Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 25, 2010
High Point Market exhibitors interested in making the most of their Market investment can now download a copy of the Spring 2010 edition of the High Point Market's Exhibitor Marketing Kit, available now on the High Point Market via this link.
Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, said the information contained in the kit will help exhibitors capitalize on a variety of free services, including special educational webinars, banner ad creation and directory listings, as well as online resources for the press, expanded media outreach and improvements to the High Point Market Media Center.
"For the past three years, we have invested considerable resources in improving the High Point Market Media Center in order to make it more comfortable and welcoming both for attending journalists, as well as the Market's exhibitors," Casey said. "Since our initial engagement, we have continually worked to ensure that all exhibitors feel that their contributions are welcome and of value and we have steadily grown exhibitor participation over time. Now, we have an unprecedented opportunity to improve media relations on behalf of the entire Market. As such, we have more resources in place than ever before that are specifically designed to assist all Market exhibitors on the public relations front."
The Spring 2010 Exhibitor Marketing Kit also features information on the High Point Market's Online Press Center, which was conceived and launched by the High Point Market Authority to promote press coverage of the Market and all of its exhibitors on a year-round basis.
"Far beyond the Markets each Spring and Fall, we function as an invaluable information source for the industry, and for this reason the Online Press Center is open and available to journalists before, during and between Market times," Casey said. "Our goal is to help promote awareness of the Market as the source for the newest ideas in home furnishings, and we want to highlight the new and exciting products that represent Market. All High Point Market exhibitors are invited to post press releases about products introduced here with appropriate photography. Posting is easy and there is no charge for utilizing this service."
The High Point Market marketing team also is available to those exhibitors with a story to tell who may need additional assistance on the public relations front.
"Our team is led by a former journalist in the industry who can provide invaluable insight and direction, or recommend public relations professionals who are experienced in working with home furnishings accounts," Casey said.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on February 24, 2010
Linder's Furniture, Garden Grove, Calif., has opened its 10th and largest store, 50,000 square feet, in a former Wickes Furniture location in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported Monday.
"We've been looking out here (in the Inland Valley) for a long time," said Linder's President Eric Foucrier in the report. "With real estate values adjusting, we felt it was a good time to get into this market."
A grand opening is set for March 4.
The store also will feature a Mitsubishi exhibit with the latest Mitsubishi televisions.
"We're going to be the first (retail) store in the country to show a 3-D solution that you can put into your home," Foucrier said. "It's the first 3-D television in the nation."
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 24, 2010
Web-centric home furnishings retailer FurnitureBlue has named industry veteran Johne Albanese to the newly created position of executive vice president. Albanese is responsible for merchandising, operations and logistics for the Delray Beach, Fla.-based retailer.
"We are very excited to welcome Johne to our team," said Brad Feuer, CEO of FurnitureBlue. "As we have grown so rapidly over the past two years, it's become clear that we need new leadership to help take us to the next level. Johne brings over 25 years of solid home furnishings experience in all disciplines and we believe he'll play an integral role in our evolutionary growth going forward."
Albanese has previously held sales, marketing, merchandising and operational roles with companies including Bassett, Natuzzi and American Drew/Lea Industries.
"I'm really excited about becoming a part of such a dynamic and rapidly growing organization," Albanese said. "As our industry experiences a transition between true target consumer groups, Web-centric organizations will evolve as well. Today's consumer wants more than just a price driven e-tail model. They want to deal with businesses who understand how they live, love, work, shop and play. And they want style, regardless of their social strata. The team at FurnitureBlue clearly gets this and is committed to becoming one of the top companies of its kind in our industry. I'm very excited to be a part of this organization."
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on February 24, 2010
West Elm, the home furnishings retail subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma will close its store in downtown Washington, D.C., next month, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
Clothing chain Forever 21 will take over the West Elm space in the historic Woodward & Lothrop building.
The D.C. West Elm store, at 38,000 square feet, was the chain's largest when it opened in August 2007.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 24, 2010
Rug manufacturer and importer Capel Inc., Troy, N.C., has received the "1B4NC" award from the North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Service for the company's dedication to sustaining North Carolina's industry and economic growth.
The award was presented in a ceremony held at Capel's headquarters on Monday. During the ceremony Capel's Richard Capel thanked IES for the recognition.
"I'm humbled by this," said Capel's Director of Manufacturing Richard Capel, who went on to thank the company's employees. "This just wouldn't have been possible without your help and I thank you."
The relationship between NCSU's Industrial Extension Service and Capel began more than 10 years ago. Since that time, the company has improved is competitive edge and efficiencies, preserving approximately $2 million in economic value for the state.
"There are three outcomes we strive for when working with clients: improve the process, teach the tools and grow a culture," said IES Extension Specialist Steve Laton, who first helped bring the concept of leaner operations to Capel. "We did all three here at Capel and they should be proud."
Capel is one of 25 companies across the state that have been recognized in IES' 1B4NC campaign, an effort to create $1 billion in economic benefit for North Carolina by 2010 by partnering with industry throughout the state.
Since January 2006, the campaign has provided North Carolina more than $854 million in jobs saved, cost savings and increased sales.