Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 8, 2010
The HTL International Group of Companies has opened a new 48,000-square-foot showroom, Plaza Suites 400, for the upcoming High Point Market, April 17-22.
The group's companies include HTL, leather and fabric stationary and motion upholstery focusing on mixability of product and quick lead times; Trends Furniture, container shipments value-oriented motion and stationary upholstery, with 14 new motion correlate groups and five new stationary groups at Market; and Domicil, which makes its U.S. launch at Market.
Domicil is an up-market lifestyle German brand and an existing retail concept in HTL Group's key markets of Europe, Australia, and Asia. A 10,000-square-foot retail store within the showroom will add to the ambiance and create an inspired mood.
The new showroom, designed by the German firm Aikadesign, creates an environment that demonstrates the three companies' style and dedication to trend-setting products. HTL Furniture had occupied an 18,000-square-foot showroom on the second floor of Plaza Suites, so they have more than doubled their showroom space in High Point.
"We are very excited to open the doors on our incredible new showroom at Plaza Suites," said Brian Parker, president of HTL Furniture. "This is the perfect location and environment to show our growing lines of HTL and Trend Furniture and to launch our newest company, Domicil."
"HTL has been showing with us in High Point since 2002 when they started out in a 7000-square-foot showroom in Plaza Suites," said Jim Gooding, vice president of sales for MMPI High Point. "It's been exciting to see this company prosper and grow over the years, and we are thrilled to have been a part of it."
HTL, Trends Furniture and Domicil will celebrate the grand opening of their new showroom with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m., Saturday, April 17, followed by a reception, 5-7 p.m.
April 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on April 8, 2010
The International Home Furnishings Center has announced five new exhibitors for High Point Market, April 17-22.
Former Lane Furniture executives William "Skipper" Holliman and Gentry Long have launched HomeStretch LLC, a motion furniture company headquartered in Mississippi. The company will debut its motion sofas, love seats and sectionals on the eleventh floor of IHFC's Main Wing, space M1115.
Accentage Furniture, on the seventh floor of the Main Wing, showroom M708, is headquartered in Wilmington, N.C., and maintains warehouses in Lexington, N.C. and Kansas City. The company specializes in direct sales from its Chinese factory, with a product mix that includes dining, tables, occasional and accent furniture, bar stools, baker's racks, and TV stands.
Brunswick, Ohio's American Heritage Billiards manufactures custom pool tables, billiard tables and coordinated game room collections. The company debuts in the IHFC on the seventh floor of the Hamilton Wing, showroom H744.
Furniture Traditions, specializing in wood furniture built from North American Red Oak, will showcase its bedrooms, occasional tables and entertainment pieces in the Hamilton Wing, showroom H1007.
SOHO Concept is an international residential and commercial furniture supplier with contemporary seating, sofas, sectionals, occasional tables and storage in cutting edge design, high quality and reasonable pricing. SOHO Concept's showroom is on the seventh floor of the Design Center, showroom D737.
April 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on April 8, 2010
Furniture, accents and accessories vendor GuildMaster, Springfield, Mo., has almost doubled its showroom space in World Market Center Las Vegas.
GuildMaster relocated to a 7,621-square-foot atrium-front showroom in Building A, space A-225.
"Our last Las Vegas Market in September was up 30 percent over the prior year," said GuildMaster CEO Steve Crowder. "We are adding new customers that we would not reach if we were not in Las Vegas. Because of these sales results we are doubling our showroom space to build a bigger presence in Las Vegas Design Center."
At the August Las Vegas Market, GuildMaster will introduce a new partnership with Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell. In addition, Crowder pointed to the recent success of the GuildMaster Quickship program.
"Retailers have bled down their store inventories and have used our in-stock program to quickly re-merchandise their floors," he said. "GuildMaster will be introducing new in-stock products at August Market as well.
The company serves more than 3,000 retail accounts, including OfficeMax, Home Depot, Neiman Marcus, Sears-The Great Indoors and others.
"As GuildMaster creates an expanded showcase to highlight their unique furniture and accessories, we are pleased to be a continued part of their success, and to have them as a continued part of the success and future of Las Vegas Design Center," said Randy Wells, vice president of Las Vegas Design Center. "We truly value their extended commitment to us."
To learn more about the GuidMaster click here.
April 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 8, 2010
The International Home Furnishings Center has awarded its food service contract to High Point, N.C.-based Blue Water Grille LLC, which will operate the IHFC's two first-floor restaurants during market.
The Furniture City Grille, located in the Commerce Lobby of the IHFC, will offer a variety of breakfast options, fresh salads, sandwiches and soups beginning Wednesday, April 14 through Thursday, April 22.
The adjacent Lobby Bar will be open Saturday, April 17 with full ABC permits. Live music will be featured each evening. The Lobby Bar is the location for the official Market Kick-Off Party on Friday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m.
The SoHo Market, located in the IHFC's InterHall, will serve fresh, made-to-order omelets at breakfast. Lunch offerings include Nathan's hot dogs, North Carolina BBQ, fresh burgers, chicken sandwiches and daily specials. The SoHo Market will open Thursday, April 15.
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on April 7, 2010
The Furniture Buying Index from America's Research Group rose another two points this month to a reading of 69. This is the fifth consecutive month the Index has experienced an increase.
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with 5,000 to 8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index's mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80 percent actually have a particular item in mind.
"The Furniture Buying Index is nearing the all important 70 point level with consumer confidence experiencing a slight improvement," said Britt Beemer, chairman of Charleston, S.C.-based ARG. "This consumer outlook bodes well for the Furniture Buying Index, although growth has been very slight over the last few months. Furniture retailers will need an Index in the 75 to 85 point range before furniture sales will return."
ARG provides research and strategic planning services to leading manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods across North America.