|
|
|
|
Furniture|Today -- 02/18/2008
Bedding Today
-
Don't hesitate to register for Bedding Conference
Two exciting keynote speakers. Top mattress retailers. Top retail consultants. The industry's largest producers. Those are some of the key ingredients that will be making up the menu of educational sessions during the third Furniture/Today Bedding Conference, set for May 14–16 at the Ritz-Carlton golf resort in Naples, Fla.
Editor's Desk
-
One 'newcomer' who really gets us
Up until this guy came along, it was generally accepted that newcomers to the furniture business, especially those from the financial community, never really "got us," much less made a difference. But that was before Bill Colgrove, the general manager of Furniture Values International, the distributor for Aspenhome, arrived on the scene in 2001.
Industry Numbers
-
Flexsteel profit up
Dubuque, Iowa— Changes in product mix and better cost controls have continued to help Flexsteel Inds., which reported Thursday that its fiscal second-quarter profit was up 32.6% on essentially flat sales. The manufacturer and importer posted earnings of $1.9 million or 28 cents per share in the quarter ended Dec.
-
IHFC revenues flat, profit off 4.4% in '07
High Point— The International Home Furnishings Center, the city's largest showroom complex, said its revenues were essentially flat during its last fiscal year, but net income declined 4.4% due largely to higher operating expenses. The big building, whose financial statements were included in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Feb.
-
Ethan Allen sales up in 2Q, earnings down 9.5%
Danbury, Conn.— Ethan Allen's sales rose 0.8% in the fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 31 but higher costs sent earnings down 9.5%, the manufacturer and retailer reported. Same-store sales at Ethan Allen design centers slipped 0.6% from the comparable 2006 quarter, the company said. While net earnings declined to $20.
-
Amisco 4Q sales fall 12.3%
L'Islet, Quebec— Metal furniture specialist Amisco reported lower sales and earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter, amid souring economic conditions and the continuing challenges posted by an ever-stronger Canadian dollar. Sales of C$7.1 million in the three months ended Nov. 30 were down 12.3% from the same period the previous year.
News
-
Industry veteran Green writes book on retailing
St. Petersburg, Fla.— When Jim Green took an entry-level job at retailer Kane's Furniture in 1975, he had to learn about the industry on his own. Sure, his boss taught him the basics of his job, some industry details, and specifics about St. Petersburg-based Kane's. And his boss told him stories about how the industry had changed.
-
Caye promotes Ty Hester
New Albany, Miss.— Ty Hester, previously head of sales and marketing for Caye Home Furnishings, has been named president of the upholstery and case goods resource and will head day-to-day operations in the United States and Canada. He succeeds his father, Herb Hester, previously president and CEO.
-
Great American, Hudson managing Domain liquidation
Norwood, Mass.— Liquidation of retailer Domain Home began last week as a bankruptcy court cleared the way for the sale. Liquidators Great American Group, the stalking horse bidder, and Hudson Capital Partners are jointly managing the sale. Hudson executives became minority investors in Domain when it was acquired from Aga Foodservice last year.
-
ITC continuing innerspring investigation
Washington— The U.S. International Trade Commission has voted to continue an investigation of innerspring units shipped into the country from China, South Africa and Vietnam. The ITC determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with injury by imports of uncovered innerspring units from China, South Africa and Vietnam that allege...
-
TEI facility improves business
Tupelo, Miss.— Tupelo exhibitor Tennessee Enterprises Inc. says its operations are running smoother thanks to consolidating into one larger distribution center last year. TEI had four warehouses around its home base in Chattanooga, Tenn. The company completed its move into a single, larger complex last summer, and has had a few months to get the hang of the facility.
-
Container-direct Prestige Motion to debut in Tupelo
Mays Landing, N.J.— Michael Parasmo will launch his container-direct mid-priced motion seating company, Prestige Motion, at the Tupelo Market this month. Parasmo most recently was an equity owner in motion specialist PeopLoungers from 1999 to 2007. He has been in the industry for 36 years, starting in retail and then as a sales representative.
