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February 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on February 10, 2012
A new report from Global Industry Analysts says the global home furnishings market will reach $700 billion by 2015.
The report, "Home Furnishings: A Global Outlook," indicated Europe leads the home furnishings industry in terms of revenues, followed by North America and the Asia-Pacific region; and that in the period up until 2015, the Asia-Pacific region will achieve maximum growth in this sector.
Increasing interest of consumers towards the domestic and decorative products will drive the growth in demand for home furnishings. Other factors driving growth include the increasing demand for organic home furnishing products, the growingly vital role of the electronic media, increasing product lines and store design format by retail sector, and the venturing of global players into the developing regional markets.
The home improvement industry is likely to improve, owing to factors such as baby boomers upgrading to bigger homes, increase in the purchase of second homes or going for remodeling or repairing, and higher disposable incomes, specifically in the developing markets. Home improvement products market, over the recent past, has benefitted from the low mortgage rates prevalent in most of the countries, translating into strong demand, regardless of the prevailing weak economic conditions. Women have a major influence on the home improvement industry as homemakers. As a result, retailers are increasingly targeting female customers as they represent the major demographic segment for the home improvement products industry. Women are most likely to be associated with home improvement projects and a majority of them tend to make changes in their homes once every five years.
Electronic media plays a vital role in driving the home improvement products market. Television shows on home remodeling and repairs are succeeding in transforming viewers into customers of the industry. To sustain in the saturated home improvement market, retailers are entering into additional home-related services areas such as landscape design, home-decorating consultation, and lawn maintenance.
The research report provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report offers a rudimentary overview of the home furnishing industry, highlights latest trends and demand drivers, in addition to providing statistical insights. Regional markets briefly abstracted and covered include United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Australia, China, India, Argentina, Brazil, and others. The report offers a compilation of recent mergers, acquisitions, and strategic corporate developments.
Click here for more details about the industry report.
Global Industry Analysts is a publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs more than 800 people worldwide. With more than 9,500 clients in 27 countries, GIA publishes more than 1,300 full-scale research reports a year and analyzes 40,000-plus market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 companies worldwide.
February 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 10, 2012
A trade show group in Europe is hosting a furniture, lighting and design fair in Copenhagen Sept. 6-9.
The focus of the fair, dubbed DNA, is to showcase contemporary, modern and innovative Nordic design. The show is created by the team behind the
CPH Vision/ Terminal-2 fair, a fashion event that in few years has become pivotal in European fashion circles.
DNA is design hub with an exclusive mix of Scandinavian and international brands, of creative talent and established manufactures. As a natural melting and gathering point for retailers, buyers, architects, interior designers, journalist and design lovers, DNA is located in an old warehouse Lokomotivværkstedet in the center of Copenhagen.
For some time Copenhagen has lacked a fair for furniture, lighting and design, said Erik Rimmer, chief editor of
Bo Bedre, a Danish design and living magazine. "A place that once a year puts focus on and celebrates the creative and exiting development and a fair is just the right thing for that. It seems so natural since furniture and design is such a big part of our Nordic consciousness and the Danish capital has everything needed to host such an event: Great architecture and culture, accessibility and modern infrastructure."
The launch of DNA is an important step on the path to establishing Copenhagen as an epicenter for high quality design of the kind that caters for a demanding audience. This is a step, which is very welcomed by the key players in the design industry.
The DNA fair focuses on quality and not quantity, which makes it different from other events in the same category," said Michael Anker, CEO of lighting company
Luceplan. "It is a platform for the companies that are thinking ahead and doing really well. With the fair at Lokomotivværkstedet we now have the optimal setting for Nordic brands to show the world what they do so well -- and for international brands as Luceplan to show their work in this high quality context. And putting focus on quality in both design and materials points backwards to a proud tradition in Scandinavia and at the same time it points to a future where a lot of newer, innovative brands are heading for success.
February 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 10, 2012
Home furnishings retailer
FurnitureLand partnered with
Connie Post and Affordable Design Solutions to rebrand its bedding department to reposition the retailer as an expert in sleep and boost the company's bottom line.
Delmar, Del.-based FurnitureLand converted the bedding department into a spa-themed area and netted great results topping industry benchmarks of 15 percent of overall sales for a full-line furniture store.
We are particularly proud of the results that weve been able to achieve at FurnitureLand, especially during times that have been, at best, uncertain for many good retailers, said Post, retail design strategist and chief executive of Affordable Design Solutions.
