Daily News Archive
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February 20,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on February 21, 2012
Las Vegas Furniture Market reported double-digit increases in attendance, buyers and exhibitors at the recent Winter show.
Market officials reported significant attendance increases amongst retailers across all categories, interior designers as well as international buyers, especially those from Canada, Latin America and the Middle East.
According to Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas, Winter Las Vegas Market 2012 was the strongest ever in three years.
"Given the depth of the recent recession, our success speaks volumes about improving consumer confidence and a resurging economy," he said. "According to our statistics, the recession is officially over in the eyes of the furnishings industry. The energy at Winter Market was palpable. Buyers were buying, and ultimately, that's what counts."
Statistics from the Jan. 30-Feb 3 Winter Las Vegas Market included:
* 14 percent increase in attending companies compared with Winter Market 2011.
* 27 percent increase in Latin American buyers and a 33 percent increase in Middle Eastern buyers compared with a year ago; and almost twice as many Canadians attended than at the Summer Market 2011.
* 23 percent increase in buyers compared with Summer Market 2011.
* 83 of the industry's top 100 retailers in attendance.
* 31 percent increase in interior designers compared with Summer Market 2011
* 4,000-plus new U.S. buyers attended for the first time; 1,000-plus new international buyers.
* 71 percent of first-time buyers were from the Western United States.
* 58 percent increase in mattress buyers compared with Summer Market 2011.
* 21 percent increase in furniture buyers compared with Summer Market 2011.
* 19 percent increase in decorative accessory buyers compared to Summer Market 2011
* 9 percent increase in floor coverings buyers compared with Summer Market 2011.
Since August 2011, Las Vegas Market signed an additional 275,000 square feet of showroom and exhibit space to 257 companies. This included 236 new companies to the Las Vegas Market and 21 existing tenants that have expanded. In total, Las Vegas Market encompassed more than 5 million square feet of exhibition space across with more than 1,000 exhibiting brands and lines.
The recent merger of the World Market Center Las Vegas complex and the most premier High Point properties, now forming the International Market Centers umbrella, is a positive force for the industry, Maricich said.
"The two Markets are now cooperating, not competing," he said. "It's a union that has been a long time in coming, but one that is mutually beneficial for everyone in the industry. We can now offer buyers, exhibitors and manufacturers the best of both Markets."
February 20,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 21, 2012
Bedding vendor Blue Ocean Sleep has formed a partnership with Breckle Matrazen, Germany's largest bedding manufacturer.
Together, the bedding producers plan to maximize their business opportunities in Europe and the United States with an eye towards expanding into the Australian and Asian markets in late 2012.
The partners have already started to develop and introduce new global sleep products focused on the foam mattress market, combining the best of German engineering with American luxury. Back in 2008, San Diego-based Blue Ocean Sleep's founders, Mike and Jim Malkiewicz, predicted a dramatic shift in consumer preference for foam mattresses rather than spring. In addition, they foresaw a move away from traditional western assembly methods toward European foam construction and design. That prompted the Malkiewicz brothers to develop a unique core design in Europe specifically for the U.S. consumer.
The timing for our partnership couldnt be better.Breckle Matrazen has long been a leader in foam mattress construction within Europe," said Blue Ocean Sleep President Jim Malkiewicz. "Combine that with Blue Ocean's experience, unique designs, and the increasing demand for foam sleep systems in the United States--it just made good business sense to confirm our partnership now."
"We are excited about working together with Jim and Mike and the Blue Ocean Sleep team," said Breckle Matrazen President Michael Breckle. "They bring a fresh perspective on American luxury to the European market. Coupled with our ability to provide the German engineering for which we are well known, this is a win-win for both companies."
As part of the new partnership, Blue Ocean Sleep has introduced The Activcor Advanced Comfort System, a foam mattress construction not seen before in the United States. Taking its cue from a combination of athletic shoes and luxury automobiles, Blue Ocean and Breckle Matrazan spent 18 months developing technology for bedding inspired by the same enhanced cushioning systems and foam chemistry used by worldwide leading manufacturers.