-
Room Inspirations to show 9 new groups in Tupelo
Tupelo, Miss.— Room Inspirations says it has seen strong growth in its container-direct motion upholstery business, spurred by the addition of bonded leather covers two years ago. "Ninety-nine percent of our value is in bonded leather," Vice President Bo Johnson said. The company also offers polyurethane and a smattering of leather covers.
-
Tupelo has high hopes
Tupelo, Miss.— Tupelo market officials and exhibitors are hopeful that this week's winter market here will be a repeat of markets elsewhere this year, where traffic and order writing have been far better than expected. "Even with all the realities that exist — the 'R' word, the soft retail environment, $3 a gallon gas, mortgages — other markets have had some order writing," sa...
-
Robb & Stucky glitters in Vegas
Las Vegas— If the shoppers coming through Robb & Stucky's first showroom here during the grand opening weekend are any indication of the store's reach, then leaders Clive Lubner and Fred Berk should be beaming. Berk, president of the Fort Myers, Fla.-based upscale chain, saw everything from strollers to wheelchairs moving through the new 93,000-square-foot, two-level store.
-
Darrow: La-Z-Boy poised to prosper
Monroe, Mich.— When Kurt Darrow became CEO of La-Z-Boy about 4½ years ago, the company was getting two-thirds of its upholstery fabric from three large U.S. suppliers. Most of its case goods were produced at more than a half-dozen domestic factories. And bankruptcy news wasn't dominating the industry headlines.
-
News From Casual Living
Homecrest resumes under new ownership Casual furniture maker Home-crest Outdoor Living began manufacturing this month in a Wadena, Minn., plant that Homecrest had closed last October after its efforts to refinance or find a buyer failed. Serving as president of the new company is Mike Bullinger, a key investor and CPA who owns and operates manufacturing and distribution companies in the home im...
-
American to rebound
Ecru, Miss.— Promotional upholstery maker American Furniture expects to resume manufacturing operations within two weeks, bouncing back after a fire last week that destroyed much of its factory complex here. President Lyle Harris said that the day after the fire, company officials were looking for other manufacturing space.
-
Preliminary '06 duties out
Washington— U.S. Department of Commerce officials have released the preliminary antidumping duty rates for the second administrative review of Chinese wood bedroom producers. The review covers wood bedroom furniture shipments made during 2006.
-
Furniture Brands hires Steelcase legal officer
St. Louis— Lynn Chipperfield, whose service at Furniture Brands International stretches back to when it was known as Interco, will retire after 25 years at the furniture manufacturer and importer, the company announced last week. Replacing him as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary is Jon Botsford, most recently senior vice president, secretary and chief legal officer for...
-
Carlitz buys Eastman House
North Brunswick, N.J.— Bedding veteran Stuart Carlitz has acquired the Eastman House mattress brand from a private equity firm and says he plans to build the brand across the country. In addition to owning bedding brand Eclipse International, Carlitz, who is based here, also is a Therapedic licensee.
-
ADL to honor industry leaders
New York— Two industry leaders and a top retailer will receive the Anti-Defamation League's home furnishings industry honors at the ADL's annual ceremony here June 5. Michael Amini, founder and CEO of AICO/Amini Innovation Corp., and Atlanta-based retailer Havertys, led by President Clarence Smith, will each receive the American Heritage Award, presented for "unwavering commitment to huma...
-
WithIt names Mullis-Brittain 2008 president
Greensboro, N.C.— Industry women's group WithIt has named Tiffany Mullis-Brittain, director of communications for Vanguard Furniture, as its president for 2008 She succeeds outgoing president Kelly Peterson, group advertising director for Hearst Integrated Media, who moves to board chairman. Mullis-Brittain will spearhead the 2008 board's charge to develop its leadership and outreach role...
-
Habersham plans Hearst line
Toccoa, Ga.— Habersham will introduce a licensed collection this spring based on the opulent California home of the late media mogul William Randolph Hearst. The case goods company, known for its hand-painted and hand-finished furniture, will launch the Hearst Castle Collection from Habersham at the April High Point Market.
-
Berkline's Eckard retiring Feb. 29
Morristown, Tenn.— Dal Eckard will retire Feb. 29 as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of motion and stationary upholstery manufacturer Berkline BenchCraft, the company has announced. Eckard joined Berkline BenchCraft in 1995 and headed its sales and marketing team during a period of significant growth, the company said.
