Daily News Archive
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October 27,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on October 28, 2011
The Canadian Home Furnishings Market will celebrate 40 Years at the Jan. 14-17 show in Toronto.
More than 300 furniture manufacturers and distributors will be on hand to exhibit.
This year, TCHFM will display an innovative new design feature. Along with the popular Trends Display (now in its 12th year), show-goers will also be able to view 12 pop-up vignettes that are scattered throughout the Market. Designed by lifestyle expert Janette Ewen, these vignettes have been created to stimulate the imaginations of retailers and provide them with inspiring merchandising and product ideas.
TCHFM is also devoted to providing companies with tools that will aid them in bringing their business to the next level of success. This year, two retail merchandising experts will be providing constructive advice that can help retailers capture their own "wow" factor and gain a loyal following of customers.
Focusing upon the strategic points of difference that separate one store from another, Harold C. Lloyd help businesses stay top-of-mind through effective strategies such as outdoor signage and attentive customer service. From working as the president and CEO of a 14-unit retail organization to becoming an area franchise developer for a family restaurant, Lloyd has
more than 25 years of retail experience.
Featuring trendy tips, inspiring design ideas and clever suggestions, lifestyle expert Janette Ewen will host a conference-workshop that can help stores easily create an attention-getting, sales-boosting atmosphere. Best known for her creative, budget-friendly and original approach to decorating, Ewen has reported on the hottest design trends for style publications including Chatelaine, Canadian House & Home and The Globe and Mail for over 10 years. She was co-host of the W Network's Inside the Box with Ty Pennington, as well as having appeared as a design expert on The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price and as a judge on Season Two of From The Ground Up With Debbie Travis.
The Canadian Home Furnishings Market is produced by the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers' Association.
October 27,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on October 28, 2011
The American Hardwoods Promotion campaign, which aims to elevate American Hardwoods as the building and remodeling material of choice.
Named the American Hardwood Information Center, the site will serve as the official Web site of the campaign and a one-stop shop for consumers looking for design and trend information.
The American Hardwood Information Center was originally launched by the Hardwood Manufacturers Association as an authoritative resource for consumers seeking information about American hardwoods. The site will continue to serve in this capacity, providing information on species selection, design trends, care and maintenance, installation, finishing and professional specifying of American Hardwood products, but has been redesigned with a new look and layout for simplified browsing and enhanced functionality.
"This Web site encompasses a vast amount of industry knowledge for both consumers and professionals seeking information about American hardwoods," says Linda Jovanovich, executive vice president for the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, and representative of the campaign. "From expert tips and photo galleries to tools for industry professionals, the site is informational and inspirational, and we plan to add even more features in the coming months."
The site features two main sections designed to make it easy for visitors to quickly find the information they are looking for: Admirers and Enthusiasts, with information for consumers and homeowners on choosing, selecting and caring for American hardwoods, as well as an inspiration photo gallery; and Designers, Specifiers and Professionals, with information about using American Hardwoods in building and remodeling projects.
The revamped site also includes a members only American Hardwoods Promotion section featuring marketing and sales tools industry professionals can use to easily promote their business as an American Hardwoods manufacturer or supplier, such as a logo, brand use guidelines, sell sheets and campaign backgrounder.
Another revised feature of the HardwoodInfo.com site is the newsroom, offering media the latest press releases, as well as information and resources relating to the American Hardwood industry. The newsroom includes an image gallery, story starters, and an information and trends page.
Other features of the site include a species guide, fun facts, insights from industry experts, and information on how to download the American Hardwood species app for iPhones and iPads.
October 27,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Community/Charitable Support on October 28, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5392679855&z=1250249030
Howell Furniture gave $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity and presented a family with brand new furniture at a 52nd anniversary party at it's Beaumont, Texas, store.
Read Full Article...
October 26,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 27, 2011
Columbia Business School has awarded Ikea Group President and CEO Mikael Ohlsson its 2011 Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics.
The Botwinick Prize is an annual award presented by the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics, which acts as the umbrella for all activities on leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School. Ohlsson received the award for his commitment to ethics, sustainability, and transparency.
Ohlsson received the award at a ceremony Tuesday, where he spoke to Columbia Business School students about his 30-year career with Ikea and his dedication to contributing to a better everyday life for people around the world.
In 2009, Ohlsson became president and CEO of the IKEA Group, which now has 287 stores in 26 countries. He began his career in the carpet department at the Ikea store in Linkoping, Sweden. He is known for his retailing savvy and for being an open and inclusive leader. While using resources wisely has long been a priority for Ikea, under Ohlsson's leadership the company has strengthened its focus on sustainability, one of the core long term strategies for the Ikea Group. The company has a long-term goal of using 100 percent renewable energy, and to support this initiative over the next few years solar panel systems are being installed in roughly 150 stores and distribution centers around the world. Ikea also helps customers live a more sustainable life in their homes by offering more sustainable choices, such as energy efficient light bulbs. The company partners with WWF to tackle environmental issues such as climate change, forestry, and responsible production of cotton.
"Mr. Ohlsson is a visionary leader who has shown exemplary success in achieving sustainable practices and transparency to stakeholders," said Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard. "The School is proud to recognize a businessman who is an important role model for our students and the entire business community."
"We at Ikea are honored to have been chosen to receive Columbia Business School's 2011 Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics," Ohlsson said. "The Ikea vision is to create a better everyday life for many people. It is what guides us in everything that we do including the area of ethics. However, we know that there are many things that still remain to be done. I hope Ikea will continue to take a leading role and be an inspiration to others."
October 26,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 27, 2011
Fobango.com has entered the group-buying furniture market in San Francisco with a three-piece sofa sectional for $399, with one-week delivery from activation.
Fobango plans to expand into New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle, San Diego and Las Vegas in the coming months.
The first Fobango Group Buy will run for two weeks and feature a three-piece sofa sectional for $399 plus $50 delivery.
Fobango promises one-week delivery, since its products are already in the United Stated and ready to ship in just one week of Group Buy activation by a local professional delivery service.
The site also offers thousands of home furnishings deals everyday instead of just one.