Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
November 16,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on November 17, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5486191519&z=1250249032
The change in ownership of the three major High Point Market showrooms has resulted in the first layoff of workers here.
International Market Centers, which in May took over the three main local showroom buildings and the World Market Center in Las Vegas, dismissed employees in both cities this week, according to at least two independent, anonymous sources who spoke with The High Point Enterprise.
A spokeswoman for International Market Centers, Karen Olson, said Wednesday that eight people were affected.The dismissals in High Point include Lisa Shankle, Brian Bunch and Diane Caldwell, said Dana Andrew, another spokeswoman
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November 16,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 17, 2011
Jack Johnson and David Ko have joined accent furniture vendor Stein World, respectively, as senior vice president of sales and marketing and director of international supply chain.
Johnson has more than 25 years in the furniture industry experience with extensive experience in sales management, retail and manufacturing. Most recently, he was a regional manager for Lane Furniture.
"Jack's combined senior managerial experience with Lane, Havertys Furniture, Bassett Furniture Industries and Bassett Furniture Direct brings an excellent blend of sales management, retail and manufacturing background to our team," said Stein World Chairman David Fiore. "Jack will lead an industry veteran sales management team comprised of Regional Vice Presidents Marc Alters, David Stein and Greg Johnston, along with Vice President of Key Accounts James Franks, who fully understand the needs and challenges facing our customers in todays business environment and are focused on serving those needs."
Ko brings to Stein World 30 years of experience managing overseas manufacturing operations with Magnussen Home Furnishings. Ko is based in China.
"David has extensive, first hand supply chain experience that will help Stein World to continue to identify the best manufacturing partners, as well as develop new products, while overseeing quality assurance," Fiore said. "We believe that Jack and David are outstanding additions and join Vice President of Operations Bob Kelley, Director of Merchandising Alex Plummer and Chief Financial Officer Donna Brockman to form a well rounded, highly experienced and excellent Stein World senior management team. I have every confidence that they will make significant contributions to Stein Worlds focus on service excellence and supplying products that deliver exceptional value to our customers."
Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Stein World operates a 350,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution center, from which the company ships its products to customers across the United States.
November 16,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on November 17, 2011
Las Vegas Furniture Market will offer webinars designed to help exhibitors plan for the Jan. 30-Feb. 3 show, and educational sessions for growing business.
Webinars attendees will have the opportunity learn about tools to reach Las Vegas Market buyers and promote their product, successfully register and use WMCommunity, operational tips for success for both temporary and permanent exhibitors, and an introductory educational readiness measure and plan development for working with Walmart.
The series begins Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. EST with "Marketing Checklist for Success at Las Vegas Market." The session shows how to reach buyers before, during and after Las Vegas Market using an assortment of tools supported by World Market Center Las Vegas, many of which are free. Learn how you can promote your new product, advertise, use lead retrieval, get your key buyers a personal invitation to Market and much more.
"How to Successfully Register for Las Vegas Market using WMCommunity" is set for Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. EST. World Market Center Las Vegas launched a new Web site and registration process in 2010, and this session teaches how to navigate the registration portal and ensure you register your staff accurately, including approving requests for rep badges. Attendees also can learn how to manage company information in WMCommunity by adding/removing staff members and updating contact info. This webinar will also cover the many features of WMCommunity designed to enhance exhibitors' complimentary microsite and directory profile, such as adding product photos and selecting product categories, uploading catalogues, press releases and videos, using the appointment scheduling tool and more.
"Are You Ready for Walmart?" is set for Dec. 2 at noon EST. Las Vegas Market has partnered with 8th & Walton, the premier destination for Walmart supplier education, to help Las Vegas Market tenants and exhibitors understand how to expand product distribution from local shelves to an international marketplace. Getting product on the shelves at a Walmart store anywhere in the world could be one of the biggest revenue generating deals for any company, and this introductory 90-minute webinar is designed to provide an introduction to those opportunities. This webinar will provide insights to help tenants and exhibitors determine if their company is organizationally ready to do business with the worlds largest retailer, provide the tools to measure readiness before investing the time and money into the relationship as well as how developing a plan.
"Temporary Exhibitors: Operational Tips for Success," Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. EST, provides temporary exhibitors things they need to know in order to have a smooth move-in for Market week, including working with the Market's preferred logistics vendor, Freeman Services, accessing and using the Exhibitor Services Manual, connecting with vendors, ordering services and more.
"Permanent Tenants: Operational Tips for Success," Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. EST, teaches how to effectively schedule a dock appointment, access and use the Tenant Resource Manual, get keys and badges, and order signage and TI work to your space. At this webinar, participants can meet the tenant relations team, which will walk them through some important deadlines and get them up to speed on new policies and information.
For more information or to register for these webinars, click here.
November 16,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on November 17, 2011
The Sustainable Furnishings Council will offer a free webinar, "Sustainability Essentials Webinar Monday at 1 p.m. EST.
This one-hour webinar provides a grounding in the environmental issues related to home furnishings, including the factual basis for climate change, problems with indoor air quality, toxic waste, and water conservation.
Source documents are public records such as the U.N. IPCC 4th Assessment Report and the U.S. EPA, translated from technical jargon into easily understood concepts with common references all explicitly linked to the home furnishings industry. Content also includes a synopsis of Greenleaders, the industry first certified sustainability training course.
This webinar is intended to give participants useful information you can begin using in your business immediately as well as answer any questions you may have about getting the most out of SFC membership and participating in the full exam program to receive your credentials as a local expert in green furnishings.
To reserve your seat at the webinar, click here.
November 16,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on November 17, 2011
Two furniture retailers each won a free iPad from the National Home Furnishings Association at a drawing held during the recent High Point Furniture Market.
Winners were Jim Fee of Stoney Creek Furniture, Stoney Creek, Ontario; and Gary Saulters of Homestead House Fine Home Furnishings in Birmingham, Al.
"Many RRC exhibitors and NHFA service providers offer iPad applications to help companies run more smoothly and profitably," said Tim Timmons, NHFA's senior director of marketing communications and education. "In addition to the free iPad, our winners, Jim and Gary, can take advantage of some free apps for the iPad as well.
"All furniture retailers who visited the NHFA Retailer Resource Center during the Market in October were eligible for this drawing. Our goal was to dramatically highlight our more than 30 RRC exhibitors and their expertise in serving the retailing community while also promoting how easy it can be for retailers to benefit from the new technologies and other essential tools for todays challenging business environment."