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Mississippi Retailer Relocates, Expands

By Home Furnishings Business in on December 17, 2009

Jackson, Miss.-area retailer Room By Room will move from a 7,000-square-foot location to a 40,000-square-foot store set to open Jan. 1 in Fondren Plaza, according to a Wednesday report in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

"We like Jackson and we've been serving this area for 15 years," Co-Owner Ali Jamila said in the report. "We're trying to maintain the growth in this area."

The expansion, which began construction a little more than a year ago, could double staff to 14 employees.

AHFA No Longer Sponsoring High Point Press Center

By Home Furnishings Business in on December 17, 2009 The American Home Furnishings Alliance, High Point, announced Wednesday it has concluded its sponsorship of the High Point Market Media Center, which it has funded on behalf of all market exhibitors for more than 10 years.

The High Point Market Authority will assume operation of the Media Center.

AHFA began leasing the High Point Theater to house Media Center operations in the fall of 1998. The move was part of a comprehensive public relations initiative aimed at influencing American consumers and inspiring them to spend a greater share of disposable income on home furnishings. At the same time, the trade association sought to create a unified, impartial home for the working journalists in relief of multiple, splintered press rooms operating independently.

"We knew that if we wanted to create consumer interest in new products being introduced in our industry, we needed to get more journalists to the market where they could experience the vast array of new designs in person," said Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA's vice president of public relations. "Many of our efforts over the last decade were focused on developing and nurturing productive relationships with journalists. Meeting their needs during the High Point Market each April and October became a cornerstone of our services."

AHFA installed additional telephone lines and Internet access in the High Point Theater to accommodate the growing number of journalists who began attending the market. In addition to telephones and laptop computers with Internet access, the AHFA Media Center offered journalists breakfast and lunch daily, lockers for storing personal items, transportation to showrooms when needed and free shipping of exhibitor press kits back to their editorial offices.

AHFA's public relations department actively engaged newspaper, magazine and trade publication editors in covering the April and October High Point markets with a series of trend reports. These reports were disseminated to as many as 1,200 newspapers and more than 200 consumer magazines.

"Over the years, we introduced dozens of new editors to the High Point Market, and the entire industry benefited from the increased coverage generated during and after those visits," Hirschhaut said. "And by giving up the day-to-day details of operating the High Point Media Center, we can now increase our media outreach efforts to attract more coverage of home furnishings trends, the products and the companies that make them."

In October, AHFA helped the Authority relocate the center to a new, permanent location at  101 South Main St., on the plaza level of the same building housing the Authority's headquarters. AHFA member companies furnished the new center. Aspenhome supplied home office furnishings for the reception area as well as for six media work areas; Company C provided area rugs; Atrium Foliage provided floor plants; and Charleston Forge supplied a console for use in the food service area. In addition, Sun Delivery provided transportation for some of the aspenhome furnishings from Las Vegas to High Point.

"I feel confident that the transition of full responsibility for the High Point Media Center to the High Point Market Authority will be seamless to any onlooker," Hirschhaut said.

Sauder Celebrates 75 Years With Limited Edition Table

By Home Furnishings Business in on December 17, 2009 Sauder Woodworking, Archbold, Ohio, is re-issuing the company's original ready-to-assemble table, created by Erie Sauder in 1951, in celebration of the company's 75th anniversary--and in response to requests from a major customer.

The table, North America's first patented RTA design is re-debuting as a limited edition replica in January 2010.

"My grandfather invented the RTA industry with this design, and our replica is a tangible way to celebrate a landmark anniversary year for the company," says Kevin Sauder, president and CEO. "The table's go-anywhere good looks and function-oriented design make it as appealing and useful in the 21st century as it was in the 20th."

Sauder had displayed the historic table at the September 2009 Las Vegas Market, and buyers from Walmart.com asked for more.

"They approached us with the suggestion of making replica tables, because they believe the design is in tune with today's market-place," Sauder explains. "A faithful copy of the original, the new table is made from wood scraps generated by Sauder's church furniture division--just as the first one was."
   
The reissue of the ground-breaking table, patented in 1953, will be confined to 500 numbered units, to be sold exclusively through Walmart.com and the Sauder Store and Outlet in Archbold, Ohio. Each table will be signed by Erie's sons, Maynard Sauder, chairman, and Myrl Sauder, senior research engineer; and Erie's grandson, Kevin. Packaging for the anniversary edition will include copies of the vintage table's original instructions and labels.

"This table was green from the very beginning, and with the 2010 edition, the design has come full circle," Sauder noted. "It€™s a powerful symbol of American inventiveness and responsible stewardship, qualities that resonate with the concerns of today's consumers."

