Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
February 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 3, 2012
Mattress retailer Sit 'n Sleep has made three executive promotions to support its expanding presence in Southern California.
The promotions include Nelson Bercier, who now is president of the company; Kelly Young, now vice president of sales; and Tiffany Packman, now vice president of human resources.
"With 28 locations and growing, we are proud to announce the internal promotion of three amazing team members, who have shown outstanding loyalty, character and work ethic over the past 25 years," said Larry Miller, who will remain chairman and CEO of Sit 'n Sleep, Gardena, Calif. "We are poised for an incredible 2012, with Bercier, Young and Packman helping to lead our organization, I am confident that we will continue our incredible trajectory of success."
Prior to his promotion, Bercier was senior vice president of sales, and has been with the company for more than 25 years. Young, who previously worked as a regional manager, has served the company for more than 10 years, having worked in the mattress industry for nearly 15. Packman worked in the Human Resources department for five years prior to her recent promotion to vice president.
Over the past 12 months, Sit 'n Sleep has opened three new stores, expanding the organization to include 28 locations across Southern California.
February 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on February 3, 2012
Vertically integrated furniture company Ethan Allen (NYSE: ETH) cut the ribbon last week on a new Ethan Allen Design Center in Annapolis, Md.
"This Design Center is the first of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region, and it is the model for our continued expansion not only in the United States but internationally as well," said Farooq Kathwari, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen, Danbury, Conn., at the grand opening event.
Guests mingled and toured the state-of-the-art facility, which showcases the newest Ethan Allen products in room displays. They bid on silent auction prizes that included gift certificates for fine dining, spa treatments, and jewelry from local establishments as well as for furnishings from the company's five Signature Lifestyles. All proceeds benefited Friends of the Lighthouse Shelter(http://www.annapolislighthouse.org/), an organization that helps people rebuild their lives by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and to empower people as they transition toward self-sufficiency.
"We are pleased to have had such a positive response from our friends in Annapolis, and we look forward to continuing the expansion of our Design Center network in the months ahead," Kathwari added. Ethan Allen plans to open several new Design Centers in the U.S. and abroad this year.
February 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on February 3, 2012
The National Retail Federation urged the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to approve a major surface transportation reauthorization bill set for a vote Thursday.
NRF says the measure would help ease bottlenecks that are slowing down retail supply chains.
"Our neglected transportation system has created bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain that stifle U.S. companies' ability to grow and create jobs that are so badly needed in today's economy," NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said in a letter to the committee. "We urge Congress to act quickly to pass this important legislation before the current short-term extension ends in March.
"Retailers are among the nation's largest shippers, moving hundreds of billions of dollars worth of merchandise through the nation's ports, railroads and highways each year. The condition of the transportation system and its ability to handle cargo quickly and efficiently are vital to retailers' businesses."
French praised key reforms included in the bill, including provisions to streamline the project approval process, allowing accelerated project delivery; to increase the role of the private sector in national infrastructure investment and planning, and to provide states flexibility to use their funds on infrastructure priorities. NRF especially supports provisions calling for development of a national freight policy as well as state freight policies and to allow for improved trucking productivity.
February 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on February 3, 2012
Furniture retailer
Jordan's Furniture is partnering with the
Boston Red Sox to participate in the 2012 Double Play Youth Baseball Program, a donation project that will supply gently-used baseball/softball equipment to inner-city youth.
In partnership with the
Red Sox Foundation's "Reviving Baseball to Inner Cities," equipment will be distributed to more than 2,000 inner-city youth.
Starting this week and running until April 1, equipment donations can be dropped off at any of the five Jordan's Furniture locations, and at its Taunton, Mass., distribution center. All donations must be in usable, clean condition. Equipment includes bats (metal only), catcher's equipment, helmets, gloves, cleats (metal and plastic), baseballs (new), and softballs (new).
Schools and businesses can get involved and possibly win big. The school and the business that donate the largest number of useable items will each receive tickets to a Red Sox game, a visit by Red Sox mascot Wally, an autographed jersey with pre-game presentation at
Fenway Park.
"In this day and age of pay-to-play, there are thousands of kids that just cannot afford to play sports," said Eliot Tatelman, president and CEO of Jordan's Furniture. "We think that every youth should enjoy America's favorite pastime so we created the Double Play Youth Baseball Program. This is the second year and with the help of the Red Sox Foundation, we'll be able to reach a lot of inner-city kids in our area."
February 2,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 3, 2012
Eva Walsh has been named vice president of business development for the Dallas Market Center.
In the new position, Walsh heads the company's retail sales force for specialty and major stores, as well as develops new business opportunities for the market center.
Eva possesses an inspiring tenacity and passion for our industry, said Robbin Wells, executive vice president of leasing,
Dallas Market Center. Her innovative ideas will be integral in the continued growth of our business strategy. We are very pleased to have her back on board.
Walsh joined the Dallas Market Center team in 1989 as director of marketing and was promoted to director of leasing in the bridge and women's apparel industries. She left DMC in 2003 and relocated to California with her family where she consulted for various companies including DMC on the development of FashionCenterDallas.