October 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on October 5, 2012
National Home Furnishings, Western Home Furnishings associations, Best Buy For Business and R&A Marketing have teamed for the The Social Spot at High Point Furniture Market.
The dedicated space inside the Retailer Resource Center was designed to help the industry to learn the ins and outs of social media. Located inside the Plaza Suites, the RRC is a retailer destination for networking opportunities, free educational seminars and information on products and services designed just for buyers.
With the landscape of social media changing daily, The Social Spot is a place for retailers to get up to speed and find new ways to connect to consumers. A Social Spot Web site has been created to inform, and teach, retailers throughout the year about social media. The content-laden site will help businesses grow in social media by giving them the one thing that helps a social marketer: information. Updated daily, visitors will be able to find information, insights and news about what is happening around the world in social media and how it can help move their businesses forward.
The Social Spot can help retailers learn ways to market their stores today without the pressure of a sales presentation said Kyle Doran, president and co-owner of R&A Marketing, Columbus, Ohio. As suppliers in this industry it is important we focus on education of retailers to help ensure they stay in business. Without retailers in business we dont stay in business.
At each High Point and Las Vegas Market, the Web site will be used as a social sharing resource to help retailers understand the tools that are available to them in the Retailer Resource Centers. Along with the social sharing resources, a page will be dedicated to the vendors showing in the RRC, featuring special Market savings. Market attendees should be on the lookout for The Social Spot buddies around Market to get a Social Spot discount card.
The Social Spot is a great addition to the RRC, said Tim Timmons, NHFAs senior director of marketing communications & education. Our goal is to educate, and The Social Spot is a perfect opportunity for retailers to learn how to grow their business and thrive in the social media arena.
Be sure to check out The Social Spots twitter handle (@FurnSocialSpot) to see even more content that is shared by the experts in social media, retail and marketing every day.
October 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 5, 2012
Designer for a Day, a raffle sponsored by WithIt, Libby Interiors, Norwalk Furniture and Furniture World magazine, will award one winner round-trip airfare, lodging in New York City, and a private day of design excursions led by interior designer Libby Langdon.
The daylong adventure will include trend-focused design center tours, retail store visits, lunch at La Masseria, an Italian restaurant designed by Langdon, and more.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $20 per ticket or six for $100 at select events and showrooms during High Point Furniture Market, Oct. 13-18. Additionally, tickets can be purchased at WithIt.org through Nov. 28. Tickets also will be sold during Showtime, Dec. 2-5. The winner will be announced Dec. 5 during the semiannual fabric market. The winner does not need to be present to win.
This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves great design and NYC fun, said Landgon, an interior and product designer, author, and makeover television personality who has appeared on popular shows such as NBCs Open House, The Rachael Ray Show and HGTV's Small Space, Big Style. A design student would benefit from this day of learning, and so would a designer looking to expand his or her business. Also, a manufacturer or retail professional would enjoy the opportunity to experience firsthand insights about consumers through the eyes of a busy interior designer.
Proceeds from the Designer for a Day raffle will benefit WithIts educational initiatives.
October 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on October 4, 2012
Expanding to better serve retailers in the New York City metropolitan area, Cory Home Delivery recently opened a 200,000-square-foot home delivery center in North Bergen, N.J., five miles from New York City.
This new location, which replaces a distribution center operated by Cory for more than 40 years in Elizabeth, N.J., is a part of a strategic expansion plan that begins a new chapter in the company's nearly 80 years in business
"We are rapidly becoming a third-party logistics provider as we continue to expand our footprint of home delivery centers," said Patrick Cory, managing partner. "By placing home delivery centers in major markets, we are prepared for the growth of existing clients and new opportunities with top retailers in need of service nationwide."
Clients served from the new location include Ethan Allen, Ashley Home Stores, Thomasville Furniture and Stickley Furniture, among others. The opening of the home delivery center, staffed by many long-time Cory employees, brings a number of additional jobs to Hudson County, where Cory has operated since 1961.
The new center follows on the heels of Cory home delivery center openings in St. Paul, Minn., and Pittsburgh, which with existing centers in Miami, Melville, N.Y., Baltimore, San Antonio, Texas, and Dallas, form a strategic nucleus of major-market locations.
"None of this would be possible without the dedication of our loyal team members, delivery contractors, vendors, and clients, who have made this new chapter possible," Cory said.
The new distribution center includes a new racking system, an inventory control system, client-dedicated offices, and a separate area where Cory employees inspect, deluxe and stage clients' products for deliveries.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Bob Alter, COO, included the presentation of a plaque for the building's lobby dedicating the facility to the late Jim Cory, former president and managing partner of Cory, for his passion, performance, and spirit of teamwork that enable his principles to live on. Additionally, Patrick Cory presented a donation for North Bergen's Nicholas Sacco Foundation to express Cory's commitment to Hudson County charities.
"It is part of our founding principles to give back to the communities we serve," Patrick Cory said. "The new facility is in a prime location enabling the Cory team to better serve an expanding number of clients in the NYC metro area. It underscores the considerable opportunity for growth in home delivery and logistics."
October 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 4, 2012
Vertical upholstery producer Simplicity Sofas has launched a new Web site.
The High Point-based company specializes in furniture for small spaces.
"I am very pleased with the new Web site," said Jeff Frank, president and owner. "I realize this was not a simple project due to the many special requirements we demanded. The results, however, are spectacular. This is one of the cleanest and easiest furniture Web sites I've seen. I feel that it is comparable to the sites of several major furniture companies with six-figure Web site development budgets."
The site was designed by Web4Retail.
"I have so much respect for Jeff and his business," said Denise Keniston, president of Web4Retail. "We wanted to design a Web site that was beautiful in both design and function. I think we accomplished that, therefore, visitors to the Web site will have a great experience."
The Web site features e-commerce, and the company's product can be accessed through enhanced navigation.
Keniston said the site uses fabric-to-frame imaging for easy shopping.
The Web site launch will be boosted by a national advertising campaign designed to draw attention to the brand.
October 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on October 4, 2012
Fashion designer Alexander Julian and high-end furniture vendor Jonathan Charles have created a case goods collection his famous menswear designs.
The collection launches at the Oct. 13-18 High Point Furniture Market in the Jonathan Charles showroom at 200 N. Hamilton St., North Court, space 125.
Translating his signature vision of rich textiles and dynamic colors into his furniture
collection, each item from the 12-piece collection embodies sartorial elements, from bowties to blazer buttons.
Ive always been captivated by the beauty of Jonathan Charles artistry with wood and their ability to highlight rich nuances, from the smallest wood grains to the most intricate inlaid wood designs, said Julian of his decision to collaborate with the company. I worked with [head designer] Jonathan Sowter to produce a custom collection of tables and chests that seamlessly blends my fashion philosophy and Jonathan Charles expertise. The starting point was my signature blazer suit--the ultimate classic for wardrobe versatility. From there, the collection really took off.
Jonathan Charles artisans handcraft every piece, infusing the brands signature elements--églomisé (painted glass), marquetry (inlaid wood)--to execute Julians vision and to elevate each piece to a high art. From whimsical bow-tie designs to subtle interpretations of herringbone, Alexander Julian merges fashion and furniture design into brilliant statements for the home, redefining "haute couture."
Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture is the vision of Jonathan Sowter, an English furniture designer who excels at the art of antique furniture design with a contemporary twist. Sowter draws inspirations from everywhere: nature to exotic locales.