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September 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on September 17, 2012
The National Retail Federation credited a solid back-to-school shopping season for positive sales figures in the month of August.
According to NRFs calculations, August retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from July and 3.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
The retail industry continues to demonstrate its strength and resiliency during this fragile economic time, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. However consumers and retail companies continue to face many questions and challenges, from stubbornly high unemployment and stagnant incomes to depressed housing prices and the looming fiscal cliff, all playing into overall economic uncertainty and declining consumer confidence.
Adding to this anxiety, retailers are now preparing for a potential labor disruption at the East and Gulf Coast ports, which may interfere with the all-important holiday shopping season. NRF continues to reiterate its calls on management and labor to continue their negotiations up to and beyond the September 30 contract deadline. The last thing this economy needs right now is a work stoppage at the ports.
August retail sales, released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) increased 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 4.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
While retailers continue to witness sustained sales growth, consumers remain cautious about their discretionary expenditures, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. Consumers have carried much of the growth during the economic recovery, despite high food and gas costs. Though the economy isnt backsliding, growth continues to be a sore point.
Other findings from the August retail sales report include:
¢ Clothing and clothing accessories stores' sales decreased 0.1 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 7.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ Electronics and appliance stores sales decreased 1.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ Furniture and home furnishing stores sales increased 0.3 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but 9.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ General merchandise stores sales decreased 0.3 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 0.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ Health and personal care stores sales increased 0.2 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and 0.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ Nonstore retailers sales were flat seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 6.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
¢ Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores sales were flat seasonally-adjusted month-to-month but increased 6.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Beginning this month, NRF will now include auto parts, accessories and tire stores and nonstore retail sales figures in its economic analysis and calculations. This change--impacting all future NRF retail sales figures and forecasts, including the upcoming holiday forecast--seeks to be more representative of the retail industrys diversity, and better reflect the growth and economic influence of e-commerce and mobile retail sales.
September 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Legal on September 17, 2012
In preliminary ruling on 2011 shipments, the U.S. Department of Commerce has assigned a 234.51 percent duty on Chinese covered innerspring maker Tai Wa Hong.
According to a Federal Register announcement, DOC has preliminarily determined that Tai Wa Hong failed to cooperate to the best of its ability, which lead to the high duty.
The duty covers goods shipped from Feb. 1, 2011, to Jan. 31 of this year.
DOC said the announcement also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their responsibility to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in DOC's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.
September 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on September 17, 2012
Ray Gutierrez has joined bedding major Kingsdown as plant manager for the companys newest facility in Stockton, Calif.
He is responsible for quality management, employee safety as well as certain sales initiatives. Gutierrez reports to Kingsdown Vice President of Manufacturing John Farnham.
Gutierrez joins Kingsdown with more than two decades of experience, most recently serving as facility manager for Englander, where he spent 19 years. He was instrumental in implementing and refining the companys safety and quality initiatives at multiple company facilities. Gutierrez has significant training in lean manufacturing and extensive industry contacts from both a purchasing and raw materials standpoint.
Ray has a tremendous understanding of plant operations and quality control, and hell be an excellent leader for our California plant," said Farnham. "His expertise is crucial to this operation because Kingsdowns Stockton facility has been a true start-up producing product for only a year and half now. While we opened the plant with the help of Kingsdown veterans, our goal was always to bring in a new leader with local ties to the community. With his extensive industry contacts, we believe Ray will really help this operation to thrive and grow.
The Kingsdown name is synonymous with quality and thats why it was so important to hear Ray espouse his dedication for creating a top-notch product," said Kingsdown President and CEO Frank Hood. "He has already excelled in this role within the industry and we believe he can only strengthen our operations in California.
Kingsdown, Mebane, N.C., is a manufacturer of premium mattress systems serving leading retailers across the United States and in more than 20 countries.
September 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on September 17, 2012
Home furnishings retail buying group MEGA Group USA launched a new mattress gallery program at its bi-annual convention earlier this month in Louisville, Ky.
