Daily News Archive
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February 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 2, 2010
Costco Wholesale Corp. has named Craig Jelinek president and chief operating officer.
Prior to the promotion, Jelinek executive vice president in charge of merchandising, a position he has held since 2004. He spent the previous 20 years in various management positions in warehouse operations. Jelinek joins the company's board of directors.
Jim Sinegal will continue as chief executive officer of the company. Sinegal, together with Chairman of the Board Jeff Brotman, Senior Executive Vice President Dick DiCerchio and Jelinek, will form an office of the president, through which the four will coordinate on major company matters.
"We are excited about Craig's elevation to his new role," Sinegal said. "He is a highly seasoned retail executive, with over 25 years' experience at our company and over 35 years' experience in the industry. We look forward to his participation in a broader range of decisions as we move the company forward."
Costco currently operates 566 warehouses, including 413 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 77 in Canada, 21 in the United Kingdom, seven in Korea, six in Taiwan, nine in Japan, 32 in Mexico and one in Australia.
February 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 2, 2010
Bedding supplier Natura World plans to acquire a 478,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas, that will allow the company to increase distribution throughout the U.S. with shorter delivery times.
Opening up another factory will give us much needed room for expansion, said Ralph Rossdeutscher, president of Natura World. Our penetration into the U.S. market has moved at a rapid pace over the last year and this factory will increase our ability to meet our retailers needs quickly and efficiently.
Natura, based in Cambridge, Ontario, will acquire 100 acres with two manufacturing facilities.
Jim Van Lear has been named plant manager. Van Lear is a 30-year veteran of the mattress industry, having worked for Simmons, Serta and, most recently, Spring Air.
Natura announces this planned-for purchase fast on the heels of acquiring NexGel along with expanding its latex and memory foam mattress manufacturing to include inner-spring mattresses. Natura has also entered into a licensing agreement with Sharper Image and will be offering a line of Sharper Image Mattresses this year. Over the last year, Natura has also hired several key vice presidents to oversee and manage sales throughout the U.S.
For 15 years, weve grown consistently and with a tight focus on our mission statement to help our customers achieve a superior nights sleep, Rossdeutscher said. With each step weve made this past year, we continue toward that goal. Wed like to thank the State of Texas and the City of Wichita Falls for their hard work and diligence in assisting with this venture.
February 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on February 2, 2010
Attendance at Las Vegas Market, which opened Monday and runs through Friday, is on track to outpace last winter's show, according to on opening day release from World Market Center.
"Optimism, optimism, optimism. That's the theme for this Las Vegas Market," said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. "There has been an uptick in activity and it is reflected in attitudes and order writing here in Las Vegas. This Market aims to be a leader not only in products and sales, but in leading the charge for innovation and creativity. It's a new world and a new way and we are here to give buyers a look at what's up next in every realm. The industry has weathered the eye of the storm, and it's gratifying to see people here motivated and geared up for success after the last two and a half years in a most challenging environment."
The day kicked off with "First Look at Las Vegas Market." HGTVs Monica Pedersen and home furnishings trend expert Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media showcased dozens of items to be found in Market showrooms, highlighting up-and-coming trends such as distressed finishes, bold accent colors like turquoise and purple, versatile patterns and attention to surface details.
"We have 157 events throughout the week," Maricich said. "It all started with the One Good World ECOngress, which attracted many Market attendees and inspired countless useful and dynamic conversations. Still to come is the industry's first sustainability training, The Green Debate Seminar, DESIGNINGreen, Lasting Luxury and those are just a few. These five days are full of panels, seminars and events that will help us understand how to prosper and take better care of our planet. The lineup of speakers is, simply put, star-studded."
Product launches this week include Amini Innovation Corporation is launching its first celebrity-licensed collection with Jane Seymour.
"We are excited about the week ahead in Las Vegas, and our major launch with Jane Seymour," said Michael Amini, CEO of Amini Innovation Corporation. "I think in this type of economy a lot of people have been falling asleep, and this is a great way to wake them up."
"We are quite pleased with our first day's results," said Stefanie Lucas, president and CEO, Rowe Fine Furniture. "Traffic was up significantly, and our customers were very enthusiastic with our fabrics and styles. We see color as mandatory when it comes to uplifting the mood of consumers, and our retailers seem very optimistic."
"There is a nice buzz going on here," said Jason Phillips, vice president and creative director for The Phillips Collection. "I sense a very hopeful attitude. If anyone truly cares about the industry and is trying hard to keep things together, it is the Las Vegas Market."
"We've been swarmed with dealers from all over," said Ron Wanek, chairman of Ashley Furniture. "The dealers are coming in upbeat and we're writing good business. We think 2010 should be a pretty good year. Dealers like to come here to Las Vegas because the economics are good."
"We like the attitudes of the buyers that are coming in," said Jeff Cook, president of Broyhill Furniture. "As you can see, our showroom has been very active. The response to the new products we are launching has been very good."
"The show is wonderful," said John Moran, national sales manager for Anthony California Inc. "The traffic seems to be pretty good right now and we are having a very successful first day."
February 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on February 2, 2010
The National Home Furnishings Association has added a pay-for-clicks option as an alternative to its existing flat fee billing for retailers signing up for its HomeFurnishings.com consumer Web portal.
"We've gone to an option where retailers can elect to use HomeFurnishings.com on a pay-per-clicks," said Doug Kays of Premiere Home Furnishings in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and former NHFA president. "The fixed-rate option remains, but they can get a lower annual minimum cost with pay for clicks."
Retailers can get more information this week at Las Vegas Market, where HomeFurnishings.com is featured in the "Launch Pad" area of the Retailer Resource Center on the 16th floor of World Market Center's Building B; or they can call the NHFA office at 800.888.9590.
February 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 2, 2010
Bedding giant Serta will roll out children's mattresses bearing the popular characters Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer and Diego after entering into a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP), it was announced this week at World Furniture Market in Las Vegas.
Under the terms of the license, Serta will produce two beds--one featuring Spongebob, and the other combining the lead characters from the younger-skewed "Dora the Explorer" and "Go Diego Go!" shows--in a variety of styles.
Both beds will be available in twin and full sizes as either traditional innerspring Perfect Sleeper or Visco memory foam models.
"We are so excited to partner with NVCP to bring kids' bedding to a whole new level," said Serta Vice President of Brand Management Maria Balistreri. "We are incorporating advanced features to provide children with better comfort and support for their growing bodies. Plus, these new mattresses will help make bedtime easier for parents; kids will actually be excited for bedtime thanks to Dora, Diego and Spongebob!
"They're adult-friendly mattresses dressed in a kid-friendly package," she added.
The mattresses feature full-color imprints of the characters on their tops and sides. Serta is also planning to produce memory foam pillows bearing the characters' likenesses.
Balistreri anticipated heavy cross-promotion between Serta and Nickelodeon through TV commercials, Nickelodeon's popular Web site, and other avenues.
Serta plans to make the beds available to retail on April 1st. Anticipated price points for the beds are $199 for the innerspring models and $299 for the foam versions.