Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on April 7, 2010
The Grand Opening of Linder's Furniture's second Southern California superstore this Friday in Cathedral City also will feature the retail launch of Sealy's new line of specialty mattresses, Embody.
The new Embody line offers a sleek, contemporary design of progressive memory foam and latex foam mattresses to provide a product that feels as good as it is for you and provide consumers with a choice of clean, breathable products for a healthy sleep environment. Both products deliver comfort, support and breathability in the fabrics and foams for the health-conscious consumer.
"The fact that Coachella Valley residents are such health-conscious consumers was one of the major reasons Linder's was selected to debut Sealy's new line of innovative sleep products," said Eric Foucrier, president, Linder's Furniture. "Of course, Linder's reputation as a major retailer with strong ties to the community also played a role in securing this unique opportunity."
The Embody mattress is made with antimicrobial fabric, allergen-resistant foams and provides a natural shield against dust mites and microbes. The entire line is safe and free from formaldehyde and ozone depleting chemicals. Each sleep set is constructed carefully as one single piece to ensure layers work in unison to fully support the body and ensure long-lasting comfort and longevity.
"Sealy conducted extensive consumer research to create a beautiful mattress that delivers the simple, healthy rest consumers want," said Jodi Allen, Sealy chief marketing officer and senior vice president of marketing. "By incorporating innovative design concepts from around the world with clean, breathable materials, we have created a unique product that looks as good as it feels."
The line features four memory foam and four latex foam mattresses, all durable and up to five times more breathable than other foam mattresses, according to the company.
New Embody by Sealy models range from $1,999 to $3,299 based on a queen set. Because Embody won't be available nationwide until summer 2010, Linders Furniture will be taking special pre-orders will during the month-long grand opening event.
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on April 7, 2010
The Southern Home Furnishings Assn. will meet June 13-15 at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel Historic District in Charleston, S.C., for its 2010 Conference, themed "Old World Traditions, New World Challenges."
This year's conference opens with a "Retail Business Remodel" workshop led by Jeff Hiller, president of PROaction Marketing Group. This interactive half-day program focuses on managing independent retail in the current environment and preparing for tomorrow's challenges. Questions this session will address include: What are the most common mistakes in closing sales; how can sales staff become entrepreneurs to drive their own pre-qualified traffic during slow times; what are the most efficient and impactful ways to reach shoppers; and how can managers increase accountability while maintaining morale. To get the most out of the workshop, participants are asked to come prepared with sales trends, traffic counts, close rates, average sale and marketing plans as available.
The conference also will feature a panel discussion, "Making the Most of Your Marketing." Jeff Child, president of R.C. Willey, Salt Lake City; Bob Sherman, president of Serta International, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; and Sarah Cooney, communications director of Circle Furniture, Acton, Mass., will serve as panelists; and Brent Shealy, SHFA chairman, Economy Furniture, Leesville, S.C., will serve as moderator.
Other conference highlights include retailer-to-retailer roundtable discussions and dinner at Charlestons top-rated High Cotton Maverick Bar and Grill, which was recently featured in Southern Living and USA Today.
"The conference is an excellent opportunity for retailers to come together and share stories and best ideas while networking with industry peers," said SHFA President Cackie Jones of Wayside Furniture in Spring Lake, N.C.
The conference registration fee is waived for all furniture retailers (members and non-members) and is $199 for non-retailers. Retail companies who have never attended conference before can receive one free night's stay at the host hotel. Call (800) 888-9590 or e-mail here for details.
SHFA is a regional affiliate of the National Home Furnishings Association and serves furniture retailers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on April 7, 2010
Seating manufacturer Flexsteel (NASDAQ: FLXS), Dubuque, Iowa, has extended its lease at World Market Center Las Vegas for four more years and added 5,400 square feet of showroom space.
Flexsteel now has 17,115 square feet in World Market Center A-530 and A-520.
"We see World Market Center as a market that is valuable to the industry," said Jim Richardson, Flexsteel's senior vice president of residential sales and marketing. "Its important that Flexsteel has the strong presence and valuable show space to display our offerings in stationary and motion; fabric and leather. World Market Center has presented a good, strong strategy to the industry, which has been validated in terms of attracting leading national furniture companies as tenants. Las Vegas offers the infrastructure and amenities that makes World Market Center a major furniture market."
The next Las Vegas Market will take place August 2-6, and run concurrent with the launch of two new events, Gift+Home and VegasKids. Attendees can book discounted rooms online here.
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 7, 2010
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association has announced winners of the Charles B. Costar Dean of IHFRA Award. Awards will be presented at the IHFRA Presidential Gala at the upcoming Spring High Point Market.
The Greater New York Home Furnishings Associations award winner is Tony Bellarosa. He is the CEO of Furniture Concepts Inc., the sales organization representing Klaussner Furniture Industries. A long-time board member of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, he is active on a number of committees including membership.
Sidney Gamburg has been an active member of Tri-State Home Furnishings Association since 1978 serving on Tri-States awards committee many times over the years. He participates in all Chapter functions and offers his counsel and advice to member reps, actively recruiting members and always extolling the benefits of membership in the association.
Mike Mackey has served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Furniture Club for the past several years and currently serves as second vice president. In addition to participating in the Club's activities and endeavors, he has taken the initiative to maintain and modernize communication with the Midwest Furniture community, strengthening the Club's ability to serve the industry.
Don Deeds is an active member of the Home Furnishings Representatives Guild of Southern California and currently serves as the Chapter's president. Don represents the Southern California Chapter at the IHFRA Board of Directors meetings and serves as a Rep Ambassador for the High Point Market Authority.
Terry Clemens has been a member IHFRA for more than 35 years, serving as first vice-president, board member and past treasurer of Home Furnishings Representatives of Michigan and Chairman of the Michigan All Industry Seminar in 2009. He also represented the Michigan Chapter at the IHFRA Board of Directors meeting in High Point and serves as a Rep Ambassador for the High Point Market Authority.
Ray Jessup has been a member of the Virginia/Carolinas Chapter since 1988 and an integral part of the local Piedmont Furniture Club. Over the years he has been instrumental in organizing and promoting the Piedmont Furniture Club annual golf tournament and actively recruits members for the local club as well as the national association. Jessup serves as representative for the Virginia/Carolinas Chapter at the IHFRA Board of Directors meetings in High Point and has served in various leadership roles in the Virginia/Carolinas over the years.
For more information on the Presidential Gala, April 16 in the IHFC Club on 11th Floor of Green Wing, contact the IHFRA Office at 336.889.3920 or e-mail here.
April 6,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on April 7, 2010
Profit Management Promotions, a professional sales promotion company based in Jamison, Pa., will conduct a seminar at the upcoming High Point Market where retailers can learn more about promotion companies.
The seminar will take place Monday, April 19, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the National Home Furnishings Association Retailer Resource Center in Plaza Suites.
"During this informative seminar, retailers will learn how promotion companies operate--what services they perform, how companies differ and, do they just run G.O.B.'s?" said Ron Cooper, PMP director of sales and marketing, adding that promotion companies actually can save stores from closing. "In today's climate, many store owners have wondered what options exist for them? At this seminar, they will learn if these services will benefit their business. They will leave with a good understanding of this 'behind the scenes' segment of the furniture business".
For 25 years, PMP has been helping independent furniture retailers across the country run successful high impact sales to achieve their goals and needs.