|
|
|
|
Furniture|Today -- 08/13/2007
Bedding Today
-
Sealy executive's book explores life, death, hope
If you've come to this space looking for insights on the latest bedding trends, you're out of luck this week. But if you want to learn something about how to live life more fully, how to appreciate what really matters, you've come to the right place. Our life lessons come from John O'Shaughnessy's first book, "The Greatest Gift: A Return to Hope.
- Mattress Retailing 101
Mattress Expo shares secrets of its success
Atlanta— Mattress Expo marked its seventh year in business earlier this summer, an event that the company's owners, focused on the challenges of running a metro sleep shop chain, failed to remember until after the date had passed. "We didn't realize it until later," admitted David Shapiro, manager of the 25-unit retailer.
- Mattress Retailing 101
How does Lynn Lewis sell a bed?
Atlanta— "How do I sell a bed?" Lynn Lewis begins. "I say, 'Welcome to Mattress Expo'" And then she starts the process of building rapport with her customers, finding out how they are sleeping and what they are looking for in a new mattress. "I listen to the customer very carefully," Lewis said.
Editor's Desk
-
Just how low should we go?
I know that what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there, but something occurred while I was in town for the summer furniture market that was important enough to smuggle out of town. As I was walking into the World Market Center, I looked up and saw Ann Navarra of San Diego-based retailer Jerome's Furniture.
Industry Numbers
-
Easyhome profits double
Edmonton, Alberta— Easyhome, this country's largest rent-to-own merchant, said second-quarter revenues shot up 20.7% to C$35 million, and net income doubled to C$2.8 million, or 26 Canadian cents per share. Same-store sales advanced 8.6% in the quarter, but the company reported a loss of C$600,000 from stores open less than 12 months, and losses in its financial services and U.
-
Select Comfort 2Q net income drops 72.8%
Minneapolis— Select Comfort's net income plunged 72.8% in the second quarter as sales declined 5% from the comparable 2006 quarter, the airbed manufacturer and retailer reported last week. A same-store sales decline of 14% offset sales growth from a net 48 new company-owned stores added in the past 12 months.
-
Dorel 2Q sales up 5.3%, but furniture still slumping
Montreal— While total sales climbed moderately for consumer goods giant Dorel Inds. in the second quarter and first half, revenues in its home furnishings segment continued to slump as retail weakness prompted several customers to cut orders. Total second-quarter revenues came to $459 million, up 5.
Insider's View
-
Boomers have money but they aren't alone
One of my pet peeves is the way people marketing to Americans categorize us into competing sub-groups, not just in large groups by age, sex, income, race, religion and so forth. If some had their wishes, we'd be subdivided into groups supposedly pitted against each other, such as domestic vs. foreign cars, NASCAR vs.
News
-
More muscle for premarket
High Point— Contrary to popular opinion, premarket is not dead. In fact, it has gained traction thanks to the efforts of a number of major manufacturers who have helped organize and give more structure to the event, set for Aug. 20–21 here. Sixteen major companies will be open for premarket, according to a list released by High Point Market Authority leader Brian Casey.
-
Ashley celebrates milestone
Las Vegas— For Ashley leader Ron Wanek, passing the $3 billion mark in wholesale sales is more than a stellar accomplishment. It's truly unique, since his company, driven by a relentless desire to get better and better, is the first furniture company to do so. "We want to continually improve everything we do," he said.
-
Tupelo expects strong 20th show
Tupelo, Miss.— The Tupelo Furniture Market will celebrate its 20th anniversary next week as it tries to rebound from an admittedly weak market in January. Market organizers say they are encouraged by the large number of pre-registrations and Tupelo-area hotel reservations, and they are looking for a robust event despite a sales slump that has dogged the home furnishings industry for the p...
-
Toronto show begins run
Toronto— This country's only midyear furniture market began its three-day run today with some 35 permanent showrooms in and around the International Center here taking part. Organized by the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn., the Toronto Summer Furniture Show is an informal event designed for independent retailers who don't always travel to markets in High Point or Las Vegas but still...
