Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
November 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on November 16, 2011
Jerome's Furniture will celebrate its 57th anniversary with a customer appreciation event at the furniture retailer's seven San Diego-area showrooms.
On Saturday and Sunday this weekend, Jerome's will treat customers to music and entertainment provided by local radio stations, visits from food and ice cream trucks, on-site appetizers and drinks, and prizes from local businesses. Attendees will be greeted by staff dressed in their red carpet best and will receive a complimentary copy of Home, a new magazine created by Jerome's. The magazine features four key ideas: to decorate, relax, eat, and sleep.
Jerome's will give away dozens of prizes at each of its showrooms. Each of Jerome's showrooms will be giving away signature 57th anniversary mattresses, along with prizes from other businesses represented in the neighborhoods they serve. Those include a $100 gift certificate to Cohn Restaurant Group in San Diego, a Zipline ride at Skull Canyon in Corona and a Nikon D3100 camera valued at $450 in Murrieta. Other giveaways include e-grills from Barbeques Galore, and items and concert tickets from local radio stations.
"Our customers mean everything to us," said Jerry Navarra, chairman of Jerome's. "We;re incredibly thankful for their business and an event like this is one way we get to say thanks."
November 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on November 16, 2011
The Specialty Sleep Association has added 15 additional bedding industry companies to its membership in the second half of 2011.
Those companies represent four different countries on three continents, adding to a diverse, growing membership comprising manufacturers and retailers ranging from small, family-owned businesses to large corporations, all dedicated to facilitating the growth and positive awareness of innovation and technology in the specialty sleep category.
The new members include Restonic, a top 15 bedding producer with manufacturing locations in 13 states and 14 countries. Founded in 1938, Restonic has a long heritage as a bedding innovator and has captured the Consumer Digest Best Buy Award seven times.
"The specialty sleep business continues to grow with tremendous interest from today's consumer, and Restonic is expanding its focus in this business segment," said Ron Passaglia, president of Restonic. "As a member of the SSA, Restonic will have access to information and support down to the consumer level, where our goal is to add value to the mattress purchase."
Mark Hobson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for another new member, top-of-bed products manufacturer Colonial, based in High Point, echoed the statement about specialty bedding sales growth.
"Our mission at Colonial is to help each client improve their revenues and profits with displays that are on strategy, sales effective and cost efficient," Hobson said. "Through our participation with the SSA, we plan to continue that mission with specialty bedding manufacturers and retailers, while adding value to consumers and elevating their shopping experience."
Latex Green, a natural latex foam products producer based in Sri Lanka, has joined the SSA's Green Initiative Board, which works to define communications standards for program participants. SSA has developed a green labeling program to point consumers and retail sales associates to bedding products which meet varying levels of environmental and safety compliance. Manufacturers participating in the program complete a rigorous application process and pay a fee to the SSA to use the SSA seal and tag on their products.
Richard Pieris Natural Foams Ltd. is another latex products specialist.
"Joining the SSA shows our commitment to developing latex blocks, sheets and pillows made only from 100% natural latex, from our own plantations certified by FSC and processing them under the Arpico brand, which is trusted for over 75 years in Sri Lanka," said Januka Karunasena, general manager. "Joining the SSA will help us make clear differentiation of our products with the highest natural content which our customers deserve."
Other companies joining SSA in the second half of 2011 include: Blu Sleep Products, Gabriel Scientific, Miracle Sleep Concepts, Murphy Bed Concepts, Sleep and Beyond, Studio Moderna, Supreme Quilters, The Sleep Company, Urban Woods, Vista Medical and Zoom 3D Mattress.
November 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on November 16, 2011
Executives from Woolrich and its home furnishings brand partners met for the ninth annual Brand Partners Summit during the October High Point Furniture Market.
Sessions for the outdoor lifestyle brand's gathering included a corporate business overview, strategic planning, and ongoing branding initiatives. The group also shared ideas for growth and reviewed new products and style directions planned for the coming year.
Attendees included executives from Woolrich Home as well as licensees JLA Home, Shadow Mountain, Whitecraft, Picture Source, Mohawk Home, Rowe Pottery Works, and PM&J. Other participants included licensing and marketing executives from Woolrich and The Media Matters, agency for the Home division. The meeting was held in the JLA Home showroom that earlier this year debuted as the new bedding ensemble licensee for Woolrich.
"Having our brand partners come together to exchange ideas is invaluable," said Nick Brayton, director of domestic licensing. "It not only enhances the brand's collaborative nature, but they leave with tools to successfully develop, promote, and sell Woolrich furnishings. By sharing our unique perspectives on the marketplace, we all come away with a better understanding of how to meet consumers' evolving needs."
Sharon Kepley, licensing manager for home furnishings added: "We continue to broaden our product offering by incorporating familiar patterns and icons, yet with fresher color palettes, while giving our core customers the vibrant tones and timeless designs they expect from Woolrich. Our selections will have greater appeal in a variety of today's active homes."
November 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on November 15, 2011
Ashley Furniture Chairman Ron Wanek has won this year's Distinguished Service Award from the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
Ethan Allen CEO Farooq Kathwari presented the recognition for Wanek's lifetime of service and achievement in the furniture industry at AHFA's annual meeting last week at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.
Under Wanek's leadership, Ashley grew to become the largest furniture vendor in the United States; and its Ashley Furniture Homestores is the nations largest furniture retailing network.
While a pioneer in overseas sourcing, Ashley employs thousands in furniture manufacturing in the United States.
Speaking to the AHFA gathering, Wanek said, "I see here people who see an opportunity in making furniture in the United States."
November 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 15, 2011
Mary-Price Furr has joined case goods and leather upholstery vendor Home Meridian International as vice president of marketing.
She takes over marketing responsibilities at High Point-based Home Meridian from Ed Tashjian, who has left the company.
Most recently, Furr was director of brand marketing for American Signature, the private label brand of Columbus, Ohio-based retailer Value City Furniture Stores. She had left the company last year with a non-compete clause.
Prior to joining American Signature in 2007, Furr was director of marketing at case goods vendor Fine Furniture Design(http://ffdm.com/).
Home Meridian's brands include Pulaski Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, Creations Baby and leather motion vendor Prime Resources International.