Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 26,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 27, 2010
Steve Eisler has been named president of Jaipur Home, the U.S. are of Jodhpur, India-based Shekhawati Art Exports.
In his new position, Eisler reports to Subodh, Johari, chief executive officer, and is responsible for sales, brand development, marketing and merchandising. Most recently Eisler was vice president of sales for Indian manufacturer Classic Home.
Jaipur Home, U.S. is expanding its North American distribution efforts to national and independent retailers via its factory stocking program and warehouse in Bentonville, Ark. A new consolidation warehouse is under construction in Shekhawati, India and will be stocked and ready to ship in six months. The company is looking for a Los Angeles-based warehouse for domestic product this spring.
We will have a sales force of approximately 30 reps, most of whom have prior experience with product from India, a distinct advantage in aiding buyers in merchandising and knowledge of India furnishings sales and display marketing," Eisler said. "The Jaipur sales team will also be a vital link in the sales floor training of our retail partners sales reps.
The company will be showing in an expanded showroom at the Las Vegas Market, B812, and plans to announce a new showroom in High Point later.
January 26,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on January 27, 2010
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association will honor Broyhill Furniture Inds. President Jeff Cook with the Pillar of the Industry award at the 16th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala at Spring High Point.
The Pillar of the Industry Award is presented to an industry leader who has distinguished himself with creative work and effort to improve, enhance and benefit relationships among representatives and other segments of the industry. This person's actions and deeds have shown their commitment to the home furnishings industry, their community and to mankind.
Jeff Cook started out in the furniture business 33 years ago unloading trucks at the furniture market in Hickory and serving as an errand boy for the Brookwood Furniture Company sales force during markets.
Cook worked his way up in sales and sales management positions after earning a bachelor's degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College. He became senior vice president of sales and marketing for Design Horizons, a division of Lea Inds. After his promotion to general manager of Design Horizons, Cook was then promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing at Lea Inds.
Cook then became vice president of sales and marketing for Sumter Cabinet Co., a niche manufacturer of solid wood bedroom and dining room. He then moved to Magnussen Home Furnishings as president in 1998, and erved as president and chief executive officer from 2002 to 2007. During his time at Magnussen Home the company doubled in size three times.
Cook joined Broyhill in early 2007 and serves on Furniture Brands' Executive Leadership Team. Broyhill's customer service is at the highest levels achieved in years, and all new products have been developed through a proprietary process that uses industry-leading consumer insights and testing.
Cook serves on the Board of Directors of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation and the Board of Directors of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. For the City of Hope, he serves on the Advisory Board and served as the Grand Marshal for the High Point Hike for Hope in March 2007. He also has served on the Board of Directors for The String & Splinter Club and the WithIt Board of Governors.
The Furniture Industry Awards Gala will be held Monday, April 19, in the IHFC Ballroom on the 11th floor of the Green Wing. The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association and the National Home Furnishings Association sponsor the event. For reservations to the Furniture Industry Awards Gala, contact the IHFRA Office by phone at 336.889.39920; or by e-mail.
January 26,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 27, 2010
Profitgroups, a division of Colorado Springs-based retail systems vendor Profitsystems, has released the agenda for its 2010 Colossal performance group meeting, themed "Thinking about Tomorrow Today-Prospering in the New Economy" and set for March 10-11 in Colorado Springs.
The event will cover topics in all key areas for retail home goods businesses: financials, marketing (including customer relationship management, e-marketing, and Web strategies), buying, inventory management, merchandising, selling, back-end operations (including office, warehouse, delivery and customer service), and the newest systems technology.
Featured speakers are Melissa Galt, a design business systems specialist with Prosper by Design; and Rick Stark, former CEO of Profitsystems.
Galt's session, titled "The 5 Keys to Unlocking a Lifetime of Demand with the Design," is designed to show retailers the essential steps to working effectively with designers to boost their sales and develop lifelong loyalty. Working with the design trade is a unique opportunity to access clients and customers that a retailer may never ordinarily see or benefit from.
