October 23,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on October 24, 2012
Schnadig International furniture brand Caracole has teamed with MicroD to enhance its Web site.
MicroD, Charlotte, N.C., will provide services that allow users of Caracole's site to visualize what various fabric and finish combinations would look like on Caracole custom upholstery pieces. Caracole is one portfolio of products manufactured and distributed by Schnadig International, a subsidiary of Markor International Furniture Co. Ltd.
"With the introduction of our custom upholstery program, we wanted to enhance the website features to better serve our dealers and designer customers, as well as the end consumer," said Schnadig Marketing Director Maura Riley. "Upholstered furniture visualization and fabric draping are critical for communicating customization options.
"We chose MicroD because of their extensive experience and capability in our industry. Theyve additionally simplified the task of updating our digital catalogs, which are a signature selling tool for Caracole."
One of the MicroD software services that will be utilized by Caracole is the ePreVue furniture frame and fabric configuration system. ePreVue enables a user to view and select any upholstered frame, then pick a Caracole fabric to virtually drape onto that frame for a unique and custom design. Because of its quick implementation, the ePreVue software was easily integrated into the companys existing website.
"We are excited to add Caracole and the Schnadig International family to our portfolio" comments Manoj Nigam, president and CEO of MicroD. "Not only to enhance the overall furniture buying process, from manufacturer to consumer, but to also help retailers and sales reps present products with customizable options to their customers on their retail floors."
October 22,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on October 23, 2012
from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/23/restorationhardware-ipo-idUSL3E8LN3QX20121023
Luxury retailer Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc said it expects to sell about 5.2 million shares at between $22 and $24 each in its initial public offering.
At the midpoint of the range, the offering will raise about $120 million.
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October 22,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on October 23, 2012
from http://www.nasdaq.com/article/ikea-sees-up-to-85-sales-growth-by-2020-20121023-00139#.UIaLnWnuVM4
Ikea expects to potentially increase revenue by as much as 85% and more than double the amount of people expected to walk through the Swedish furniture giant's doors on an annual basis.
By 2020, Ikea said it plans to generate between 45 billion euros and 50 billion euros in annual revenue, up from an estimated EUR26.9 billion in the most-recent
fiscal year ended Aug. 31.
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October 22,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on October 23, 2012
The kate spade new york brand is introducing a new lifestyle brand dubbed Kate Spade Saturday, a more casual line created to "channel the spirit of Saturday seven days a week."
The new brand will include home décor and tabletop items, along with apparel, handbags, jewelry, watches, footwear, eyewear and tech accessories.
Set to launch first in Japan in February through an e-commerce site and a flagship store in Tokyo. The brand is expected to launch exclusively online in the U.S. in the spring. Kate Spade Saturday will travel to the Brazil market with e-commerce and stress in Fall 2013.
The brand aims to have an innovative approach to retail both online and in-stores. By launching online, Kate Spade Saturday seeks to echo the in-store feeling of shopping in community by maximizing social media. Product-focused editorial content will be integrated throughout the site and fans' tweets and images will appear online contributing to the exploratory experience. Kate Spade Saturday has partnered with digital agency Huge Inc. to produce the Web site.
For its retail spaces, Kate Spade Saturday has worked with architects WORK Architecture Co. to design a store concept that celebrates the social side of shopping while creating a simple and seamless grab-and-go experience. iPads will be strategically stationed throughout the shop, featuring marketing messages, blog content, campaign videos, and user-generated images. To keep customers engaged, new product will be available both online and in store every Saturday. As a special nod to the brand's American roots, flagship stores will each house a café featuring rotating American food vendors. New York City pretzel shop Sigmund's Pretzels has signed on to partner with Kate Spade Saturday for the flagship in Tokyo.
"Through ongoing research, we saw an opportunity in the market to engage a new customer base - one that aspires to be a part of the kate spade new york brand," said Craig Leavitt, CEO of kate spade new york. "Kate Spade Saturday is born from the core values of kate spade new york, but is realized in a new and exciting way for this younger customer."
October 22,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Customer Service on October 23, 2012
Home furnishing retailer Conn's Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN) and GE Capital have announced a multi-year extension of their consumer finance program.
GE Capital's Retail Finance business will continue to service a card program launched at the specialty retailer of home appliances, furniture, mattresses and consumer electronics in 2009.
The consumer financing program was expanded and extended through 2016, providing qualifying customers with access to a Conn's-branded credit card and special financing options. Customers can apply for the Conn's Card in stores, as the Conn's credit program is available at all of its retail and clearance store locations in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
"Conn's has been one of the region's leading retailers for more than a century and the vast majority of their sales involve financing," said Paul Schell, general manager, consumer electronics and appliances for GE Capital's Retail Finance business. "We're honored to continue working with Conn's to provide convenient financing options that help satisfy their customers and solutions that help Conn's continue to build their business."
"Through various financing programs offered to qualified customers by GE Capital, customers have access to a dedicated line of credit to use for all of their purchases at Conn's," said Theodore M. Wright, chairman and CEO of Conn's. "Our relationship with GE Capital has assisted us in providing our customers with greater value and more convenient and flexible ways to pay for durable goods for their home."
Conn's operates 65 locations in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma: with 22 stores in the Houston area, 14 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, seven in San Antonio, three in Austin, one in Waco, five in Southeast Texas, one in Corpus Christi, four in South Texas, six in Louisiana and two in Oklahoma.