Daily News Archive
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October 11,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2006
Record traffic this summer at major container ports serving U.S. retailers hasn’t resulted in significant back-ups for shipments to stores, according to the the latest Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Global Insight, which includes port activity for the month of August.
Port Tracker doesn’t expect any slowdown this fall.
“We are now in the height of peak season, with October volumes expected to be the highest of any month this year,” Global Insight Economist Paul Bingham said. “The ports are operating without congestion, and truck and rail systems are handling the record volumes well. We expect the ports to be able to handle these volumes without significant congestion, and we expect continued acceptable performance over the next six months.”
Port Tracker covers the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma and Seattle on the West Coast; and New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast. Those ports are currently rated “low” for congestion, the same as last month’s report.
Nationwide, the ports surveyed handled 1.44 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic in August, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. The figure was up 5 percent from July and 8.4 percent from August 2005.
With volume continuing to grow, the August number already has topped 2005’s year-long peak of 1.37 million TEUs, set last October. September is forecast at 1.4 million TEUs; up 4.9 percent from September 2005; and October at 1.46 million TEUs a 6.5 percent increase over October 2005.
Looking ahead NRF and Global insight predict the following activity at major U.S. container ports. After the holiday-driven shipping season peaks in October, volume over the six-month period of the forecast will begin to decline to 1.35 million TEUs in November, still 6.7 percent above activity the same month last year; 1.3 million TEUs in December, 8.3 percent higher than December 2005; 1.26 million TEUs in January 2007, up 3.2 percent from January this year; and 1.19 million TEUs in February, up 11.6 percent from February 2006.
Port Tracker, which is produced by the economic research, forecasting and analysis firm Global Insight for NRF, examines in-bound container volume, the availability of trucks and railroad cars to move cargo out of the ports, labor conditions and other factors that affect cargo movement and congestion.
October 11,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 2006
Merchandise Mart Properties has a full slate of special events and entertainment slated for next week’s High Point Market at its Market Square showroom and environs.
At the Century Courtyard at Market Square, parties of note include the Home Accents Today tent party Monday of market, 6-8 p.m., featuring entertainment by the RightOn band 7-10 p.m.; the WithIt tent party, Tuesday of market, 6-9 p.m., which will feature a raffle for a BMW Mini--raffle tickets are $100, and all proceeds benefit WithIt’s educational initiatives; and on Wednesday, ART, the decorative accessory industry association, hosts its regular market party.
Fall market’s Concerts in the Courtyard line-up, Wed.-Sat., 7-9 p.m., offer complementary food, drinks and live entertainment. Local breweries Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery, Natty Greene’s Brewing Co., and Foothills Brewing Co, will serve up their seasonal specialties while party-goers listen to the sounds of the Sol Creech Band on Wednesday evening; The Embers, Thurs.; Cravin’ Melon/Athenaeum, Fri.; and The Cookie Band, Sat.
Market-goers also can enjoy true Southern bluegrass music outside the entrance to the Suites at Market Square, Mon.– Weds., 4–7 p.m.
Daily dining, drinks and amenities include: complementary breakfast buffet, Mon.-Sat., 9:30-10:30 a.m., ground level of Market Square; daily daiquiris, Mon.-Sat, 4-6 p.m., ground level of Market Square; and happy hour drink specials at the Boiler Room, Mon.-Sat, 4-6 p.m., mezzanine level of Market Square.
October 11,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 2006
The WithIt competitive intelligence meeting, a regular event that takes place at every High Point Market, has been moved.
The meeting set for Thursday, Oct. 19, will be held in the Whitewood Furniture. Inds. showroom at 215 S. Main St. Impact Consulting and FurnitureFan are co-hosting the event, which includes a wine reception.
Open to all market attendees, the event features a panel discussion on new finishes, textures, fabrics and the use of reclaimed, or environmentally friendly materials.
Panelists are: Betty Lyn Eller, advertising manager for O at Home magazine; Lorna Hunter, general manager for contemporary retailer, Cantoni; and Mike Hodges, international sales & marketing for Valspar. Kathy Wall, WithIt president, will moderate.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
October 10,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2006
Lisa Kakassy has joined Valdese Weavers to represent the fabric company’s Wesley Mancini line to be introduced at December’s Showtime.
She joins the company after nearly eight years as a sales representative for Quaker Fabric. Prior to joining Quaker, she worked for Broyhill Furniture and Covington Fabrics.
Kakassy’s addition is part of the company’s enhancement of the sales and marketing capabilities to develop and promote the new Wesley Mancini by Valdese Weavers product line.
“Lisa is an extremely important addition to our sales organization as we develop the Wesley Mancini by Valdese Weavers brand,” said Mike Shelton, president and chief executive officer of Valdese Weavers. “We feel it is important for the market to recognize the distinction between the new brand and our Valdese Weavers product line, and Lisa will bring tremendous talent and credibility to help achieve that end. We are proud to have Lisa as part of our company.”
October 10,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 2006
Bedding supplier Tempur-Pedic International has expanded its board of directors to nine and elected Peter K. Hoffman to the board.
Hoffman is currently president, Global Grooming for The Procter & Gamble Co., where he is responsible for the worldwide Gillette blades and razors business until he retires at the end of this year. For more than 34 years, Hoffman has worked with The Gillette Co. and P&G in executive positions both in North America and Europe, including roles as president, Global Blades and Razors; president, Duracell North Atlantic; and president, Braun North America.
“We are privileged to have someone of Peter’s credentials join our board. Peter brings a great deal of strategic, operational and international experience to the Tempur-Pedic Board of Directors,” said P. Andrews McLane, chairman.