-
Fire marshals endorse AFHA's fire-safety plan
Washington— The National Assn. of State Fire Marshals has endorsed a plan set forth recently at an American Home Furnishings Alliance-sponsored meeting to create a mandatory federal fire-safety standard for upholstered furniture. The NASFM, which represents senior fire officials nationwide, also said it supports the furniture industry's backing of legislation that would allow the U.
-
Over 100 escape review
Washington— The U.S. Department of Commerce has agreed to forego administrative reviews of over 100 Chinese makers of wood bedroom furniture, which means most of them will retain their current antidumping duty rate of 6.65%. The companies had been targeted for a review of bedroom product they shipped to the United States during 2006.
-
Primo shows in China
Montreal— Primo International, a Canadian-based resource for mattresses, case goods and upholstery, has opened a 15,000-square-foot showroom in Dongguan, China. Primo sources many of its goods from factories in the Dongguan area, and the new showroom will serve as a one-stop shop for its dealers, the company said.
-
'Randy' Hurst, retired retailer
Newland, N.C.— Industry veteran William Randolph "Randy" Hurst, retired owner and operator of retailer Traders in Jacksonville, Fla., has died. He was 96. Hurst entered the industry in Jacksonville as a salesman with Sterchi Bros. in 1930. He then went to Rhodes, leaving to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
-
Spence Warren, Perfection pres.
San Antonio— Industry veteran Spence Warren, 78, a sales representative and later a founder and president of North Carolina upholstery maker Perfection Furniture, has died. His began his career in the 1950s as a manufacturer's rep for Bernhardt and its Flair upholstery division. Later, he repped the living room division of Simmons, and also Knob Creek.
-
Ashley suing Lifestyle
Arcadia, Wis.— Ashley Furniture Inds. here has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against case goods and leather upholstery importer Lifestyle Enterprise, alleging the latter used patented designs on beds, mirrors and dressers. The action, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, claims the Lifestyle products infringe on U.
-
KI/Martin suffers fire damage
Tijuana, Mexico— A fire destroyed one of three buildings in the Kathy Ireland Home by Martin production complex here. The 50,000-square-foot building contained the finishing, boxing and assembly departments as well as some administrative offices, the company said. KI/Martin anticipates shipping delays over the next three to four weeks on its Mexican-made goods, said Karl Eulberg, vice pre...
-
England closes California facility
Stockton, Calif.— Midpriced upholstery producer England, a division of La-Z-Boy, has closed a manufacturing facility here. The 100,000-square-foot plant opened in 1999 and employed 54 people at the time of its closing, said President Rodney England. He said the crux of the problem at the plant was high rent, three to four times the company's rates in Tennessee, along with generally higher...
- Obituaries
Eli Erhlich, Preview Furniture founder
Aventura, Fla.— Eli Erhlich, who founded upholstery source Preview Furniture and was well known for contemporary/modern designs, has died here after a four-month illness. He was 76. Erhlich founded High Point-based Preview in 1979, after holding sales posts with other contemporary manufacturers.
-
Nov. Beijing show expanding
Beijing— The 10th China International Furniture, Woodworking Machinery and Wood Products Exhibition is expanding, thanks to growing interest and demand. This year's event, set for Nov. 15–17, will occupy eight halls, or 460,000 square feet of space, at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.
-
GMHFA sponsoring Chicago market
Chicago— The Greater Midwest Home Furnishings Assn. is sponsoring the New Chicago Furniture Market, which opens tomorrow and ends Aug. 16. Over 25 exhibitors are scheduled to show in a 35,000-square-foot building the GMHFA is rented at 276 Geneva Road in Wheaton, Ill. The market is open each day from 10 a.
Opinion Today
-
Gallery stores fine-tune assortments
The news that Klaussner plans to launch another dedicated store chain brings into focus once more the growing strength of, and changing attitudes about, manufacturers' gallery stores. The Klaussnerhome concept is yet another in a series of new approaches to get consumers' attention, and the approach appears to be in synch with many of its successful competitors, involving more than simply pushi...
