November 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on November 29, 2011
Accent furniture and accessories vendor Guildmaster has announced the winners of its "Amazing Race" contest for a trip around the world.
Retailers Terry and Meg Troutman of O.P. Jenkins in Knoxville, Tenn.; and the winning sales rep, Christie Blevins of Ft. Worth, Texas, won their choice of the trip or $10,000.
O.P. Jenkins is a fourth-generation furniture store and a fixture in downtown Knoxville for more than 140 years. Guildmaster CEO Steve Crowder delivered the news in person.
"When we walked out of the store and saw Steve walking up in a tux on a red carpet with roses and a giant check we were amazed," said Meg Troutman, O.P. Jenkins owner. "It was a fun contest, obviously with a great reward for us as the winners. We do plan to travel at some point, but for now, we plan to use the prize money to continue to preserve the charm of our store that's been a fixture in downtown Knoxville for more than a century."
"I can't believe I won," said Blevins. "I'm planning to travel with my husband and two sons to Italy. I have a big birthday coming up next year and this is the perfect opportunity for me to spend time with my family and celebrate my blessings. I am truly grateful to have won."
The contest was launched Sept. 6, concluding Nov. 18. Each $1,000 in product purchased by a retailer or sold by a sales representative earned one entry in the contest. More than 520 companies and 97 percent of Springfield, Mo.-based Guildmaster sales reps took part in the competition with more than 2,600 entries.
"Sometimes, the competition was intense. We were pleased with the response," Crowder said. "We were encouraged by the excitement that the race generated over the past several months among both our retailers and sales reps."
This is the third time Guildmaster has gone "on tour." In 2009, CEO Steve Crowder met face to face with more than 100 retailers for the inaugural GuildMaster on Tour. In 2010, the second tour recognized the most outstanding retail displays across the U.S. and supported the favorite charities of the winning dealers.
"Now, we're working to come up with our next fun, innovative idea," Crowder said. "Guildmaster is known for setting the bar high and doing things a little differently. Brainstorming about the next great Guildmaster on Tour adventure has already begun."
November 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on November 29, 2011
Home furnishings retail giant Ikea has announced five finalists in its second Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest.
The winner will receive a year-long sabbatical to improve the lives of others.
The finalists and their proposed projects, listed in alphabetical order, and selected by an Ikea judging panel, are:
* Cheryle Clarke, Longmont, Col., for New Safehouse Completion: Alternatives to Family Violence is a domestic violence service center provider for Adams County, Col., near Denver. The program provides food, clothing, counseling, medical treatment and ancillary needs to those who enter. Each year, more than 400 women and children find emergency refuge at the program's Safehouse. With the prize, Cheryle would contribute to acquiring and furnishing a new Safehouse facility, expanding the number of beds and growing their program to help more victims.
* Lisa Dunster, Missoula, Mt., for Rebuilding Military Family-Strengthening A Nation: The Compass Retreat Center is an organization that provides a supportive setting for military service members and their families following return from deployment, with an emphasis on renewing relationships and strengthening bonds. By providing intentional family time in a safe, neutral environment, the whole family works on healing through family activities, workshops, small group encounters, team-building and trust-building exercises. With the prize, Lisa would increase the program's outreach to more family from across the country.
* Nan Jenkins, Stockbridge, Ga., for Changing the Life of a Child: Located on the outskirts of Atlanta, A Friend's House has been providing and operating a facility for the community's children in need for more than 13 years. A Friend's House collaborates with local and state agencies to help the children with medical issues, education, and potential reunification with their families. With the winnings, Nan would help update the facility to further help address the needs of these children.
* Melissa Matthews, Wake Forest, N.C., Special Technology for Special Kids: mother of a child with Down syndrome, Melissa Matthews would like to expand the work being done at the Frankie Lemon School in Raleigh, N.C, a school for children with intellectual disabilities. This institution uses technology and cutting-edge therapy to help these children with special needs. If selected as winner, Melissa would infuse more technology deeper into these classrooms and create a website to facilitate the sharing of these technologies and techniques with other teachers across the country.
* Scott Millard, Landing, N.J., for Connor's House: Deeply affected by the loss of his son, Scott co-founded Connor's House, a resource center to assist families with chronically ill children, providing short-break respite, family support and end-of-life care. The organization has provided parental support, advocacy training, resource and referrals, as well as implemented a sibling support program. As the winner, Scott would expand support services further building the foundation to help more families through Connor's House.
Public voting will take place Nov. 28-Dec. 23, 2011 at thelifeimprovementproject.com to determine the winner, who will be announced on or around Jan. 17. IKEA will donate $1 for every received vote (up to $50,000) to U.S.-based education programs.
November 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on November 29, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5536640981&z=1250249030
Norris Home Furnishings President and Owner Larry Norris announces that Doug Ulrich has been appointed to the position of general manager of Norris Home Furnishings.
Ulrich has been in the furniture industry for more than 20 years, with 18 years in management.
Norris Home Furnishings is locally owned and operated. Larry Norris opened his first furniture store in Fort Myers in 1983.
Read Full Article...
November 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 29, 2011
David Fontaine has been named executive vice president for
Dutailier Group, gliding rocker specialist.
Fontaine, son of the owner, has nearly 15 years of experience within the company. He began his career at Dutailier Ltd. in England as marketing coordinator. In Quebec in 2000, he then was brand manager, marketing manager and most recently vice president of marketing. He will continue his responsibilities in marketing until further notice.
"David has agreed to take up this important challenge at a time when the situation is extremely difficult for furniture manufacturers to distance oneself from others especially with the Asian competition, dollar fluctuation and worldwide economic crisis," said Fernand Fontaine, president and owner of the company. "There is no doubt in my mind that he is the right person to fulfill this mandate."
November 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on November 29, 2011
The Western Home Furnishings Association and DispatchTrack have partnered on a new furniture delivery program to save WHFA members time and money.
The program offers DispatchTrack's unique end-to-end furniture delivery operations software to members at reduced pricing.
DispatchTrack is designed to manage furniture delivery and technician support operations. The solution consists of a device based on the Android mobile platform for the field resources and a web-based application for the office manager to effectively manage their field operations.
"DispatchTrack offers a simple and affordable solution to manage your delivery operations," said DispatchTrack CEO Satish Natarajan. "Regardless of whether you use one truck or a fleet of trucks, DispatchTrack provides real-time information at your fingertips and hence enables you to provide better service to your customers."
Software features include: schedule resources & track job progress, map-based routing, GPS tracking, turn-by-turn directions, job completion pictures, customer signature for job confirmation, cedit card swiper, on-site customer survey, paper-less delivery reports and an open API--to integrate with existing sales & fulfillment systems.
"We are excited to bring this new program to our members to help save them time and money," said WHFA Executive Director Sharron Bradley. "Not only does it make the delivery process easier on the staff, it also on average saves about $800 a month."
For more information, product demo or pricing, call 800.422.3778.