Daily News Archive
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May 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on May 14, 2012
The International Sleep Products Assn. was glad to see the Connecticut General Assembly adjourn for the year without passing used mattress recycling legislation.
ISPA had opposed a mandatory used mattress recycling law when it was introduced, because it would have imposed unreasonable costs and burdens on mattress manufacturers, retailers and consumers. We support the decision not to enact a mandatory state recycling law.
ISPA has been working for a number of years to encourage responsible recycling of used mattresses and supports the development of legitimate recycling operations. ISPA is currently leading the push for a federal mattress recycling program.
The sponsors of S.B. 89 considered the important logistical and commercial concerns with the mattress recycling bill at a state level, said ISPA President Ryan Trainer. "However, ISPA firmly believes that the best approach to efficient and legitimate mattress recycling lies in federal legislation. A federal recycling program would permit efficiencies and economies of scale that are not possible at a state or local level. It would apply consistent collection and processing practices across the country that would benefit all parties concerned by driving down recycling costs for both consumers and manufacturers while also increasing recycling rates."
ISPA will continue to advocate for federal legislation with the goal to build a mattress recycling solution that is efficient for both consumers and businesses. To create a program that operates most efficiently, ISPA believes national legislation must be created to address the needs of consumers, retailers and manufacturers under one unified, consistent program. The association will continue to work with state and local governments to address the mattress disposal challenges that municipalities face while continuing to advocate for a broad-ranging federal solution.
May 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on May 14, 2012
WebCollage, a publisher rich product information for retailer Web sites, has entered the furniture category in an agreement with RTA furniture vendor Bush Inds.
WebCollage, which historically has worked most closely with consumer electronics and technology manufacturers, provides detail-rich online product descriptions including videos, tours, images and text. WebCollage manages real-time, automatic content updates across a network of retail Web sites, assuring a consistent and intact branded shopper experience throughout the online retail channel.
"Bush Furniture is committed to improving the online shopping experience for our customers in all of our channels, and we believe excellent content is critical to success. Content distribution and maintenance is a significant challenge in this regard and we are impressed by WebCollage's unique solution and excellent distribution," said Bush Executive Vice President Mike Evans. "We're planning to leverage their best practices and success in the electronics channel and bring that capability to our retail partners in the furniture category."
"We have run more than 50 detailed A/B tests with the world's largest retailers and see uplift within 8 percent to 36 percent in conversion solely due the rich information that manufacturers publish using WebCollage," said WebCollage CEO Scott Matthews. "We are very pleased to expand our turnkey solution to Bush Industries and the Furniture and Home Furnishings categories. We have every confidence they will see similar results."
Evans said Bush currently has 13 products across seven retailers with plans to expand more as the ready-to-assemble furniture vendor refines its content strategy, and will add products as it better understands how WebCollage's metrics are affecting sales.
May 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on May 14, 2012
Independent sales representative Sean Sullivan has won World Market Center Las Vegas' $5,000 grand prize for its Winter Reps Rewards program.
The Rep Rewards program is designed to fuel a partnership with the thousands of sales representatives who actively promote Las Vegas Furniture Market. It recognizes the important relationship between sales representatives and their customers, while giving manufacturers and independent sales representatives added value and incentive to bring their buyers to Las Vegas Market. Last Januarys program generated 900 unique buyer referrals, half of which were furniture/home décor stores and the other half gift retailers.
World Market Center has kicked off the summer edition referral program that thanks and rewards industry sales representatives who refer new, qualified buyers to the Summer 2012 Las Vegas Market. In addition, Las Vegas Market will bring back its Rep Appreciation Day by hosting a summer barbecue and networking event for reps in the courtyard on Sunday, July 29, noon-2 p.m.
Sullivan of Imagine That!, a manufacturers representative company whose product offerings range from gift and home accessories to jewelry and personal care products, was randomly selected from 162 representatives who participated in the Winter 2012 Rep Rewards Program. The program saw a 62 percent increase in participation compared with the 2011 Winter Las Vegas Market.
I was in disbelief I won the five grand, said Sullivan. I was excited at first but it wasnt until later I really felt surprised and blessed to be so lucky. I definitely cant say I never won anything anymore.
Sullivan won the Grand Prize by referring 22 buyers to 2012 Winter Market, Las Vegas. His company represents an array of top-selling national vendors including Center Court, Howards Jewelry, Goose Creek Candles, Poopourri and Burts Bees among others.
While we are thrilled with the increased participation in the Rep Rewards Program and the new buyers that were uncovered and invited to market, we need reps to continue to be actively involved throughout the year in bringing these accounts to market, said Tom Mitchell, president of furnishings for International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. We are looking forward to more momentum and even greater participation for the Summer Market, and pleased to bring back the popular networking event that the reps enjoy before the start of Market week.
To participate in this program during at upcoming Las Vegas Market, July 30-Aug. 3, representatives can download the referral form and submit up to 25 qualified retailer names per representative. Rewards are limited and available while supplies last. For complete information about the Rep Rewards program, click here.
May 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 14, 2012
Furniture and bedding protection vendor Caber Sure Fit has named Mark Dentale vice president of U.S. sales.
The move comes as the Canadian company prepares to expand operations south of the border. Dentale has spent nearly 30 years with Simmons, Sealy, Spring Air and Natura World.
For the past 11 years we have forged close relationships with the leading retailers in Canada, helping them merchandise and deliver extraordinary ROI in the furniture protection category. We are excited to have Mark lead our sales expansion efforts in the U.S., said Markham, Ontario-based Caber Sure Fit President and CEO Bernard Weinstein. He is a seasoned executive, a known top sales and management performer in the furniture and mattress industry with key experience in both retail and wholesale sectors. With his extensive industry insight and strong business relationships, he is the ideal person to help us expand into the U.S.
Just prior to joining Caber Sure Fit, Dentale served as vice president of sales for Natura World. Previously, he led northeastern sales at Spring Air from 2007 to 2008. From 1997 to 2002, Dentale was divisional vice president of sales at Simmons, overseeing the account representatives and manufacturing for the companys eastern U.S. territory. Dentale began his sales career in 1982 as a territory manager for Sealy, eventually becoming a regional sales manager for the company.
May 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on May 14, 2012
Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries' leading charitable organization, will award Umbra and its co-founders Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan its Industry Achievement Award.
The award will be presented during the Gifts & Decorative Accessories 60th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, taking place on Sunday, August 19, in New York City.
Umbra began in 1979 with a single design of printed paper window shades. Umbras products have since become design icons and remain best-sellers in the marketplace.
Les and Pauls dedication to design excellence and decades of product stewardship make them worthy recipients of this honor, said Leslie Nathan-Street, chair of the Gift for Life board. We are proud to present the Industry Achievement Honor to a visionary company and founders who continue to challenge and excite the industry.
More than three decades ago a simple idea grew into a company with lots of creative minds, compelling products and support from thoughtful customers, said Les Mandelbaum, co-founder. On behalf of the entire Umbra family around the world we humbly accept this award.