Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 16,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on January 17, 2012
Dallas Market Center is accepting entries for "The Next Big Thing", its national product search contest.
Three finalists will show their products in front of more than 50,000 attendees during the FINDS Dallas Temp Show to be held June 21- 24 during the Total Home & Gift Market (June 20-26).
The contest is for anyone who has an idea for the next hot product to make their dream a reality.
"The Next Big Thing has proven to be a successful vehicle for individuals looking to show their new product before a large audience," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. "Finalists meet retailers from throughout the country and many have gone on to great success. We look forward to meeting even more innovators this year."
The contest allows up-and-comers, whether companies or individuals, to show their product in front of domestic and international retail buyers at Dallas Market Center. The Next Big Thing should be a new and unique product--the perfect gift, latest gadget, or must-have home good. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get their products out in the market.
The finished product should be distinctive with an outstanding design and concept. Applications can be downloaded here. Entries should be submitted via e-mail or mailed to: The Next Big Thing, c/o Dallas Market Center, 2100 Stemmons Freeway, MS 630; Dallas, Texas 75207, by April 2.
Three finalists will be announced April 17 after selection by a panel of industry experts and Dallas Market Center representatives. The finalists will receive airfare and hotel for the FINDS Dallas Temp Show to show their product in a complimentary, custom exhibit space.
The Next Big Thing winner will be announced on Saturday, June 23, and receive a prize package worth more than $12,500 including a $2,500 cash prize. The package includes exhibit space at the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market in January 2013, a profile in one of Dallas Market Center's custom publications, and consultations from leading industry experts regarding branding, public relations, visual merchandising and much more.
January 15,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on January 16, 2012
January retail container traffic at major U.S. ports should be flat compared with the same month last year, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report.
The monthly report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates tracks activity at the U.S. ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.
"We're headed into the slow season for cargo shipments, but forecasts indicate that retailers will be stocking up this spring in anticipation of a moderate recovery as the year progresses," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "Cargo volume doesn't translate directly into sales volume, but when retailers import more it's because they expect to sell more."
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.25 million 20-foot Equivalent Units in November, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 2.1 percent from October since most holiday merchandise was already on the shelves but up 1.2 percent from November 2010. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent.
December was estimated at 1.21 million TEU, up 5.9 percent from a year ago. January 2012 is forecast at 1.21 million TEU, up one-tenth of 1 percent from January 2011. February, historically the slowest month of the year, is forecast at 1.06 million TEU, down 3.3 percent from a year ago. March is forecast at 1.2 million TEU, up 10.5 percent from last year; April at 1.26 million TEU, up 3.8 percent; and May at 1.3 million TEU, up 0.9 percent.
The total for 2011 was estimated 14.86 million TEU, up 0.7 percent from 2010's 14.75 million TEU.
"Continuing uncertainty and the run-up to the elections raise a cloud, as does the pressure on declining incomes as firms hire at lower rates," Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said. "Nevertheless, the consumer managed to increase savings during most of 2011 and now has a tidy safety net from which to increase consumption as the risk of unemployment recedes. All of these indicators suggest that we are not heading for another recession, but rather for a sustained level of low growth."
January 15,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on January 16, 2012
The International Casual Furnishings Association has named its 2012 Retail Council.
Bruce Erickson of Williams All Seasons, Highland Park, Ill., will serve as chairman. Cathy Galbreath, ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, Birmingham, Ala., is vice chairman.
Galbreath also was selected to serve a new three-year term on the Council. Additional council members serving terms expiring in 2014 are Bruce Aronson, Pool & Patio Center, Metairie, La.; Colleen O'Connor, Fishels, Portland, Ore.; and Garrett Wallace, Yard Art Patio & Fireplace, Irving, Texas.
Continuing on the Council with terms expiring at the end of 2013 are Paul DeMerlis, The Sign of the Skier, Toronto, Ontario; Mary Fruehauf, Fruehauf's Patio & Garden, Boulder, Colo.; Becky Stover, Stover Hearth & Patio, Frederick, Md.; and Greg Martin, Kolo Collection, Atlanta, Ga. (ICFA Board Liaison).
Council members with terms expiring at the end of 2012 are Gary Ecoff, Carls Patio, Boca Raton, Fla.; Kristine Schultz-Hutchinson, Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, Calif.; and David Schweig, Sunnyland Furniture, Dallas, Texas (ICFA Board Liaison).
January 15,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on January 16, 2012
Las Vegas Furniture Market and World Market Center will present seminars geared to Canadian visitors and Spanish-speaking attendees at the upcoming show.
World Market Center will join the Interior Designers of Canada to hold a complimentary seminar highlighting developer and designer trends and opportunities throughout the Canadian market, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. in Building C, Suite C-176.
The "Canada on the Rise" seminar will be an insider's look at the hottest design trends and condominium projects sweeping Canada and how designers can profit. The seminar is co-sponsored by Palliser, a leading Canadian-based manufacturer of custom upholstered and motion furniture as well as a first time Las Vegas Market exhibitor.
During this panel discussion, major forces in Canadian interior design will give an in-depth look into Canada's hottest trends in condo design. Moderated by the Interior Designers of Canada Executive Director Susan Wiggins; and joined by BYU Design's Ada Bonini and BBA Design Consultants' Sharon Bortolotto, both from Vancouver; and Katherine Burke of Katherine Burke Design Consultants and Hudson Kruse Design's Trevor Kruse, both from Toronto, this new-to-market presentation will showcase two of Canadas largest markets, Toronto and Vancouver, and how the proliferation of condos in these cities has presented an unprecedented opportunity for designers.
Attendees will be educated on how designers and developers design model suites and sales centers to stand out from the hundreds of other developments to attract potential buyers. A cocktail mixer will immediately follow the panel discussion for networking with the panelists and market-goers.
Our international manufacturers, suppliers and buyers are a very important and growing part of Las Vegas Market and by providing educational and relevant seminars and events catering to their unique perspectives, we can ensure our market is serving this crucial segment of the industry, said Tim Branscome, vice president of international for International Market Centers.
In addition, World Market Center Las Vegas will focus on serving the growing Latin American buyer base with a seminar presented entirely in Spanish to cater to these attendees entitled "Steps That Every Business Should Take on the Internet." This seminar will focus on creating, growing and engaging an online presence and staying connected with clients, building real relationships, making lasting good impressions and generating business value. It will cover Web site development, social media, e-commerce and mobile applications, among other highlights. The seminar is presented by Moises Kirsch from Sasquatch Digital Marketing, who has worked with such names in Mexico as VivaAerobus, Axtel and Kodak.
January 13,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Retail Closings on January 14, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5749851543&z=1250249029
A RoomStore furniture showroom near Hagerstown, Md., is one of 26 the furniture retail chain plans to close.
Read Full Article...