Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
December 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on December 11, 2012
Women's home furnishings leadership network WithIt has launched a redesigned Web site.
The new site offers members an online resource for timely insights, ideas exchange and professional mentoring; and has added robust, engaging tools and members-only exclusives.
In our 15th year, WithIts story is now told digitally across a variety of platforms, and our new Web site reflects the needs of our diverse and geographically separated community, said WithIt 2012 President Julia Rosien, principal of SocialNorth. We need to meet our members where they live, and the new Web site connects us seamlessly to each other and the social media channels we use.
WithIt.orgs new Member Café includes articles written by WithIt members and useful professional links. The Student Café offers a find-a-mentor feature and a knowledge center that offers practical information for students at the early stages of their careers.
Other new online tools include: a regions-focused hub, where WithIts regional chapters can network with local members; a newsroom, including event photos; a speak-up section where WithIt members blog on leadership-focused topics; a searchable members directory; social media feeds; and more.
WithIts new web site is the culmination of hundreds of hours of planning and hard work, and were very grateful to the individuals and companies that supported us, said Rosien. Now, the fun and sharing begins, and were eager to showcase and connect our members and potential members online.
WithIt.orgs relaunch was made possible through the generous support of Wray Ward, which provided the graphics and layout; and Adesso Inc., which sponsored the development and programming of the site.
December 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on December 11, 2012
Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.9 percent this month, despite a strike that closed the nation's largest port complex for the first few days in December, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation.
Retailers, however, are keeping a close watch on a similar strikes on the East Coast and the Gulf Coast.
"After a strong kickoff on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the holiday season is looking good and these numbers reflect that," said Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy. "Nonetheless, we narrowly avoided what could have been a long-term disruption with the strike in Los Angeles and Long Beach and don't want to run that risk on the East Coast and Gulf Coast. NRF is continuing to urge labor, management and lawmakers to do whatever is necessary to keep our nation's ports running smoothly."
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.39 million 20-foot Equivalent Units in October, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 1 percent from September, but up 5.2 percent from October 2011.
November was estimated at 1.22 million TEU, down 5.6 percent from last year. The downturn was due in part to the eight-day strike that closed most terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach beginning in the last few days of November, but also because November is a traditionally weak month after most holiday cargo has arrived.
December is forecast at 1.27 million TEU, up 3.9 percent from last year, with January forecast at 1.31 million TEU, up 2 percent from January 2012; February at 1.15 million TEU, up 5.9 percent; March at 1.27 million TEU, up 2 percent, and April at 1.35 million TEU, up 3.2 percent.
The first half of 2012 totaled 7.7 million TEU, up 3 percent from the same period last year. For the full year, 2012 is expected to total 15.8 million TEU, up 2.5 percent from 2011.
"While the strike led to some diversion of cargo to Oakland and ports further afield, we believe much of the cargo destined for LA/Long Beach will simply arrive at the port later as vessels adjust their rotations," said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, the company that compiles the report. "As we look ahead into the coming months of 2013, the main threat to cargo flows through the ports would be a strike on East Coast and Gulf Coast. There is little option for diversion."
December 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on December 11, 2012
Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.9 percent this month, despite a strike that closed the nation's largest port complex for the first few days in December, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation.
Retailers, however, are keeping a close watch on a similar strikes on the East Coast and the Gulf Coast.
"After a strong kickoff on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the holiday season is looking good and these numbers reflect that," said Jonathan Gold, NRF vice president for supply chain and customs policy. "Nonetheless, we narrowly avoided what could have been a long-term disruption with the strike in Los Angeles and Long Beach and don't want to run that risk on the East Coast and Gulf Coast. NRF is continuing to urge labor, management and lawmakers to do whatever is necessary to keep our nation's ports running smoothly."
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.39 million 20-foot Equivalent Units in October, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 1 percent from September, but up 5.2 percent from October 2011.
