Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
September 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on September 28, 2010
The Greater New York Home Furnishings Association has awarded the 2010 Jerry Gans Memorial Award to Jeff Katz, general manager of The Fulton Stores.
The Fulton Stores operates in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, New York.
The Jerry Gans Memorial award honors prominent members of the furniture industry for distinguished service. This year, for the first time, this award will be presented at a jointly held formal dinner and dance that includes members of both the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association and Metropolitan Furnishings Association at The Landmark, located on Route 17 South, East Rutherford, N.J., Saturday evening, Dec. 4.
Katz has devoted himself to pursuing best practices in furniture retailing throughout his career. He oversees merchandising and buying for the six-store chain, and manages the substantial accounts receivables portfolio that Fulton has accumulated over the years.
He also was instrumental in helping the GNYHFA to head off retail licensing legislation that would have forced New York retailers to post large bonds with New York City.
"We are so pleased that Jeff will be accepting the Gans award this year," said Andy Gans, for whose father the Award is named. "He is widely respected in the home furnishings community, not only for his ability to run a profitable family business through these tough times, but also for being a good friend to his suppliers, and a role model to his employees. His leadership is reflected in the way Fulton Stores is perceived in the industry and by its customers."
Katz will share the spotlight with two individuals honored by the Metropolitan Furnishings Association. Eric Bernstein of Berkshire Furniture, Union, N.J., will receive the Howard Liveright Award. Chris Clarizio, a furniture representative widely known for his work with the Dean Michael Clarizio Cancer Foundation, will be named Dean of IHFRA.
"This event will be a fantastic holiday season party for New York and New Jersey retailers, reps, manufacturers and suppliers," said Chris De LIsa, president of GNYHFA. "We've chosen a beautiful new venue for this year's dinner and dance that offers a central location, beautiful facility, fantastic food, drink, networking and entertainment."
A commemorative Journal is being prepared so that friends, family and business associates can honor Jeff Katz, Eric Bernstein and Chris Clarizio with a message.
For more information about the event, to make dinner reservations or reserve space in the journal to honor Jeff Katz, please contact Alan Granetz, by e-mail; or telephone, 908.725.3460.
Production questions about the journal should be directed to Russell Bienenstock by e-mail; or telephone, 914.235.3095.
September 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Motion Upholstery on September 28, 2010
Home furnishings brand development specialist HFI Brands has acquired the rights to Peoploungers brand of lounge chairs, sofas and motion furniture.
Under the new license, HFI Brands will offer Peoploungers its full array of product design and management, product development, strategic marketing, and sales and distribution capabilities. HFI Brands will also reinvent the Peoploungers collection for today's consumer with the idea that "everyone loves to lounge."
"The new approach will encompass all types of lounging for all types of people," said Steve Dinkins, president of Peoploungers. "The new Peoploungers brand is built around the concept that everyone enjoys comfort and style, and there is demand in the market for a more refreshing, fashion-forward style related to all categories of seating.
"From the teenagers need for a great gaming chair to the young adult moving into their first apartment, the new Peoploungers collection will appeal to a broad segment of todays consumers. The line will fill some important voids in the market while attracting anyone with a need for great design and value."
This October, Peoploungers will introduce more than 200 designs offering a great range of style within its comfort seating and accent furniture options. The new product offering will include recliners, home theater seating, stationary leather, sleep sofas, a collection of slip covered upholstery, plus occasional and accent furniture.
"Peoploungers has taken the trends seen in the market and is filling the consumers' needs for lounging for all generations," said Britt Albright, senior vice president of creative for HFI Brands. "The collection will use fresh fabrics, versatile slipcovers, creative patchwork collages and accent pillows to add flavor, color and individual personality to a leather assortment."
Through HFI Brands, Peoploungers has access to a renowned and talented design team, as well as to Outlook International, a source for quality control, sourcing and manufacturing production management worldwide.
Soon, Peoploungers also will launch a lifestyle-oriented Web site to promote the new brand and to showcase Peoploungers full collection.
HFI Brands has established a strategic alliance with Outlook International, a major Asian quality control, sourcing and production management network. The HFI Brands creative direction and marketing team is located in Dallas, and the operations office is in High Poin. The company also maintains a design/engineering office for full-scale design detail, rendering and material support in Cebu City, Philippines.
