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January 20,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 21, 2010
Steve August has been named senior vice president and chief marketing officer for SharperImage.com.
In his position, August is responsible for directing all marketing efforts including online, catalog, affiliate, CRM, portals and partnerships. He also has oversight of consumer analytics and database modeling.
'We are looking to profitably grow sales and expand our customer base, and Steve is a perfect candidate. He has a unique skill set in every facet of both online and catalog marketing" said David Katzman, managing partner for Camelot Venture Group. "Steve has an incredibly comprehensive and wide ranging knowledge base plus an equally impressive track record of delivering successful results. We are fortunate to have him as part of our team."¨¨After relaunching its Web site in October, SharperImage.com looks to expand its marketing efforts this year. In addition, the first catalog will mail in time for Father's Day with additional circulation throughout the balance of the year.
Prior to joining SharperImage.com, August spent nine years at Brookstone where he most recently served as operating vice president for customer marketing.
Sharper Image has exceptional brand equity that resonates with consumers. I am very excited to join the team and bring the catalog and online efforts back in a big way, August said.
January 20,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 21, 2010
Culp, Inc. (NYSE: CFI) said the company has reached agreements with a number of its customers and competing fabric suppliers regarding some of its copyrighted fabric designs.
Many of the company's designs are copyright protected, including its faux leather designsPalomino, Wrangler, Stampede, Congo, Gunslinger, Nabuck, Bonanza, Lambskin, Nabook and Buckskin. As announced in August, the company has pursued enforcement of its rights against companies and individuals engaged in selling knock-off versions of its designs.
Culp has reached agreements, the terms of which are confidential, with certain customers and fabric suppliers.
Culp also said it is engaged in enforcement proceedings against the following fabric suppliers and, in some cases, the company ownersGlobal Textile Alliance, Huntington Fabrics and Gum Tree Fabrics. Additionally, Culp is in discussions and pursuing agreements with several major customers to ensure that Culp will be the exclusive provider of its copyrighted designs for the long term.
"Our goal is to rid the market of unauthorized versions of our fabric designs," said Rob Culp, chairman. "Culp will do whatever it takes to protect ourselves, our valued customers and retailers from the unlawful violation of our rights. We believe our customers deserve it. We also welcome any involvement from retailers in these efforts."
In its release, Culp said there are certain customers, importers and retailers who continue to use unauthorized versions of Culp's copyrighted designs in their furniture products. In these cases, the company is gathering documentation and determining what legal actions to pursue.
"We appreciate our loyal customers who have supported us through these proceedings and have continued to buy only Culp's copyrighted designs," said Frank Saxon, president and chief executive officer. "Further, we are open to holding discussions with customers, importers and retailers in order to ensure that only authentic Culp fabrics reach the market."
January 20,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 21, 2010
La-Z-Boy plans to consolidate Hammary into its American Drew/Lea organization based in High Point.
The move to merge the two case goods companies will begin in the middle of March and will be completed by the end of April. The company said as the consolidation continues, roles and positions will be defined further.
"The combination of these companies will allow us to bring a more complete case goods product line up to our dealer base, and we look forward to providing them with more of a one-stop solution for dining room, bedroom, youth furniture and occasional," said Steve Kincaid, president of La-Z-Boy's Casegoods Segment. "Additionally, the larger combined organization will allow us to leverage the supply chain and distribution networks in place today for each company, affording us the opportunity to enhance service levels to our customer base while strengthening our sales, marketing and merchandising team under one umbrella."
The Hammary Showroom located in the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point will move from the third to the ninth floor, adjacent to the American Drew/Lea showroom for the upcoming March premarket, as well as the April High Point Market.
January 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 20, 2010
Stanley Furniture Co. (STLY) plans to lay off 190 employees over the next two months because of a slowdown in sales of its adult case goods line, according to a report in the
Martinsville Bulletin. The layoff will impact 150 hourly employees and 40 temporary workers, and the reduction will be completed in about two months. Only employees in the company's Stanleytown, Va., facility are affected.
Glenn Prillaman, president and COO, told the newspaper that the company has no plans to shift production overseas.
Once the layoffs are complete, the company will employ 750 workers in Virginia in its factory and its Martinsville, Va., warehouse and distribution center. Stanley also produces its Young America line in a factory in Robbinsville, N.C.
January 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 20, 2010
Home and Garden Television (HGTV) will produce a series of "webisodes"--episodes made for the Web--on home furnishings and décor trends for 2010 at Las Vegas Market, Feb. 1-5.
Each video will feature trend information and several shots of products within World Market Center as well as interviews with attendees to help capture the energy and excitement of the show.
The HGTV crew also will attend some of Las Vegas Market's special events, educational seminars and demonstrations scheduled throughout the week.
"The opportunity to be featured by HGTV provides consumers with a first-hand look at what's new and next season's hottest design trends," said World Market Center Las Vegas President and CEO Robert Maricich. "This is also an incredible opportunity for our tenants to get noticed on a national stage. I believe HGTV, along with our other aggressive initiatives, will drive the optimism and awareness needed to move our industry forward after these difficult economic times. We need to excite consumers, and this is a wonderful way to do it."
In addition to posting the trend videos online, HGTV will promote the videos through social media initiatives including Twitter, YouTube and blogs. Coverage of Las Vegas Market also will include a photo gallery of featured products online.
Interior designer and lifestyle expert Monica Pedersen, and a designer on HGTV's "Designed to Sell," will offer her personal design tips to help consumers recreate and redecorate their homes in a whole new way. Pedersen, along with Julie Smith, will help Las Vegas Market buyers get fast tracked to the newest products and trends available on the show floor during "First Look: Las Vegas Market" on Monday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. in WorldView on the 16th floor of Building B.
Las Vegas Market attendees can register now and book discounted hotel rooms
here.