Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 4,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 2006
Haverty Furniture Cos. September sales increased 8 percent to $72.4 million compared with $67.1 million.
The retailer’s same-store sales for the month increased 6.4 percent. Sales for the first nine months of the year totaled $643.1 million versus $602.1 milliong for 2005, a 6.8 percent increase. Same store sales for the nine months increased 5 percent.
“Comparable-store sales were very good once again in September,” said Clarence H. Smith, president and chief executive officer. “A much better in-stock position relative to last year continues to allow for faster and more reliable scheduling of home deliveries to our customers. An extra Saturday in this year’s September calendar also contributed to our favorable results. Our total written sales for the month were up over September last year by a low single-digit percentage with weakness evident after strong increases for Labor Day week end.”
Smith said the company’s new series of television commercials building on the concept of “HAVE it all” will strengthen the connection between Havertys brand and our customers’ desire to create beautiful homes.
October 4,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 2006
Pier 1 Imports posted sales for the five-week period ended Sept. 30 of $144.3 million, a 7.6 percent decrease from $156 million from the previous year.
Comparable-store sales declined 10.1 percent. Year-to-date sales of $891 million were down 8.2 percent from $970 million last year, and comparable store sales declined 11.2 percent.
“Sales in September were in-line with our expectations,” said Marvin Girouard, chairman and chief executive officer. “Customer traffic was below last year, average ticket sales were higher and conversion rates were slightly below the year-ago period.”
“New holiday merchandise is currently flowing into Pier 1 stores this week,” he said. “Our marketing plans for October include a new fall catalog mailing to 12 million customers, as well as other direct mail pieces to support promotional activities beginning next week. In addition, new television commercials also start airing next week, national magazine ads continue throughout the holiday season, and we have strong internet and email presence planned throughout the remainder of the year.”
October 4,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Wicker on October 2006
Industry veteran Richard Olmeda has joined SteinWorld as president of the Memphis, Tenn.-based importer.
That position was previously held by Andrew Stein, who continues in his role as chief executive officer.
Olmeda most recently was executive vice president at Magnussen Home.
Stein said Olmeda’s more than 30 years in key executive positions in the industry brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to SteinWorld.
“His successful track record includes previous engagements with Magnussen Home, Silver Furniture, Tri Design Furniture, (an Italian import company he started), and Finger Furniture Co. in Houston, Texas,” Stein said. “Richard’s expertise in setting strategic corporate goals, and executing high level sales strategies make for a winning combination. Additionally, his years of experience in Asian sourcing, merchandising, product development, and demand forecasting insures a seamless path to achieve our corporate goals, and most importantly, timely and product driven alignment with our strategic retail partners.”
“We are extremely pleased to make this announcement and to have someone of Richard’s caliber at the helm,” Stein concluded.
October 3,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Leather Upholstery on October 2006
Kathy Ireland Worldwide and Omnia Leather are teaming up this month to add leather and microfiber upholstery to the former model’s furniture repetoire.
As part of the partnership, Omnia Leather will be changing its product name to Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Leather.
Omnia was established in 1989 as Omnia Italian Design. The new association will feature leather and micro fiber furnishings designed by Kathy in Omnia’s Chino, Calif., facility where the designs will be cut, sewn and upholstered over hardwood frames, with the products then distributed as Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Leather. Some products will be presented as Kathy Ireland Office.
“Having Kathy serve as our chief designer and bring her talents in design and marketing is an exciting opportunity for Omnia Leather,” said Peter Zolferino, president of Omnia. “We’ve been in discussions for over a year, and Kathy Ireland Home is the only brand we have seriously considered. Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Leather is a great way to approach our future. We are very pleased to announce this new partnership.”
Accent chairs, theater seating, recliners, sofa sleepers, conversation sofas and sectionals will be part of the initial offering. There are more than 150 SKUs in the first introduction.
“We are very excited about this new relationship,” Ireland said. “Our products with this great company will coordinate beautifully with all of our existing collections. We will now be able to celebrate our Style Guides in a much more powerful way.”
October 3,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on October 2006
James “Al” Wiygul has been named president of upholstery producer Bauhaus, reporting to Rodney England, president of La-Z-Boy non-branded upholstery.
Wiygul has been vice president of operations for the company since 2002.
“Al has been an integral part of the senior management team at Bauhaus and has excellent relationships with our customer base,” said Kurt Darrow, president and chief executive officer of La-Z-Boy Inc. “He is a results-oriented manager and a strategic thinker who has demonstrated the ability to lead the team at Bauhaus. With his experience in operations and attention to the customer, combined with the leadership and customer focus of Britt Allred, vice president of sales, Bauhaus is well positioned to continue to deliver the best values in the market place in stationary upholstered furniture for contemporary urban lifestyles.”
Wiygul succeeds Steve Pilgrim who left the company last month. Previous to joining Bauhaus, Wiygul held a number of senior manufacturing positions at Berkline and Stratford.