September 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on September 16, 2011
Upholstered furniture manufacturer Flexsteel (NASDAQ: FLXS) broke ground Thursday on a new corporate headquarters in Dubuque, Iowa.
In April, Flexsteel announced plans to construct a $12 Million, 40,000-square-foot, four-story, office building at the corner of Fifth and Bell streets in the Port of Dubuque.
"Our corporate offices have been at the north Jackson Street location since 1936," said Ronald J. Klosterman, Flexsteel's President and CEO. "After 75 years, the office facility is out-of-date both structurally and technologically. Our business has changed during our 118 year history and will continue to evolve. We appreciate the dedication shown by our associates and we are excited about the opportunity to provide them with a greatly-improved working environment, both aesthetically and functionally."
September 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on September 16, 2011
The International Casual Furnishings Association unveiled a Sales Training Certificate Program at the International Casual Furnishings & Accessories Market.
The program offers three levels of training: basic, advanced and master level. Each level consists of a DVD featuring sales trainer Greg Welsh of the Welsh Sales Group. The training certificate is received after a sales team member from an ICFA-member company has viewed all three DVDs and successfully completed an online test for each level. The tests consist of 20 multiple choice or true/false questions and cost $15 each.
Each program "graduate" also receives a lapel pin.
The certificate program is open only to ICFA members, who pay $99 for each training DVD. Although they are not eligible for the certificate, non-members can order the training DVDs for $795 each, or $1,995 for a package containing all three levels.
The Level 1 Basic training covers professional behavior, team behavior, sales performance, customer service basics, performance strategies, managing attitude and planning for future success.
Level 2 Advance training includes setting goals, objectives and initiatives, handling difficult opening scenarios, telephone and internet sales techniques, common shopping profiles, advanced techniques for building value and handling complex objections.
Finally, the level 3 "Master" training includes how to create customer opportunities from alternative sources, reading and responding to consumer body language, narrative selling, add-on sales, price resistance and price negotiation, the science of follow-up and how to stay mentally healthy as a sales professional.
All three DVDs are for sale on the ICFA Web site.
September 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Financial Reports on September 15, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5201124745&z=1250249032
FORT WORTH, Texas Pier 1 Imports Inc.'s fiscal second-quarter net income rose 15 percent, as traffic increased and shoppers spent more. While economic conditions are uncertain, the home décor company said Thursday that it expects a successful fall and holiday season. Pier 1 earned $16.6 million, or 14 cents per share, in the quarter compared with $14.4 million, or 12 cents per share, a year earlier. This met the expectations of analysts polled by FactSet. Revenue for the three months ended Aug. 27 climbed 10 percent to $339.6 million from $309.9 million, topping Wall Street's forecast of $333.6
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September 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on September 15, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5200809849&z=1250249030
Levin Furniture has announced plans to open its new showroom in at the Westmoreland Mall, in Greensburg, Pa., today.
The new store, a 53,000 square feet facility, has been designed by Tom Zwierzelewski. The new store features the latest trends in home furnishing. The store will have different sections, namely Levin Rug Market, Natuzzi gallery, Power Lane and Levin Mattress Center. The store will also have an area dedicated to showcase furniture made locally. The store will also have a Sally's Café, the signature cafe of Levin.
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September 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on September 15, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5199340353&z=1250249030
Speaking to a group of more than 100 interior designers Wednesday afternoon, Lexington artist and designer Bob Timberlake said his career in the furniture industry has been shaped by following his heart, working with innovative and creative people and staying true to lessons learned from family and friends who have been influential in his life. Timberlake made his remarks at the Annual Designer Appreciation Day hosted by the High Point Design Center on Wednesday at the Antique & Design Center in Market Square. The showroom had displays of both his artwork and some pieces from his
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