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Furniture Retail Organizations Join Forces
January 2,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
by Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on 2013-01-03
The National Home Furnishings Association, Western Home Furnishings Association and Home Furnishings Independents Association are merging.
The announcement from furniture retailing's three largest industry associations gathers more than 2,000 businesses representing more than 10,000 storefronts, and comes after months of collaboration among the organizations' three boards. Members will vote on the merger for final approval. Upon sanctioning by the members, the alliance will be named the North American Home Furnishings Association.¨¨This collaborative effort brings the furniture retail industry under one umbrella to create a new resource for furniture retailers.
Current NHFA President Marc Schewel, president of Schewel's Furniture, Staunton, Va., endorsed the merger saying, This move eliminates confusion, competition and duplication of resources. Its a total win for our industry and particularly retailers."
Howard Haimsohn, president of Lawrance Furniture in San Diego and past president of both NHFA and WHFA, echoed Schewel's sentiments: This is an amazing opportunity to pool the strengths of all of these organizations, he said. It brings the best retailers, best minds and best practices together. This is going to be a positive for every aspect of our business.
¨¨Providing a unified voice, the organization will allow those in the industry to work more cohesively as well as increase negotiating power and cost efficiency. Three offices will serve the organization with locations in the East, West and Central United States.
An array of plans include a new Web site, a new publication, launched last spring; enhanced regional interaction, fresh educational offerings, innovative best practices resources and data and opportunities for retailers to get involved.
Each of these groups has something unique and beneficial to contribute," said Steve Kidder of Vermont Furniture Galleries, past chairman of HFIA and a current member of both NHFA and HFIA. "The collaboration gives everyone in the furniture business an exceptional support system.