Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 25,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 26, 2011
Home furnishings retailer
I.O. Metro has unveiled its e-commerce Web site and will begin more aggressive promotion in the coming months.
"Our customers have been asking for this for several years now," said Jay Howard, CEO of I.O. Metro. "We had to oblige! It was a natural and logical step for our brand. Now, we're ready to officially welcome the online shopper to experience I.O. Metro, and we're expecting a big response."
The site boasts more than 2,500 furniture items, art and accessories. The 1492 collection, an ever-changing collection of one-of-a-kind pieces pulled from around the globe, and select Metro Custom products, from the company's custom upholstery line, are available on the Web site. Customers can also browse and buy items based on whether they are part of the Eco-Metro collection, made in the U.S.A., made from 100 percent real wood and more. The site also features a section for items that are brand new or on sale.
The new site is a "responsive" Web site. This special programming technique enables the site to be used on all smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Customers will be able to shop on mobile devices without having to use a separate mobile version of the Web site.
"Having a mobile-friendly Web site was very important to us," Howard said. "Our customers are on the go, and we always want to adapt and meet their needs. Plus, a mobile-friendly site is a wonderful tool for our brick-and-mortar locations. Our sales associates don't have to be tied to a sales counter to access our Web site and can easily pull more detailed information for a customer."
Social media has been integrated into the new Web site. The home page provides a link to and prominently features Hello Metro, I.O. Metro's house blog that will feature regular guest blogs by company spokesperson and TV's design star, Vern Yip. Product pages now feature a "Share" button that allows sharing of specific products via Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, blog platforms and much more. Flickr, YouTube and Issuu are used throughout the Web site as well. Live chat is also a new service the retailer is offering to assist visitors with questions or general information.
"I am excited that people all over the country now have access to the stylish and affordable products I.O. Metro offers," Yip said. "I really feel that someone in California can buy a sofa on iometro.com, have it shipped to them and still come out ahead as opposed to buying a similar sofa at their local big-box retailer. Plus, they will have that unmistakable, unique vibe that only I.O. Metro can offer."
In less than one month, and with very little promotion, iometro.com has already seen a 147 percent increase in unique visits compared to six months ago. I.O. Metro is currently offering a free shipping promotion on online orders and plans to roll out some exciting new promotions in the coming months.
"We have had numerous online orders already and expect those numbers to increase dramatically as we start executing our marketing strategy," said Amber Langston, marketing director. "Soon we will be rolling out the all-new I.O. Metro Holiday Collection, and a holiday gift guide. For the first time, we will be doing a major promotion starting on Black Friday where we will give away an item a day for 28 days! In addition, we have several PR opportunities we're exploring."
Howard expects the new Web site to have a positive effect on brick-and-mortar locations as well.
"We don't think we'll ever be able to replicate the store experience on our Web site, although we've tried," Howard said. "We do believe our new site will support our stores, with more robust information, and it will also help with general brand awareness. Being able to sell online really allows us to promote I.O.Metro with no boundaries. From California to New York City, we're truly excited about the next chapter in our company history."
Headquartered in Lowell, Ark., I.O. Metro is a specialty lifestyle furniture retailer that sells modern, one-of-a-kind and eclectic furniture, art and accessories in 19 locations across the South and Midwest.
October 25,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 26, 2011
CJ Summers has won Linwood Furniture and Victory Junction's Extreme Room Makeover.
The 8-year-old winner, son of Channing and Monica Summers of High Point, is a former Victory Junction camper. In August, Victory Junction held a contest inviting campers to draw a picture of their dream bedroom. Dozens of kids responded and the winner was chosen at random.
The Summers visited Linwood's High Point Market showroom on Monday to accept see CJ's new bedroom for the first time. Following market the furnishings will be relocated to CJ's home as part of his extreme room makeover.
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages 6 to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C., with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with over 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction's mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families.
CJ and his parents have been working with interior designer Jennifer Biggs of Renaissance Designs in Greensboro, N.C., to create his dream bedroom using Linwood's Villages of Gulf Breeze collection. The Villages Kaleidoscope custom color program offers 500 color choices, which allowed Biggs to capture CJ's personality and interests, and those of his parents.
"CJ has a wonderful personality and lots of creativity. He is a Green Bay Packer's fan, so I incorporated his interest into the decor of the room," said Biggs. She also included one-of-a-kind surprises for CJ that remained under wraps until he saw the bedroom Monday.
"Jennifer chose pieces from our Villages of Gulf Breezes collection for CJ's room," said Linwood Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jeff Schwall, Lexington, N.C. "Linwood finishes each piece to order so we could match CJ's color choices. We typically ship within three weeks of the order on custom colors, making the Villages a favorite of the design trade."
"Victory Junction specializes in giving kids once in a lifetime experiences," said Brooke Hondros, director of development of Victory Junction.Ã"Thanks to Linwood Furniture, CJ will have another extraordinary moment when he sees his 'Dream Room.'"
October 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 25, 2011
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation is now selling 10 additional published oral histories of furniture industry leaders.
Those additions include Douglas Brackett; Paul H. Broyhill; Bert Roy Fenn; Charles O. Gordon; W.G. Holliman Jr.; Lawrence K. Schnadig; Harley F. Shuford Jr.; Charles R. Sligh Jr.; John B. Vaughan; and Elliott S. Wood. The hard cover books include family and company photos.
