Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
June 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
Direct Buy, which offers furniture and other home products “at manufacturer-direct prices” has recently added seven showrooms to the 140 location it operates nationwide and Canada as it marks the 35th anniversary of its first franchise.
The Merrillville, Ind., company claims to be the largest direct-to-consumer membership club of its kind after expanding its membership by 50 percent over the past three years. It offers consumers the opportunity to purchase from 700 manufacturers and authorized suppliers in five main product categories—home furnishings, home improvement, flooring, accessories and entertainment/outdoor products.
The new showrooms include Shreveport, La.; Portland, Ore.; and five cities in California: Anaheim Hills, Burbank, Long Beach, Sacramento and Thousand Oaks.
June 21,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
Norwalk Furniture, Norwalk, Ohio, has a new franchised store location in Williamsburg, Va., bringing Norwalk’s store count to 64. The company also separately owns and operates six U.S. Norwalk stores. Norwalk also has new owners at Norwalk--The Furniture Idea franchises in Englewood, Col.; and Vancouver, B.C.
“We’re constantly looking for opportunities to expand our existing franchise network in the U.S. and Canada,” said Joan Ferman, president of Norwalk retail operations. “The Norwalk brand is increasingly desirable as a retail opportunity by offering a broader and more exciting selection of custom upholstery by designers such as Joe Ruggiero and Candice Olson, as well as a creative lifestyle presentation for today’s consumers.”
The Williamsburg store is located in a dynamic retail location in the “New Town” district, and features a lifestyle offering of Olson and Ruggiero upholstery, as well as a strong selection of accessories.
Previously a corporate-owned and operated store, the Englewood, Col., franchise now owned by Jodi Zippo has been transformed with a makeover to suit the franchise footprint.
Andrew Rao joined the network with a new operation in Vancouver, B.C., recently purchased from an existing Norwalk-The Furniture Idea owner.
June 20,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
Planned Furniture Promotions Inc., Enfield, Conn., will organize and run the store closings of two high-end independent retailers, Mecklenburg Furniture in Charlotte, N.C.; and Boll Furniture Co. in Charleston, W.Va.
Both stores said they were in no financial distress, but demographic change, a difficult business climate, and succession issues played roles in their decision.
Mecklenburg Furniture had been Charlotte’s oldest and, at one point, its largest furniture retailer for over 60 years. Its upscale brands include Baker, Century, Hooker, Hancock & Moore, Pennsylvania House, and others. The store has been a widely recognized landmark since 1940.
Brands at Boll Furniture, in business since the late 1930’s, include Henredon, Drexel Heritage, Lexington, Bradington Young, Henkel Harris, and others. The Boll Furniture building, a century-old landmark in downtown Charleston, has been sold and will become an office building.
“There have been a number of key factors leading to our decision to close,” aid Charles Boll, the current owner. “The premium furniture business has been affected by overseas manufacturers who have experienced diminished brand power. Locally, the center of shopping has moved from the downtown out to suburbs, dramatically reducing consumer traffic.”
In addition, a key member of Bolls’ management team retired last year.
June 20,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Technology on June 2007
Retail automation vendor Storis Management Systems, Mt. Arlington, N.J., has signed the 200th client for its Vision R8 system. Storis introduced Vision R8, which took the Storis package into a Windows-based environment, in 2004.
“Partnering with our 200th Vision R8 client in such a short time is an exciting accomplishment for Storis,” said Doug Culmone, chief operating officer of Storis. “ ... In addition, our ability to develop and release new software revisions packed with features almost twice per year demonstrates our commitment to continue to raise the bar and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
June 20,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 2007
Domain Home, Norwood, Mass., has been sold to Synergy Enterprises, a New Jersey-based private equity firm. The 27-store retailer had been owned by Aga Foodservice Group, a U.K.-based producer of premium stoves and refrigerators, since 2002.
Judy George, who founded the company in 1985, will remain as the company’s CEO and has become a significant shareholder. Aga will retain a 15 percent share of Domain Home, and the retailer will retain the right to sell Aga products in its stores and continue to use those products for traffic-boosting events such as in-store cooking demonstrations.
Synergy Chairman and CEO Gary Nacht said, “We are excited to move forward in close partnership with Judy George and her team (They) have built an outstanding lifestyle brand associated with world-class service and design customization. (It has) powerful name recognition that rivals brands such as Ethan Allen, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma and Restoration Hardware in the Northeastern United States.”
He said Domain Home has opportunities to expand within its current markets and other areas across the United States and internationally.