People Today
-
People Today
Executives Moe's Home Collection Richmond, Calif. — Glenda Ray has been named chief operating officer of Moe's Home Collection Wholesale Division, reporting to Moe Samieian Sr., founder and CEO of the accent furniture resource. Ray previously worked at CBK for 12 years, first as national sales manager and the last five as vice president of marketing, responsible for all showrooms, licensi...
Special Report
- Salary Scorecard
Exercising options takes many over $1 million
High Point— Exercising stock options made many senior furniture executives fiscally fit in 2006, helping push nearly three dozen past the $1 million mark in total compensation. Of the 34 executives whose compensation exceeds $1 million, the majority wouldn't have hit the seven-figure mark without exercising options.
- Las Vegas Report
Casual dining sources pleased
Las Vegas— Casual dining vendors appeared satisfied with the summer market here, but were keeping a close eye on a slew of uncertainties in China, a wobbly U.S. economy and a weak dollar. A few raised prices here, and those that held the line said they probably would have to pass on higher costs soon.
- Las Vegas Report
Choosing sides in bonded leather
Las Vegas— Most leather upholstery producers have chosen sides in the continuing controversy over bonded leather, based on a sampling of exhibitors showing here. Some sources are testing a single frame in a bonded leather cover, yet others refuse to touch it. The new alternative cover is hitting retail floors now, said Alan Naness, president of Design Resources, a distributor of this newl...
- Las Vegas Report
Metal beds prove active
Las Vegas— Market started slow in metal bed showrooms here, but picked up later in the week to give the category a good week. At Wesley Allen, the company saw large and small dealers, with strong attendance from California, Arizona, Utah and even some New England states. Wesley Sawan, the company's director of private branding, said order writing was nearly as strong as the January market.
- Las Vegas Report
Kids: Full beds, darker finishes
Las Vegas— Youth furniture resources exhibiting at the summer market here responded to consumer demands with offerings that included more full beds and darker finishes. At Furniture Basics, for example, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Keith Covey said his best-selling bed is a twin over full, and when it comes to finishes, natural finishes are waning.
- Las Vegas Report
Buyers laud new products, smooth shopping in Vegas
Las Vegas— Retailers who shopped the furniture market here last week were impressed by new products and deals, and by the World Market Center's efforts to make their shopping smooth and enjoyable. Houston-based Gallery Furniture has been shopping here for some time, but it was the first visit for owner Jim McIngvale, who was wowed by a venue he called "dynamic.
- Las Vegas Report
Entertainment sources aim to help stores boost business
Las Vegas— As the busy season for television sales looms, entertainment furniture resources rolled out a bevy of new products here in hopes of providing dealers with an equal number of furniture sales opportunities. Exhibitors said they believe the boom in flat-panel television sales is far from over, and that the surge should continue to drive sales of related furniture despite the indus...
- Las Vegas Report
Occasional scores with Western touch
Las Vegas— Occasional furniture vendors showing here showcased rustic styles featuring heavy grain patterns and distressed finishes, aiming to attract orders particularly from Western buyers. For many, the strategy resulted in brisk order-writing. Kathy Ireland Home by Standard Furniture had its strongest occasional market in Las Vegas to date, with 10 new groups, up from a high of six in...
- Top 25 Bedding Retailers
Select Comfort remains unchallenged as No. 1
High Point— The country's three largest bedding retailers each recorded strong gains in 2006 and retain their market-leading positions. Airbed retailer Select Comfort remains unchallenged as the No. 1 bedding retailer in the country. Its revenues jumped 15% last year to $676 million, almost $250 million ahead of its nearest rival.
- Top 25 Bedding Retailers
Specialty stores flex muscles
High Point— Bedding specialty stores, the largest channel of distribution in the bedding arena, once again flexed their muscles last year. The bedding stores on this year's list — ranked by bedding revenues in 2006 — together posted a 17.7% sales gain, easily the best by any bedding distribution channel.
- Top 25 Bedding Retailers
About the numbers
High Point— This exclusive survey ranks the Top 25 bedding retailers based on estimated 2006 sales of conventional mattresses and boxsprings, as well as foam bedding, futons, air beds, adjustable beds and waterbeds. Estimated figures do not include sales of headboards, frames, mattress pads, pillows and other related products.
|
|
|
