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January 5,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 6, 2012
Bedding supplier
Comfort Solutions is now the exclusive licensee of The Dr. Breus Bed collection.
The collection, developed by
Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and sleep expert, had been affiliated with
International Bedding Corp. Comfort Solutions will showcase the collection in its newly redesigned Las Vegas Showroom with a new area dedicated to presenting the Dr. Breus Bed collection featuring a sleep surface diagnostic system. The company will also highlight a marketing plan for the line that reflects the future of successful retailing, said Dave Roberts, company president and COO.
"Were very excited about our alliance with Dr. Breus and the consumers confidence and trust in his mission, Roberts said. We recognize his credentials and expertise in the field of sleep and his achievements in developing bedding products and programs that simultaneously address sleep, health and life.
As part of the Las Vegas presentation, Comfort Solutions and Breus will introduce an eight-model bed line that uses advanced, in-store diagnostics, as well as marketing concepts that include information and Q&A sessions led by Breus at retail storesall aimed at attracting shoppers and tapping consumers natural interest in sleep issues and better sleep health. Breus identifies four elements as critical to achieving a great nights sleep: consistent neutral temperature, motion control for undisturbed sleep, pressure relief and support.
I have great respect for the scientific and technological approach that Comfort Solutions employs in the design and development of its products," Breus said. Were all looking forward to combining our expertise as part of a shared mission to help the consumer sleep better.
A fellow of the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a diplomate of the
American Board of Sleep Medicine, Breus has written two books on sleep and health and serves as the sleep expert for
WebMD.
Our objective now and in the future is to team with Dr. Breus to develop bed designs and programs that use meaningful sleep science, data and research to provide solutions that address peoples physiological and psychological sleep needs, Roberts said.
January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on January 5, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5703658893&z=1250249030
Costco Wholesale Corp.'s revenue at stores open at least a year rose 7 percent in December, narrowly missing Wall Street's expectations. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted that the figure would climb 7.6 percent. It is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores recently opened or closed. In the U.S, revenue at stores open at least a year increased 7 percent, while the metric rose 9 percent abroad. Wholesale club operator Costco said Thursday that higher gas prices helped its results, while foreign exchange rates hurt its performance slightly during the month. Taking
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January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 5, 2012
Atlanta-based
Haverty Furniture Cos. (
NYSE: HVT and
HVT.A) reported a 3.8 percent sales increase to $168.3 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31.
The home furnishings retailer's sales for the same quarter last year were $162.1 million.
Same-store sales increased 3.5 percent for the quarter. Sales for the 12 months of 2011 totaled $620.9 million versus $620.3 million for 2010, representing an increase of 0.1 percent.
Total written sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased 1.5 percent over the same quarter last year.
"We are pleased to announce positive sales results for the full year due to the strength of our fourth quarter performance," said Clarence H. Smith, president and chief executive officer. "Deliveries to customers during the quarter were benefited by improved stocking levels and more timely vendor response to new orders. Total written business for the quarter was up 1.5 percent with a slightly higher average ticket throughout the period and improved customer traffic during December. Preliminary indications are that fourth quarter gross margins will be better than last year and the most recent quarters, consistent with the forward looking comments in our third quarter earnings release. Total written business for the recent four day New Year's holiday weekend sale was also up modestly compared to the same year ago period."
Smith said the retailer's new store in Boca Raton, Fla., which opened in October, was reaching a more affluent consumer.
The company plans to open two stores in the middle of 2012 in the Towson area of metro Baltimore and the Midland, Texas, market. In addition, Havertys will relocate a store in a Southern suburb of Atlanta and open a store in another market where the retailer currently operates, Smith said.
January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 5, 2012
Full-line furniture vendor Lexington Home Brands has promoted Craig Spooner to chief operating officer, a new position.
Spooner had served as Lexington's longtime chief financial officer.
"Craig is a tremendous asset to Lexington," said Phil Haney, president and CEO of Lexington Home Brands, High Point. "His leadership, integrity, and insight have allowed us to profitably grow our business and gain market share both organically and through acquisitions--in the face of a challenging economy. I consider him an invaluable business partner and a key member of our management team."
Scott Richardson replaces Spooner in the CFO position. Richardson comes to Lexington with more than 20 years experience in public and private sector accounting and finance. Most recently, he served as CFO and treasurer at Pine Hall Brick, a regional building products supplier.
"Lexington is coming off a second year of double-digit revenue growth," continued Haney. "That, combined with the additions of Sligh Furniture Company and Tommy Bahama Outdoor Living to our brand portfolio, will require additional depth in our senior management team. Craig is one of the brightest and most effective operators in the industry, and I believe that Scott's considerable experience with prove a great asset to our organization. I couldn't be more pleased with these moves."
January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on January 5, 2012
Home furnishings retailer Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) reported Thursday that December 2011 comparable-store sales rose 11.3 percent compared with the prior year.
Combined with comparable-store increase of 10.3 percent for December 2010, Pier 1 has a three-year cumulative comparable-store sales increase of 30.2 for the month.
President and Chief Executive Officer Alex W. Smith credited the December gain to increases in traffic and average ticket.
"The strong sales trend during the first half of the month continued through the final days leading up to Christmas and the week thereafter, with strength throughout every geographic region of the country," he said. "Merchandise margins remained strong in December with good sell-through of our holiday assortments. Merchandise margins for the fourth quarter are expected to be approximately 59 percent of sales as previously indicated. As we end our seasonal clearance event, we are very excited about our new spring product, which is now arriving in stores."
Pier 1, Fort Worth, Texas, will announce fourth-quarter sales for the period ending Feb. 25 on March 1. The company will announce fourth-quarter and fiscal 2012 year-end results on April 5, and will host a conference call later that morning to discuss the results.