Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 10,
2007 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on April 2007
Lacquer Craft, parent company of Universal Furniture and Legacy Classic Furniture, has named Phillip Siler vice president of sales and marketing. He will be responsible for building a business unit to service both U.S. marketing companies.
Siler had been vice president of merchandising at Universal Furniture for two-and-a-half years, responsible for occasional tables, accents, home office and walls. He also has held positions with Palliser Furniture and Lane, and has extensive marketing and sales experience in addition to his background in merchandising.
Siler reports to Mohamad Amini, president of Lacquer Craft and will be based out of Lacquer Craft’s manufacturing facility in Jiashan, China.
“Phillip’s experience in the industry--and with Lacquer Craft--will allow him to make a great contribution to the Lacquer Craft team,” Amini said.
“This is a chance to be part of the best business model in the industry,” said Siler. “And personally, I’m excited to have this opportunity to live abroad.”
April 10,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on April 2007
Full-line vendor Universal Furniture International has named Jeff Stone vice president of merchandising.
Stone, who reports to President and CEO Randy Chrisley, will be responsible for overseeing merchandising for all of Universal’s occasional tables, accents, home office and walls.
Most recently, Stone was vice president of merchandising for Schnadig. As part of his experience in casegood product development, sourcing, and retail, Stone also has held executive merchandising positions with Hooker, Broyhill and Lexington.
“Jeff’s expertise in merchandising will help Universal develop new products that will drive the company’s continued growth,” said Chrisley. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the Universal team.”
April 9,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on April 2007
Jennifer Convertibles, Woodbury, N.Y., announced a return to profitability in its second quarter as revenues increased 1.6 percent. In the same period a year ago, revenues decreased by 3.6 percent.
The company, which operates 187 Jennifer Convertibles and Jennifer Leather stores, said it is on track to open the first of at least three planned Ashley HomeStores in the New York area in May. In November, the company announced plans for at least three Ashley stores in New York, saying the HomeStores that are typically 10 times larger than a Jennifer Convertibles location will quickly add to the company’s profitability.
In the second quarter ended Feb. 24, revenue from continuing operations increased to $33.4 million. Net income totaled $1.25 million compared to $554,000 in the same period of 2006.
CEO Harley J. Greenfield said, “I am very pleased to report that the strategies which we utilized in merchandising and advertising, and our adjustments to margins returned the company to profitability during our second fiscal quarter. This was accomplished despite softness generally in the furniture industry, which continues to impact our operations. We expect profitability to continue. We are extremely excited about the opening, at the end of May, of our first Ashley Furniture HomeStore. We believe that the Ashley stores added to our solid Jennifer base will propel the company to a new level.”
April 9,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on April 2007
The Las Vegas Market announced Monday that it has opened registration and hotel bookings online at
www.lasvegasmarket.com for the July 30-August 3 event at the World Market Center and the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
Show organizers strongly encourage attendees to book their hotel rooms now to ensure availability at rates ranging from $60 to $245 per night. Participating hotels require a one-night deposit, and there are no minimum stay requirements.
“We have learned which properties and options are most popular with our attendees,” said Michelle Monteferrante, director of trade show operations, World Market Center. “We are fortunate in Las Vegas to be able to offer so many incredible hotel options at a great value that there truly is something for everyone.”
The hotels offering complimentary shuttles to the World Market Center campus and the Sands Expo include:
Aladdin - $149
Bally’s - $99
Bellagio - $195
Caesar’s - $169
Excalibur - $99 Sunday - Thursday / $149 Friday & Saturday
Flamingo - $89
Four Queens - $95
Golden Nugget - $115
Harrah’s - $95
Luxor - $169
Mandalay Bay - $185
MGM Grand - $169 Sunday - Thursday / $204 Friday & Saturday
Mirage - $179
Monte Carlo - $89 Sunday – Thursday / $170 Friday & Saturday
Paris - $119
Sahara - $60
THE hotel - $245
Treasure Island - $129 Sunday – Thursday / $179 Friday & Saturday
Westin Casuarina - $125 (a non-smoking property)
Wynn - $229
Up to five rooms can be booked through
www.lasvegasmarket.com. Registration and hotel bookings are also available by calling (800) 974-9833.
April 9,
2007 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on April 2007
Thomasville Furniture Inds. will open a 15,000-square-foot prototype store April 15, in Woodbury, Minn., its third company-owned and operated store in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. Thomasville has existing locations in Edina and Maple Grove.
Consumer research backed the design and features of the new prototype.
“Thomasville proprietary research shows that consumers want to play and experiment with their homes, but to do so within defined limits and with assistance,” said President and CEO, Nancy Webster. “Home must be a platform for new ideas. Our new prototype store is designed to help and inspire her.”
Thomasville will use the Woodbury prototype store to test-market merchandising and design concepts prior to national roll-out.
Specific features and services include: the “Design Lab,” a resource center where consumers can experiment and explore decorating options, complete with fabrics, trims, finish options, and library; immediate access to Thomasville.com in the Design Lab allowing consumers instant interaction with the entire Thomasville assortment and the ability to test ideas with draping and room planning tools; keen merchandising with product in a wide range of styles and price points; trend boards at the entrance to the Design Lab change seasonally, demonstrating the often-overlooked connection between furniture and fashion; merchandise such as lamps accessories, rugs and mattresses for a whole-home presentation; and design assistance.