Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 16,
2006 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006
Retail automation vendor GERS Retail Systems announced Thursday that it has formed a partnership with Showroom Technology to offer customers Showroom Technology's SHOW/PRO kiosk system for use on their floors.
SHOW/PRO, a consumer-interactive device, offers easy-to-use touch screen applications, consumer credit applications, consumer registration for coupons and specials, display advertising and promotions, and ties in with the GERS system.
"Showroom Technology is a trusted GERS business partner who brings value-added products that complement and enhance the retail solutions we provide to our customers, including several top retailers we and Showroom Technology already have in common," said Roy Martin, product manager for GERS Retail Systems.
"We are very excited to enter into this partnership with GERS," said David Weyher, chief executive officer of Showroom Technology. "With GERS and Showroom Technology working in partnership, we can collectively bring more value to the retail customer while presenting one unified team and vision."
Showroom Technology specializes in innovative kiosk and digital signage technology for big ticket retailers to improve sales performance in the retail showroom.
GERS Retail Systems is a leading supplier of retail automation software with a client list including many major furniture retailers. GERS will feature SHOW/PRO at its annual users' conference, scheduled for April 4-7 in San Diego.
March 15,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006
Leather producer Natuzzi will announce its 2005 fourth quarter and year-end results Wednesday, March 29.
Pasquale Natuzzi, chairman and chief executive officer, Daniele Tranchini, chief sales and marketing officer, Nicola Dell'Edera, chief financial officer, and Fred Starr, chief executive officer and president of Natuzzi Americas, will discuss financial results, followed by a question and answer session, in a teleconference at 10:00 a.m. eastern time March 30.
Replay of the event will be available on the Natuzzi Web site, natuzzi.com, beginning March 31.
March 15,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006
Two board members have said they will not stand for reelection to the board of Sears Holdings Corp.
Michael A. Miles and Julian C. Day will serve out their terms until the company's scheduled annual meeting in April. Miles said he will devote more time to personal matters, and Day said he will spend more time on various other business interests.
Miles joined the retailer's board during the merger of Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Holding Corp. In addition to being a director of Kmart prior to the merger and Sears Holdings after the merger, Day was president and chief executive officer of Kmart from March 2002 to October 2004.
The company announced that effective after its 2006 annual meeting April 12, the size of its board of directors will be reduced from 11 to nine members.
March 14,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006
Sears Holdings Corp., North America's third-largest retailer, announced it has received notice that five of eight senior officers of Sears Canada will accept the Sears Holdings' offer on their common stock shares in Sears Canada and/or sell them on the market.
Those officers include David Merkley, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Rudi Vezer, senior vice president and chief legal officer; Richard Brown, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing; Frank Rocchetti, senior vice president and operations officer; and Ethel Taylor, senior vice president of corporate store sales.
Last month, a Sears Canada directors' circular disclosed that the three senior officers, who have yet to declare their intention, have recently sold a significant portion of their holdings in the company. In the 90 days prior to the announcement of Sears Holdings' offer, Brent Hollister, chief executive officer, sold approximately 54 percent of his shares; Ajit Khanna, senior vice president of direct, dealer and service sales, approximately 67 percent; and Frances Magliochi, senior vice president of human resources, more than 92 percent.
Sears Canada's largest independent shareholder, Natcan Investment Management, already has tendered all of the 9,690,149 shares that it beneficially owns or controls to the Sears Holdings offer.
"We believe that Sears Canada shareholders should consider the actions of the senior management and the largest independent shareholder when making a decision with respect to whether to tender their Sears Canada common shares," said Alan Lacy, vice chairman of Sears Holdings, in a statement issued Tuesday. "We remain committed to our (Canadian) $16.86 offer. We continue to believe that it is a full and fair price for the company and provides much needed liquidity to shareholders. We intend to purchase any and all shares tendered prior to the expiration of the offer."
March 14,
2006 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006
The leading bedding retailer is making "the biggest little city in the world" the site of its 400th store.
Select Comfort celebrated the opening of their landmark retail location in Reno, Nev. on Wednesday morning. Besides being its 400th store, the newly opened retail space is also the company's 22nd lifestyle center location. The new store is part of the 650,000 sq. ft. Summit Sierra lifestyle center situated in the resort city.
According to Select Comfort, the company plans to open between 40 and 45 new retail stores in 2006, as it aims at growing its retail presence to more than 600 company-owned stores in the United States.
"This is an important milestone and signifies Select Comfort's
long-term commitment to expanding distribution, building brand
awareness and bringing innovative new products to market," said Keith Spurgeon, Select Comfort senior vice president of sales and general manager.