Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 3,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 2006
High Point’s Rose Furniture Co. with three stores in the city plans to close.
In a statement released Tuesday, the company said it has “made several attempts to overcome the financial challenges that they have faced as a result of the economic downturn in the retail furniture industry over the past few years, they ultimately concluded that an orderly wind down of their business operations will maximize the value of their assets for the benefit of their creditors.”
The retailer also said it may file Chapter 11.
The family owned business has been in operation since 1925.
October 3,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2006
Industry veteran Don Mitchell has resigned from the La-Z-Boy board of directors.
Mitchell, 62, who served as a board member since 2002 and on the board’s investment performance review committee, intends to pursue another opportunity within the furniture industry.
Mitchell garnered extensive industry experience over the course of his career and had been with Universal Furniture prior to becoming the president of LADD’s case goods group and ultimately senior vice president and president of La-Z-Boy’s case goods group until his retirement in 2002.
“Don was a valued member of our board and with his industry experience he was able to provide us with sound advice, and was particularly helpful as we transitioned our case goods business to be primarily an importer, distributor and marketer over the last few years,” said James Johnston, chairman of the board. “We wish him all the best in his new endeavors.”
A search for a replacement for the board seat is underway.
October 2,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 2006
Author and trend guru Robyn Waters Target will speak at an exclusive educational event during High Point Market. The presentation, scheduled for Wed., Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the High Point Theater, is free to market attendees, but seating is limited and reservations are required.
Waters, has written two books: “The Trendmaster’s Guide: Get a Jump on What Your Customer Wants Next,” and “The Hummer and the Mini: Navigating The Contradictions of The New Trend Landscape,” scheduled for release this week by Portfolio Hardcover.
And for the first time, the High Point Market Authority will sponsor an evening educational prorgram.
“Educational events abound during the day here at High Point Market, but there are many buyers who simply can’t deviate from their shopping itineraries while the showrooms are open for business,” said Brian Casey, president of the High Point Market Authority. “We believe many of these market-goers would welcome the opportunity to participate if there were high-level educational programs during the evenings that offered ideas to drive sales and profits. So, in addition to the full complement of entertainment we’ve scheduled for each night during Market week, we have secured a world-class speaker for those who would like to learn more about how to turn trends into profits.”
Waters has more than 25 years of experience in retail, including her contributions to the rise of Target as a consumer powerhouse. There, she served as vice president of trend, design and product development.
She now is president of RW Trend, a consulting firm advising major American brands such as Proctor and Gamble, QVC, Fidelity Investments, Piper Jaffray, Microsoft, GlaxoSmith Kline, Nestle USA, Hewlett Packard, Georgia Pacific and Sara Lee Branded Apparel among others.
“On the eve of publication of her second book, Robyn Waters is in great demand as a speaker around the country, thanks in part to her unique ability to inspire and motivate an eclectic audience and client base,” Casey said. “Her visual presentations challenge her audiences to look at trends ‘from the inside out’ by focusing their attention on what’s important instead of just what’s next. When she speaks, energies are revitalized, perspectives are reframed and possibilities are re-envisioned—making her the ideal presenter for our Market guests. Her presentation will bring us all up to the minute—and show us where the minute is going.”
Those interested in securing a seat for Waters’ presentation should contact the High Point Market Authority at (336) 869-1000 ext. 227.
October 2,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 2006
Jim Nation has been elected vice chairman of the International Sleep Products Association. Nation, president and chief executive officer of major bedding vendor Spring Air Co., also will chair ISPA’s finance committee.
“Jim brings more than thirty years experience in the mattress industry to our ISPA leadership team,” notes ISPA Chair Kerry Tramel of Lady Americana Associates. “His insight will help to further advance the effectiveness of ISPA in representing the needs of mattress manufacturers and their suppliers throughout the world.”
Nation has been president and chief executive officer of the Spring Air licensing group since 1995. Prior to joining the company to head up its national account efforts in 1990, his career included a variety of retail and sales assignments. Nation joined E.B. Malone Co., a Spring Air licensee in Florida, as a sales representative in 1975. That company later became Bassett Bedding, a national company where Nation worked in a number of sales management and development positions through 1988. He later worked for the Ohio Sealy Mattress Co. in Chicago. Nation said he’s honored to serve as an officer of the Association.
“ISPA is an outstanding institution that has done a very good job in representing the interests of the mattress industry for nearly a century,” he said. “I am looking forward to continuing the fine work of the many industry leaders who have preceded me in expanding the market for mattress sales, advocating on behalf of bedding manufacturers, and charting a course that will benefit the interests of ISPA’s 650 member companies.”
ISPA President Dick Doyle said Nation, who’ll succee Tramel as chairman, would continue in the tradition of strong ISPA member leadership.
“Each has brought a commitment to making the mattress industry among the best in the manufacturing community,” he said. “Jim Nation has that same level of commitment to excellence, and I am truly looking forward to working with him in advancing the interests of our members.”
October 2,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 2006
Merchandise Mart Properties is upping the ante for buyer amenities at the upcoming High Point Market with free parking and an expanded buyers’ lounge.
MMPI has reserved lots near downtown with space to accommodate 500 vehicles attending High Point Market. The surface lots are at the corner of Lindsay and Kivett streets adjacent to Market Square and the Suites at Market Square.
The convenient surface lot offers parking capacity for as many as 500 vehicles in downtown High Point.
“We continually work to provide more amenities to our attending buyers,” said Tom Mitchell, senior vice president and general manager of MMPI High Point. “With our new, expanded buyers’ lounge and array of daily events in the Century Courtyard and the Suites, our commitment to improve for our customers is apparent and strong.”
The new lounge is located on the first floor of the Suites at Market Square.
“This lounge will be staffed daily by our director of buyer services, Leigh Chastain, offering an open dialogue with our key customers,” Mitchell said.
Continuing the tradition of MMPI’s buyers’ lounge previously located in the Furniture Plaza, each day of market buyers can enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch and cocktails in the lounge. MMPI also will continue to provide a wide-range of business services, including faxing, copying, computer and Internet, message boards, massage chairs, and recharging stations for PDAs and cell phones.
Adjacent to the buyers’ lounge will be the High Point Market Authority Buyers Center. There, the Market Authority staff will offer the following services: airline reservations, reconfirmations, seat assignments or changes, including post-Market travel planning; IFFS reservations (air travel and hotel accommodations); local and worldwide hotel and rental car reservations; local golf tee times, restaurant reservations and area information; and shuttle assistance and limousine reservations.