Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
July 18,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on July 2007
Denver-based Furniture Row, which is emerging as one of the nation’s fastest-growing retailers, has announced a trio of new store complexes that build on the more than 330 storefronts it operates in 31 states.
The latest stores announced by the company include four-store centers devoted to Furniture Row’s main brands in Grand Forks, N.D.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Tyler, Texas. Each of the centers will be housed in 53,440-square-foot buildings with four nameplates, Bedroom Expressions, Oak Express, Sofa Mart and Denver Mattress Company. The North Dakota store will open next week, while the Alabama location opens Aug. 4, and the Texas store is set for a ribbon-cutting in the fall.
In March, Furniture Row officials announced plans to double the pace of its store expansions by adding as many as 20 store complexes this year. The chain, which has a policy against speaking with trade publications, had been building about eight to 10 new Furniture Row shopping centers each year. Furniture Row is one of the only sponsors in stock car racing’s top division, Nextel Cup, to own its own race team, the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy driven by Kenny Wallace.
July 17,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on July 2007
Lane Furniture Inds., Tupelo, Miss., announced Tuesday that it will introduce a collection of imported upholstery furniture available for quick shipment at this month’s Las Vegas Market.
The Continental Collection is part of Lane’s new container-direct motion program in partnership with a source factory in China.
The new collection consists of a full assortment of leather and suede motion furniture including reclining sofas, sectionals, loveseats and snugglers; and retails from $699 to $1,399 for suede; and $899 to $1,999 for leather.
With dedicated stock in China, dealers can expect delivery in seven or eight weeks, allowing the collection to reach retail floors by early November in time for the holiday shopping months. Lane said the Continental Collection’s lead times are four weeks less than typical for such imported goods.
“Lane will continue to offer a strong domestic assortment of reclining furniture in addition to its new container-direct collection,” said Greg Roy, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Lane Furniture Inds., in the announcement. “With the launch of a container-direct program for motion furniture, however, we are able to offer a broader assortment and more flexibility for our dealer base. We are confident in our ability to provide improved service to our customers through the strength of our four U.S. manufacturing facilities and also our sourcing partners in Asia.”
July 17,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on July 2007
Robert Stamper has joined Lexington Home Brands, Thomasville, N.C., as senior vice president of marketing, a new position at the full-line vendor.
Stamper, whose 20-plus year career at Drexel Heritage included executive posts in sales, sales management, marketing, merchandising and advertising, reports to LHB President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Haney.
In his new post at Lexington, Stamper is responsible for marketing, merchandising, advertising, business development, Internet marketing, licensing and the management of the licensing process, as well as strategic planning and forecasting.
Stamper also will head a team to establish a revitalized, interactive new Web site for Lexington Home Brands that aims to attract consumers to the company’s portfolio of brands and products, as well as a retail source listing to guide them to Lexington dealers in their area.
“I am pleased to have someone of Robert Stamper’s caliber joining our team at Lexington Home Brands,” Haney said. “With his years of experience in the high-end arena, he knows this business better than most. Robert’s broad range of knowledge and his fresh perspective will be key to Lexington’s future plans and growth.”
Stamper said Lexington’s venerable brand is at an exciting point.
“There is an energy among the executive team at Lexington that is incredible to experience in this industry today,” he said. “I look forward to being a part of what I know will be a prosperous future for Lexington.”
Haney said Stamper will be the link among many operational arms at Lexington.
“Lexington’s recent introductions, including Trump Home, Palm Canyon and Nautica’s Harrison, have been hits with our retail partners, and we’ll top ourselves with the two new fall collections,” Haney said. “Robert is key to continuing that success and building upon it with our brand partners and our retail dealers.”
Lexington Home Brands is an affiliate of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sun Capital Partners Inc.
July 17,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on July 2007
Henredon’s Atlanta store is donating 14 queen platform beds to the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. The beds will help the local shelter provide assistance in transitioning survivors of domestic violence to independence.
“This is one small way Henredon can assist an organization that is committed to aiding women and children in need 365 days a year,” said Kenneth Haythe, Henredon store manager in Atlanta. “The Women’s Resource Center does exceptional work in our community. We hope Henredon’s donation of the beds will allow the shelter to immediately impact and help enhance the lives of the abused individuals that receive them.”
Based in Decatur, Ga., the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence has been supporting survivors of abuse for more than 20 years. Its first confidential “safehouse” opened in 1987. The organization now has the capacity to house up to 32 women and children before they can transition into a safe and productive living situation.
“Many of the women who come to our safehouse were faced with the choice between homelessness and violence,” said Jean Douglas, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. “The safehouse provides a third alternative, and connects women with the resources and support necessary for them to build a stable and violence-free life for themselves and their children. Henredon’s generous gifts will help us continue our work. We greatly appreciate companies who choose to stand against violence in the home, and want to extend our gratitude to Henredon for its contribution to our cause.”
July 17,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on July 2007
Serta, Hoffman Estates, Ill., announced a licensing deal Tuesday that gives Lifestyle Solutions, Fort Wayne, Ind., rights to manufacture a new line of European-style convertible sofas using the Serta brand name.
Under the agreement, six Serta Dream Convertibles will be introduced at the Las Vegas Market, which starts July 30. The products will debut in the Lifestyle showroom in Building A (716). Lifestyle Solutions manufactures the patented Cradle Converter sit-and-sleep convertible sofa. Additional licensed products will include a lien of wood beds and case goods that give retailers the opportunity to sell bedroom furniture along with Serta Mattresses. Distribution will include furniture retailers, department stores and sleep shops.
“This is a great opportunity for Serta,” said Bob Malin, vice president of licensing for Serta. “Our brand and the Lifestyle Solutions brand both stand for quality, comfort and durability. The partnership is just a natural fit for both of us.”
Serta’s licensing program includes a partnership with American Recreation that includes air mattresses, bed-in-a-bag packages, sleeping bags and other recreational products.