Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
November 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on November 3, 2011
The Furniture Buying Index dropped two points this month to a reading of 70the lowest index level reported in the past year, according to
America's Research Group.
Consumers who are looking to buy furniture are willing to purchase but only if they see big sale discounts, said Britt Beemer, chairman of Americas Research Group.
Consumers today expect 50 percent off as shown in a recent survey where 37.2 percent indicated they are ready to buy when they see items on sale at 40 percent to 50 percent off.
"That is the highest level in the five years we have been asking that question, Beemer said. Furniture retailers need to advertise big discounts to get shoppers in their door for the fall selling season."
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with between 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.
November 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on November 3, 2011
Full-line furniture manufacturer and retailer Ethan Allen (NYSE: ETH) has opened a new Ethan Allen Design Center in Lynnwood, Wash.
Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari joined the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County to celebrate the grand opening of the Lynnwood Ethan Allen Design Center earlier this month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a fundraising event for Housing Hope, a local charity.
"This Design Center is really the model for our continued expansion both in the United States and internationally," Kathwari said, "and it is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest."
Guests mingled, toured the new state-of-the-art Design Center, and its room displays of Ethan Allen's newest products, and took part in a silent auction including furnishings from Ethan Allen's five signature lifestyles. The event raised more than $2,000 for Housing Hope, which provides a wide range of housing opportunities for those in need in Snohomish County.
Ethan Allen plans to open new Design Centers in Miami, Fla.; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; and several locations in China in 2012.
November 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on November 3, 2011
Quality Bedroom Sets has launched a new retail Web site featuring a variety of bedroom product lines.
In addition to the new product lines, current offers include White Glove Delivery Service at no cost; two free premium foam pillows included with every order totaling $999 and above; and optimal payment security.
Customers of Quality Bedroom Sets, Salt Lake City, can purchase directly from the site with ease and trust in the security of their information, as the newly launched site is an authorized Authorize.net merchant, Paypal verified and holds a GoDaddy Verified and Secured seal.
"Quality Bedroom Sets is passionate about creating a customer friendly method of buying furniture online. We have created a website that allows our customers to easily browse our collections online and to search by pertinent information on bedroom sets from a wide range including price ranges to finishes," said Tyler Barnes, product manager. "The ability to search for furniture by specific needs allows customers to feel comfortable about purchasing such a significant piece of their home furniture online."
"The launch of the Quality Bedroom Sets Web site will be followed by a social marketing campaign that will include a giveaway worth over $1,700," said Chris Atkin, marketing director.
November 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on November 3, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5418911148&z=1250249029
The grand opening is still three days away, and Jake Jabs already has a regret about American Furniture Warehouses new store in Grand Junction.
He wishes it was bigger.
The 100,000-square-foot showroom and accompanying 50,000-square-foot warehouse is spread across 25 acres at 2570 American Way, just off U.S. Highway 6&50 next to Golds Gym. Given how the newest Colorado location has performed since its soft opening last weekend, its good that American Furniture Warehouses owner purchased another 15 acres surrounding the facility.
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November 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Financial Reports on November 3, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5418310372&z=1250249032
Furniture Brands International said its loss grew to $24.5 million in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $2.1 million a year earlier, due to a $16.5 million charge related to cost reductions. Customers have been cutting back on discretionary purchases, including furniture, Chairman and CEO Ralph Scozzafava said.
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