September 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on September 4, 2012
The Furniture First board of directors approved two new members, both of which are full-line furniture stores in New Hampshire.
Brown Furniture, owned by Phil Desmond and Ron Gobeil, is located in West Lebanon, N.H., and has been in business for 72 years. The other new member is Wolfeboro, N.H.-based Parsons Furniture, owned by Patrick W. Cullinan. The store has been in business for 58 years, and Cullinan has owned it for the last 25 years.
The additions bring the membership to 192 stockholders, with 410 furniture stores in 47 states.
"Furniture First offers a competitive advantage to independents in a difficult economy," said Bill Hartman, president of Furniture First. "Our programs add to their bottom line with rebates, discounts and operational efficiencies. But the other benefits we offer, like our exclusive merchandise and private labels, also help them improve their margins and stand out from the competition in their local markets."
Furniture First takes on only stores that are full-line independents that have been in business for more than five years, though the average age of member businesses is more than 45 years. Stores are required to have good credit and meet minimum volume requirements. Most members, whether they have a single storefront or a chain of locations, serve the middle market of consumers.
Since the group is geographically exclusive by representation, members are not in direct competition with each other, adding to the overall willingness to share and collaborate among the cooperative's members.
At next month's High Point Market, Furniture First will present its private label Mattress 1st lineup to members in the buying group's showroom on the second floor of the Radio Building at 164 S. Main Street. The exclusive, private label bedding line focuses on the promotional end of the mattress market and is manufactured by Serta.
In addition to the bedding review Furniture First plans a series of members-only group shops to introduce new lines and highlight exclusive private labels. Furniture First's showroom will display select products from several of its suppliers, but the space also serves as a resource for members attending Market. Members can stop by to pick up information about programs and merchandise or they can use a computer, printer and fax machine in an office-away-from home.
September 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on September 4, 2012
The 10-year-old, Boston-based retailer rebranded from CSN last year and sells everything for the home from furniture to the kitchen sink.
The retailer's television commercial is fun and colorful.
September 1,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on September 2, 2012
from http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2012/9/3/lifeliving/11944677&sec=lifeliving
Apparently, to understand home furnishings giant Ikea, you need to experience Ãlmhult in Sweden, aptly dubbed the "heart of Ikea."
That's just what a group of journalists did when they were allowed to tour the retailer's headquarters and see the company's product development in the works.
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August 30,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on August 31, 2012
from http://www.familywealthreport.com/article.php?title=Buffett_Gifts_$3_Billion_On_His_Birthday_&id=49059
In celebration of his eighty-second birthday, Warren Buffett, the investment legend, announced he is doubling his original pledge to his childrens charities - a gift worth an extra $3 billion in shares.
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August 30,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 31, 2012
After receiving a flood of complaints against Gill's Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., the state's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the brothers that own the store.
The consumer protection division of the attorney general's office alleges that Loren Gill and Joeseph Gill have been engaged in illegal business practices during the sale of home furnishings at the store.
The office has received a number of consumer complaints from people who ordered and paid for merchandise but never received their orders. Most of the orders were placed between July 2011 and December 2011.
According to a press release "consumers were continuously misled about the status of their orders and delivery dates; when their furniture never arrived, they were refused refunds. Many consumers also claim their inquiries with the brothers were met with belligerence, and some have even reported being threatened by the Gills."
"The Gill brothers took thousands of dollars from customers, often delivering nothing but the runaround to those who asked what happened to their money and their furniture," said Rob McKenna, attorney general. "We've asked the court to impose serious penalties, and provide customer refunds, for these violations of the Consumer Protection Act."
According to the lawsuit, Loren Gill owned LCG Corporation, doing business in Tacoma as Gill's Furniture, and employed his brother Joeseph Gill as a commissioned salesperson. Business records indicate LCG Corporation ceased operating on or around Dec. 31, 2011. MFC Furniture, owned by Joeseph Gill, now operates at the same location.
The lawsuit seeks to permanently stop the defendants from engaging in illegal activities, as well as restitution for consumers, civil penalties of $2,000 per violation and attorneys fees.