July 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in sourcing/importing on July 13, 2011
The U.S. Department of Commerce has postponed final results of an administrative review of wood bedroom furniture from China shipped in 2009.
According to a Federal Register notice, "DOC requires additional time to consider the comments it received on May 25, 2011, concerning Zhangjiagang Zheng Yan Decoration Co., Ltd."
DOC initiated the 2009 review in March 2010, and issued preliminary results Feb. 10 this year, and already had extended the time limit for final results (originally due 120 days after the preliminary results) to July 11. The new deadline is August 9.
July 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on July 13, 2011
The Furniture Buying Index held steady this month at a reading of 74, according to
America's Research Group. The Index has hovered in the mid-70s throughout 2011.
Consumers are concerned about purchasing big ticket items and are giving much thought before making purchase decisions for discretionary items like furniture," said Britt Beemer, chairman of Americas Research Group. The Index is holding steady since retailers can entice consumers to spend their money by offering them great deals. This consumer will only shop and buy when they know they can get a great deal."
America's Research Group compiles the index each month from interviews with 5,000 to 8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index's mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80 percent actually have a particular item in mind.
July 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in sourcing/importing on July 13, 2011
Import cargo volume at the nations major retail container ports is flat compared with last summer, but is resume rising in the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday.
Global Port Tracker is produced for the National Retail Federation by Hackett Associates.
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.28 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in May, the latest month for which numbers are available. That was up 6 percent from April and 1 percent from May 2010. It was the 18th month in a row to show a year-over-year improvement after December 2009 broke a 28-month streak of year-over-year declines.
"With the economy facing continuing challenges, retailers are managing their inventory levels carefully," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "But the increases in import volume expected this fall are a clear sign that retailers are confident consumer demand will be there in the fourth quarter."
June was estimated at 1.31 million TEU, about eight-tenths of 1 percent down from June 2010 if the estimate holds true when final numbers become available. July is forecast at 1.36 million TEU, which would be a 1.3 percent decrease from a year ago, and August is forecast at 1.43 million TEU, up six-tenths of 1 percent from last year. Stronger increases are expected to return in September as retailers begin to stock up for the holiday season, with volume forecast at 1.47 million TEU, up 10 percent from last year. October is forecast at 1.53 million TEU, up 18 percent, and November at 1.41 million TEU, up 19 percent.
The first half of 2011 is estimated at 7.2 million TEU, up 5 percent from the first half of 2010. Global Port Tracker has been consistently accurate in its projections of a sharp slowdown from the growth rates of last year, and the current 6.2 percent growth forecast for 2011 remains realistic under the circumstances. Imports during 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16 percent increase over 2009.
"The low level of inventories-to-sales ratios suggest that import container flows will continue at their suppressed levels for the summer," Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. "On the bright side, there will be no imminent boom or bust in volumes as we experienced in 2007 and 2010."
July 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on July 13, 2011
A brand management company has made a strategic investment in lifestyle brand
DwellStudio, which recently partnered with
Precedent for a furniture line.
Brand Sense Partners offers brand management, strategic consulting along with licensing and design. DwellStudio is the second major home furnishings investment for bsp, who also owns a controlling interest in
Shabby Chic.
Founded in 1999 by designer Christiane Lemieux, DwellStudio sells a broad range of home textile products, case goods and upholstey, and baby and kids products. In addition, the brand operates a shop-in-shop at New York-based
ABC Home. DwellStudio can be found in more than 750 retailers and more than 2,000 doors in 30 countries.
We have been actively seeking investment opportunities where we can leverage our capabilities and drive incremental value for brands in the home furnishings arena, said Ramez Toubassy, president and CEO of bsp. As both admirers and long-time customers of the DwellStudio brand, we are very excited to be partnering with Christiane, CEO Joshua Young and the rest of the DwellStudio team as we work together to take the DwellStudio business to the next level.
The investment will allow DwellStudio to focus on continuing the brands growth within the wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. In addition there are plans to open a flagship store that will allow the company to merchandise the entire collection together for the first time. bsp will be taking a hands-on operating role in helping drive licensing, international and business development initiatives.
The DwellStudio business is as strong as it has ever been and, with the capital and expertise being brought to bear by bsp, we believe we are in an incredible position to continue all of our positive momentum, Young said. This is a great next step for our brand and we are very excited about the many new initiatives we already have in progress.
We are thrilled to have found a partner in bsp that truly understands my creative vision and is as passionate as we are for the brand," said Lemieux. "After 10 years of organic growth it is very exciting to super-charge the business. The future for DwellStudio is limitless."
July 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on July 13, 2011
The Western Home Furnishings Association and National Home Furnishings Association, have set a slate for educational seminars at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
The complimentary workshops will take place August 1-4 at the Retailer Resource Center, located in World Market Center, Building C, space 496.
WHFA has partnered with the World Market Center to offer the WHFA Business Survival Academy Series on Wednesday afternoon of Market in the Retailer Resource Center. Retail industry experts Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender will present "GenerationSpeak: What You Need to Know About the Diverse Generations of People Who Shop and Work In Your Business." This session pulls from data that Kizer and Bender have learned over the years of generational focus groups and attendees will come away from this presentation with a clear understanding of each generation, what they expect and what to do about it.
Other sessions held in the new Retailer Resource Center will feature topics such as sales and sales management, social media, succession planning, design, operations, promotions and much more.
Click here for a complete listing of WHFA/NHFA seminars at Las Vegas Furniture Market.