Daily News Archive
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May 6,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 7, 2012
Furniture industry veteran Ron Fiore has joined Bernhardt Furniture as vice president, residential creative director, a new post at the full-line furniture vendor.
Fiore serves as the primary internal consultant on all residential product development and branding activities. He will work with Lenoir, N.C.-based Bernhardts merchant teams to focus the companies various product categories into a unified, cohesive look.
Fiore reports to Alex Bernhardt Jr. newly appointed CEO and President.
I have always admired Ron as one of the premiere creative talents in this industry, and we are honored to be working with him," Bernhardt said. "Bernhardt has always been known for innovative products and our partnership with Ron should bolster that capability and help focus our brand image.
Fiore spent the past 11 and a half years as creative director with Hickory Chair, where was been a key driver behind the development of the company's look and brand. Prior to Hickory Chair, he worked with Marshall Field's, Baker Furniture and J Peterman.
He will work with the Bernhardt's branding team to guide the development of a consistent brand message to be delivered across multiple platforms--advertising, public relations, internet and other consumer touch points. ¨¨The company said it is adding the position, because it wished to strategically refocus its residential business to emphasize Bernhardts position as the design leader in the home furnishings industry. ¨¨It is a privilege to be working with the extraordinary team at Bernhardt at such an exciting and pivotal time in the companys history," Fiore said. "The company is committed to setting a new standard in design leadership.
May 6,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on May 7, 2012
The Trump Organization and Serta Mattress have launched new technology for mattress comfort and support technology with the Trump Home iSeries mattress collection.
The collection features Sertas exclusive iSeries technology, combining Sertas finest comfort innovation with its most advanced innerspring support system. For the first time, Sertas exclusive Cool Action gel memory foam is combined with its Duet Coil individually wrapped coil-in-coil support system for a luxury sleep experience, combining the benefits of memory foam with the traditional support of an advanced innerspring.
Sertas Cool Action material is infused with Sertas exclusive MicroSupport gel, for up to seven times more cooling comfort and up to two times more support than ordinary memory foam, according to the company. Every Trump Home iSeries mattress combines this advanced material with Sertas Duet Coil Support System, which is designed to respond to each sleepers body for balanced comfort and deep, postural support. All Trump Home iSeries mattresses are compatible with Sertas Motion Perfect adjustable foundation.
These mattresses are the newest addition to the successful Trump Home collection, which in addition to mattresses includes lighting, bath textiles and accessories, and crystal stemware, barware and giftware. Trump and Serta introduced Trump Home mattresses in 2009, appealing to consumers interested in experiencing the Trump lifestyle at an affordable price. The expansion into the gel memory foam category now offers the same affordable luxury of Trump Home to mattress shoppers interested in the latest gel memory foam technology.
Together with Serta, we have raised the bar on what customers can expect from their mattresses, said Cathy Hoffman Glosser, executive vice president of global licensing for The Trump Organization. With this new collection, we are able to offer the luxurious sleep experience of a five-star property in the comfort of your own home. We have combined the best of both brands--the high quality and attention to detail synonymous with Trump coupled with Sertas latest technology--to deliver a unique and innovative product at a great value.
May 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on May 4, 2012
Furniture retailer HOM Furniture is expanding into the flooring business in its six Minneapolis/St. Paul showrooms.
In addition to the Coon Rapids, Minn.-based retailer's established area rug business, HOM Furniture's new World Floor and Rugs now provides a large selection of carpeting, hardwood floors, stone and tile, vinyl and modern laminate flooring.
"In response to strong customer demand, we dramatically transformed our World Rugs departments to include a comprehensive selection of solid and engineered hardwood floors, bamboo, cork, ceramic tile, vinyl and laminate flooring," Rodney Johansen, CEO of HOM, said. "The customer will not be disappointed in the selection of top quality or name brands in our showrooms."
World Floor and Rugs is an authorized Shaw Gallery, displaying the full line of Karastan carpets. Additional brands include Masland, Mannington,Tuftex, Congoleum and more. The expanded department now also includes a large selection of granite, marble, quartz and other stone countertops.
HOM's flooring design team has undergone additional factory training to better assist customers in selecting the floor or countertop that meets their design and functional needs. World Floor and Rugs supports projects as small as kitchen backsplash installation or as large as commercial building flooring systems. Assistance in coordinating colors, grout, and pattern design is available at any level including commercial design. HOM offers custom measurement services, expert installation and support and supplies for do-it-your-selfers.
All purchases from World Floor and Rugs have free measure and estimating, low-price guarantee and HOM's 60-Day Happiness Guarantee. Financing is always available. Visit Online/Home/Store/TopCategory_Carpet-Flooring for more information.
HOM is a full-line furniture retailer with showrooms in six locations in Minneapolis/ Saint Paul, as well as in St. Cloud, Rochester and Hermantown, Minn.; Fargo, N.Dak.; Sioux City, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.Dak.; and Eau Claire, Wis.
May 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on May 4, 2012
Furniture retail buying group Furniture Marketing Group has named the members of its 2012-2013 board of directors.
The executive committee consists of: Oscar Miskelly of Miskelly Furniture, president; David Koehler of Johnny Janosik, vice president; Billy Rippner of Compass Furniture, treasurer; and Larry Klaben of Morris Home Furnishings, chairman. The presidential term for the committee runs for two years.
The board of directors consists of: Gary Steinhafel of Steinhafels Furniture; Vinnie Fonti of Furniture & ApplianceMart; Lee Goodman of Jeromes Furniture; and Ed Darcy of Mealeys Furniture.
The Board was ratified at the groups bi-annual membership meeting held at the April High Point Market. Over 120 guests were in attendance at the Saturday evening meeting during the High Point Market held in the IHFC Ballroom. During the meeting Mike Herschel, FMG Executive Director, announced the FMG has achieved the target of 100 high volume furniture retailers who are willing to share information and participate in common programs. He thanked the membership for their participation in the last year making FMG the premier buying group in the furniture industry. Mr. Herschel also restated that FMGs primary mission is to improve the performance of its members, keeping operating costs of the organization low to maximize benefits to all participants. Calendar year 2011 smashed all previous records for the return of these benefits to members.
FMGs primary consumer finance provider, Wells Fargo Finance, presented annual awards during the meeting to the following FMG members based on program participation and sales finance volume: Bernie & Phyls, Marlo Furniture, Miskellys, Value City (Crest) Furniture, Goldsteins Furniture, Bob Mills Furniture, Conlins Furniture, Furniture & ApplianceMart, John V. Schultz, Olindes Furniture and Walkers Furniture.
Based in High Point, FMG consists of 100 members in North America, approaching 750 storefronts, representing more than $2 billion in retail sales.
May 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on May 4, 2012
Latex International division Pure LatexBliss, will open its first permanent European showroom in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday.
The 884-square-foot showroom is located at the Trade Mart Brussels center in space D-334.
This is the perfect time to expand our international presence and position Pure LatexBliss as the go-to company for Talalay latex bedding worldwide, said Shelton, Conn.-based Pure LatexBliss Co-Founder and CEO, Kurt Ling. We chose Brussels because in addition to already having a presence in the city, as one of the largest international business hubs in Europe, its central location allows us easier access to the broader European market.
The new showroom will highlight the companys Slow and Fast Response Latex collections, all featuring ActiveFusion Climate Control, as well as its uniquely designed Talalay latex mattresses. All products will continue to be made in the United States and shipped overseas to accommodate various sizes for each international market and ensure that all mattresses, toppers and pillows provide the same comfort and feel.