Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on January 4, 2012
The Furniture Buying Index rose another point this month to a reading of 73, bringing the Index back to its level one year ago at the start of 2011.
Consumers overspent at Christmastime, but they still can be enticed to buy furniture this winter, said Britt Beemer, chairman of
Americas Research Group. Since credit card bills from Black Friday spending are now hitting consumers mailboxes, retailers need to show consumers great values to get them to make a furniture purchase.
Beemer pointed out that an increase in online spending this Christmas is another cause for higher credit card debt and it will impact spending in January and February.
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with 5,000 to 8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index's mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80 percent actually have a particular item in mind.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on January 4, 2012
WithIt and World Market Center Las Vegas have partnered to provide exclusive leadership development programming during the Jan. 30-Feb. 3 Las Vegas Furniture Market.
Both an educational event and a mentoring session are designed to benefit all home furnishings professionals, including interior designers and students pursuing careers in design, regardless of their title, rank or position.
"Our leading-edge campus and engaged communities provide a superior backdrop for WithIt's leadership programming," said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. "We support WithIt's impact on shaping leaders in our industry, and our hope is to expand our partnership with this fine organization during future editions of Las Vegas Market."
Influential Women in the Home & Design Industry will feature four female business owners who have successfully navigated mid-stream career changes, the rise of social media marketing, and the emergence of sustainability in design. Celebrity interior designer and TV host Kelli Ellis; Mod Mom Furniture owner and product designer Kiersten Hathcock; interior designer and sustainability expert Lori Dennis; and social marketing strategist and WithIt 2012 President Julia Rosien, SocialNorth.com, will engage in a topical discussion that is certain to empower attendees to become better leaders in their companies.
"This is the type of event that every attendee, no matter what his or her role in the home furnishings industry, will walk away with new business insights and implementable strategies," said WithIt Regional Vice President Kassie Smith, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group, who will moderate the panel. The discussion will take place Monday, Jan. 30, 3-4 p.m. in Building B, 16th Floor, World Forum.
ENERGIZE!, a half-day networking event on Wednesday, Feb. 1, will connect successful female professionals and students against the backdrop of showroom tours, topical roundtable discussions led by WithIt 2012 Board members, and great networking opportunities.
"This session is perfect for all women who are interested in excelling within one of the many exciting areas of the home furnishings industry," said WithIt Vice President of Mentoring Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales for Palliser Furniture. "We are reaching out to all women, including students, to introduce them to a new career, or simply to inspire them to be better at what they do now.
WithIt's ENERGIZE! event will begin at 8 a.m. in Building C, Suite 344. Tours of Las Vegas Market showrooms will begin following brief introductions. Roundtable discussions will start at 10 a.m.
Both WithIt events are free to registered Las Vegas Market and Gift+Home attendees, but registration is required for the ENERGIZE! networking event. Visit WithIt.org to reserve a seat.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 4, 2012
The Specialty Sleep Association will sponsor a "green" marketing seminar at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
"Making Green on 'Green'", set for Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-noon in the SSA Showroom (WMC-C1350), will focus on winning over today's eco-conscientious consumers with accurate product claims. The event is open to all market attendees.
When it comes to sleep products, claims about "natural" and "organic" products face increased consumer skepticism and scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission, which is considering new limits for marketers.
"Information can pave the way for stores to reach new customers," said Vicki Worden, president of Worden Associates Inc., who is leading the Vegas Market seminar. "A 2010 consumer study conducted by Furniture Today magazine and HGTV indicated that around 30 percent of consumers are aware of green mattress options, which represents a big opportunity to reach an even wider audience. Better communication to drive awareness can result in improved sales of these products that may also deliver high margins to retailers."
The seminar will explore best practices for promoting green sleep products in ways that eliminate consumer confusion and solidify a purchase decision with documented claims. The SSA has developed information on terminology and definitions to help marketers substantiate environmental claims and avoid Federal Trade Commission scrutiny and fines.
Worden will also discuss proposed new limits on claims as released by the FTC on Oct. 6, 2010. These new guidelines to its Green Guides for product marketing, termed "the FTC Proposed Revisions," are expected to be released as final in 2012 with few changes expected from the version published in 2010.
The new guidance discusses terms such as "natural," "organic," and "recyclable," and also addresses the use of product identifications and seals of approval by marketers. Worden will also address trends in packaging, state law label issues, and other federal requirements impacting new products.
Worden is a sustainability consultant working with manufacturers, retailers, and trade associations on the development and launch of sustainable and environmentally focused products and services. Her expertise includes environmental standards and green building, and she is a former a judge of the White House Sustainability Awards.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 4, 2012
Furniture sales promotion consultant Profit Management Promotions has moved to an expanded corporate headquarters in Doylestown, Pa.
The new office is located in the center of town at 423 N. Main Street. In addition to a larger office, PMP has implemented new efficient work flow strategies aimed at better serving clients and helping them reach their goals successfully. PMP now has satellite offices in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and California.
In addition, Jackie Peck and Doyle Siebert have seen their roles evolved to utilize their strengths and maximize their contributions to the company.
Peck joined PMP's team in March of 2010 as an administrative assistant, and quickly adapted and began demonstrating her ability to contribute to the company's more significant areas of operation before she took a short maternity leave. After the birth of her daughter, Lilly, in June of 2011, Jackie returned to PMP and took on the chief role of bookkeeper.
Seibert has been with PMP since January of 2003. She began as a freelance graphic designer, providing customized high-impact ads for PMP's clients. In 2004, Doyle joined the team full time as the all-inclusive field support from the corporate office. In 2009, Doyle focused her responsibilities on advertising coordination for PMP's clients' promotions. This past year, Doyle has trained the individual PMP managers to handle the advertising coordination for their respective promotions, and she has moved her efforts toward public relations and marketing of the company. Doyle continues to coordinate the start-up period of PMP's promotions, and she is a key factor in the success rate of PMP's promotions.
Established in 1985, Profit Management Promotions has a proven track record in conducting high-impact sales promotions that help national furniture retailers raise capital or liquidate under-performing stores. PMP also delivers a full range of consulting and marketing services designed to help furniture retailers optimize profitability and capitalize on strategic growth opportunities.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on January 4, 2012
Home furnishings supplier
Aico will be showcasing its top of the bed line and its accent furniture line at next week's International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta.
The market runs Jan. 11-18.
"Michael Amini Distinctive Bedding Designs is dedicated to creating innovative, fashion forward product, while also offering the customer high quality at the best value, said Jacqueline Moss, Aicos director of fabric merchandising. Packaged in sets, each ensemble is accessorized with Euro shams and decorative pillows.
We initially entered the top-of-the-bed category to offer our furniture store customers a way to make their beds look better, said Chuck Reilly, senior vice president of sales and marketing. However, dealer interest has gone beyond furniture retailers to specialty stores and the design trade. Having a focused presentation in Atlanta will help us penetrate these distribution channels."