FurnitureLand CEO Larry Barnes said he has seen customers gravitating to the presentation of premium brands like
Simmons Beautyrest and
Tempur-Pedic.
In deciding to re-brand our bedding department, we wanted to see a five-point jump, Barnes said. We got seven-and-a-half, and thats where it has been holding.
The bedding department overhaul is the first stage of a phased rebranding plan that will eventually encompass a number of major departments throughout the store, as well as the exterior.
Located in a 46,000-square-foot metal building that has been added onto several times over the years, FurnitureLands charge to us was to create a renovation plan that could be implemented one department at a time," Post said. "The plan we gave them ensured that as each department was renovated, the rest of the store could operate smoothly, with a minimum of disruption, and this allowed them to create a beautiful new space and very quickly impact their bottom line.
Its a brilliant strategy when relocation or new construction is not an option, and it allows them to stage believable sale events for their customers each time a new department opens, she said
Along with a fountain, the departments elements include the extensive use of sheer fabric that takes the place of fixtures or walls. A centralized Comfort Test Center acts as the hub of the department, with the beds arrayed around the hub, separated by the fabric," said Dave Coll, architectural design director at Affordable Design Solutions. It looks fresh, new and clean, and it really elevates the product.
The privacy afforded by the sheer curtains is appreciated by the customers, who can lie down and concentrate on their comfort, without worrying about whos looking at them," Barnes said. "Simply put, Connie really nailed professional in the design of this department. Like most furniture stores, we had an open area with some point-of-sale material, banners and a row of beds. Now the mattresses are presented in a logical sequence, both for comfort choice, as well as price point.
February 9,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 10, 2012
Home furnishings retailer
FurnitureLand partnered with
Connie Post and Affordable Design Solutions to rebrand its bedding department to reposition the retailer as an expert in sleep and boost the company's bottom line.
Delmar, Del.-based FurnitureLand converted the bedding department into a spa-themed area and netted great results topping industry benchmarks of 15 percent of overall sales for a full-line furniture store.
We are particularly proud of the results that weve been able to achieve at FurnitureLand, especially during times that have been, at best, uncertain for many good retailers, said Post, retail design strategist and chief executive of Affordable Design Solutions.
FurnitureLand CEO Larry Barnes said he has seen customers gravitating to the presentation of premium brands like
Simmons Beautyrest and
Tempur-Pedic.
In deciding to re-brand our bedding department, we wanted to see a five-point jump, Barnes said. We got seven-and-a-half, and thats where it has been holding.
The bedding department overhaul is the first stage of a phased rebranding plan that will eventually encompass a number of major departments throughout the store, as well as the exterior.
Located in a 46,000-square-foot metal building that has been added onto several times over the years, FurnitureLands charge to us was to create a renovation plan that could be implemented one department at a time," Post said. "The plan we gave them ensured that as each department was renovated, the rest of the store could operate smoothly, with a minimum of disruption, and this allowed them to create a beautiful new space and very quickly impact their bottom line.
Its a brilliant strategy when relocation or new construction is not an option, and it allows them to stage believable sale events for their customers each time a new department opens, she said
Along with a fountain, the departments elements include the extensive use of sheer fabric that takes the place of fixtures or walls. A centralized Comfort Test Center acts as the hub of the department, with the beds arrayed around the hub, separated by the fabric," said Dave Coll, architectural design director at Affordable Design Solutions. It looks fresh, new and clean, and it really elevates the product.
The privacy afforded by the sheer curtains is appreciated by the customers, who can lie down and concentrate on their comfort, without worrying about whos looking at them," Barnes said. "Simply put, Connie really nailed professional in the design of this department. Like most furniture stores, we had an open area with some point-of-sale material, banners and a row of beds. Now the mattresses are presented in a logical sequence, both for comfort choice, as well as price point.
February 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on February 9, 2012
from http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-10/aaron-s-chairman-says-he-s-ready-to-sell-at-right-price.html
Aarons Inc. Chairman R. Charles Loudermilk Sr., who founded the rent-to-own furniture chain, said he is considering selling his shares and would support a sale of the company at the right price.
There have been queries from interested buyers and such overtures have been increasing in recent months, Loudermilk, who is 84 years old and holds 6.5 percent of outstanding shares, said yesterday in an interview.
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