Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Display on April 18, 2010
Natuzzi Editions, the leading retail brand under the brand umbrella of leather upholstery manufacturer Natuzzi Group is launching its latest in-store display system for retail partners at High Point Market in the company's showroom at 130 W. Commerce Ave.
The latest Natuzzi Editions in-store displays use new architectural and visual components that tell the brand story at point of sale. The cohesive display system is fashioned to reflect the latest chapter in the leather upholstery major's evolution.
The Natuzzi Editions product presentation at High Point Market also has expanded to 20,000 square feet, filling two showroom floors and includes modular sectional groups that offer home theatre configurations. Innovative features include a built-in speaker system and an optional component with cup holders and personal refrigerated cooler.
Natuzzi Editions is the most widely distributed and sold group of products among the company's three brands (Natuzzi Italy and Italsofa).
Also debuting this Market is Velora, a high-performing microfiber exclusive to Natuzzi. Velvet-like in its appearance, the fabric cover in an assortment of colors is extremely durable and easy to care for as well as to clean. Testing results include 70,000 Martindale cycles and Xenon colorfastness. It is expected to last at least 15 years and is cleanable with a solution of water and mild soap, and is ideal for families with young children or pets, as well as for entertaining.
April 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bankruptcy on April 18, 2010
Bluefish Home is undergoing an organized liquidation of assets at its warehouse in High Point.
The company decided it was the best direction after looking at several options for the future.
Bluefish Home is currently in discussions with parties interested in acquiring its assets and servicing its customer base in the future. For now, Bluefish is liquidating the inventory at discounted prices.
We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to serve wonderful dealers, and we have a loyal staff, and we're grateful for their friendship and support, said Rupal Mamtani.
During the High Point Market this week, Bluefish is showing product at its warehouse at 801 Millis St., High Point from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. Shuttle service is available by calling (404)518-9789. Customers and other interested parties are invited to visit the warehouse or visit the
Web site. Based in Atlanta, Bluefish was founded in 2001 and supplied dining tables, occasional tables, cabinets, buffets, armoires and shelving units crafted of pine and Brazilian mahogany.
April 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on April 18, 2010
Armen Living is quadrupling its manufacturing facilities in China to keep up with increased product demand.
The new factory will measure more than 200,000 square feet and will employ 500 workers.
The supplier of contemporary furnishings recently completed a rebranding campaign that included changing its name from Armen Art Furniture. Last fall, Armen Living redirected its product line focus and introduced 100 items.
The economy presented an interesting opportunity for growth that Armen Living could not resist and resulted in us quadrupling our production in order to reduce stock-outs and meet current and future demand, said Kevin Kevonian, president and owner of Armen Living.
Kevonian founded the factory, located in the Chinese city of Dongguan, as a joint venture in 2004. Known as MeiYi Furniture Co. Ltd., the factory produces more than 80 percent of its products, and the remainder is sourced from factories throughout Europe.
Armen Living and MeiYi Furniture are thrilled with the surge in demand from our global customer base, even though it was overwhelming at times," said Kevonian. "We are looking forward to the increased production coming online in June to meet the rise in orders for our new product lines.
April 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on April 18, 2010
Bellingham, Wash.-based Barbo Furniture is converting a section of its store into a home design studio where consumers can find specialty eco-friendly flooring, countertops and glass and stone sinks and other items for the home.
ENVISIONAn Elemental Home Design Studio also offers door and drawer refacing, customizable area rugs, hardware and will soon incorporate storage and organization solutions.
Holly Barbo, co-owner of the store, said the company's reputation has been built on eco-friendly home furnishings and it made sense to expand into other areas of the home.
"We have always made custom case goods for clients who wished them," Barbo said. "I have been designing some of those pieces. I have also done room plans and acted as a color and décor consultant. This is just an extension of the same theme that we decided to take. We'd rather be ahead of the wave than behind it."
Barbo said the addition to the store's offerings came in pieces.
"Because of our reputation for 'green' we were approached by an eco countertop company last summer," Barbo said. "We took the information but didn't act on it. September in Vegas we saw these incredible stone and glass sinks. The information nestled in our brains with the countertops. Same thing with a few hardware companies."
Barbo said a young couple came into Barbo Furniture looking for flooring for a studio apartment renovation. The couple couldn't find the flooring, so Barbo contacted the company and things started to fall into place.
"I've done my homework," she said. "My prices for the things offered in ENVISION are price competitive for my area. Not everything is here yet. It will probably be early to mid-summer before all arrive."
Barbo plans to offer complimentary classes on home renovation elements by late summer.
"What we are offering is more of a total concept," Barbo said. "A one-stop shopping, as it were. Our main business is still furniture but our goal has always been the focus on the whole home. Now we are doing that."
April 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on April 18, 2010
The board of directors for Cost Plus (CPWM) has terminated its shareholder rights plan.
"The board regularly evaluates the effectiveness of and the need for a rights plan, and is always striving to improve our corporate governance in an effort to improve long-term shareholder value," said Barry Feld, president and chief executive officer. "The board has determined that the plan is unnecessary at this time."
The action accelerated the expiration date of the retailer's current shareholder rights plan to April 14. The plan had been originally due to expire June 30. In taking this action, the board reserved the right to take any future action determined in the exercise of its fiduciary duties to be necessary or advisable to protect the interests of shareholders.
Cost Plus, Inc. runs 263 stores in 30 states.