June 14,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Technology on June 2006
Myriad Software is launching an electronic product catalog, an innovation that could make paper catalogs obsolete and keep furniture retailers current on product availability.
By using the electronic catalog, retailers have current access to product information, price changes and new product offerings. The catalog allows for nightly updates.
In addition to keeping retailers’ product knowledge current, the catalog can be used for placing orders with manufacturers.
“If a manufacturer is willing to give us its catalog, we could offer the line to Myriad clients who sell the product,” said Carolyn Crowley, Myriad Software president. “We don’t have to be the manufacturer’s system of choice, but we can certainly make the retail business easier and better for them.”
Dealer programs dedicated to the Myriad system include Norwalk Furniture, Bassett Furniture Direct, Thomasville Home Furnishings, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and Lane Home Furnishings. About 80 percent of Myriad’s business comes from independent retailers nationwide, mid-size to major.
Myriad will be showcasing its new electronic product catalog at the upcoming Las Vegas market.
June 14,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on June 2006
Stanley Furniture expects lower sales in second-quarter 2006 than previously anticipated, the case goods manufacturer announced yesterday.
The company expects second-quarter sales to be off 8 percent to 10 percent from record shipments of $83.6 million in the same period in 2005. The decline reflects overall industry conditions, said Jeff Scheffer, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Stanley.
“The weakness in sales that we experienced in the later part of the first quarter and into the early part of the second quarter has continued throughout the second quarter,” he said.
Stanley will announce second-quarter results and issue a third-quarter guidance on July 17.
June 14,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on June 2006
The National Furniture Bank Association., a non-profit organization representing almost 70 furniture banks across the country, has launched a new campaign, “600 in ’06,” with a goal of gaining 600 sponsors to help expand existing furniture banks and open new locations.
Furniture banks collect used home furnishings from the general public, then donate them to needy families, such as survivors of natural disasters, women and children escaping domestic violence, and working families living below the poverty line. Furniture banks annually collect and distribute over 1,000,000 pieces of furniture, translating into consumers purchasing 1,000,000 pieces of new furniture to replace donated items.
Phil Van Poetsch, executive director of the NFBA, said the home furnishings industry has embraced this effort “first and foremost because it’s a very worthy cause. It’s good for your soul, and it’s good for the industry as a whole.”
NFBA said sponsorship benefits include increased store traffic from consumers who donate furniture and need replacements; great public relations; a marketing springboard through matching-fund campaigns; and financial benefits of tax breaks for monetary or in-kind donations.
Nearly two dozen sponsors have come forward to show their support in advance of the 600 in ’06 kick off.
“I’m proud to do whatever I can,” said Mary Ann Levitt, president of Brueners Arizona and the 2006 president of National Home Furnishings Association. “I know that our industry can only make an impact if we all act together, now, and show the American public we care.”
Initial sponsors include: Alperts Furniture, Badcock Home Furniture, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Bruener’s Arizona, Gabbert’s Furniture, Gorin’s Furniture, Furniture First, Hooker Furniture, Jennifer Convertibles, Kathy Ireland Home by Alta, Kathy Ireland Home by Hanna’s Candles, Kathy Ireland Home by Labs, Kathy Ireland Home by Martin, Kathy Ireland Home by Pacific Coast Lighting, Kathy Ireland Home by Standard, Kathy Ireland Home by Therapedic, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Lack’s Furniture, MGM Transport Corp., National Cos., and Wolf Furniture.
Industry associations supporting the effort include Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association, Futon Association International, Home Furnishings International Association, Interior Design Society, International Home Furnishings Representatives Association, National Home Furnishings Association, North American Retail Dealers Association, Unfinished Furniture Association, Western Home Furnishings Association, and WithIt.
June 13,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on June 2006
Chinese manufacturer Decca, the case goods source plant for high-end classic and contemporary furniture vendor Bolier & Co., has had its duty rate lowered to 6.65 percent from the all-China rate of 198.08 percent.
The manufacturer had appealed its original duty rate, which was assigned after a U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission of Chinese makers of wood bedroom furniture ruled that dumping was taking place at the end of 2004.
As of June 14, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will require a cash deposit rate
of 6.65 percent for subject merchandise from Decca in the U.S. market. This cash deposit requirement shall remain in effect until publication of the final results of an administrative review of Decca’s operation.
Chris Plasman, formerly president of Baker Furniture, teamed up with Decca to start the line in 2003. Decca has a 1 million-square-foot plant in Guangdong province and is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company also makes high-end contract furniture.
June 13,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on June 2006
Michael Gennet has joined Weiman Furniture in a management consulting capacity.
Gennet, former president of Lazar Inds. and the San Francisco Mart, will commute from his business in Southern California to the Weiman facilities in Christiansburg, Va.
Weiman was acquired by Interlude Home from Bassett in April.
“Michael’s knowledge of quality contemporary upholstery, and his national retailer relationships will be invaluable to the Weiman and Preview brands,” said Carl Philips, president of Interlude Home. “He will be instrumental in combining the strengths of our two companies and will help us integrate Weiman’s fine upholstery with Interlude Home’s contemporary, occasional, and accessory products. This is the first step of our reinvestment in the personnel, designs and products at Weiman/Preview.”
Gennet was president of the San Francisco Mart for more than 10 years and subsequently moved to Los Angeles to work for Lazar.