October 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in economic news on October 29, 2012
from http://wbponline.com/Articles/View/9534
Americans opened their wallets wider in September, stimulated by improved labor market conditions and as US economic growth beat estimates in the third quarter, the US Department of Commerce data showed on Monday.
US consumer spending advanced 0.8% in September from the previous month, when it rose 0.5% on a monthly basis, according to the report.
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October 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on October 29, 2012
from http://www.english.rfi.fr/americas/20121029-ikea-snooped-union-activists-says-former-french-security-boss
The former head of security of Ikea in France has accused his bosses of telling him to hire detectives to spy on its employees. In April the Swedish furniture retailer admitted that practices "contrary to its ethics" had taken place in its French business.
Ikea fired Jean-François Paris and several other senior managers after a trade union took the company to court and several media published emails revealing that private detectives had been commissioned to provide reports on potential employees' criminal records.
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October 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on October 29, 2012
Home furnishings and interior design franchise Decorating Den Interiors is expanding in the Palo Alto, Calif.
New franchise owner and interior decorator Alina Kish is celebrating the new location with a complimentary seminar Tuesday, Nov. 6, 6-9:30 p.m., at the Rosewood Sandhill Eucalyptus Room, 2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park.
I am excited to be offering the community the opportunity to attend my upcoming design seminar," Kish said. "Ill be sharing the very latest in home interior color and design trends, showing some great fabrics, and discussing some nationally award-winning room makeovers done by my design colleagues, with before and after photos. We also will have a special guest presenter, Joanne North, our senior vice president for retail sales. And, we will serve light hors doeurves and teas, and celebrate with a champagne toast.
Alina will bring to customers exceptional service, said Carol Bugg, Decorating Den Interiors vice president of design. As part of our North American home furnishings and interior design team, Alina will be able to provide clients with creative ideas, whether just for adding a new touch or doing an entire room makeover. We are very pleased to have her expanding our presence in Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
I am proud to have been selected to open a new Decorating Den Interiors in the Palo Alto area and to become associated with this 43-year-old business organization," Kish said. "I am excited to be part of this great design business and I am eagerly looking forward to helping area residents make their rooms more beautiful.
Theresa Pineda, Decorating Den Interiors regional manager, said: Alina will be a great addition to our team in this part of California. She brings great experience in both business and interior decorating. We are excited to be growing.
Established in 1969, Decorating Den Interiors has owners, designers and decorators throughout the United States and Canada.
Decorating Den room makeovers have been featured in such publications as Good Housekeeping, Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens and House Beautiful. In addition, television segments featuring the companys dramatic room designs have aired hundreds of times on HGTV and the Discovery Channel.
October 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on October 29, 2012
Home furnishings retail network Next Generation Now's online "Huddle" Tuesday will focus on holding in-store events.
The Huddle, titled "Events in Your Showroom," will examine the ins and outs of hosting in-store events (and increasing sales) with a panel of retailers who have been party planning for years. Experts on the call include: Mary Liz Curtin of Leon & Lulu; Tamara Scott-Anderson of Contents Interiors; Seth Weisblatt of Sam's Furniture; and Chris Cooley of Michael Alan Home Furnishings.
Retailers can prepare for the 2 p.m. (Eastern time) session by setting up a social profile on the social page; and logging into the page at the time of the Huddle. Participants can post questions on the wall of the social page, or Tweet questions to @ngnow.
October 25,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on October 26, 2012
La-Z-Boy's Dayton, Tenn., manufacturing facility has been named a finalist in IndustryWeeks annual 2012 Best Plants Award.
Finalists were selected based on strong manufacturing performances as well as a comprehensive focus on continuous improvement. This is the fourth consecutive year that this facility has been recognized by the publication.
It is an honor to have our facility recognized among the best, not just once, but for four years in a row, said Darrell Edwards, vice president of manufacturing for La-Z-Boy. We have a dedicated team of employees who are committed to excellence not just in the products we produce, but in all areas including safety, quality, delivery and productivity.
Nearly 1,300 associates work at the Dayton location = making sofas, chairs, ottomans and more.
The facility has also been recognized with numerous other awards including the Commissioners Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety and Health, which was presented earlier this year by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The companys Dayton, Tenn. facility was also among the first manufacturing facilities to become certified for Enhancing Furnitures Environmental Culture (EFEC) through the American Home Furnishings Alliance. EFEC is the environmental management program developed by AHFA to help members create and maintain a strong, proactive environmental program that makes them industry leaders.
Edwards added: We place a high level of importance on protecting our environment and preserving the planet for future generations. La-Z-Boy is committed to integrating environmentally sound and sustainable practices into our daily business decisions and strives to be even greener tomorrow than we are today.