Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 14,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on October 15, 2012
Rug and home accessories supplier Surya awarded $100,000 to the winners of its sales contest.
More than 60 sales representatives were competing for the cash prizes for a year.
As part of the contest, sales representatives were challenged to open new accounts, grow existing accounts, and grow their overall territories. Winners of the four $25,000 awards are:
- The Woolard Group, which was recognized for adding the most retailers to the Surya family and positioning them to succeed in accessory sales;
- Jeff Hagedorn, who was recognized for driving the most growth for his existing customers by placing relevant Surya tools and products in their stores;
- Jim Govola, who was recognized for leveraging Surya solutions to improve the performance of all Surya dealers, resulting in highest overall territory growth, and;
- Jane Reed, who was recognized for best representing the Surya brand by following all elements of the Surya sales program.
"At Surya, we believe that treating our employees well translates into positive interactions that really 'wow' our customers," said Satya Tiwari, Surya's president. "We focus on engaging our employees, including sales reps, so that they feel good about being a meaningful part of the Surya brand. This friendly contest is a reflection of the special things we do to make our sales reps know how much we value them. We congratulate these reps on their outstanding service to Surya and to our customers."
October 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in sourcing/importing on October 12, 2012
October import volume at major U.S. container ports should rise 9.9 percent, according to Global Port Tracker from National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
NRFs annual forecast says retailers should see solid growth during the holiday season this year and these cargo numbers back it up, said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. Increased imports show that retailers have gauged the market and expect increased sales.
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.42 million 20-foot Equivalent Units in August, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 6.7 percent from July and 3.3 percent from August 2011. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent.
September was estimated at 1.49 million TEU, up 8 percent from last year, and October is forecast at 1.45 million TEU, up 9.9 percent. August, September and October are the three busiest months of the year as retailers bring merchandise into the country for the holiday season, and volume for the three months combined is up 7 percent. While cargo volume doesnt correlate directly with sales, NRF forecast last week that holiday sales will increase 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion this year.
With most holiday merchandise already at least in distribution centers by the end of October, monthly cargo volume will drop off for the remainder of the year but will remain above 2011 levels. November is forecast at 1.32 million TEU, up 2.4 percent from last year, and December is forecast at 1.28 million TEU, up 4.6 percent. After the holidays, January 2013 is forecast to stay at 1.28 million TEU, down one-half of 1 percent from January 2012, and February is forecast at 1.19 million TEU, up 9 percent from a year earlier.
The first half of 2012 totaled 7.7 million TEU, up 2.9 percent from the same period last year. For the full year, 2012 is expected to total 16 million TEU, up 4.1 percent from 2011.
Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett noted that some retailers brought cargo into the country early because of the threat of a strike when the labor contract covering East Coast and Gulf Coast longshoremen was set to expire Sept. 30. The strike was averted when labor and management agreed to continue talks through Dec. 31.
Inventories are up, which could be due to lack of demand but it could also be due to pre-stocking in anticipation of the dock strike that didnt come, Hackett said. Either way, it is within a narrow range of movement and it does not suggest that we are sliding into another recession.
Global Port Tracker covers the U.S. ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades and Miami on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.
October 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on October 12, 2012
Rug and home décor supplier Surya is hosting a contest for consumers on Pinterest.
With its Surya Spaces Pinterest contest, the company is inviting consumers to submit photos of interesting residential projects in which Surya products have been used.
All projects will be showcased on Surya's Pinterest page.
Deadline for submissions is Oct. 18, and winners will be selected based on the highest number of re-pins during a pre-designated voting period. In addition to prime exposure through Surya's social media channels, participants can win one the following prizes: first prize, $750 off a future order; second prize,$500 off a future order; and third prize, $250 off a future order.
"Pinterest offers consumers and designers the ideal venue to congregate and share design ideas," said Satya Tiwari, Surya president. "The highly visual social media site is an excellent platform for our customers to promote their design portfolios. Through this contest, Surya can help bring these talented designers and retailers to the attention of 23 million inspiration seekers."
Surya launched its Pinterest page in April this year. With more than 1,200 followers, the company has more than 30 inspiration boards posted - themed around a broad range of colors palettes, patterns and general design trends.
October 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 12, 2012
Elk Group International has relocated its High Point showroom to the Commerce Wing of IHFC.
Located at C402, the showroom is more than 15,000 square feet, more than three times the size of the company's previous showroom
This showroom focuses on the Sterling and DIMOND divisions as well as the HGTV Home, Bailey Street, Biltmore and Trump brands.
"This new location provides a venue for our customers to capture the true essence of the product and category expansion that has taken place over the last couple of years," said John Haste, group vice president sales and marketing. "We are very excited for them to see the benefits of a single company providing a significant portion of their product requirements."
October 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 12, 2012
The National Home Furnishings and Western Home Furnishings associations have negotiated new, lower fourth-quarter financing rates for their GE Capital program.
Association members can now receive 3.59 percent on 12 months plus quarterly volume rebates.
This new rate makes us competitive with others in the industry and offers our members a great discount on their in-store financing, said WHFA Membership Director Kaprice Crawford. The new lower rates, coupled with our volume rebates, makes our program one of the best for retailers to use on a daily basis.
The NHFA & WHFA program with GE Capital makes it easy for dealers to apply. A simple one-page application and quick turnaround will have dealers transacting in less than seven days. Other exclusive program benefits include: a dedicated marketing and client relationship team, open-to-buy reports and consumer sweepstakes sponsored by GE Capital, furniture industry insights and case studies, consumer spending statistical data, exclusive members-only holiday specials.
NHFA and WHFA members already on the GE Capital program will automatically receive the new rates. If you are a member and not on the program, call WHFA at 800.422.3778 or NHFA at 800.888.9590 to get started today. Retailer West of the Rockies interested in joining the associations should call 800.422.3778; retailers East of the Rockies, 800.888.9590.