Erie Sauder€™s first design was made from poplar and other inexpensive wood scraps from his fine woodworking business.  The 2010 table replicates the original process, in an upscale interpretation: the reissued table is being produced in solid cherry with a rich finish, using pew scraps from Sauder's contemporary church furniture/contract seating division, Sauder Manufacturing.

In its initial incarnation, each table typically retailed for $9.95. Translated into current dollars, the original cost equates to a 75th anniversary appropriate $75, which is the suggested retail price for this one-time reproduction offering.

Pete Yardley, Former President of Baker Furniture, Dies at 84

By Home Furnishings Business in on December 16, 2009 Thomas Pierce "Pete" Yardley, former president of Baker Furniture, has died following a long illness. He was 84.

Yardley spent most of his career with Baker Furniture in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he held a number of management positions. In 1970, he was named president of the company. He served as a naval officer in World War II and the Korean War. Yardley graduated from the University of Minnesota and earned his MBA from the University of Michigan.

Yardley was also a past president of the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers and past president of the Grand Rapids Area Furniture Manufacturers Association.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marjorie Yardley; his children, Peter (Lynn) Yardley of Grand Rapids, Mich.; his daughter, Anne Yardley of Chicago, and son, Thomas (Jackie) Yardley of Chicago. He is also survived by five grandchildren, William, Catherine, Andrew, Caroline and Margot.

Services will be held Thursday, Dec. 17 at noon at St. Stephen Catholic Church in East Grand Rapids, Mich.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.








WMC Las Vegas Sets Programs for Winter Market

By Home Furnishings Business in on December 16, 2009 World Market Center Las Vegas has announced programming for its Feb. 1-5 Winter Market along the theme "Recognizing Resilience."

"Today it is not business as usual or business as we knew it," said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. "In addition to a strong display of new products, Las Vegas' February Market will be a meaningful exchange of the latest trends, research, business strategies and inspiration to benefit all facets of the trade==retailers, designers and suppliers. The content will be highly relevant to those who are 'playing to win' and looking for new competitive advantages in today's marketplace."

Program highlights include:
* First Look: Las Vegas Market.
HGTV€™s Monica Pedersen and industry trend expert Julie Smith fast-track attendees on the opening day on the newest products and trends they will see during February Market week.
* Juan Montoya, Design Icon.
One of the world's most versatile and inspired interior designers is being honored as World Market Center Las Vegas' Design Icon, and will share his insights during a presentation to market-goers.
* Lasting Luxury.
In a time where knock-offs are more common than original design, Valerie Moran gives pointers on how to appreciate high quality and fine design.
* The Influence of Latin America in Contemporary Design. International furniture and interior designer Adriana Hoyos shares how Latin America has influenced her work, which include installations and unique furniture designs.
* Marketing Interior Design.
Lloyd Princeton shares advice on how to spread the word about your interior design business using the new vocabulary of marketing.
* Alfresco at Design + Living.
Alfresco puts the finest outdoor living on display. The newest destination at Las Vegas Market brings the outdoors in with breathtaking realism and offers events that will be equally refreshing. 
* Bedding Bowl.
The Specialty Sleep Association has organized special receptions and seminars dedicated to the mattress category, including an update on the bedding industry's green initiative; open to all market attendees, bedding suppliers and retailers.
* The New Traditional.
Lawyer-turned-interior designer Darryl Carter will speak about livability and the new traditional style.
* Creative Retail Experiences from Around the World.
Trend and merchandising expert Jennifer Castoldi of Trendease International will share examples to inspire retailers on innovative shopping environments.
* Engaging with Your Customers€”the Web Way.
Pure Contemporary's Diane Burley discusses essential Web marketing techniques to attract, engage and retain your customers.
* New Trends Meet Real Life.
Apartment Therapy contributors Rebecca Orlov and Abby Stone share how real people are integrating the newest trends and accessories for 2010 into their homes and how you can do the same.
* Designing Green.
A panel discussion including Kathy Ireland and Angelo Surmelis centers on the influence of sustainability in the work of a group of high profile designers.

New for the February Market, World Market Center Las Vegas is partnering with the Western Home Furnishings Association to produce a dynamic "Academy Series," which is being married to the popular "Business Survival" series. Sessions are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during Las Vegas Market at 4:30 p.m. followed by a reception.

The Western Home Furnishings Association also hosts dozens of retail-specific programs throughout Market week in the Retail Resource Center on the 16th floor of Building B. For a full list of programming planned for Market, including programs taking places in the WHFA Retail Resource Center, click here.

In addition, February Las Vegas Market will bring an expanded audience, because this Market overlaps with INSPIREDESIGN, a new show-within-a-show that caters to design within the hospitality and health care industries. All seminars and programs at February Las Vegas Market will be open to all INSPIREDESIGN attendees as well.

Market attendees can register and reserve discounted rooms online here.
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