Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 8,
2008 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 2008
The Las Vegas Market’s decision to shift its second 2009 event from July to September—within a month of the October High Point Market—won’t prompt any schedule changes for exhibitors in the North Carolina city, officials said.
In a news release Wednesday afternoon, World Market Center officials said input from exhibitors and retailers spurred a move to schedule the second 2009 event at the complex for Sept. 14-17. The Winter Market in Las Vegas will be continue to be held near its traditional dates, Feb. 9-13.
High Point’s Fall 2009 event remains set for Oct. 17-22, said Market Authority President and CEO Brian Casey.
“There will not be a reaction on our part except to move forward and continue to make this market as viable as possible for the customers who shop here,” he said. “The high end is very well represented here, unlike any other market, and I think that level of support will continue to provide a key differentiator to any other market that chooses to move close to our dates.”
He said the decision in Las Vegas to shift to fall dates may make some High Point exhibitors less likely to open Las Vegas showrooms because of the complexity and costs of showing in both cities. He said 37 percent of High Point exhibitors also have showrooms in Las Vegas.
“Ultimately, the decision is going to be made on what is going to deliver the best return on their investment and, thus far, High Point has continued to deliver that,” Casey said.
The World Market Center’s news release stated that the change comes after an extensive survey was conducted by Trade Show Week Research. Other feedback also indicated the change would serve overseas visitors better.
The Las Vegas complex also announced plans to launch a new and separate Gift and Decorative Accessories show in Summer 2010 to enable exhibitors to showcase their products well ahead of the holiday buying season. Officials said other industry segments will be evaluated for possible stand-alone trade shows as well.
October 8,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on October 2008
Cargo volume at major U.S. retail container ports is expected to decline 6.5 percent in 2008 compared with 2007 as merchants carefully manage inventories in response to the nation’s slow economy, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Global Insight.
Volume is projected to total 15.43 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEUs in 2007. The estimate is down from 15.5 million projected in September, which would have been a 6 percent decline from 2007. The total would be the lowest since 2005, when 15.4 million TEUs moved through the ports.
“This has clearly been a difficult year and we still have a challenging holiday season ahead of us,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers are being careful to import only as much merchandise as they think they can sell.”
U.S. ports surveyed handled 1.37 million TEUs in August, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. The number was up 4 percent from July but down 5.9 percent from August 2007.
September was estimated at 1.34 million TEUs, down 9.2 percent from a year ago, and October is forecast at 1.38 million TEUs, down 4.3 percent. October should be the peak month of the year, though it will fall short of the 1.48 million-TEUs peak for 2007 set last September. November is forecast at 1.28 million TEUs, down 6.9 percent, and December at 1.25 million TEUs, down 2.1 percent. January 2009 is forecast at 1.21 million TEUs, down 1.6 percent from January 2008, and February 2009 is forecast at 1.15 million TEUs, down 5.9 percent.
Meanwhile, Port Tracker’s congestion rating for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continues at medium because of new regulations that required trucking companies seeking to do business there to obtain a special concession license beginning Oct. 1.
“Uncertainties remaining for implementation of the Clean Trucks Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are causing concerns,” Global Insight Economist Paul Bingham said. “Weak import demand has relieved pressure on port capacity but doubts remain about whether enough trucks will be available.”
The remainder of the U.S. ports covered by Port Tracker–Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast–are rated “low” for congestion, the same as last month.
October 8,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2008
Susan Inglis and Jeffrey Hiller of the Sustainable Furniture Council will present a Webinar, “Selling Green: How to Avoid Greenwashing,” Thursday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-noon (CDT).
“Greenwashing,” the practice of making general, commonly misleading claims about a product’s environmental friendliness, is on the rise along with consumer interest in green home furnishings, the event’s organizers say. The Sustainable Furnishings Council fielded a consumer study in July 2008 to better understand awareness, attitudes and behavior among the general public, including purchase interest and price sensitivity. This webinar combines the research results with some simple, practical recommendations on what to look for to ensure that retailers and vendors understand and communicate the most important elements with accuracy and authority.
Space is limited. Click
here to reserve a space. Complete step 1 of the registration process by filling in the short form. Participants then will be automatically directed to the Shops at GMI to complete your registration by purchasing the webinar.
There are three options at the Shops at GMI:
• Window Fashions Certified Professionals members with dues current, should enter their 4 digit member number, click on “webinar,” and purchase the webinar.
• WFCP members but not current with dues, who wish to make your dues/membership current, should click on the button “Enroll and Shop,” and then click on webinar for purchase. Dues of $125 will be added to the purchase.
• WFCP non-current members who don’t wish to be current, or non-members who don’t wish to join, should scroll down to the “Shop as Non-Member” button, and then click on “webinar” to purchase the webinar.
A confirmation e-mail will follow containing information about joining the webinar.
System requirements for PC-based attendees are Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista. Macintosh-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer.
October 8,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on October 2008
Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca., will unveil its Star Studio concept at the upcoming Fall 2008 High Point Market with an entire section of
its 10,000-square-foot showroom dedicated to showcasing an in-store gallery. Star International will exhibit in IHFC-D540 during the market, Oct. 20-26.
The Star Studio will consist of several of the company’s top selling items, proven winners, and value-driven cutting-edge designs in a staged environment.
“The Star International brand is as solid as it gets, and we have created a business model that is exemplified by our vast product assortment readily available on both coasts,” said Anders Johnson, president. “After seeing the success of some initial Studio launches, it only seemed natural to roll this program out nationwide. We are excited to introduce the Star Studio to our retailers and get their reaction.”
Star International has imported contemporary bedroom, dining, occasional and office furniture for the residential and hospitality markets for more than 30 years, building share at mid-high end prices through a focus on styling, service and ready-to-ship inventory.
The company occupies permanent showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas, and offers extensive Quick Ship programs from East and West Coast warehouses, as well as direct containers.
October 8,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on October 2008
Shadow Mountain will introduce Heritage Loft, its first collection under a new furniture license with outdoor apparel maker Woolrich, at High Point Market, Oct. 20-26.
Heritage Loft includes around 35 pieces of bedroom, dining, and occasional items featuring hand-planed mahogany solids and veneers, double-stitched full-grain leather, wood-on-wood drawer guides, and hand-forged iron accents, with a dark, deeply distressed finish. Approximate retail prices range from $799 for a bachelor’s chest to $1,999 for a leather paneled bed framed in iron. The collection’s smaller scale is tailored for use in condos, town homes, apartments, and other smaller dwellings, yet will still offer ample size and storage in larger homes as well.
An exclusive new line of Woolrich indoor hand-tufted wool rugs also will be on display to complement Heritage Loft. Available in two styles and three popular sizes, the rugs bring an added dimension of warmth to the collection.
Sharon Kepley, licensing manager of home furnishings for Woolrich, said, “Our newest venture with Shadow Mountain is like a breath of fresh air—with an innovative lifestyle look for the way many consumers want to live today—casual rustic, and with an outdoor ambience.”
Shadow Mountain President and CEO Chad M. Turney said, “Our partnership with Woolrich shows the importance of the rustic lifestyle both companies represent in the marketplace. We’re excited to be able to launch our first collection, Heritage Loft, that is targeted toward the more urban consumer that fills a void within our niche. We look forward to complementing the highly successful brand of Woolrich.
The Heritage Loft upholstery line is set to debut at Las Vegas Market in February. Woolrich switched its furniture license to Shadow Mountain from Lexington Home Brands. Shadow Mountain’s showroom is space 309 of Market Square.