Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
August 31,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on September 1, 2011
The Third Annual National Home Furnishings Month kicked off Thursday and runs through Sept. 30, with more than 10,100 retail stores across the country participating.
That is an 11 percent increase in retail participation over last year, according to organizers.
Sponsored by International Market Centers and a complimentary service to retailers, the Is It Home Yet? campaign offers consumers sage advice on home decor and this year features a Home Mortgage or Rent Sweepstakes, giving homeowners or renters the chance to win either mortgage or rent payments for one year.
"National Home Furnishings Month is back and this year the program is even more exciting, more encompassing than previous years," said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers. "By expanding the Sweepstakes to include renters as well as homeowners--coupled with greater retail partnerships and marketing support--we believe the third run of National Home Furnishings Month will deliver powerful results. This promotional campaign will enable furnishings retailers to reach new consumers with a united message, energizing families to discover the joy in redecorating their living spaces while liberating them from the burden of their mortgage or rent payments for one year."
With retail stores ranging from Lamps Plus and Ashley Furniture Homestores to El Dorado Furniture and RC Willey Home Furnishings, the Is It Home Yet? campaign and National Home Furnishings Month delivers special offers, coupons and promotions for consumers from participating retailers.
August 31,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on September 1, 2011
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported net sales of $6.9 billion for the month of August, increase of 17 percent from the same month last year.
This year's four-week period included sales from the company's Mexico joint venture; otherwise the increase would have been 14 percent.
Net sales for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter, the 16 weeks ended August 28, 2011, were $27.6 billion, an increase of 17 percent from $23.6 billion in the 16-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 ended August 29, 2010; excluding Mexico sales, the increase would have been 14 percent.
Net sales for the 52-week fiscal year 2011 were $87.0 billion, an increase of 14 percent from $76.3 billion in the 52-week fiscal year 2010 ended August 29, 2010; excluding Mexico sales, the increase would have been 11 percent.
Costco plans to release its operating results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended August 28, 2011, on Oct. 5.
Costco also announced Thursday that CEO and co-founder Jim Sinegal will step down on Jan. 1. His replacement will be President and COO Craig Jelinek. Sinegal will remain on Costco's board, and will stay at the company through 2013 to assist in the transition.
August 31,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 1, 2011
An item in Thursday's newsletter misstated Cambridge Mills' new High Point Furniture Market showroom.
The solid wood bedroom vendor will exhibit in space 582 of the International Home Furnishing Center's Green Wing.
August 30,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on August 31, 2011
BrylaneHome has expanded its Plus Size Living collection.
First introduced in June 2009, the collection offers hard-to-find products for plus size consumers. The company has expanded the product line with a strong focus on furniture that is made with durable, quality products and supports up to 350 pounds.
Additions to the line include more office chairs with additional widths; two desks, kitchen and dining chairs, parson dining chairs and occasional chairs with matching ottomans.
Customers have embraced the Plus Size Living collection and appreciate the improved quality of life these specially designed products provide, said David Milgrom, vice president, general brand manager for BrylaneHome. No more worrying if a chair will hold their weight, or if they can safely and accurately weigh themselves on a home scale. The BrylaneHome team developed our exclusive Plus Size Living collection to make everyday living easier for plus size men and women so they can find comfort in their own home and fully enjoy life.
August 30,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 31, 2011
Haverty Furniture Cos. (NYSE: HVT) will invest $2.4 million for remodeling and improvements to 10 of its showrooms in its hometown Atlanta market.
The initiative, called "Bright Inspirations," is part of a company-wide visual merchandising and display program. Havertys partnered with Atlanta design firm Miller Zell to develop the concept.
"We are very excited about the project which empowers our customer with an engaging, educational and friendly store allowing her to connect with her personal style preferences," said Clarence Smith, president and chief executive officer. "The design emphasizes a brighter color palette and newer in-store signage. It is much more informative and organizes the merchandise presentation into appealing portions."
Elements of the concept include creating impact zones, merchandise stories and destination departments. Consumer input was used in the development and actual customer comments are incorporated as product ratings and reviews signage.
Havertys Atlanta showrooms being refashioned are North Point, Cobb Parkway, Snellville, Gwinnett Place, Town Center, Stonecrest, Perimeter, Fayetteville, Athens and Mall of Georgia. The up-fitting process is underway, with some showrooms finished, and the last expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2012.
"Since our company was founded in Atlanta 126 years ago, we felt it was very important that this market be the first completed in the Bright Inspirations style," Smith said. "We are renovating additional stores to the Bright Inspirations design in our other major markets. The program should be completely rolled out to most of our locations by early 2013."
Havertys operates 118 furniture retail showrooms in 17 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions.