboro, Ark., has a 2,200-square-foot Zocalo Living gallery in its 7,750-square-foot store. The gallery features groups from the Milano, Revelle, Ariel and Madison collections.

Supplement
  • Global Textiles Today
    Green movement represents fabric opportunity
    Green and sustainable product is the biggest issue at Showtime 2007 this week in High Point and I believe it's the best thing to happen to this market segment in a long time. It gives us a product with a benevolent environmental story that resonates with consumers and for which they are willing to pay a premium.
  • Global Textiles Today
    Nature's bounty
  • Global Textiles Today
    Dressed to sell
  • Global Textiles Today
    A matter of balance
  • Global Textiles Today
    Skins are in
  • Global Textiles Today
    Strong marriages
  • Global Textiles Today
    Flowering beauties
  • Global Textiles Today
    Showtime fabric introductions
    Shuttles run between all venues and the buyer parking lot on Green Street between Elm Street and Lindsay Street. Key: MS = Market Square; MSTT = Market Square Textile Tower; SAMS = Suites at Market Square The following information, provided by the fabric producers, includes marketing objectives and/or descriptions of product introductions and booth locations for Summer Showtime, June 2007.

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