Twenty-two of the 40-book set have now been published. Those released previously include John C. Bernhardt; Alvin E. Bland; Rose G. Blumkin; Bob Bush Sr.; O. William Fenn; Rawson Haverty, Sr.; Clyde Hooker, Jr.; Don A. Hunziker; J. Wade Kincaid; Steven M. Kincaid; Joanna C. Maitland; and Edwin J. Shoemaker.
"These oral histories forever preserve original information about our industry and is one of the most important services that the Foundation provides," said Kurt Darrow, Foundation president. "It is interesting to read the stories from varying personal perspective of our leaders who give us an inside look at the industry and former times. They permanently record information that will be accessible for generations to come."
In 2008, the Hall of Fame Foundation received a grant from the Furniture Foundation to digitize the transcripts and tapes of 33 previously recorded oral interviews that were in danger of being lost. These interviews, along with eight additional new oral histories, are available for purchase through the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library or online at www.furniturehalloffame.com. Individual copies cost $25 each or an advance order can be placed for a complete set of 41 for $1,000, plus the cost of shipping and handling.
Other oral histories that will be published next include: Nathan S. Ancell; E. L. Briggs; David J. Brunn; Dan Edmonson; John R. Gerken; Mary McKenzie Henkel; Leo Jiranek; William P. Kemp, Sr.; Bernard B. Lane; Hyman Meyers; Steve Millender; Patrick H. Norton; Steve Pond; Joe Richardson II; Irving Sherman; Robert H. Spilman; Howard O. Walker; Art Van Elslander; and Ronald G. Wanek. To send suggestions or receive more information,
contact lestep@furniturehalloffame.com.
October 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 25, 2011
The
Metropolitan Furnishings Association of New Jersey and
The Greater New York Home Furnishings Association will hold their second annual joint Awards Dinner & Dance on Dec. 3.
During the Saturday night event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Suffern, N.Y., awards will be given to recognize Patrick Cory of Cory 1st Choice Home Delivery, Edward Massood of Thomasville Home Furnishings of New Jerset, Brad Pyne from AICO and Russell Bienenstock of Furniture World Magazine for the significant influence the recipients have made on the furniture industry.
"This year," said Abraham Feinblum, president of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, "we have four home-town honorees who give freely of their time, energy and enthusiasm, year after year, to support the furniture business, industry associations and furniture related charitable causes in our local northeast trading area, as well as nationally."
"This important event presents an opportunity for New York and New Jersey retailers, reps, manufacturers and suppliers to network with industry friends while enjoying great food, an open bar, music and dancing," added Kevin Snyder, president of MFA. "We all had a wonderful time last year, and again, weve taken great care to hold this years event at a central location just minutes from the George Washington Bridge."
This year's Jerry Gans Award for service to the industry will go to Edward Massood, president and COO of Thomasville Home Furnishings of New Jersey. Massood began his career with MGM Transport in 1974. After graduating from Seton Hall University in 1978 he moved to High Point to develop and manage the MGM facility. He led the family owned company to become a leader in the transport industry.
In 2001 Edward and brother Michael opened the first of nine Thomasville branded stores in Fairfax, Va. In 2007 the Massood family sold MGM Transport to CF Holdings, which allowed for Ed to move back to NJ and focus solely on the Thomasville store. Today Ed is involved with numerous charitable organizations and furniture industry organizations.
Patrick Cory will receive the Howard Liveright Award for outstanding contributions in the home furnishings industry. Patrick joined the family business in 1981, working part-time while in school, then took on a full-time delivery driver position in 1991 in Miami, Fla. In 1995 he decided to get a feel for the retail side of the industry, joining Rooms-To-Go Furniture as a sales associate. Then re-joined Cory in 1999 as a delivery coordinator, which led to becoming managing partner in 2009.
He is recognized as a leader and voice of home delivery and transportation industries. He has written articles and has been featured in many of the industries publications. He is also very involved with industry charities and chapters of IHFRA.
This year the award will go to Russell Bienenstock (GNYHFA) and Brad Pyne (MFANJ).
Furniture World Magazine Editor-in-Chief and CEO Russell Bienenstock, and AICO rep Brad Payne will receive the the Charles B. Costar Dean of IHFRA Award is given to an individual who has set an example in the industry through their service and dedication to IHFRA and their associated chapter.
For more information on this event or to get tickets, contact Alan Granetz, MFA, 205 West Main, Somerville, N.J 08876, 908-725-3460, or
by e-mail. To place a journal ad to recognize the honorees
e-mail 2011journal@furninfo.com.
October 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 25, 2011
Sleepy's and
GE Capital Retail Finance have renewed their agreement to provide consumer financing services to the mattress retailer's customers.
Sleepy's, Hicksville, N.Y., has more than 700 retail locations in 12 states and the District of Columbia.
Under the new multi-year agreement, Sleepy's will provide consumers the option of financing their purchase with the Sleepy's card, backed by GE Capital. The renewal of the agreement between GE Capital Retail Finance, Kettering, Ohio, and Sleepy's extends a program that began in 2001.
"Sleepy's is among the most successful mattress retailers in the world, so we're very excited to extend our business relationship with them," said Paul Boeckman, Home Furnishings vice president for GE Capital's Retail Finance business. "They have a proven business model that focuses on product selection and customer service, and we are proud to provide financing programs that contribute to their sales growth and provide payment options to their customers."
Sleepy's, known as "The Mattress Professionals," is a 53-year-old company that carries a wide variety of top name brand mattresses and delivers nationwide.
"GE Capital is a great resource for our business," said Joe Graci, chief financial officer for Sleepy's. "Customers appreciate options, including both product and payment options. GE Capital helps us enhance a great shopping experience."