January 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 18, 2010
The Western Home Furnishings Association and National Home Furnishings Association have announced the February Las Vegas Winter Market educational seminar schedule.
Sessions take place at the Retailer Resource Center, located in World Market Center B-1630 and C-512.
During Market, the RRC will host a powerful selection of industry speakers on a diverse range of specific retail issues. These complimentary workshops are designed to motivate, educate and accommodate busy buyer schedules while still providing a wealth of quality information.
WHFA and NHFA have partnered with the World Market Center Las Vegas for the Business Survival Academy series, which takes place Monday-Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. in the World Forum room. These sessions will cover topics on becoming a retail superstar, negotiating techniques, and digital branding in a multichannel world.
Another highlight of the week is the two morning Retailers Town Hall discussions, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 9-10 a.m.. These discussions are a unique Market opportunity to interact with others and ask your questions to a panel of industry experts. The panel consists of Doug Knorr, Knorr Marketing; Bob Moorman, JRM Sales & Management Inc.; Dan Bolger, The Bolger Group; and will be facilitated by Mark Lacey of The Furniture Training Company. Topics will include marketing and advertising, merchandising, logistics, budgeting and financial controls and sales and sales management. Participants can suggest topics early by visiting the WHFA Web site(http://www.WHFA.org).
WA complete listing of the dates and times of WHFA and NHFA seminars (all in WMC-B1630 unless otherwise noted) follows:
Monday, Feb. 1
* "Sweat the Small Stuff," 10:30-11:30 a.m. Brad Huisken of IAS Training will discuss the little things that make the difference between a salesperson being poor or average and sales record-breaker.
* "Five New Ways to Connect with Your Customers," noon-1 p.m. Gerry Morris of Sleep Trust will share how social media are transforming the mattress industry and how retailers can connect and create outstanding customer experiences.
* "Transforming Show & Tellers into Closers," 1:30-2:30 p.m. Steve Smith of Profitability Consulting will reveal processes and techniques for turning chronically underperforming salespeople into true sales professionals.
* "Leave a Legacy, Keep Your Sanity," 3-4 p.m. David Lively of The Lively Merchant, will talk about understanding how the ownership-transition cycle works in family businesses, and how it will make or break such businesses.
* "Becoming a Retail Superstar: Business Building Lessons from Americas Best Independent Stores," 4-5 p.m., World Forum Room. Part of the Business Survival/WHFA Academy Series, George Whalin of Retail Management Consultants and author of "Retail Superstars" will talk about how retailers can take their business to the next level and learn what has worked for the best in the business even in tough economic times.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
* 9:00 10:00 a.m.
"Government Regulations that Impact Your Consumer Financing Program--Learn How to Grow Your Business in the New Decade," 9-10 a.m. GE Money will look at the regulatory changes in the credit card industry and how this will impact your business. Topics covered include Credit CARD Act of 2009, implications for merchants, how to succeed with financing in the new year.
* "Turning Your Furniture Web Site into a Lead Machine!" 10:30-11:30 a.m. Steven McLendon of MicroD Inc. will explore the practices that lead the consumer to your online store and stimulate inquiries and trips to the store.
* "Turned On and Excited! Build Sales, Energize Customers & Increase Profits," noon-1 p.m. Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender of Kizer & Bender Speaking! will discuss how if the people in your store, from stock person to store manager, are not "Turned On and Excited," your customers won't be either. Learn their strengths and strategies, plus how to utilize what you learn to create a positive impact in your own store.
1:30 2:30 p.m.
* "Get on Your Mark, Get Set, Grow!" 1:30-2:30 p.m. Phyllis Zaepfel of Profitsystems Inc., will share five of the smartest methodologies available to grow your business and outmaneuver your competition; and "real life" strategies compiled from hundreds of retailers that create efficiencies within companies.
* "eCommerce 101: Creating Your Online Store is Easier Than you Think," 3-4 p.m. Mark Van Winkle of Storis Inc. will highlight the benefits of hosting an online store. Learn how having the right software will allow you to save money, increase your customer satisfaction, track customer activity and drastically cut overhead costs affiliated with opening a new store location.
