Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
June 8,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on June 9, 2010
Universal Furniture, High Point, is rolling out its "Smart Mix 500" program to West Coast retailers. Dealers in 10 western states will receive direct container pricing for minimum orders of 500 cubes--the equivalent of as little as three bedroom suites--of any mix of Universal products and collections.
"Smart Mix 500 was created to provide greater flexibility at a lower cost, in keeping with the company's goal to make good, affordable, smart design a real differentiator and value generator," said Jeff Scheffer, president and CEO of Universal Furniture. "Dealers can mix orders from Better Homes and Gardens by Universal Furniture and Paula Deen Home with any of the other Universal collections. There are no limitations to the product mix."
With Smart Mix 500, products are shipped from the company's high cube, automated Shanghai warehouse capable of holding 1,800 containers of inventory, on average, in less than two weeks. For more immediate needs, products can be delivered from domestic inventories in 10 days or less from Universal's 350,000-square-foot High Point warehouse. The company will phase out its City of Industry, Calif., warehouse operations, during the fourth quarter of this year. Smart Mix 500 will ship products direct to dealers via an out-sourced, cross-dock operation located in Riverside, Calif.
"We've been pleased with the dealer response to the flexibility and savings of Smart Mix 500," Scheffer said. "At direct container pricing, they are able to buy good, affordable, smart design with near domestic warehouse fulfillment but without the high cost of carrying inventory. It's a win-win."
June 8,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on June 9, 2010
Belfort Furniture, Dulles, Va., took the lead again this year as the corporate sponsor for the YMCA Loudoun County Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held on May 7 at the Loudoun Golf and Country Club.
The proceeds from the event support the YMCA Loudoun County Building Bridges Program, which provides quality after-school programs and summer camp opportunities for families in Loudoun County who would not be able to afford such services. This year's event brought in more $45,000.¨ Since Belfort Furniture began sponsoring the event in 2005, the retailer's efforts have helped raise more $250,000 for the YMCA Loudoun County.
"We cannot emphasize enough that these funds have directly benefited families in Belforts backyard, right here in Loudoun County," said Belfort CEO Mike Huber. "At Belfort, we're all about creating beautiful homes, but the true foundation of a beautiful home is the environment created by the parents. ... The YMCA Loudoun County fills a void in our community, offering tremendous opportunities where children and teens find the support of caring adults who engage our youth in positive activities where th"ey can identify their strengths and build on them--reaching their fullest potential. As a result, the community benefits as a whole.¨¨The furniture industry came out strong to support the event. Birdie and Par Sponsors included Aspenhome; Ashley Furniture Industries Inc.; Lane Furniture; Broyhill Furniture Industries; Kincaid Furniture; Lexington Home Brands; Sealy Inc.; Universal Furniture; and Vaughan Bassett Furniture Company.
The event also was supported by Fine Furniture Designs, Gat Creek, Hooker Furniture, Huntington House Furniture, Maxwood Furniture, March Furniture Mfg., A.R.T. Furniture, Bernhardt Furniture, Stanley Furniture, Furniture Dealer, Legacy Classic, Restonic Mattress, and Simmons Upholstery.
June 8,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on June 9, 2010
Upscale leisure furniture manufacturer Brown Jordan, El Monte, Calif., has announced its continued product partnership with San Francisco-based modern furniture and accessory retailer Design Within Reach.
Following the success of DWR's first collaboration in 2009 with the iconic Sunshade, the retailer has entered another agreement with Brown Jordan to become the exclusive distributor of two additional mid-century furniture collections: Terrace, a re-introduction of the Van Keppel-Green for Brown Jordan original design, and Walter Lamb.
"DWR shares Brown Jordan's passion for innovative design," said Brown Jordan Vice President of Sales and Brand Opportunity Stephen F. Elton. "Expanding our relationship with them is a natural fit--the collections are striking and compelling--and with their multi-channel distribution we are confident this global opportunity will bring a new level of outdoor experience and visual excitement to consumers who seek modern and classic leisure furnishings. We look forward to growing this market and further supporting Design Within Reach by providing them with an unparalleled custom product offering."
June 8,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on June 9, 2010
Dallas Market Center announced Tuesday that its exhibitors will host a variety of floor events during the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 23-29. Buyers will have daily opportunities to win a variety of cash and prizes in themed drawings hosted by exhibitors.
Floor events for Market include:
* Trade Mart Treasures, Thursday-Saturday, 6 p.m., Trade Mart, 2nd floor; cash drawings for several lucky buyers each day; see participating showrooms on the Trade Mart 2nd floor for details; drawings held on the 2nd floor atrium, and buyers must be present to win.
* Cash in the Box on 3, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m., World Trade Center, 3rd floor; cash drawing held at both noon and 5 p.m. on the atrium; see participating 3rd floor showrooms for details.
* Live on 5, Wednesday-Saturday, 3 p.m., World Trade Center, 5th floor; shop participating showrooms on the 5th floor and for chance to win cash; see participating showrooms for details.
* Home on 6, Thursday-Saturday, 3:30 p.m., World Trade Center, 6th floor; place an order with participating showrooms for a chance to win; drawings held on the atrium.
* Showroom Bucks on 7, Saturday, 2 p.m., World Trade Center, 7th floor; leave your business card with participating showrooms for a chance to win showroom bucks; drawing held on the atrium.
* Party with KidsWorld on 8, Friday, 4-6 p.m., World Trade Center, 8th floor; celebrate all things kids with the 8th floor exhibitors; refreshments and entertainment; sponsored by participating KidsWorld exhibitors.
Attendees for the next Dallas Total Home & Gift Market may contact the Dallas Market Center's in-house travel agency, Market Travel, for substantial travel and hotel discounts by calling 800.DAL.MKTS.
June 8,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on June 9, 2010
Ashley Furniture HomeStore is rolling out Ashley Sleep, a line of mattresses that include Talalay latex and memory foam, to its more than 400 stores.
The Ashley Sleep Advanced Memory Foam line is designed to adapt to body weight and temperature with an open cell system. The Ashley Sleep Talalay Latex line is crafted with latex.
"Our goal is to be the value provider in specialty sleep," said Ben Thorud, senior vice president. "Many consumers want to enjoy the sleep experience and health benefits of memory foam and Talalay latex mattresses, but have been unable to based on the expense of other brands. With the
Ashley Sleep mattress line, we are able to provide high quality, specialty sleep products created with the best materials in the market today all at a very affordable price."