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February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on February 25, 2010
Houston-based Mattress Firm says it has put into place the management team and business plan necessary for strategic growth and rapid expansion this year with its "Growth by Design" plan.
Over the last month, the retailer has shuffled it's management, sales and advertising teams with a number of changes.
We are on the cusp of an exciting time at Mattress Firm," said Steve Stagner, who was recently named chief executive officer. "These changes are the result of giving careful consideration to the proper infrastructure needed to best position us for growth as we emerge from the economic downturn thats impacted the industry and look optimistically to the growth opportunities before us. We learned a lot from the manner in which we managed the business through the recent downturn and believe weve emerged from that period stronger than ever before. The changes weve made with our team were strategically planned as part of our Growth by Design strategy to ensure proper internal alignment as we strive to improve the results of the organization by building a results-oriented brand, developing a high-performance culture and creating sustainable and profitable growth.
Mattress Firms Growth by Design strategy includes aggressive store growth in both corporate and franchise locations over the next two to three years.
The company also plans to expand its e-commerce business and create a differentiated brand. In addition to the changes at the corporate office, the company anticipates hiring hundreds of more people companywide to support the projected growth, as well as continuing to enhance what is already recognized as one of the most comprehensive training programs in the industry.
Along with attracting world-class talent from outside the company, one of my top priorities is growing Mattress Firms existing leadership, Stagner said. Each one of these individuals has played a critical role in our success to date and will play an even more important role as we move forward and they take on increased leadership responsibilities to meet the demands of the growth phase that lies ahead.
Mattress Firm is one of the nations premier specialty bedding retailers, offering a broad selection of both traditional and specialty mattresses from companies like Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster, Sleep to Live and Serta. Founded in 1986, the retailer has more than 525 stores across 22 states.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 25, 2010
Bedding supplier Comfort Solutions has named Vincent Zupkus senior vice president and chief financial officer, a new position for the company.
Prior to joining Comfort Solutions, Zupkus was senior vice president of finance for the former Spring Air Co., which he joined in 1996 as corporate controller. Before Spring Air, he was controller for several wholesale distributors of consumer products and spent nearly a decade with a Chicago-area public accounting firm.
Zupkus reports to Dave Roberts, president and chief operating officer.
Vince brings a wealth of both financial management practice and mattress industry experience at a time when Comfort Solutions is seeing significant gains in sales and market share, Roberts said. With growth comes the need to continue building on your strengths as a company, and we consider Vinces appointment an excellent example of our commitment to that objective.
Comfort Solutions has 11 domestic and 29 international licensees, each dedicated to helping drive business for their retail customers through relevant and innovative brands and programs.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on February 25, 2010
Hampton, Va.-based Roberts Furniture & Mattresses has opened its fifth store in Winchester, Va., the Northern Virginia Daily reported Wednesday.
The location, Roberts' first outside Virginia's Tidewater area, is the site of a former Sofas & Seats store that closed several months ago.
"In these times it's kind of unusual ... you hear so much about people closing businesses that it's kinda nice to hear [about openings]," Store Manager Cliff Wainwright said in the report.
Roberts carries "mid-line" and "value-priced" furniture, with sofas ranging from $400 to $900, he said. The business represents nationally known manufacturers such as Ashley, and approximately one-third of its products can be custom-ordered, he said. The company also carries well-known mattress brands, Wainwright said.
The 50-year-old family-owned business also has stores in Newport News and Gloucester in addition to Hampton.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 25, 2010
Kevin Ehle has been named national retail sales development manager for home furnishings importer Southern Enterprises (SEI).
Prior to joining the company, Ehle was running E2 Inc., a marketing and business development company in San Antonio, Texas. Ehle will help SEI expand its current product line, including bed frames, and its distribution channels.
"We are extremely pleased to have a true professional like Kevin Ehle join our management team at Southern Enterprises," said Dirk Brinkerhoff, vice president of business development. "Kevin's experience at Samuel Lawrence Furniture and at Leggett & Platt's Fashion Bed Group will be extraordinarily valuable to the growth we intend to achieve in this new and exciting retail sales initiative which is part of SEI's overall growth strategy."
Ehle says that he chose SEI for a number of reasons including the company's ability to master operational details associated with supplying Internet and catalog dealers.
"SEI continues to lead the field of drop-ship furniture suppliers, having developed state of the art inventory, processing and shipping technologies that continually raise the bar for other category suppliers." Ehle said. "SEI is positioned nicely for growth. They've made the right investments in infrastructure and have a great team. They also have great products and designs thanks to an outstanding merchandising team."
Dallas-based SEI imports home furnishings and decorative accessories.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 25, 2010
Ashley Cos., Arcadia, Wis., will help support deliveries to customers of a troubled licensed Ashley Furniture Homestore in California who haven't received merchandise they paid for, KBAK-TV reported Wednesday.
"We have come to an agreement between the owner of the Bakersfield store and Ashley Industries," Ashley spokeswomon Margaret Pronschinske said in the report. "... We are hoping to start home delivery next week."
She also said that the store is obligated to fulfill deliveries, but that the company wants to make sure customers are cared for.