Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 2,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on October 3, 2010
The cost of mailing so-called "droopy" items increased 68.5 percent on Sunday, Associated Press reported.
The new U.S. Postal service rule, which includes overly droopy items such newspapers, church bulletins--and retail direct mail pieces--covers flat pieces of mail longer than 10 inches and that fail a "droop" test to determine if they're suitable for machine sorting.
An item is placed on a flat counter with half hanging over the edge, and if it droops more than three inches, it won't qualify for bulk mail discounts.
October 2,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 3, 2010
The National Home Furnishings Association and Impact Consulting Services are offering a special benefit to NHFA members during High Point Furniture Market.
During the Oct. 16-21 market only, Impact will offer NHFA member retailers a one-time, no-cost access to their overall market share (all product categories) for one market via Impact Consulting's industry portal, FurnitureCore.com.
"NHFA is pleased to be working with Impact Consulting to offer this valuable information to members," said NHFA Executive Vice President Steve DeHaan.
Current NHFA members, upon visiting the Retailer Resource Center, may receive pre-printed cards and go to the Impact Consulting booth (Space 527) for their Market Share calculation.
"In about half an hour, members will be armed with their individual market share for quarter twp and the potential of receiving quarter three after market--all while they grab a cup of coffee," said Impact Consulting Services President Bob George. "A fundamental piece of market intelligence every retailer needs is market share. Knowing your market penetration each quarter, ideally down to a product category level, takes the economy out of the picture and addresses the core question, 'Are you getting yours?' We look forward to empowering current NHFA members with this vital information."
September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 1, 2010
Eco-friendly mattress maker Natura World has launched the "Reclaim you Bed" Pet Photography Contest.
To enter, contestants post a photograph of a photogenic pet on the Natura World Facebook Wall. A winner will be drawn at random on Nov. 1 to receive a free Natura Natural Pet Bed. Photos can be posted through Oct. 31.
The Prize winner will be announced on the Natura Sleep Health blog, Facebook and Twitter. There is no limit to the number of entries allowed per contestant.
"Pets are part of the family, but having them in bed with you disturbs sleep," says Julia Rosien, Communications Director for Natura World Inc. "Pampering your pooch or kitty with a luxuriously comfortable, naturally healthy bed of their own is a guilt free way to reclaim your own sleep sanctuary."
The Natura Natural Pet Bed provides a healthy, comfortable place for pets to rest. The moisture wicking, temperature regulating, exposed NaturaWool top create a cozy sleep surface while blocking the growth of dust-mites and bacteria. A granulated latex core eases stress and strain from muscles, joints and bones.
This combination of latex and wool halts the spread of odour causing bacteria so homeowners can have a pet without having a home that smells like pets. The removable cover can be machine washed for freshening.
"Talking with our communities on Facebook and Twitter gives us insights into what we're doing right and where there's room for improvement," Rosien said. "Holding contests like this lets us have fun while thanking everyone for joining in on the conversation."
In addition to the contest, the Natura Facebook community will get a 10 percent saving on the purchase of Natura pet beds throughout October. Each weekly Facebook update will include the current promo code, and shoppers can request a code by posting a note on the Natura Facebook wall.
September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on October 1, 2010
Profit Management Promotions will conduct a seminar on furniture retail "survival planning" at High Point Furniture Market.
"Is Your Business Ready for the Next 5 Years" is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Wed., Oct. 20.
PMP conducted a two-year review of client assignments and found that fewer than 10 percent of furniture retailers have formal strategic plans in place to address changes in the marketplace and potential opportunities. This pervasive industry problem led to the creation of the seminar.
"Most businesses map out five-year strategic plans to forecast and act upon changing market conditions, yet a shockingly small number of furniture retailers have workable action plans in place," said Ron Cooper, PMP's director of sales and marketing. "To keep afloat in today's rocky economy, they need to pull together a five-year 'survival plan.' What's more, they need to do so now."
Cooper said that only those furniture retailers that map out a focused action plan will survive and thrive over the near-term.
"These plans neednt be complex," he added. "But they do need to address critical financial, operational and marketing-related issues that must be acted upon immediately."
The seminar will study the major marketplace challenges confronting furniture retailers, including the multitude of new choices consumers have for purchasing home furnishings--namely Big Box Stores, the growing national chains, closeout stores, independent outlets and Web retailers--as well as the changing attitudes of today's value-oriented consumers, who are unwilling to overpay and who are less concerned with buying products in prestigious "brand name" outlets.
Cooper will present the seminar along with colleagues Michael J. Egan, president of PMP; and Hector Mustafa, the firm's vice president of operations. They will cover the full range of considerations tied to retailers' strategic options: staying the course with their current strategies, pursuing restructurings, investing in capital improvements, business expansion, or liquidating.
Profit Management Promotions, Jamison, Pa., is a leading sales promotion firm serving the home furnishings industry. A growing number of PMP assignments involve "retail restructuring," the process of employing high-impact sales to improve a retailer's strategic growth options or to give a particular outlet a business development boost.
Cooper has more than 25 years experience as a retail store owner and marketer of bedding and home furnishings products. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of PMP's business development program, as well as ongoing customer relationship management.
September 30,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 1, 2010
Classic Brands' Dormia mattresses were featured in the season premiere of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC.
The hit reality show unveiled the new Girls Hope of Baltimore group home, a $1 million residence decked out with premium fixtures, amenities and comfort features. Each of the nine bedrooms were furnished with state-of-the-art Dormia memory foam mattresses from Classic Brands, Jessup, Md.
The series called on Classic Brands earlier this year as it set course for an empty lot in Northeast Baltimore, the site of a future home for Boys Hope Girls Hope, a not-for-profit organization providing at-risk youth with education and guidance in a group home setting.
"Classic Brands has a long history of community service in Jessup and the greater Baltimore area, and when we received the call from the design team at Extreme Makeover, we felt honored to get involved in their Baltimore build," said Classic Brands CEO Mike Zippelli. "Boys Hope Girls Hope has an important mission of providing the necessary tools and strong support system that at-risk children need to succeed in all areas of life. Knowing that part of that includes having a good nights sleep, we were proud to do our part in providing mattresses that will ensure the support, comfort and quality of rest the students need."
During filming, the recipients of the home were joined by celebrities Ty Pennington, Katy Perry, Shaquille O'Neal, Raven Symone and "Modern Family" cast members who showed their encouragement. Representatives from Classic Brands joined the unveiling with hundreds of other community volunteers who helped to build, furnish and decorate the home from the ground up.
The 11,120-square-foot home, the largest build in the history of the seven-year series, featured nine bedrooms, a finished basement, a two-story fireplace, a library and a "Grand Hall" gathering place for activities. It was built in a lot in the 3800 block of Fleetwood Ave. in Northeast Baltimore.
Boys Hope Girls Hope is a privately funded, non-profit, multi-denominational organization that provides at-risk children with a stable home, positive parenting, high quality education, and the support needed to reach their full potential.