Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on February 27, 2013
The Sustainable Furnishings Council has set a Greenleaders training session April 2 at Dallas Market Center.
The training is scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and looks to teach participants green business-building best practices to cater to the 47 percent of consumers who, according to SFC, are likely to buy eco-friendly home furnishings but still have trouble finding them.
Click here to register for the April 2 Greenleaders Certified Sustainability Training session in Dallas.
February 25,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 26, 2013
Industry veteran Armando Murillo has joined Spring Air International, Boston, Mass., as vice president of business development, a new position.
Murillo, whose appointment is effective March 1, will be responsible for generating new business for the Top 12 bedding producer and for working with existing retail accounts. He reports to Rick Robinson, company president.
Since 1995, Murillo has served in sales management positions with major home brands such as Sealy, Serta and Palliser Furniture. He also worked for a number of prominent retailers including Los Angeles-based Sit n Sleep and The Brick in Toronto.
Most recently, from 2011 to early this year, Murillo was vice president and general manager of Mattress World, the 32-store sleep specialty chain owned by Art Van Furniture. Before that he served as vice president of merchandising for Dallas-based Mattress Giant from 2008 to 2010.
Armandos 18-year career in the bedding and furniture industries adds strong, veteran experience to our leadership team, Robinson said. Over those years he worked in executive-level posts for a number of high-profile companies and brands, and were very pleased to welcome him to Spring Air.
February 25,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on February 26, 2013
The Interior Lifestyle China household trade show is set for Sep. 25-27 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China.
The date and venue are new for the show, which is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai).
With our new venue and changing the show date to September, earlier in Chinas peak sourcing season, Interior Lifestyle China will present a brand new image which reflects Chinas fast growing consumer market, said Wendy Wen, director of trade fairs at Messe Frankfurt (Hong Kong). Exhibitors are attracted to the show as it is the only one serving the local retail consumer goods market. We provide a one-stop solution for brands with channel development, marketing and public relations support as well as various onsite fringe programs to educate industry players. All of this creates the synergy necessary to help develop China's massive consumer goods market.
In 2012, total retail sales for social consumer goods reached RMB 20.7 billion; and by 2015 China is expected to become the world's largest consumer market with retail sales surpassing RMB 314 trillion, fueled by fast paced urban development and improved wages.
The number of Chinese cities housing more than one million people, 102 in 2012, is expected to more than double to 221 by 2025. Furthermore, the number of mega-cities with a population of more than 10 million is expected to increase to eight by 2025.
As wages rise, the consumers desire for greater self-expression is being reflected in the emotional connection made with certain consumer products, especially in the lifestyle and homewares sector," Wen said. "In particular, niche brands are often thought of as a way of expressing personality.
Chinas department store sector is still in its infancy with an average of 5.1 department stores per capita indicator of per million population, well below the U.S. figure of 128 department stores per million.
These figures show that there is tremendous growth potential for Chinese department stores and these stores are a key outlet for selling lifestyle and home wares, Wen said. Now more than ever before, it is important for existing and new brands in first and second-tier cities to do everything they can to distinguish themselves in the eyes of the consumer.Interior Lifestyle China offers exhibitors the opportunity to sell their differentiated products to Chinas vast consumer market which is becoming more sophisticated every day.
February 25,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on February 26, 2013
Furniture retailer Havertys Furniture Cos. (NYSE: HVT) reported net income of $14.9 million for the year ended Dec. 31, compared to net income of $15.5 million reported in 2011.
Net sales for the year were $670 million, compared to $620.9 million in the previous year.
The retailer reported net income of $6.8 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to nearly $17 million in the same quarter last year. Net sales for the quarter were $182 million, compared to net sales of $168 million in the same quarter last year.
"We are very pleased with these results and look forward to the opportunities in 2013," said Clarence H. Smith, chairman, president and CEO. "The initiatives towards attracting the 'on trend' customer are gaining traction. This customer wants to express herself and we convey this in our successful "discover something you" advertising campaign. To meet her desire for unique and personally styled products, we expanded and simplified our custom and special order upholstery programs which in 2012 were up almost 18 percent over 2011."
Smith said the retailer will be adjusting its square footage this year by closing stores in "certain marketing and expanding showrooms in desirable locations. Our merchandising and customer centric focus distinguishes us in the marketplace and gives us an edge over our competitors. The improving housing and overall economic data bode well for Havertys as we are prepared operationally and financially to exploit shifts in demand."
The entire earnings release can be found online.
February 25,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 26, 2013
Home furnishings networking group Next Generation-Now will host an online "huddle" tomorrow focusing on mattresses and bedding.
"Grow Your Business with a Sleep Gallery" is set for Wednesday at 11 a.m. (PST). The session will examine how retailers can grow their business with mattresses and bedding galleries. Experts at Serta International will discuss bedding galleries plus industry trends and outlook with furniture retail store presidents Shane Spiller of Spiller's Furniture, Northport, Al.; and Michael Grossman of Kensington Furniture, Northfield, N.J.
Attend by visiting the Social Hub at ngnow.org and start watching. Questions may be posted on the Social Page wall; or tweeted to @ngnow.