Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
August 22,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on August 2007
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc., High Point, announced Wednesday seven nominees for induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame on Oct. 2.
The slate, selected from nominations by AFHF members, includes:
• The late George B. Cartledge Sr., who was chairman of Grand Piano and Furniture in Roanoke, Va., a Top 100 Furniture Chain with 23 stores in 16 cities across Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, and South Carolina.
• Joyce Cash Eddy, founder and chairman of Habersham, who started with a small cottage industry in 1972 and has built a multi-million dollar furniture company. In addition to being recognized for donating a major portion of her company’s revenues to charitable organizations, she is also known for her hand-styled, hand-painted and hand-finished product along with her development of new and unique finishes.
• O. William “Bill” Fenn Jr., whose career includes president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Stanley Furniture Company; senior management positions with Thomasville Furniture Industries and Armstrong World Interiors; and president and COO, and later vice chairman of LADD Furniture.
• The late Sam P. Finger Jr., who was president and chairman of the board of Finger Furniture in Houston, Texas. Under his leadership, Finger Furniture became the south’s largest privately owned home furnishings retailer, achieving prominence for its many innovations in home furnishings merchandising. He originated the environmental room setting concept, where furnishings and accessories were displayed in home-like settings.
• The late Fred Friedman, who was president and chairman of Carl’s Furniture. Under Fred’s leadership and ingenuity, Carl’s grew into one of the largest furniture retailers in the country with over 500 employees and 22 stores, and projected revenues exceeding $130 million.
• Mitchell Gold, who teamed up with Bob Williams in 1989 to start The Mitchell Gold Company in Taylorsville, N.C. With an investment of $60,000, they began making upholstered dining chairs. Today, renamed Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the $100 million company offers upholstery, case goods, lighting, rugs, accessories, and a fine-art photography collection.
• Felix Wright, chairman of Leggett & Platt, under whose direction the company has expanded its product offerings and distribution network.
“The individuals nominated by their industry peers represent leaders whose notable contributions have had a significant impact on the success of the furniture industry,” said J. Don Coleman, president of AFHF. “They are an inspiration for setting standards of innovation, determination and service.”
The voting period began Aug. 20 and ends Sept. 5, and is open to members of the AFHF.
August 22,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on August 2007
Bob’s Discount Furniture, Manchester, Conn., announced Wednesday that it raised more than $350,000 for its charitable foundation at a recent golf and dinner event, and awarded over $250,000 to four regional nonprofit organizations.
Last week, with more than 300 business and community leaders in attendance at the 20th Annual Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation Golf Event, Bob Kaufman, president of Bob’s Discount Furniture, presented checks for $20,000 to the Scott Mulready Foundation at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, Conn.; $60,000 to The Jimmy Fund, Brookline, Mass.; $70,000 to Family and Children’s Aid, Danbury, Conn.; and $100,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation, North Branford, Conn.
“The support and participation for our 20th annual event was truly amazing” Kaufman said. “We are trying to improve the lives of so many needy children by raising and distributing these funds every year.”
August 22,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on August 2007
Kincaid Furniture Company, Hudson, N.C., has selected The Media Matters Inc., to develop and facilitate new marketing initiatives.
“We are celebrating 60 years of providing quality furniture for consumers throughout the world,” said Bob Lemons, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the Hudson, N.C.-based vendor of solid wood case goods. “With our longevity come challenges of keeping our brand fresh with consumers and consistently leveraging our brand equity with the trade.”
New initiatives will focus on increasing awareness of Kincaid’s 20-plus collections, with an emphasis on consumer and trade public relations, as well as advertising programs and special events. Kincaid also will promote its long-running Laura Ashley Home license in its media outreach throughout the coming year.
August 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on August 2007
Bedding component supplier Leggett & Platt announced Tuesday the Sept. 17 launch of “Spring Alive,” a tour initiative aimed at helping consumers and mattress retailers understand the full health benefits of a good night’s sleep.
A team of Leggett & Platt executives and sleep experts will zig-zag across the country for five days, visiting retail outlets to educate retail associates and consumers on the sleep/health connection--and communicate the role innersprings play in delivering restful and rejuvenating slumber.
In a recent study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, researchers found that lack of sleep is related to serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“Research from the Better Sleep Council shows that poor sleep not only directly affects your health, but is also directly related to the age of your mattress,” said Mark Quinn, group executive vice president of sales and marketing for Leggett & Platt’s bedding division. “For years the industry has focused on the price of a mattress instead of the benefits to a consumer’s life. Leggett & Platt wants to help change that message so we can make a better connection with the end user.”
In addition to executives such as Quinn, the Leggett tour includes subject-matter experts. Craig McAndrews from Innovative Retail Group, for example will provide sales training to retail associates. He will meet one-on-one with associates to share consumer insights from his field research as well as methods for selling a better night’s sleep at point of sale rather than focusing on price and product specifications.
Leggett also has secured the participation of industry veteran and research specialist Kurt Ling, president of Customer Kinetics, to lead consumer research during the week-long event. Ling will work with Leggett to design and moderate consumer focus groups that delve into retailers’ specific concerns regarding their customers’ perception of the shopping experience.
To supplement the tour, Leggett has created a variety of collateral materials, including brochures, pocket cards and “Sleep Kits” to help retailers and consumers understand the indisputable link between better sleep and improved health.
A Web site,
www.LeggettSleep.com, will be launched on the first day of the tour, so interested parties can follow along via a daily blog and video-log. The site also allows retailers to order educational materials for retail sales associates and consumers, and features information on innersprings and the Active Support Technology story.
August 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on August 2007
In what’s become an annual tradition, nine performers from the furniture industry will compete for the title of American Furniture Idol on Oct. 3 in High Point at the National Home Furnishings Industry’s Spirit of Life Award dinner benefiting the City of Hope.
The Fourth Annual American Furniture Idol competition will be a highlight of a dinner honoring John Disa of Wickes Furniture and Kevin O’Connor of Samson Marketing. For the first time, the event will be held at the Showplace Tent in downtown High Point during the fall market.
“We are really excited to have a very gifted roster of top-notch talent agree to share their hidden and not-so-hidden talents with us,” said Jena Hall of aspenhome, the City of Hope’s National Home Furnishings Industry Chapter board co-president. This year’s judges will have a tough time as they vote for the 2007 American Furniture Idol. The audience will also have an opportunity to vote for their favorite performer.”
Contestants include Kimberly Wray, High Point Market Authority; Luca Ricci, De Coro Furniture; Vanessa Rodriguez, City Furniture; Kelly Peterson, Hearst Publications; Larry Stein of Furniture World Magazine; Ray Allegrezza of
Furniture/Today; Heath Combs,
Furniture/Today; and Greg Haptor,Huntington Furniture and Elite Leather
City of Hope, Duarte, Calif., is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. It has been designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and its a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.