* "Negotiating Techniques for the Furniture Professional: Practical Ideas to Improve your Effectiveness," 4-5 p.m., World Forum Room. Part of the Business Survival/WHFA Academy Series, Paul Friedman will focus on the theories behind basic negotiating tips, including pointers on how to improve the outcome of your negotiations, both professional and personal. Discover tactics to calm situations to enable achievement of the most desirable results. Paul Friedman has worked in the contract furniture industry for more than 35 years, initially as a dealer and now as the Principal of Friedman & Associations, a consulting firm focusing on facility related issues. His collaboration with major furniture manufacturers in development of strategies and pricing structures ultimately led to successful contract negotiations with numerous Fortune 500 corporations.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
* "Retailers' Town Hall," 9-10 a.m.
These informative and interactive sessions will provide attendees with a format to ask the experts a multitude of questions on a variety of topics. These co-created sessions will feature consultants who are knowledgeable and experienced in all facets of the industry. Topics will include Marketing and Advertising, Merchandising, Logistics, Budgeting and Financial Controls, Sales & Sales Management. Or submit your questions
online.
* "RECOVERY!" 10:30-11:30 a.m. David McMahon of Profitsystems Inc. will show how you can maximize cash and profitability while riding the bumpy road toward economic recovery.
* "Is Web-Based Interactive Marketing Part of Your Marketing Mix? It Should Be," noon-1 p.m. Ron Carpenter of Strategic Marketing Solutions will show how to leverage your Web site and interactive marketing programs by fully integrating them into your store's marketing program. Discussions include selecting the right key vendors and resources, enhancing your site's capabilities over time and key tools in marketing your store's Web site.
* "Exceeding Customer Expectations," 1:30-2:30 p.m. Joe Milevsky of JRM Sales & Management Inc. will focus on positioning your company to maximize the potential of every customer that calls or visits your store.
3:00 4:00 p.m.
* "Warehouse and Delivery Support for Increased Sales," 3-4 p.m. Daniel Bolger of The Bolger Group will guide you through an assessment process that will identify opportunities for increased productivity, lower costs and provide superior customer satisfaction. Examples will demonstrate before and after situations.
* "Digital Branding in a Multichannel World," 4-5 p.m., World Forum Room. Part of the Business Survival/WHFA Academy Series, Diane Fannon of The Richards Group will share innovative, engaging ways retail marketers use the Internet as a branding channel. She also will analyze cutting-edge brands that are harnessing the power of new technologies to make an emotional connection that will propel them into the future.
Thursday, Feb. 4
* "Retailers Town Hall," 9-10 a.m.
* "Active Buyers vs. Passive Buyers; Media Strategies in Today's Economic Climate," 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jeffrey Welsh of Crowl Direct will show specific examples of successful MicroTargetMedium strategies that have been successfully implemented by different retailers. MicroTargetMediums form the framework of an effective marketing plan that works in today's business world. Mediums that reach active buyers without a lot of waste.
* "Understanding Leather and How to Sell It," noon-1 p.m. Bryan Runyan of Leather Techs will go over the five basic types of leathers tanneries create, how to tell the difference between them, what type of leather a customer should buy and how to take care of each leather discussed.
* "Who's Afraid of the 'I'm Just Looking' Shopper?" 1:30-2:30 p.m. Mark Lacey of The Furniture Training Company will share a foolproof five-step strategy for turning "just looking" shoppers into customers.
* "E-Mail Marketing--How to Get Started Right," 3-4 p.m. Ken Mahar of Email Broadcast will show how Mor Furniture, Ivan Smith Furniture and others are cashing in on e-mail marketing by doing it right. Bring a business card for the door prize.
For more information about the Retailer Resource Center or the seminar series, click
here, or call (800) 422-3778.
January 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 18, 2010
Conlin's Furniture, Billings, Mont., kicked off the New Year's first week with new Conlin's showrooms in Bismarck, N.D., and Gillett, Wy.; and new Al's Furniture locations in Kalispell and Missoula, Mont.
