Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 17, 2012
Brian McCullough has been named a buyer in the corporate merchandising department for St. Louis-based Weekends Only Furniture.
McCullough has been with the retailer for eight years as the general manager of the company's store in St. Louis.
In his new position, McCullough is responsible for overseeing selection, sale, merchandising and the profitability of master bedroom, dining room, and youth bedroom for the company's five stores.
"Brian's years of experience in store management will bring an invaluable customer perspective and insight to our buying team,"said Doug Cooksey, general merchandise manager. "We are excited about this transition and look forward to developing our customer focus needed in our product selection."
May 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on May 17, 2012
Slated to save more than $6 million over the next five years, Art Van Furniture unveiled a new program to save energy. These savings led DTE Energy and the Engineering Society of Detroit to honor the retailer.
After three years of research, Art Van Furniture is moving ahead to replace incandescent bulbs with LED throughout all its showrooms in Michigan. This move will replace 38,000 incandescent lamps throughout the 34 Art Van showrooms. The switch from incandescent to LED will save 63 watts of energy per lamp.
The new lamps have a maximum temperature of 85 degrees. The traditional, incandescent lamps reach temperatures of more than 200 degrees. The temperature change will help the retailer reduce cooling costs in its showrooms.
"Switching to LED gives us crisper, cleaner, brighter lighting, and longer lamp life, which equals far lower maintenance costs," said David Winowiecki, property manager. "We're doing something that is eco-friendly, saves the company money, and we won an award for doing it. You can't beat that."
May 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on May 17, 2012
Logistics technology leader Descartes System Group has recognized the achievements of Cory Home Delivery's MIS team with its Excellence and Innovation Award.
Acknowledging the launch of Cory's IT initiatives, the award underscores the industry's growing reliance on technology and identifies Cory's expanding commitment to logistics technology as a driving force in business.
"Utilizing Descartes' On-Demand cloud software for route optimization and dispatching fleets is a value-added service focusing on movement of information," said Marin Dragojevic, Cory's chief information officer. "Today 60 percent of our fleets use the Descartes model."
The new technology creates a standardized flow of information, enabling Cory to use data in more immediate ways and create efficiencies. Monthly reports, for example, are now done weekly, and there is greater use of information.
"We are able to respond to what is happening more quickly than ever before. The information hasn't changed, but the speed with which it is transmitted has," Marin said.
Patrick Cory, managing partner, said the company has invested in technology to improve the delivery experience.
The positive impact of Cory's commitment to the IT initiative is affirmed by Managing Partner Patrick Cory.
May 15,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on May 16, 2012
Art Van Furniture held its ceremonial groundbreaking for the retailer's design center, Scott Shuptrine Interiors, Tuesday.
The expansion of the store in Royal Oak, Mich., will transform a portion of the parking deck into an interior design showplace that will feature a grand staircase, sculptural ceiling and first class amenities for a top-notch shopping experience.
"This is going to be a breathtaking, state-of-the-art store with only the finest products and services available," said Art Van Furniture founder and chairman, Art Van Elslander. "We will provide our guests with the easiest and most enjoyable shopping experience imaginable-all done in an exquisite setting."
In addition to the new store, Scott Shuptrine Interiors is also located inside three other Art Van stores including Warren, Mich., Grand Rapids and Petoskey, Mich. The Scott Shuptrine showrooms feature a retail floor, an interior design studio and a custom design shop.
"Scott Shuptrine offers top-quality goods from carefully selected vendors," Van Elslander said. "It's also a one-stop shop with everything from custom-built furniture to exclusive rugs and window treatments."
May 15,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on May 16, 2012
Contemporary furniture supplier Nova LifeStyle is adding 15,000 square meters to its pigment lacquer furniture production line in China to meet a long-term supply agreement with Ikea.
Once completed in December, the line will ramp up to full capacity within 18 months. Production will be dedicated to Ikea.
"Being selected to become an Ikea supplier is one of the most exciting developments in our company's history," said Jeffrey Wong, CEO of Nova. "More than just an opportunity to substantially grow our sales, with a separate new facility that adds product generating what could potentially amount to roughly 80 percent of our current sales, it is a rewarding reflection on the high level of Nova's furniture manufacturing capability and the skill and dedication of our employees."
Discussions between Ikea and Nova began in 2010 when Ikea decided its rapid expansion in Asian required additional manufacturing in mainland China. Wong said much of the discussion since then has focused on developing an efficient green facility.
The new production facility will be compliant with IWAY, or Ikea's supplier code of conduct encompassing environmental, societal and working conditions, ranging from chemicals use and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste to fire prevention, worker health and safety, wages benefits and working hours, to child labor, discrimination and harassment and abuse.
"We see this milestone development for NOVA as one that moves our company into the ranks of the world's top furniture manufacturers, and also helps ensure that our growth will continue well beyond 2013," Wong said.