Daily News Archive
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February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on February 24, 2010
Consumers went back into their caves in February as consumer confidence retreated sharply for the month, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.
The Index now stands at 46.0, down from 56.5 in January. The Present Situation Index decreased to 19.4 from 25.2, and the Expectations Index declined to 63.8 from 77.3 last month.
The survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The cutoff date for Februarys preliminary results was Feb. 17.
"Concerns about current business conditions and the job market pushed the Present Situation Index down to its lowest level in 27 years (Feb. 1983, 17.5)," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "Consumers' short-term outlook also took a turn for the worse, with fewer consumers anticipating an improvement in business conditions and the job market over the next six months. Consumers also remain extremely pessimistic about their income prospects. This combination of earnings and job anxieties is likely to continue to curb spending."
Consumers' assessment of current-day conditions soured in February. Those claiming conditions are "good" decreased to 6.2 percent from 8.5 percent, while those claiming business conditions are "bad" increased to 46.3 percent from 44.7 percent. Consumers' assessment of the labor market was also more pessimistic. Those saying jobs are "hard to get" rose to 47.7 percent from 46.5 percent, while those saying jobs are "plentiful" decreased to 3.6 percent from 4.4 percent.
Consumers' short-term outlook, which had been improving, lost ground in February. The percentage of consumers anticipating an improvement in business conditions over the next six months decreased to 16.7 percent from 20.7 percent, while those anticipating conditions will worsen increased to 15.3 percent from 12.7 percent. Regarding the outlook for the labor market, the percentage of consumers expecting fewer jobs increased to 24.6 percent from 18.9 percent. Those anticipating more jobs will become available in the months ahead declined to 13.4 percent from 15.8 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes declined to 9.5 percent from 11.0 percent.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on February 24, 2010
Finger Furniture has reopened in its remodeled, 200,000-square-foot showroom in Houston, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday.
In addition to an expanded selection of its traditional offerings, the location features Urban Leather, a "store within a store" owned by Tracy Weeks and specializing in custom leather upholstery.
The store has been open Friday through Monday since a soft opening last week, but will begin regular business hours on March 19.
Debt problems drove the former Finger operation out of business, Rodney Finger told the paper.
"Debt killed us," he said in the report. "My dad started an aggressive growth campaign in 2005. He and I began expanding our store base and built an expensive new distribution center."
Finger then signed an as the local licensee for Ashley Furniture's HomeStore operation, taking on a huge amount of debt, which hurt the business even more during the credit crisis and recession.
Last March, Finger gave up its Ashley Furniture HomeStore franchise to Hill Country Furniture Partners, owners of Ashley stores in Austin, San Antonio and other cities. Finger had announced the prior year it would transform two Finger stores to Ashley stores and close the other stores.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on February 24, 2010
Joe Cory Sr. will be honored by the City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry Group with The Spirit of Life Award this spring during the High Point Market.
Cory, chairman and chief executive officer of Cory 1st Choice Home Delivery Service, will be honored alongside the Cartledge and Bennett families, owners of Grand Home Furnishings.
In its 45-year history, the National Home Furnishings Industry Group has raised more than $45 million for cancer research, treatment and education at City of Hope, one of the nations leading research and treatment centers for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The event will take place April 18 at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons.
Its an honor to be recognized by City of Hope, an organization that speeds research into new therapies for patients with life-threatening diseases, Cory said. We are proud to support innovative science and lifesaving treatments so that some day cures can be found.
CORY 1st Choice Home Delivery Service was founded in 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y., by Corys father Joseph Cory, and is the nations premier home delivery company. It has more than 300 employees, operates more than 500 delivery trucks and delivers products in 38 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A Brooklyn native, Joe Cory and his brother Jim Cory helped develop their fathers business into one of the nations leading delivery businesses in the industry. They have stayed true to their fathers philosophy of maintaining a close-knit, family-like business and work environment for CORY's customers, employees and vendors.
We are grateful for Joe Corys support for advanced research and treatments for patients with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, said Michael Sandler, director of development, City of Hope. Through CORYs commitment, together we can help further advanced research and ensure patients everywhere benefit from new treatments and therapies.
To purchase tickets for the Spirit of Life gala or for more information, click
here or contact Michael Sandler at 800-272-2310 or msandler@coh.org.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 24, 2010
Lisa Shankle has been named general manager for Showplace, Showplace West and Hamilton Properties in High Point.
Shankle has more than 30 years in the industry and joined Showplace Properties in 2006 from Merchandise Mart Properties. Most recently, she was the leasing and property manager for Hamilton Properties, which includes 200, 320 and 330 North Hamilton.
"I'm excited to take on the role of general manager of all of these properties," Shankle said. "For the last four years my entire focus was on Hamilton Properties, and now while I remain very much involved with those assets, I will also be a part of the rest of the Showplace Properties. I am fortunate to be able to lead a team of professionals that have been in place for many years. I only expect us to grow stronger."
Dave Oddo, senior vice president of Lincoln Harris, owner of Showplace Properties, said the company is lucky to have Shankle as part of its leadership team.
"Her experience and leadership in the industry as well as in the real estate arena will be of tremendous value to the future success of the Showplace and Hamilton assets, Oddo said.
February 23,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on February 24, 2010
Leather upholstery supplier Leather Italia USA has restructured its sales team in concert with recent improvements in its management, systems and warehousing structure.
Our level of service to our retail customers needed to mirror our dedication to the improving warehouses inventory position and the value/style/price relationship of our product portolio, said Dwight Hardison, vice president of sales and national accounts. The goal at Leather Italia USA is to assure the retail buyer/owner that the representation from us demonstrates the highest level of integrity and ethics; plus the ability to assist them to increase their sales and profits with our product line.
Members added to the sales team since late last year include: Howard and Jenny Cohen, Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey; Mike Anderson, out state New York and Western Pennsylvania; Richie Harwood, Georgia; Don Spivey, Alabama and the Florida panhandle; Tom Penrose, Ohio; Kevin Petterson and Larry Wedding, Southern Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa; Jeff Glenn, Colorado and New Mexico; Bill Dail, Elizabeth Dail and Stein Monsen, Texas and Oklahoma; Dan Johnson, Arizona; Ryan Jonson, Southern California; and Jeff Pachella and Dana Rogers, Northern California and Northern Nevada. In addition, Billy Worsham has added Kentucky and West Virginia to his current Tennessee sales area.
Continuing to expand on adding professionals into our company that represent our fine line as it is is both exciting and a testimony in the market place," said Mike Campbell, owner and chief executive officer.
Leather Italia USA, is based in Leland, N.C., and is a supplier of leather stationary and motion upholster. The company has warehouse facilities in Leland, and, a 150,000-square-foot warehouse in Phoenix that offers warehoused product programs and container direct programs for all levels of upholstery retailers and distribution channels.