Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
September 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on September 13, 2011
Bedding manufacturer Kingsdown reported a surge in sales among small and mid-size retailers leading to more than 40 new accounts.
Most of those are in the central and western regions of the United States. Some of the new retailer accounts: Bob Mills Furniture, Oklahoma City; Mattress One, Heath, Ohio; Mattress Xpress; Mattress Land; and Reed Furniture, Elkhorn, Wis.
Executive Vice President of Sales Kevin Damewood credited the growth to strong results for the Kingsdown and Sleep Beauty lines.
"Another important factor for us is our extensive training and marketing support," he added. "While some manufacturers have been forced to cutback in these areas, we continue to make important and strategic investments in their areas to support our retailers."
Kingsdown Inc., Mebane, N.C., has additional manufacturing and distribution centers are located in Winchester, Va.; Muskogee, Ok.; Lakeland, Fla; Stockton, Calif.; Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada; Derby, United Kingdom; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Istanbul, Turkey; Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Australia.
September 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 12, 2011
Luxury furniture vendor Theodore Alexander wants new amenities at its High Point Furniture Market showroom to take the "guest experience to a new level.
Services range from on-site valet parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the building, to cocktails and elegant dining each evening. Inside the showroom, the experience includes the ambience of a private English club inside the new "PM Bar." The expansive dining room, with seating for 250, will host retailers nightly in high style, thus negating the need for dealers to concern themselves with securing dinner reservations elsewhere. Retailers are invited to drop in daily to take advantage of the dining offerings and other services.
For all visitors, the High Point Market's complimentary transportation system has been adjusted to include a shuttle stop in front of the new showroom building situated at 229 W. Russell Ave. Additionally, three, dedicated Theodore Alexander vans will provide transportation within the downtown Market area.
The considerably larger showroom space enables Theodore Alexander to display a record-setting number of introduction. In addition to the ability to display best-selling items, both of Theodore Alexander's licensed collections--Althorp Living History and the Keno Bros. collection--will have dedicated showroom-within-a-showroom environments inside the new location.
"We are looking forward to Fall Market and the grand opening of our new showroom with great anticipation," said David Parker, vice president of international sales for Theodore Alexander. "The relocation and expansion will allow us to provide retailers and international visitors with greater insight into the depth and breadth of our line. We also have the room we require to present inspiring merchandising concepts and ideas to support our worldwide initiatives."
Russell Towner, president of Theodore Alexander, notes that the experience and services provided will allow retailers to be more efficient and are consistent with Theodore Alexander's status as a premium brand.
"In support of our brand standards and ideals, everything we produce at Theodore Alexander, must be marked by a level of sophistication and detail that far exceeds the expected," Towner said. "This vision encompasses all aspects, from highly original designs with the finest quality construction features, to an outstanding online experience. And it most certainly includes a showroom specially designed for our discerning customers and Market guests."
September 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on September 12, 2011
Nowell's Contemporary Furniture, Cary, N.C., has named ClickCulture Communications the furniture retailer's agency of record.
Nowell's is a premiere source of modern home and office furnishings ranging from soft contemporary to the latest cutting-edge designs from up-and-coming designers for the North Carolina Research Triangle area. The retailer will launch a new Web site in October.
"This marketing initiative will bring Nowell's interior design expertise and beautiful product array to a broader audience," said Nowell's Owner Jerry Nowell. "It's exciting to work with ClickCulture to communicate that Nowell's commitment to extraordinary design and world-class customer service is greater than ever."
"We're inspired by this opportunity to create a new website incorporating state-of-the art interior design resources and e-commerce," said Lloyd Jacobs, CEO of ClickCulture. "And we'll develop an innovative advertising campaign to communicate the breadth and depth of Nowell's interior design and furniture offerings via print, digital and broadcast media."
September 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Customer Service on September 12, 2011
Case good vendor Martin Home Furnishings has renamed its customer service department the "customer satisfaction department."
"We don't just provide service, we are committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction and we want our name to reflect this, Credit/Customer Satisfaction Manager Debbie L. Jenkins said.
Stocking more than 40,000 replacement parts, constantly monitoring inventory, achieving a quick turnaround time and a maintaining a commitment to responsive customer satisfaction are keys to the company's success.
Each member of Martin's customer satisfaction team is an expert of a specific territory. When customers call, they not only speak with a live person, they speak with a trained customer satisfaction representative that is knowledgeable of their territory. Customer Satisfaction responds to customer inquiries within two hours and can be reached by phone, fax or email.
"Martin does a great job at maintaining stock levels," said Little Canada, Minn.-based Slumberland Case Goods Analyst Julia Beyer. "We are able to receive stock whenever we need it."
Karen Pelletier, senior assistant buyer at Boston, Mass.-area furniture retailer Boston Interiors added: "The level of service I receive here at Boston Interiors is very good. Eric always provides a high level of service every time I contact him with questions. If he does not have the answer, he follows through in a very timely and efficient manner. He is excellent to work with."
September 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on September 12, 2011
The City of Hope's first dinner cruise in New York honoring furniture retailing icon Simon Kaplan raised $170,000 for cancer and diabetes medical research.
More than 420 people attend the inaugural event which was hosted on the Majesty Cornucopia yacht and set sail from Hoboken Shipyard Marina in New Jersey and offered dining, dancing and entertainment.
Kaplan, CEO of Value City Furniture N.J./Ashley HomeStores, was the honoree for the event.
"It is really heart warming to see how our industry is getting behind this important cause and our event. We are seeing commitments and expressions of interest from all corners of the industry, from suppliers, manufacturers and retailers, which we believe due to the high regard Simon is held by his peers in the industry, said Patrick Cory, managing partner at Corys 1st Choice and chairman of City of Hopes Northeast region.
Guests aboard the Cornucopia yacht saw views of lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, South Street Seaport and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The cruise, closely coincided with the 10th anniversary of September 11, and incorporated a memorial in the program.
Proceeds from Cruise for Hope will support lifesaving research and treatment programs at City of Hope. Nearing its centennial, the institution has been a model for scientific discovery and compassionate care for those facing cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Among many breakthroughs, City of Hopes research has led to new, more effective therapies. Numerous cancer drugs, including Herceptin, Rituxan and synthetic human insulin used by millions worldwide with diabetes, are based on technology and research pioneered at City of Hope.
In addition to Cory, event co-chairs include: Russell Bienenstock of Furniture World; Chris DeLisa of Corys 1st Choice; Bill Hartman of Furniture First; and Edward Massood of Thomasville Furniture.