Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
June 25,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
A partnership of retail industry and asset management specialists has formed Golden Acquisition LLC, a private equity firm that will focus on investing in, acquiring and growing strong retail and consumer brands. The firm is owned by a major hedge fund.
Golden Acquisition was revealed this week as another investor in the recent purchase of Norwood, Mass.-based Domain Home. Judy George, founder and chief executive officer, retains at least a 10 percent share in Domain Home, and continues in her current role.
Aga Foodservice Group retains a 15 percent share. Synergy Enterprises LLC owns the majority of the remaining shares and a majority share overall, with the rest held by Golden Acquisition.
“We see numerous compelling opportunities to acquire and further develop great retail brands, enhancing their performance and building value through investments in growth and active management of their businesses,” said James Schaye, managing partner of Golden Acquisition.
Domain had 2006 sales of approximately $71 million.
“With the Domain transaction, Golden Acquisition’s ‘buy and build’ investment strategy is off to a very strong start. This transaction is a perfect example of how we plan to use our retail industry expertise, capital resources, management skills and an eye for innovative deal structures to identify and add value to attractive retail brands,” Schaye said.
June 25,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on June 2007
World Market Center has partnered with Orlando, Fla.-based event transportation management company Gameday Event Group to implement an enhanced transportation and traffic plan for Las Vegas Market’s summer edition this year, July 30-August 3.
“Every time we add a building, attendance gets stronger and we increase our vehicle input significantly,” said Gerry Sawyer, World Market Center’s chief operating officer. Building B opened in January, 2007, and Building C will open in 2008, along with a new 3,600 vehicle parking garage.
Founded in 1994, Gameday provides a host of services to improve the efficiency of transportation at special events including successful traffic management planning, installation of travel demand management tools and efficient shuttle system operations. Gameday personnel have orchestrated traffic and transportation improvement efforts for events such as the Super Bow, 2002 Winter Olympics, Daytona 500 and 2005 Presidential Inauguration in addition to providing online parking permit services for the International Builders Show and the National Association of Broadcasters.
Among the new transportation objectives and solutions arriving for the Summer Market are:
* Advance communications to attendees that customizes a personal transportation plan in order to maximize new and alternate routes to and from World Market Center.
* Streamlined operations with larger and geographically separated loading areas for taxis, shuttles and personal vehicles to allow for greater efficiency, speed and flow.
* More frequency with M-line shuttle service (during peak periods) and increased attendee comfort from the misted shade structure at the shuttle terminal.
* Enhanced signage and increased passenger assistance to help attendees get where they need to go quickly.
* Relocation of the Registration Pavilion to entrance of buildings A and B in order to expand the transportation terminal.
* Non-stop “people movers” from World Market Center buildings to Pavilions on-site.
* Express shuttles from World Market Center and nearby parking lots.
Market officials tout the M-line shuttle system as the most efficient transportation in and out of Market each day. The air conditioned, complimentary M-Line shuttle service will be offered from all host hotels to World Market Center’s campus and the trade show taking place at the Sands Expo.
In addition, the $3.6 million Discovery Drive roadway project opened February in downtown Las Vegas. Located north of Alta Drive, the new portion of Discovery Drive starts at Martin L. King Boulevard and extends east under Interstate 15 to connect to Grand Central Parkway with two travel lanes in each direction, providing an extra avenue to reduce traffic congestion.
More parking is on the way, with the ongoing construction of a $60 million, eight-story, 3,600-vehicle parking garage located in the heart of WMC’s complex, immediately north of the campus’ third building now under construction.
June 25,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on June 2007
The Board of Directors of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc., High Point, has elected new officers for 2007-2008 and directors for a three-year term, 2007-2010.
New officers are J. Don Coleman, president, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.; Donald Belgrad, first vice president, Schnadig Corp.; Donald C. Marks, second vice president, Badcock Home Furniture & more, Mulberry, Fla.; G. Leroy Lail, immediate past president/secretary-treasurer, Hickory Furniture Mart, Hickory, N.C.; and industry consultant, E.L. Briggs, assistant treasurer.
Patrick H. Norton with La-Z-Boy has been elected to a new three-year term as director. Directors serving an additional three-year term are Jerome Bolick, Southern Furniture Co. of Conover; Joseph Carroll, Furniture/Today; Kurt L. Darrow, La-Z-Boy, Inc.; Eric Hinshaw, Kingsdown Inc.; Donald C. Marks, Badcock Home Furniture & more; and Clarence H. Smith, Haverty Furniture Cos., Atlanta.
Industry veteran, Plato S. Wilson has been elected to the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Advisory Board.
“We are looking forward to this year as we transform the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation,” Coleman said. “Many exciting plans are in development and we are honored to lead an organization dedicated to preserving the history of our industry and celebrating those who have brought us to where we are today.”
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation is open to all home furnishings industry companies, organizations and individuals that do business in the United States. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry.
The 2007 inductees will be honored with the American furniture industry’s highest honor at a gala banquet on October 2 at the High Point Market. For information, call (336) 882-5900.
June 24,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on June 2007
The World Market Center, Las Vegas, is offering several flight discounts for domestic travelers and international visitors headed to the July 30-August 3 market.
“We are pleased to offer a variety of discounts on airfare to the July 2007 show for Las Vegas Market attendees,” said Yolanda Obando, international marketing and services manager. “Market attendance continues to remain strong and grow every show, including our international attendance, which is growing significantly. We want to make it as easy and cost efficient as possible for people to attend Las Vegas Market from around the world.”
For travelers in the United States, Continental Airlines is offering a percentage discount. More information on the fares that require a two-night minimum stay and a seven-day advance purchase is available by calling the airline at (800) 468 7022 and using reference code #DDSD5S/ZBAP. Northwest Airlines also is offering a percentage discount to fliers who call (800) 328-1111 and use reference #NMB8X.
For international travelers, air carriers offering special Las Vegas Market fares include Air Canada’s 10 percent discount (AirCanada.com, reference code #7RH62MR1); Mexicana Airlines’ 20 percent and 15 percent discounts (800-719-1956, reference code EMEX00S8); Virgin Atlantic Airways’ London Gatwick to Las Vegas flights for £573 (Virginatlantic.com); and American Airlines’ 5 percent discounts for some flights from Canada to Las Vegas (800 433-1790, reference code #A2577AS).
June 24,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
Ethan Allen, Danbury, Conn., announced last week that it is reintroducing its Home & Garden line of outdoor furnishings with new finishes, styles and fabrics in its more than 300 stores.
“Some of the hottest trends in home decorating today revolve around outdoor living, whether it’s creating livable spaces in the backyard or bringing elements of the outdoors inside,” said Farah Kathwari, Ethan Allen’s style director. “Our Home & Garden pieces are durable enough to be used outside and beautiful enough to dress up interiors.”
The Home & Garden lines include the weatherproof wicker Manhattan Beach collection and Gazebo, which has dark honey and new “Lily” finishes. There are 24 new outdoor fabrics available.