November was estimated at 1.22 million TEU, down 5.6 percent from last year. The downturn was due in part to the eight-day strike that closed most terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach beginning in the last few days of November, but also because November is a traditionally weak month after most holiday cargo has arrived.
December is forecast at 1.27 million TEU, up 3.9 percent from last year, with January forecast at 1.31 million TEU, up 2 percent from January 2012; February at 1.15 million TEU, up 5.9 percent; March at 1.27 million TEU, up 2 percent, and April at 1.35 million TEU, up 3.2 percent.
The first half of 2012 totaled 7.7 million TEU, up 3 percent from the same period last year. For the full year, 2012 is expected to total 15.8 million TEU, up 2.5 percent from 2011.
"While the strike led to some diversion of cargo to Oakland and ports further afield, we believe much of the cargo destined for LA/Long Beach will simply arrive at the port later as vessels adjust their rotations," said Ben Hackett, founder of Hackett Associates, the company that compiles the report. "As we look ahead into the coming months of 2013, the main threat to cargo flows through the ports would be a strike on East Coast and Gulf Coast. There is little option for diversion."
December 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on December 10, 2012
Furniture manufacturer and retailer Ethan Allen (NYSE: ETH) has made Demandware the digital foundation of its global expansion strategy.
Ethan Allen recently launched its first site on the Demandware (NYSE: DWRE) platform in Canada to coincide with the grand opening of its first Design Center in Montreal. Ethan Allen plans to re-launch its U.S. e-commerce site with Demandware in 2013 in addition to site launches in other countries including Europe to support its new design center in Brussels.
We are focused on growing our global business by generating awareness for our brand including where we do not yet have brick and mortar locations, said Farooq Kathwari, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen, Danbury, Conn. "Our expanded online presence, powered by Demandware, will help us reach more customers to raise awareness of the Ethan Allen brand, while also driving traffic into our international Design Centers. With Demandware, we can roll out sites quickly across the globe and deliver the high level of customer service for which Ethan Allen is known.
Beyond extensive capabilities that enable global operations on a single instance, the new Ethan Allen sites will incorporate a number of features to enhance the shopping experience. Each country specific site will also provide local currency pricing and offer multiple language options for the customer.
Demandware is excited to have a company such as Ethan Allen using the Demandware platform, said Tom Ebling, CEO of Demandware, Burlington, Mass. "With our platform, companies have the capabilities necessary to move into new markets fast, without sacrificing the integrity and quality of their brand experience."
December 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on December 10, 2012
Educational seminars for furniture retailers and designers have been set for the Jan. 28-Feb. 1 Las Vegas Furniture Market.
The diverse assortment of complimentary educational events and CEU-accredited seminars created specifically for retailers, design professionals and other registered market attendees offer up-to-the-minute information to help industry professionals better manage, grow and market their businesses.
Seminar highlights include the popular First Look program, an entertaining, fast-paced look at the hottest new product introductions debuting at Market week; recognition of Alexa Hampton as the the 2013 Design Icon Award recipient; successful ingredients to building a customer-centric culture, current social media best practices, winning visual merchandising and store displays, the melding of fashion and home décor influences, a trend forecast for the interiors industry, an inspiring presentation from the global authority on color, Pantone, and much more.
Winters Las Vegas Market will feature experts that span the realm of home furnishings, gift, merchandising, design, technology, fashion, social media, and business management, bringing market attendees a wealth of fresh ideas as well as best practices, said Dana Andrew, vice president of global marketing and communications for International Market Centers, parent company of Las Vegas Market. These expert-led sessions are designed to spark creativity and give our attendees valuable new strategies to help their business flourish in 2013 and beyond.
Seminars take place throughout the entire week of Market, Jan. 28- Feb. 1. In all, there are nearly 50 seminars open to all Market attendees including seminars sponsored by WHFA in the Retailer Resource Center (C-496). A full listing of all Winter 2013 Las Vegas Market seminars is available here.