"In the changed economy it isn't enough to provide beautiful furniture at a reasonable price," said Phyllis Zaepfel, vice president of Profitgroups, of the need to incorporate designers into retail stores, even if they dont have their own in-house designers. "People want to create beautiful rooms and have expert help in doing so. Plus, it is a great way for the store to build a larger revenue stream."
Stark's presentation will examine search engine optimization and will include discussions on what SEO really is, should a business include pay-per-click as part of its plan, and how individual businesses of any size can make an Internet strategy work. Attendees will learn what other furniture retailers are doing that has been successful, as well as the critical factors for success with their internet presence.
David Lively of The Lively Merchant will present "Generational Transfer," in which he will cover the transfer of authority, power, and responsibility while holding onto a business' reputation and relationships.
"As a third-generation furniture retailer I had personal experience with the different, and sometimes difficult, discussions that need to be addressed," said Profitsystems COO Shelley Parlin. "Many of our clients at Profitsystems are second, third, and even fourth generation in their store. The ability to transfer the business from one generation to the next smoothly can be difficult, and I am thrilled that we can offer insight to the process for them."
Other topics include team building through leadership, sales management techniques, marketing round-table discussions, financial benchmarking and analysis, and "The Road to Recovery."
"I have learned more about operating profitable retail furniture company through Colossal Meetings--and prior to that, "Profit University"--than any other meetings or organizational events I have attended," said Mark Krueger, president of Kelly Furniture in Kirksville, Mo., and is a long-time Profitgroups member. "In addition to the educational aspect of these meetings, the contacts you make, with like-minded business professionals, have become invaluable. If you can only attend one business event this year, this is the one."
For more information, contact Phyllis Zaepfel by e-mail; or call 800.325.2018.
January 26,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on January 27, 2010
Fashion4Home Inc. launched a U.S. Web site Tuesday for the online retail of high-end contemporary furniture that it says it sells at 50 percent to 70 percent off traditional retail prices.
Fashion4Home.com is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Berline, Germany-based company of the same name, which launched in Europe in November 2009.
To celebrate the U.S. launch, Fashion4Home.com is giving away discount codes through Twitter, available by following @Fashion4Home and tweeting "Send me a discount code @Fashion4Home #design #furniture #deals."
In addition to online sales, Fashion4Home.com gives consumers the ability to comment and vote on designs in consideration, thereby influencing the products offered in the online store. The goal is an open innovation environment for top modern furniture designers to share their ideas directly with consumers, gain immediate feedback and speed up product design. Fashion4Home.com says it's the world's first hub for furniture designers and consumers to interact directly, making the design and purchasing process more engaging, fun and affordable.
The Fashion4Home.com online store offers U.S. shoppers 80 models of contemporary furniture across twelve categories, including designs that are exclusive to Fashion4Home.com.
"Fashion4Home.com is about delivering the best possible designs at affordable prices," said Just Beyer, co-founder and managing director of Fashion4Home.com. "In the world of retail, home furniture is one of the last bastions of tremendous inefficiency and costs associated with inventory and other layers to the supply chain. By eliminating these elements and creating a new direct-to-consumer channel for the worlds best designers, we believe we have the opportunity to reinvent the way people shop for furniture. Our entire purpose as a company is to deliver the highest quality furniture at the lowest price and to delight our customers at every turn."
The company is backed by Holtzbrinck Ventures and Rocket Internet. Rocket Internet is an investment firm owned by Oliver, Marc and Alexander Samwer, the founders of eBay Germany, which was formerly known as Alando.de. They also founded Jamba!, which operated in 27 countries around the world, known in the United States as Jamster!, and was sold to Verisign in 2004.
January 26,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 27, 2010
Tami Watras has been named director of merchandising for Capel Rugs.
Watras is responsible for Capel's strategy and execution of merchandise selection, product development and procurement. In this newly created position, she reports to John Magee, president and CEO.
Watras joined Capel in 2006 as a merchandise manager and most recently served as general manager of the company's retail division. Prior to joining Capel, she held positions in merchandising, product development and sourcing for Ethan Allen, Amy Coe, and Lillian August Designs.