Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
June 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on June 12, 2012
Online home furnishings retailer Hayneedle.com has deployed the 8thBridge Graphite social commerce platform.
The 8thBridge Graphite platform is now being used by Hayneedle.com to give shoppers new and more meaningful ways to share their shopping experiences. Ranked number 85 on the 2012 Internet Retailer Top 500 list, Hayneedle.com is using Graphites new social shopping capabilities to fuel higher levels of customer sharing and discovery.
The Graphite platform enables Hayneedle.com shoppers to go beyond the social media Like and Share buttons on products and offers to communicate more specific information. Shoppers can now indicate that they Want It, Own It, or Need Advice.
When a customer indicates that they want, own, or need advice about a product or offer on Hayneedle.com, a Shoppable Story is shown on their Facebook Timeline, and the Facebook users friends can shop in their Tickers and News Feeds. See below.
We think Hayneedle.com is a great example of a retailer that is using Graphite to allow its customers to get input from their friends before making a purchase, said Jon Kubo, chief product officer of 8thBridge.
The new Graphite technology from 8thBridge was the first social commerce approach that aligned with our multi-channel vision. We are excited about being the first in our industry to provide this service to our customers, said Brian Moen, CMO, Hayneedle.com.
June 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on June 12, 2012
The American Home Furnishings Alliance is accepting entries for the 2012 Sage Awards for environmental leadership at home furnishings and bedding companies.
Entries are sought from companies that have not only reduced the environmental impact of their operations, but also are on a pathway of continual environmental improvement.
The 2012 winner and up to two finalists will be announced during the October 13-18 High Point Furniture Market. The winner be featured in a spotlight video designed to capture the spirit of their unique efforts to balance people, planet and profits.
The 2012 winner and finalists will be honored at the home furnishings industrys 2013 Sustainability Summit, February 20-21 in Raleigh, N.C., sponsored by the AHFA.
Sage Award entrants must complete a detailed questionnaire that explains their sustainable business practices and environmental accomplishments. The questionnaire also asks applicants to provide specific examples of corporate social responsibility and requests information that demonstrates that the company is financially secure.
The Sage Award program is open to all manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to the home furnishings and bedding industries. The 2012 entry form can be found here. Entries are submitted electronically.
There is no cost to enter the Sage Awards. Entries must be received via email by midnight Eastern Standard Time on Friday, August 31, 2012.
In addition to an overview of the Sage Award criteria and the official entry form, the Sage Award Web site features videos spotlighting last years Sage Award winner, Sauder Woodworking, and finalists Leggett & Platt and Crypton Fabrics, as well as the 2010, 2009 and 2008 winners and finalists.
The 2012 winner and both finalists will receive complimentary registrations to the 2013 Sustainability Summit where they will have the opportunity to share both challenges and accomplishments on their journey toward more sustainable operations.
The Sage Award provides an excellent opportunity for companies to receive well-deserved recognition for successful environmental initiatives, said Patricia Bowling, vice president of communications for AHFA. Implementing sustainable practices throughout a home furnishings or bedding company is never a one-man or one-woman show, Bowling notes. It takes commitment, involvement, enthusiasm and persistence at every level, and winning the Sage Award is a great way for your entire workforce to be acknowledged for their efforts.
Companies do not need to be members of AHFA to enter the Sage Awards.
June 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on June 12, 2012
Swedish home furnishings retailing giant Ikea will install solar energy panels on two more U.S. locations, both distribution centers in the Eastern United States.
Installation will occur this Summer at the Ikea distribution centers in Perryville, Md., and Westampton, N.J. Both projects will rank among the largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the country, and their implementation will extend the Ikea solar presence to nearly 89 percent of its U.S. locations.
Collectively, the two distribution centers will total 4.92 Megawatts of solar generating capacity, more than 34,000 panels, and an annual output of 5,933,200 kilowatt hours of electricity: the equivalent to reducing 4,509 tons of carbon dioxide; and equal to eliminating the emissions of 802 cars or providing electricity for 510 homes yearly
Ikea already has 17 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 20 more underway.
"We are excited at the opportunity to increase our U.S. solar presence further with solar energy systems atop these two east coast distribution centers," said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. "With only 44 locations nationwide, we try to contribute whenever and wherever possible to creating a better everyday life for the many. These plans for installing solar panels on the roofs of two additional distribution centers demonstrate that our sustainable commitment extends beyond just stores, into all facets of the retail operations."
For both projects, IKEA contracted with Inovateus Solar LLC, an industry-leading solar power distributor and integrator specializing in large-scale solar installations for businesses, universities, utilities and government entities. Headquartered in South Bend, Ind., and recently voted one of Indiana's Top Companies to Watch, Inovateus Solar has completed some of the largest solar installations across the United States. With a strong focus on electrical engineering and construction management, Inovateus Solar increased its portfolio of projects on large distribution centers in the commercial sector by nearly 50 percent in the past year.
June 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on June 12, 2012
from http://www.semissourian.com/story/1858958.html
After 33 years in uptown Jackson, Ross Furniture has moved out. But the owners of the family furniture business and the remaining uptown vendors are committed to helping the city's historic center continue to grow.
Eddie Ross, owner of Ross Furniture, said the decision was difficult, but as the business grew, it became more and more difficult to safely function at the old location.
Read Full Article...
June 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on June 11, 2012
Robert Rosenberg has been named vice president of Planned Furniture Promotions and will oversee various events, merchandising and operations in his new role.
Rosenberg will be a key component in further improving PFP's event success. Rosenberg joins the PFP executive team after working his way up through almost every role in the company.
He started with the company in 2003 as a warehouse hand, moved into store sales, then assistant event coordinator and finally to event manager. Rosenberg conducted record breaking events for the company, not only in gross sales, but in profits and satisfaction for PFP clients.
Rosenberg is the grandson of Gene Rosenberg, PFP co-owner, and also a founder of Bob's Discount Furniture.
"I've watched Rob move through the ranks and when this new promotion was suggested by our executive team, I could not have been more pleased," said Gene Rosenberg. "Rob has worked hard and excelled on behalf of the company and our clients. With his well-deserved promotion, Rob, together with the entire PFP team, will help ensure that the Rosenberg legacy of providing unparalleled results and service to our clients will be carried on."
Among others, Rosenberg has been involved in major industry events and sales at Levitz, Modernage, Sofa Express, American Home, Georgetown Interiors, Sussan Furniture, Mazer's and most recently at Furniture Warehouse in Salt Lake City.
"Rob's experience, overwhelming success, and can-do positive attitude are what prompted us to make this move", said Roy Hester, sr. vice president for the company. "Rob understands that our first directive is to help our clients reach their goals-he accepts that as his most important priority and has delivered on that promise time and time again. We're delighted to have him join our executive team."
Rosenberg joins other PFP executives, Roy Hester, Burt Homonoff, Mark Bannon and Tom Liddell.