In partnership with Serta, The America's Mattress Gallery program was unveiled to the more than 700 attendees at the September 6-9 show receiving an overwhelming response. The 1,200-square-foot display consists of 16 SKU placements, including the iComfort, iSeries, Sleep To Go, Dreamhaven Elite Perfect Sleeper and Dreamhaven brands. More than half the sku's are MEGA Group USA exclusives offering retail price points from $299 to $999, giving the members generous margins.
The Americas Mattress Gallery program is a turnkey package offering more than $35,000 of products and displays. Qualified candidates receive launch support, training, business analytics, advertising, local field support, and a $2,500 Advertising Show Special Bonus.
This gallery program provides our members yet another competitive advantage in the market place, said Jerry Honea, MEGA Group USA COO and furniture division manager. We have already identified over 30 qualified candidates for the gallery and expect to start installing very soon.
In addition to the launch of the mattress gallery, MEGA Group USA brought members the most comprehensive line of consumer electronics offerings in its history. MEGA added two new consumer electronics suppliers to their roster of more than 85 vendors. D&H Distributing and the Powerhouse Alliance both debuted in Louisville.
Long-standing MEGA partner ALMO Distributing was also on board leading with Samsung, Panasonic and Sharp Electronics combined with Frigidaire, Samsung and other appliances.
Web Marketing remained a strong focus at MEGAs convention this year with the launch of its MEGA RetailDeck application.
WebFronts Basic version 3.0 was unveiled, which included new designs, enhanced SEO, free mobile site support, upgraded product menu, and an enhanced image gallery. More than 1,000 members are currently using WebFronts Basic sites, and more than 250 utilize WebFronts Premium Sites. Webfronts Premium Plus now includes more than 700 vendors, 400,000 products in the content database, free mobile site support, an enhanced catalog and product pages.
The business services division of MEGA announced a Product Protection Program for furniture members. The program features an increase in coverage, easy claims process and value pricing. In addition, MEGA added a furniture service repair vendor partner to the PPP program that makes dealers more profitable while satisfying their customers.
In order to help MEGA members better train their customer service and sales representatives, the buying group announced a new MEGA U on-line training module. This four-part process is designed to improve sales, business management, customer service and personal development at an efficient low cost with the opportunity to earn the cost back upon completion of the one year process. The program requires staff certification which adds a level of confidence for the MEGA member.
Other new business service launches included a new program with Profit Management Promotions to assist dealers in their efforts to create positive long-term promotional events and special show only deals with GE Capital, Why Not Lease It, Capital Solutions and TCFIF.
Assisting our members with strategic and cost efficient means to run the operations of their business is a priority for us, said Mallory Parker of MEGA Group USA. These new services are designed to help them grow their business while spending less time on running the business and more time with their customers."
September 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on September 17, 2012
Furniture and bedding protection vendor Caber Sure Fit has grown its U.S. sales force to further enhance the companys national footprint.
Caber Sure Fit, Markham, Ontario, now has a presence in the Northeastern and Western regions of the country with representatives in more than 25 states nationwide.
Our new network of over 15 sales representatives in key markets nationwide gives us a very strong platform to provide exceptional service and training to our customers. We are also in a great position to better serve our local and national accounts in the United States, said Caber Sure Fit President and CEO Bernard Weinstein. Were excited to have seen such momentum in the past few months and know our quality products and committed team will continue to push our brand forward.
Lead by industry veteran Mark Dentale, the companys sales team is introducing its DreamSerene and BedCare brands to American retailers and consumers. The DreamSerene line is made up of pillow covers and mattress pads and protectors designed to which provide a more peaceful and healthy nights sleep for consumers.
Responding to retailer desire for a larger merchandise mix, the line features tiered product categories--Good, Better and Best--to provide every customer with the precise items theyre looking for.
Caber Sure Fit will make its High Point Furniture Market debut next month its showroom in the International Home Furnishings Center, Space M-615.