Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on February 12, 2010
Cory Home Delivery, Secaucus, N.J., recently celebrated 75 years of service with a company gala.
It was the height of the Great Depression in 1934 when Joseph Cory drove his first truck onto the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., to deliver a stove. With little opportunity for formal education, the first-generation Italian-American had left school after eighth grade to join his brother in supporting the family. A very hard worker and an excellent salesman, it was clear early on that he had tremendous vision for growing his business.
Seventy-five years later, the third-generation family-owned and operated business that is Americas No. 1 home delivery company is celebrating its diamond anniversary. Festivities commemorating the event were held recently at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel in New Jersey.
Cory has a client list that includes many of the top 100 furniture, appliance, and electronics retailers in the nation. Headed by the founder's sons Joe and Jim Cory, the organization is today managed by grandsons Kevin and Patrick Cory, along with industry veterans Bob Alter, Odeh Ahmad, Pat Trinca, and Marin Dragojevic.
"As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, transitioning to third-generation family leadership and innovation are keys to continuing success in serving retailers nationwide," said Joe Cory Sr.
In addition to recruiting some of the best professionals in the home delivery arena, Cory has undertaken major initiatives, including the demountable warehouse-on-wheels program for retailers to cover wide delivery areas and investing heavily in IT to increase efficiencies and improve service. This includes state-of-the-art routing programs to help reduce fuel costs and increase density and smart phones on delivery vehicles to track orders and automatically update clients and customers with real -time delivery information. Additionally, CORY has created quality delivery programs, including "The CORY Way," which measures delivery services daily, and the Best of the Industry safety program, headed by former Virginia State Police Officer Scott Roberts, C.T.P.
"As my grandfather would often say, in our business there are only two things of importance," said Patrick Cory. "One is the customer, and the other is the furniture. If you take care of customers, they come back. If you take care of the furniture, it doesn't. It's just that simple--and just that difficult."
Today, Cory has more than 1,200 dedicated team members and delivery professionals.
"We look forward to continuing to serve the retail industry and hopefully, being here for the next 75 years," said Patrick Cory.
February 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on February 12, 2010
American Signature Inc., one of the nations largest furniture retailers and manufacturers, has announced a partnership with six-time NBA All Star and 2009 MVP LeBron James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The announcement was made during the 2010 NBA All- Star weekend activities in Dallas, Texas at the Oak Cliff Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas.
Under this partnership, American Signature will develop a home furnishings line in collaboration with LeBron James and his marketing agency, LRMR Marketing.
American Signature, Inc is excited to partner with LeBron James. He is a superstar--but in addition, an individual that has built his success on commitment, teamwork, leadership and friendship, said Jonathan Schottenstein, COO for American Signature. Throughout his success, LeBron has remained committed to his values, and thats what makes him an authentic brand for todays consumer.
I am proud to be partnering with American Signature and sharing my familys lifestyle with fans and consumers everywhere, James said. "This is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to the upcoming launch in the months to come.
In support of LeBron James annual playground initiative during NBA All Star, American Signature remodeled the teen room located at the Boys & Girls Club. Included in the remodeling and refurbishing the room with paint and accessories was a range of product such as sofas, tables and video chairs. Along with executives from American Signature, James, Savannah Brinson and their two sons helped unveil the new Teen Center.
A summer launch is planned for the initial LeBron James home furnishings collection and details on specific product will be announced at a later date.
February 10,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 11, 2010
Phoenix Furniture Auction has relocated from its old location on West Indian School Road to a new site at 48th Street and Cactus Road, the Phoenix Business Journal reported Wednesday.
Home and Garden TV personality Michael Payne will make an appearance at the new location's grand opening Friday.
As part of the celebration, there will be a drawing for Paynes consulting services on the design of a room of at a customers home.
Payne, star of HGTV's "Designing for the Sexes," will meet with local interior designer at a brunch earlier the same day. At the grand opening celebration, customers can enter a drawing for Payne's consulting services for designing a room in their home.
February 10,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on February 11, 2010
Bernie & Phyl's Furniture, Norton, Mass., will sponsor an "Olympic Contest" with one Gold Medal winner receiving a $5,000 furniture shopping spree at any of its stores.
The "Silver Medal" winner will receive a 55-inch LCD HDTV; and three "Bronze Medal" winners will receive "Family of Four Ski & Stay" Loon Mountain weekend getaways.
Anyone age 21 or older who takes the Sealy Posturpedic sleep test at Bernie & Phyl's will be automatically entered to win (no purchase necessary). The contest is sponsored in conjunction with Channel 7/WHDH-TV, which will broadcast the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
"The Winter Olympics are such a fun event for families to enjoy together, and we thought this would be a great way for our wonderful customers to share in the excitement," said Larry Rubin of Bernie & Phyl's Furniture.
The deadline to enter is Feb. 26, and the winner will be announced during the closing ceremony of the Olympics on Feb. 28. For more details, visit any of Bernie & Phyl's six stores. For store locations, go to www.bernieandphyls.com.
Bernie & Phyl's Furniture is one of the largest furniture retailers in New England. The family-run business has six stores in Braintree, Hyannis, Raynham, Saugus and Westboro, Mass.; and Nashua, N.H.
February 10,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on February 11, 2010
Italian leather specialist Natuzzi (NYSE: NTZ) has announced its 2010 goal to reach more than $826 million in total sales and to return to a positive earnings before interest and taxes.
The company's board approved the 2010 budget, which reflects the current financial and economic uncertainty. The budget also incorporates improvement in total net sales and order flow during the last few months. The company said the budget will override the previous three-year business plan that was approved at the end of 2008.
The target total net sales of more than $826 million represents a 17 percent increase when compared with 2009.
The company said its goals will be met with strict control over operating costs that were implemented throughout the company last year.
The ambitious 2010 goals are taking into consideration the persistent challenging economic environment, but also the internal group improvement that began recently," said Pasquale Natuzzi, chairman and chief executive officer. "Considering the uncertainty in the market, we have planned to periodically evaluate and fine tune our long term objectives in order to incorporate any potential changes in the environment. Lastly, I want to emphasize the strength of the Editions project, that will be one of the engines of our future growth, that will leverage our experienced, creative team as well as our production and commercial group structures.