"Our innovative design, taking something old and making it new again, really speaks to the advanced technology of popular athletic shoes along with the core chemistry which is consistent with the dynamic foam performance found in the seat cushions of the most prestigious German luxury and sports car brands," said Blue Ocean Sleep Vice President Mike Malkiewicz. "We understood the impact that a chemical supplier can have on the creation of comfort and support in our mattresses."
Activcor was first marketed under the brand name of La Pur throughout Europe. It is German engineered and has a U.S. design patent pending. It has a solid-state, molded foam construction with the same performance characteristics as a foam encased pocket spring system. Foam columns, which act like pocket springs, are engineered to absorb motion and to provide defined body support.
"Our strategy was to release Activcor in Europe first, knowing that Europeans generally favor foam mattresses over spring," said Malkiewicz. "After seeing our marketing message resonate with consumers and successfully competing with all other foam products throughout Europe, we knew we had developed the perfect product for the U.S. market."
February 20,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on February 21, 2012
The National Home Furnishings Association has teamed with Web4Retail to provide complete Internet marketing services to NHFA member furniture retailers.
The services include Web site development, search engine optimization, social media marketing, reputation management and email marketing. Members will select from a complete packaged offering or individual services.
"Our membership has requested that we develop a program in conjunction with a provider to handle all aspects of internet marketing and social media," said Steve Dehaan, NHFA executive vice president. "After an extensive search, our search committee determined that Web4Retail is the appropriate provider for the home furnishings industry."
Web4Retail, a division of Keniston & Company, has more a decade of experience working with retailers and is an industry leader in technology and the Internet.
"Web4Retail and the NHFA are alike in that we are committed to the preservation of the independent retailer," said Web4Retail President Denise Keniston. "This program has been designed specifically for the independent home furnishings retailer who has seen a drastic change in the manner in which the consumer shops the category, as well as changes to the competitive landscape."
The program is currently in place and is available to NHFA members.
February 20,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 21, 2012
Luxury outdoor furniture vendor Brown Jordan has named Chris Carmicle president.
Carmicle has been with the company since 2002, most recently serving as president of national accounts. In his new position, Carmicle is responsible
for overseeing the company's global supply chain, manufacturing, product development, and distribution efforts in addition to his existing duties.
Brown Jordan, El Monte, Calif., also appointed Stephen Elton chief brand officer. Elton has been with Brown Jordan since 1990, most recently serving as vice president, sales and marketing. He reports to Carmicle and will manage the global distribution of the Brown Jordan brand through sales and marketing efforts. Frank Taff, senior vice president of operations, also reports to Carmicle.
Gene Moriarty, Brown Jordans Chief Executive Officer commented, "By further integrating our major channels under common leadership we will continue to maximize synergies in design, manufacturing and marketing," said Brown Jordan CEO Gene Moriarty. "Chris's proven leadership and successful business growth over the last seven years has readied him for these additional duties. The newly created position of chief brand officer will allow Steve to focus his branding and distribution expertise in a way that fully leverages all of our company's assets in these areas."
February 20,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 21, 2012
Latex International will debut its temperature-regulating Talalay GL product at the March 14-17 ISPA Expo in Indianapolis.
Utilizing phase change material, Talalay GL stores and releases energy on demand, helping two partners sleep at their optimal body temperatures.
"Since interest in sleep products with gel technology has risen, customers are looking for innovative new products that give their brands a point of differentiation," said Latex International President and CEO Dave Fisher. "Talalay GL allows manufacturers to offer retailers a simple compelling solution to address the challenges often associated with sleeping hot and cold. The technology cools a warm sleeper and warms a cool sleeper in the same bed."
Talalay GL is available in both "Fast and Slow" recovery options. Designed to meet retailer and manufactures demand for a variety of comfort feels, it provides manufacturers with a material that feels like traditional Talalay Latex or one that mimics high quality memory foam.