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August 30,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in economic news on August 31, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5138445791&z=1250249029
Consumers' confidence in August dropped almost 15 points to the lowest level since April 2009 as worries about the economy fueled the wildest stock market swings since the financial meltdown in 2008.
At a time when Americans are increasingly worried about a weak job market, higher costs for food and clothing and recent stock market turmoil, the falling confidence numbers raise new concerns about their willingness to spend and jumpstart the economy. That's particularly important since consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.
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August 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 30, 2011
Gorman's Home Furnishings and Interior Design has added country French brand Pierre Deux to its showrooms in Novi and Grand Rapids, Mich.
This summer, Pierre Deux, owned by Secaucus, N.J.-based Arts des Provinces de France Inc., declared bankruptcy and closed 23 U.S. home furnishings stores.
"The handcrafted pieces offered by Pierre Deux can furnish each space in the home flawlessly," said Tom Lias, president and COO of Gorman's. "The rich textures, natural materials and organic colors offered by the collection is the perfect addition to our 100 brand lineup."
Items available for purchase include pieces and upholstery for bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms.
Gorman's Home Furnishings and Interior Design has showrooms in Shelby, Novi, Southfield, Troy and Grand Rapids, Mich.
August 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on August 30, 2011
Fabric vendor Culp Inc. (NYSE: CFI) reported fiscal first-quarter 2012 sales of $60.3 million, a 7.8 percent increase over the prior-year period.
Net income for the period ended July 31 of $1.8 million fell from $3.7 million in 2011's fiscal first quarter. First-quarter mattress fabrics segment sales rose 4 percent, and upholstery fabric segment sales rose 12.4 percent over the same period a year ago.
"We are pleased with our year over year sales improvement for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, especially in the face of an uncertain economy," said Frank Saxon, president and CEO of High Point-based Culp. "As a result of our sales and marketing initiatives, we expect this sales momentum to continue into the second quarter and full year compared with the same periods of fiscal 2011. Both of our businesses continued to deliver solid results, even though profitability is down somewhat from the same quarter of last year primarily due to higher raw material costs in mattress fabrics and lower than expected results in our U.S. upholstery fabrics operation. We announced price increases in both segments that are expected to absorb some of these additional costs going forward. Our financial position remains strong and supports our ability to invest in growing our businesses in fiscal 2012. Overall, we have a solid competitive position in both mattress fabrics and upholstery fabrics, and, as always, our primary focus is on outstanding service for our customers as a financially stable and trusted supplier."
The second quarter projection for fiscal 2012 is for overall sales to increase by approximately 4 percent to 8 percent. Pre-tax income for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 is expected to be in the range of $2.6 million to $3.5 million.
August 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on August 30, 2011
Bedding vendor Comfort Solutions has launched an in-store campaign to focus on the stability and durability its line offers people of all sizes, especially plus-size sleepers.
According to Owen Shoemaker, senior vice president of marketing and product development, the new "Saggy Puppy Good, Saggy Mattress Bad" campaign reflects the company's intention to attract and appeal to heavier consumers who are looking for increased support but want to be less obvious about it in the shopping process.
"Considering the more than 134 million American adults who are either overweight or obese--coupled with the U.S. media's continued emphasis on the relationship between weight, health and sleep quality--it's no surprise that our research validates that increasing numbers of overweight people are looking for products that better address their needs," Shoemaker said.
The campaign, which Shoemaker said may be developed into a series of comical retail TV spots, stars a wrinkly-faced puppy named "Dozer," who is meant to conjure thoughts of sagging as endearing in a puppy, but unacceptable in a mattress.
The in-store initiative also will include stuffed plushies of the Dozer character as giveaways, gifts with purchase or for use in other Extended Life programs.
Headboard and banner signage developed for the campaign reinforce the company's positioning of the line as "The Ultimate No-Sag Mattress," which carries a 25-year warranty covering an unprecedented half-inch or less of normal wear.
The POP program also strongly promotes Extended Life's heavy-gauge, foam-encased, wrapped coil design for both pressure support and conformance, as well as the lines foundation, which Comfort Solutions says is up to five times as strong as the industry standard.
A new, three-piece Extended Life modelfirst shown in Las Vegas earlier this monthfeatures a detached pillow layer atop the mattress to provide increased comfort to sleepers of all sizes.
"Our entire focus with Extended Life has been to eliminate as much pressure as possible for larger body types and to deliver a level of performance for any-size sleeper that is far better and longer-lasting than offered by other products," Shoemaker said. "Since we introduced the line in 2009, our experience has been that retailers report virtually no returns or customer complaints about body impressions or sagging."
To more actively demonstrate the exceptional performance of Extended Life products directly to shoppers, Comfort Solutions said retail displays may also include actual test samples that show the beds strength and durability after 25 years' simulated use with a 350-pound rollator.
Shoemaker noted that early retailer responses to the "Saggy Puppy" campaign indicate it has tremendous potential to drive more sales of Extended Life products by using humor, warmth and the nearly universal appeal of puppies like Dozer.
Comfort Solutions, Willowbrook, Ill., has 10 domestic and 30 international licensees.
August 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on August 30, 2011
Home furnishings marketing services and support specialist Wright of Thomasville has launched "Wright Express Showroom Solutions," a series of embroidered promotional products available to customers within five days.
The program was developed to help customers who need smaller lots of embroidered pillows, shams and foot protectors, with less intricate production requirements. Customers can select from three styles of design, promotional, basic and premium, and up to five color choices. The Premium Program also offers cord and tassels.
"Whereas custom orders can sometimes take six to 12 weeks for delivery depending on fabric choices and intricacy of design, The Wright Express program offers in-stock solutions for smaller lots where a fast turnaround is needed," said Wright President and CEO Greg Wright. "We love working on large innovative projects, however, we want to make sure we are continuously improving our product offering to our customers who are looking for speed to market and a value proposition as well."