Grand opening festivities include a full year of free financing and $25,000 in prizes.
"As we ring in 2010, Conlin's Furniture is thrilled to kick off both the New Year and a new decade by opening four new stores," Owner Paul Gunville said in a release. "We look forward to being a member of each community and offering our customers stylish home furnishings and exceptional values."
Conlin's, a mid-price retailer, carries furniture brands such as La-Z-Boy, Broyhill, Sealy, Simmons, Tempur-pedic and Palliser. Founded in 1937, family owned
Conlin's Furniture operates 16 stores throughout Montana, the Dakotas and Wyoming.
January 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on January 18, 2010
Louisville, Ky.-area, retailer Smith Furniture will close its remaining store in St. Matthews by the end of February, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Friday.
The 50-year-old retailer, which once had 13 locations, had closed three since June.
Smiths Furniture has weathered a lot of changes since opening in 1960, but never a recession like this, said Executive Vice President Jack Kabazie.
Consolidating into a leaner operation with one location wasn't enough to survive a difficult economy, Executive Vice President Jack Kabazie said in the report.
The downturn "touched every industry," he said. "And it's really hurt discretionary income tremendously."
January 17,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 18, 2010
Online retailer Wholesale Furniture Brokers has launched a Super Bowl XLIV Sale on its U.S. and Canadian Web sites runs until Super Bowl day, Feb. 7.
Featured products in this sale include Stanley Chair's leather recliners and Team Recliners' sports-themed microfiber recliners and video game chairs. More than 30 assorted recliners and video gaming chairs are available that feature NFL and college football team logos and colors.
This is the first time that Wholesale Furniture Brokers will be conducting a three week long sale in preparation for the Super Bowl.
In February, 2009, Wholesale Furniture Brokers experienced a 187 percent increase in recliner sales compared to same month in 2008 after it launched a Super Bowl Sale. For this year's Super Bowl Sale, with the addition of the sports themed recliners and video gaming chairs, Wholesale Furniture Brokers is expecting to boosts its recliner sales in February by at least 150 percent compared with last year's recliner sales during the same month.
"We want to give recliner sales a boost in January and in February," said Marketing Manager Matt Holmes. "Since we have the sports themed recliners and video game chairs, this is one of the best times of the year to promote them. Football fans will be able to support their teams through the playoffs and to victory when they order their team's recliner and video game chair."
January 14,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 15, 2010
Macy's chairman, president and CEO Terry Lundgren has been named chairman of the National Retail Federation's board of directors.
Lundgren succeeds Myron E. Ullman, III, chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co., in the association position. Additionally, Stephen I. Sadove, chairman and CEO of Saks Inc., was elected to serve as first vice chairman of NRFs Board of Directors. Sadove succeeds Phillip L. Francis, executive chairman of PetSmart, Inc.
Kip Tindell, chairman and CEO of The Container Store, will serve as the second vice chairman of the Board as well as chairman of NRFs Awards and Nominations Committee. Robert M. Benham, president and CEO of Balliets LLC, was elected as NRFs new corporate secretary of the board. Roger N. Farah, president and COO, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., was elected to serve as chairman of NRFs Finance Committee.
Each officer will serve a two-year term.
"Our impressive board includes a diverse group of retailers, each of whom represents NRFs growing member base," said Tracy Mullin, NRF president and CEO. "The professionalism and experience of each board member will assure NRFs continued success well into the future.
Other executives elected to the board to serve three-year terms include:
- Marty P. Albertson, chairman and CEO, Guitar Center;
- Daniel Lalonde, president and CEO, Louis Vuitton North America; and
- Laurent Milchoir, CEO, Etam Group.
In addition, two members join the board as representatives of the associate member advisory council:
- John Karonis, president, Consumer Group, KSA; and
- Lori Schafer, executive advisor, Retail Division, SAS Institute.
The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees and 2008 sales of $4.6 trillion.