Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 14,
2008 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on May 2008
Fans of “The Sims” computer game can now furnish their virtual reality homes with furniture from Ikea, game maker Electronic Arts announced Wednesday. Players will be able to fill their living spaces with Ektorp sofas, Expedit TV units, Malm beds and the Storm floor lamp when “The Sims 2 Ikea Home Stuff” pack ships to retailers June 23. More than 100 million copies of “The Sims” have been sold since its debut in 2000.
“This new content will certainly contribute to the players ability to make their Sims’ dream home,” said Ron Humble, head of The Sims Studio. “Home is central to the experience of your Sims, and with Ikea additions, it’s sure to be the most inviting place in the neighborhood.”
According to media reports, a similar deal with Ford resulted in the sale of 2.7 million expansion packs to Sims players who wanted their characters to drive Mustangs and other cars. Through a deal with H&M, the Sims characters of more than 1 million players now wear fashions from the global apparel retailer.
May 14,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on May 2008
Danish upholstery producer Eilersen plans to expand its marketing efforts in the U.S. design market by stocking some of its most popular styles ready for immediate delivery.
In a release, the company said it is experiencing a steadily-increasing interest for their products in the U.S. market.
“With the feedback we’ve received from resellers and the industry, timing for a more deliberate market approach seems right,” said Nils Juul Eilersen, president and owner. “Already in the U.S. in select Danish design stores for more than 20 years now, our strategy is to expand our U.S. presence significantly.”
The company is targeting upscale, luxury interior design stores.
“We see an obvious demand in the states from customers with a desire for quality and modern, yet comfortable, design,” Eilersen said. “We know from experience that this market segment enjoys and appreciates Eilersen’s sofas, and we believe there is a large untapped market in the U.S. for the Eilersen brand.”
The company has created an warehouse program with in-stock, ready-to-ship product to reduce delivery times.
Eilersen has been manufacturing modern furniture since the 1960s and sells it in more than 30 countries.
May 14,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on May 2008
Casegoods manufacturer Leda Furniture is introducing the first phase of a new fabric program this spring.
The program offers more than 100 different fabrics at three price tiers.
A first book is available featuring fabric at Leda’s standard pricing level and replaces the company’s Peak Performance books.
A custom upholstery program has been designed to suit both contemporary and traditional tastes. Fabrics are available in a number of patterns, textures and colors that include warming reds, soothing earth tones and calming neutrals.
“The need for this new program came from listening to comments from our retailers and sales team who have inquired about having even more fashion-forward fabrics available,” said Marco L. Confalone, Leda president.
In addition to ordering from the fabric program, the company will continue to allow customers the ability to supply their own materials.
“We have already selected most of the fabrics for our premium fabric programs and anticipate launching this program in the fall of 2008,” Confalone said.
May 14,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on May 2008
Joseph Poltorak has been named Southeast account executive for Kindel Furniture driving sales in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana.
A veteran of the paper industry and a woodworking hobbyist, Poltorak said he is excited for the opportunity to apply his 30 years of experience in sales and customer service to his lifelong passion for high-end furniture.
“I spent a lot of time in West Michigan when I was involved in the paper industry, so I had the opportunity to see some of the fine furniture coming out of that area over the years,” Poltorak said. “Making furniture and woodworking has been a hobby my whole life, so I was always very interested in the type of craftsmanship coming out of Kindel.”
Prior to joining Kindel, Poltorak was a sales associate for Stickley. Before joining the furniture industry, Poltorak held a number of positions within the paper industry.
Kindel President and CEO Jonathan Smith said he was pleased to have Poltorak join the company to support Kindel’s push to open new and existing markets.
May 13,
2008 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on May 2008
When the new Brooklyn Ikea store opens June 18, a free water taxi will transport shoppers across the East River to the new store, and there will also be free shuttles from subway stations in the area. At least two bus routes have also been shifted to reach the 346,000-square-foot store in Brooklyn’s Red Hook section.
The water taxi will be available from Manhattan’s Pier 11 every day from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. “We are thrilled that our plant o make Ikea Brooklyn accessible for our many customers is now set to go for the variety of planned alternative transportation options,” said Store Manager Mike Baker. “Now we are focused on hiring and training new coworkers as well as on transforming the building’s interior into a furnished Ikea store.”
The Brooklyn location is Ikea’s 35th store in the United States. While it’s the fourth store in the New York-New Jersey area, it’s the first to be located within the Big Apple’s five boroughs.