-
Standard changes guard
Bay Minette, Ala.— Longtime Standard Furniture Chairman Bob Hodgson is retiring after more than six decades at the case goods company. Billy Hodgson, who has been president and CEO, will become chairman. Mike Peters, who has been chief financial officer, becomes president and CEO. Both men have been with the company for 29 years.
-
High Point premarket adds 9 new sponsors
High Point— Once on the decline, High Point's premarket is rebounding with nine new sponsors for the next event, set for March 3–4. Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority, met with some key manufacturers and building owners last spring and began planning for a renewed premarket with financial support for hotel rooms for many retailers.
Opinion Today
-
When going gets tough, blame gets assigned
This year's economy is off to a slow start and furniture is no exception. And when things are going bad, people start pointing fingers. I have a sister who is two years older. Whenever my parents came down hard on us, my sister would blame me. If she still got in trouble, I would pay for it later because I was the only one she could boss around.
-
Hunkering down not the best tactic for success
It's strange that everybody seemed pretty cheerful at the recent round of winter markets, in spite of all the gloomy news about the economy. Why the dissonance between the upbeat market attitude and the downbeat news? I asked my husband, a rug industry veteran who attended the Las Vegas Market with me, what he thought about this disconnect.
People Today
-
Douglas names Adilman, Kirsch sales reps of year
El Segundo, Calif.— Manufacturer and importer Douglas Furniture of California named Ron Adilman and David Kirsch its 2007 Sales Reps of the Year for the Eastern and Western divisions, respectively, at the Las Vegas Market. Adilman has been with Douglas for 25 years and represents Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
- People on the Move
People on the Move
Sales/Marketing Leather Italia USA Leland, N.C. — Manufacturer Leather Italia USA has added sales representation to fuel the growth of its domestic quick ship express programs. Greg Jarvis is representing the newly added territories of Nebraska and Iowa, and special premier dealers. Reps who have taken over existing territories include: Gray and Blaine Harvey, North and South Carolina; Ma...
Special Report
- Retail Technology
Q: What do you see as the most important issue in 2008 as it relates to your business, and why?
High Point— By far, the greatest issue facing the home furnishings industry in 2008 is staying alive for another year. That's keeping a lot of people awake at night, and retail technology vendors are among those reaching for the Ambien. With money tight, prospective stores are hesitant to plunk down thousands of dollars for new software platforms, even knowing that the return on investmen...
- Behind the Design
Innovation, inspiration in Birmingham
Birmingham, England— Innovative products, design trends and inspirational exhibits were featured at the 2008 Interiors Birmingham, the largest design exhibition in England. The show has nearly doubled in size since last year, with more than 1,300 exhibitors covering 12 halls of the NEC Birmingham Convention Center this January.
- Product Introductions
Fresh product on tap for Tupelo Market
TB = Tupelo Building MB = Mississippi Building All prices retail. ACME Furniture MB B-204-208 Featuring stationary, motion, recliners, club chairs, sectionals and home theater seating groups. Imported from China in all-leather, leather-match and microfiber covers. AICO TB 6018 Vizcava, 25 case goods pieces and six upholstered pieces influenced by northwestern Mediterranean region; birch solids ...
Store Openings
-
La-Z-Boy sets up shop in 4 U.S., Canadian locations
Monroe, Mich.— La-Z-Boy has opened La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores in Ohio, Illinois, Washington and Quebec. In Warrensville Heights, Ohio, an 18,584-square-foot store has opened on Richmond Road. Ted Durdel is the store owner. In Bolingbrook, Illinois, a 17,894-square-foot store has opened on East Boughton Road.
Supplement
- Exclusive Survey: Casual vs. Formal
The casual dining wave
High Point— If there's one trend most retailers who sell casual dining could agree on it's the upward swell of sales in casual dining versus a downward one in formal, according to Furniture/Today's exclusive Retail Dining Survey. In the survey, retailers reported increased casual dining sales from more dressy looks in the category while others reported increasing sales from gathering- and...
|
|
|
