Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 4, 2011
Luxury bedding maker E. S. Kluft & Co. has partnered with Eternal Sleep Ltd. to open three retail locations in China.
The locations, two in Shanghai and one in Beijing, are the first stores for Eternal Sleep, best known as a major Chinese supplier of mattresses to five-star hotels. Those locations exclusively will sell Kluft's Aireloom mattress brand. Pricing for range from $3,500 to 50,000.
"The Chinese demand for American-made luxury products is on the rise," said Earl Kluft, president and CEO of E.S. Kluft & Co., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. "This entry into China is a very exciting for us, and we are confident that we found the right partner. Eternal Sleep Limited understands the Aireloom and Kluft brands, and knows how to promote the luxury concept to the Chinese consumer, making them our perfect partner."
Over the next few years Kluft and Eternal Sleep plan to expand into every major first-tier and second-tier city in China including, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chongqing.
Klufts confidence in a high-growth opportunity in China is backed by research that forecasts China's consumption of luxury goods to grow by 18 percent annually to about $27.51 billion by 2015, from about $12.23 billion in 2010, according to McKinsey & Co, a Shanghai consultancy firm that advises on China consumer retail practices.
"As the venture launches, the products will be manufactured in our California plant and exported to China," said Kluft. "Within a year there will be an Aireloom factory in both Shanghai and Beijing."
Kluft also has licensed the its brands in countries,including Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore.
October 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rent-To-Own on October 4, 2011
Furniture, appliance and electronics rent-to-own retailer HomeSmart has converted 29 former Crusader Rent to Own stores to its model.
Eight stores acquired from Buzz's Lease Purchase & Sales will be converted in the next few weeks.
Aaron's Inc. (NYSE: AAN), Atlanta, launched the HomeSmart concept late in 2010, and now has 56 stores open under the model, with plans to open approximately 10 more by the end of 2011. In contrast to Aaron's monthly payment model, HomeSmart offers customers weekly payment lease agreements for products including computers, televisions, refrigerators, and sofas.
"Early results are positive and growth prospects are excellent for HomeSmart," said Ken Butler, Aaron's chief operating officer. "Opening multiple stores a month despite the tough economy demonstrates the need for flexible, affordable rental payment options on home products used in our everyday lives. Synonymous with our Aaron's brand, we never conduct a customer credit check. This allows customers who are cash or credit constrained but have good references the purchasing power to bring the necessities of life, such as a bed, a refrigerator, or a computer for their children's studies, into their home."
HomeSmart also is developing its executive team, with Mark Rudnick named recently as vice president of marketing. Rudnick is responsible for leading all marketing efforts for HomeSmart including brand development, guerilla marketing and advertising.
HomeSmart currently has stores South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico. Of the 56 stores that have been open or converted, 37 were acquired, and 19 were opened organically.
October 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on October 4, 2011
Hooker Furniture's (NASDAQ-GS: HOFT) Sam Moore division has launched a new Web site reflecting fashion-forward, transitional styling and a made-in-America story.
"We're excited to unveil a new Web site which we believe clearly communicates a fashion and quality leadership position and is extremely user-friendly for furniture shoppers, dealers and designers," said Mike Delgatti, president of Hooker Upholstery. "We believe the educational information on the site will help shoppers in their decision-making process and enhance their shopping experience both online and offline."
The new sammoore.com site, which has a similar look and feel to the Hooker Furniture Web site and features robust links to the company's other branded Web sites and social media venues, is part of Hooker Furnitures strategic plan to better integrate its wood furniture and upholstery divisions. Along with custom seating specialist Sam Moore, the upholstery division also includes upscale leather specialist Bradington-Young.
The Options section allows users to view and zoom in on a sample of the company's 500-plus fabric choices as well as all of its custom finish and nail head options; and the Crafted in America section tells the Bedford, Va.-based company's made-in-America since 1940 story. Other features include printable product tear sheets for every item, furniture care information, a What's New section and the ability to download high resolution images.
"Our new website gives us a compelling way to showcase the custom fabric and frame capabilities that distinguish Sam Moore and to portray our new direction toward fresh, energetic, youthful, clean and inviting design," said Frank Richardson, vice president of sales for Sam Moore.
October 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on October 4, 2011
Aspenhome's redesigned catalog has received the Spectrum Award from the Phoenix Chapter of the American Marketing Association and the American Graphic Design Award from Graphic Design USA.
"Our goal was to create a user-friendly innovative new catalog designed to highlight the ahhh-some characteristics and sometimes hidden features that make the aspenhome furniture so unique," said Renee Loper, director of marketing communications for Aspenhome, Phoenix. "The fact that we won two design awards for the creation of our new catalog exceedes our goal and is an even greater reward to our in-house marketing team and the Daly Group Marketing & Communications Agency in recognition of their many talents, hard work and exceptional effort."
The Spectrum Award is AMA Phoenix's signature award designed to recognize and honor the professionals that demonstrate their talents within the practice of marketing, design, research and public relations. Aspenhomes 2011 catalog was recognized in the Collateral-Annual Report/Catalogue category.
The American Graphic Design Award presented by Graphic Design USA is a national award honoring outstanding new work. Aspenhome won this year's award for its 2011 catalog, which will appear in GD USA's printed Design Annual and on the GD USA Web site for graphic designers and other creative professionals to view. In 2010 aspenhome was recognized by GD USA for their outstanding corporate office branding.
October 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on October 3, 2011
Atlanta-based
Arthur L. Bailey & Co., a family-owned custom upholstery company, will show at the
High Point Market later this month.
Arthur L. Bailey, the company's master craftsman and furniture design, is known for his exclusive designs and celebrity clientele.
Introductions for the High Point Market include a wing chair bed, the Buckhead Bed and a leather and linen hostess chair. The company will be showing in Salon G7053 in Suites at Market Square.