September 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 28, 2010
Home furnishings buying MEGA Group USA will show at High Point Furniture Market for the first time, Oct. 16-21.
Germantown, Tenn.-based MEGA Group USA, which serves furniture, mattress, appliance and electronic retailers, has signed a lease for a 750 square foot showroom in the Plaza Suites Building, Space 1-545. Though MEGA Group USA has attended both the Las Vegas and High Point shows for years, this is the first year the national buying group had a showroom to host dealers.
"We made a decision early in 2010 to have a stronger presence at the furniture markets," said Jerry Honea, COO for MEGA Group USA. "Vegas Market was a huge success for us signing up many new dealers and being able to showcase our product and business offerings to our members. High Point is a great venue to further this, and we are excited about being there in October."
MEGA Group USA will be showcasing its new Paula Deen Home by Serta Mattress Collection and the Dreamhaven Mattress Collection, both exclusive to MEGA Group USA Members; and vendor partner GE Money will be featured for MEGA-sponsored consumer finance programs to help drive fourth-quarter and 2011 business.
MEGA Group USA has 1,500 retail members representing 2,500 U.S. storefronts. Business services include group vendor programs, custom advertising and marketing services, consulting, store merchandising, and information technology support aimed at driving floor traffic, improving sales and profits and enhancing operating efficiencies.
September 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on September 28, 2010
Casual furniture manufacturer Whitecraft has signed a licensing agreement to launch an outdoor home furnishings program for Biltmore, the largest U.S. private residence.
South Charleston,S.C.-based Whitecraft will debut two collections inspried by the Asheville, N.C., estate at the Oct. 16-21 High Point Furniture Market.
"Blue Ridge" takes its cues from a more transitional, relaxed feel and will feature tightly woven strands of WickerLoom over curvy, uncluttered silhouettes with woven trim around the table tops and legs. The collection is designed for indoor or protected outdoor use and will include seating and dining options that epitomize elegant living.
"South Terrace," inspired by pieces located in the Winter Garden of Biltmore House, is an all-weather collection crafted with resin molded over an aluminum frame with a Viro synthetic weave, designed specifically for year-round, all-weather outdoor use. This group will have a sophisticated aesthetic with exposed bamboo-inspired legs as well as chair and sofa backs with the unique fretwork designs that add visual interest. South Terrace will include seating and dining options.
"Biltmore is very excited about our new relationship with Whitecraft," said Tim Rosebrock, vice president and general manager of Biltmores Licensing Division. "Outdoor furniture is such a natural extension of our brand, and we felt Whitecrafts ability to convey the Biltmore lifestyle made them a wonderful choice to help us reach and engage consumers."
"Partnering with Biltmore is such an honor," said Bill Herren, director of sales and marketing for Whitecraft. "With the wealth of design inspirations and ideas we are able to glean from Biltmore's rich history, we look forward to creating outdoor collections that are not only beautiful and timeless, but convey the enjoyment of fine country living for which Biltmore is so well known."
September 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on September 28, 2010
Contemporary leather upholstery vendor W. Schillig will debut Ultrasuede as a new cover option at High Point Furniture Market, Oct. 16-21.
As an alternative to its quality leathers, W. Schillig is responding to retail partners' requests for a quality fabric cover and bold color selection. The company's showroom is at 220 Elm, space 316.
"Our need for a higher end performance fabric makes Ultrasuede a no-brainer," said David Stewart, vice president of sales and operations. "Ultrasuede is a premium cover that meshes well with our premium upholstered product line. It's a bonus to work with a brand that already has broad exposure in the retail stores we are selling."
Leather covers represent more than 90 percent of total sales, according to Stewart, but he expects performance fabric sales to grow with the addition of Ultrasuede.
W. Schillig will offer the entire collection of 96 Ultrasuede Ambiance colors, which may be specified on any upholstered item. Starting retail price points for Ultrasuede covers are: $1,699 for recliners; $1,999 for sofas; and $3,499 for sectionals.
In the showroom, Ultrasuede will be shown on Schillig's best selling items, including "Moon Shadow," a signature pivot sectional, as well as in the company's popular recliner program.