Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 6, 2010
Mary Helen Uusimaki has joined the International Sleep Products Association as vice president of membership and communications.
Uusimaki has more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, customer service and retention, and a demonstrated ability to identify the evolving interests and diverse needs of national and international clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations and trade associations. Her experience spans the sales and service spectrum to include communications, grassroots campaigns, and business development.
"Mary Helen's proven track record of building rapport and trust with new and existing clients will strengthen ISPA's ability to develop and retain mattress industry members, which are the very lifeblood of an organization like ours," said ISPA President Ryan Trainer. "Mary Helen will help us make sure that ISPA is listening to and serving our members' needs."
Prior to joining ISPA, Uusimaki worked with the Washington Speakers Bureau representing thought leaders, authors, journalists, and other prominent figures in business, government, professional sports, and entertainment. Her focus was on customer growth and retention as well as employee development. Earlier in her career, Uusimaki worked in sales and recruiting positions.
"I am thrilled with this new opportunity and look forward to contributing to ISPA's growth and success," Uusimaki said. "I understand the importance of communicating customer value to new and existing clients. I look forward to meeting the industry and learning how the ISPA team can better serve their needs during these changing times."
October 5,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Home Theater on October 6, 2010
Altra Furniture plans to give away a top-line wide-screen television stand to the neediest contestant with the "Worst Home Theater Set Up Ever" contest.
Research on social network and photo sites indicates to Altra, Wright City, Mo., that there are thousands of home theater consumers still living with terrible furniture set ups in their family rooms. Those include makeshift TV stands made from inferior materials, plastic milk crates, Mom's old dresser, cold steel and glass TV stands.
Altra's contest seeks to raise consumer awareness about the problem.
Contest entrants looking for a home theater revamp have six weeks to submit their visual evidence. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 12. Entrants must submit no more than three photos depicting how dreadful their home theater set up really is.
Voting begins Nov. 13, 2010, and the public can vote for their favorite "worst home theater" until Nov. 26. A panel of judges will take the top five worst home theater stands voted for and pick the number one worst home theater system ever as the winner. The winner will receive a top-selling TV stand sold at a national retailer.
Contestants can submit their photos here.
October 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on October 5, 2010
Leather upholstery vendor Natuzzi Editions will launch its first consumer rebate program this fall.
Shoppers for leather upholstery will eligible to receive a $100 mail-in rebate with their minimum purchase of $2,010 of Natuzzi Editions product at retail, the first ever promotion of its kind from Natuzzi. The inaugural Natuzzi Editions 2010 National Rebate Program was created to support retail sales and dealer advertising in the U.S. and Canada for purchases made from Nov. 1 through Nov. 15.
In addition to supplying the cash incentive for consumers, Natuzzi will advertise the event nationally in prominent sections of two editions of USA Today on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5, timed to coincide with the U.S. midterm election coverage.
"The rebate program gives Natuzzi Editions dealers a unique opportunity to leverage our national advertising efforts in their own markets," said Joe Mussalem, president of Natuzzi Americas. "It's also an excellent way for us to support our retailers by adding weight to the advertising message and helping to drive traffic to their stores.
"We are investing to build awareness for the event and the local advertising by our retailers will guide the consumer to Natuzzi products at the point of purchase. The initial response from our customers at pre-Market in High Point was very positive and we expect to have a successful effort our first time out."
Participating dealers will have access to downloadable advertising, direct mail and other materials for use in local print media and at point of sale, through a dedicated Natuzzi Editions brand advertising support microsite.
Dealers should contact their representatives for additional information including consumer eligibility requirements. A branded Natuzzi Editions Visa cash card worth $100 will be mailed to qualifying shoppers within 8 to 10 weeks of rebate mail-ins received by Natuzzi up to March 31, 2011. Proof of delivery is required.
October 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on October 5, 2010
There's still time to sign up for today's Webinar discussing the synergies between home furnishings and consumer electronics.
The live event, today at 2 p.m., will feature Larry Klaban, president of Fairborn, Ohio-based Morris Home Furnishings; and Bill Hale, vice president of sales for DSI Systems.
Sponsored by DSI Systems, a distributors of consumer electronics, and the High Point Market Authority, the hour-long Webinar will discuss strategies for incorporating televisions and other home theater technologies onto the retail sales floor.
Sign up to join the Webinar, and learn how consumer electronics can impact your sales floor.
October 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 5, 2010
Hooker Furniture (NASDAQ-GS: HOFT) has tapped Sandi Teague for the new position of director of merchandising-Hooker Upholstery.
Teague is responsible for fabric selection for Hooker Upholstery companies Sam Moore and Bradington-Young, along with product design, photography, cataloging, showroom display and promotions.
Teague's leadership in the new position will "encourage collaboration and cohesiveness between Bradington-Young and Sam Moore and between the upholstery companies and Hooker Furniture case goods," said Mike Delgatti, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Hooker Upholstery. "Her appointment is additional progress towards developing synergy among all the Hooker companies and underscores Hooker's commitment to growing our upholstery business."
Delgatti noted Teague helped develop the Hooker Upholstery fabric sofa program that will debut at the October market, and will be involved in any future initiatives in fabric upholstery, adding that Teague brings both creativity and market savvy to Hooker Upholstery.
"Sandi has a great taste level and sense of fashion, but also a keen understanding of what sells and is able to strike a great balance," Delgatti said.
Teague has 16 years experience in various merchandising positions in the furniture industry, at companies including LADD, Morgan Stewart, King Hickory and Fine Furniture. She has been involved on a consulting basis with Sam Moore and Bradington-Young since January of this year.