July 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on July 5, 2011
Italy's largest mattress brand, Magniflex, has surpassed the 120-door retail showroom account mark in the United States.
Magniflex attributed its growth to the success of a new strategy focused on bringing the brand onto the floor at leading contemporary furniture and specialty mattress dealers around the United States. Recently added accounts include Blue Print Furniture in Los Angeles and Concepto Modern Living in Boca Raton, Fla.
After planting the seeds with different strategies in the North American market, now we are gaining nice traction focusing on independent furniture dealers," said Magniflex Global Sales Director Marco Magni. "We believe a key to the success of the program is that these dealers have a loyal customer following, have experienced (retail sales associates) who are knowledgeable about our products, and are excited to have something unique in their bedding department, like, Magniflex to offer to their customers."
Magniflex also reported the growth of its Shop-in-Shop platform, a comprehensive and customizable merchandising system that can be tailored to accommodate a range of retail scenarios. The program delivers a stylish portrayal of the Italian countryside while emphasizing health and the use of natural ingredients featured in Magniflex bedding.
La Difference in Richmond, Va., has introduced two Magniflex Shop-in-Shop displays--one in its main 50,000-square-foot Richmond store and one in its Short Pump, Va., location, which opened earlier this spring.
At the Summer 2011 Las Vegas Furniture Market, Magniflex will introduce its newly redesigned Dualcomfort Magnifico, one of its top-selling Classic mattresses for its customizable comfort.
July 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on July 5, 2011
Upholstery supplier Lazar Inds. plans to show at the upcoming
Las Vegas Market to test the waters.
The company previously showed in temporary spaces and but had not returned to Las Vegas in several years. Lazar will be showing in space B-612.
"We are re-entering the Las Vegas Market to see if the draw for western retailers has improved and if the overall traffic will support a mid- to upper-end line, said Rob Luce, Lazar president.
Lazar had a permanent space in San Francisco for many years and experienced wonderful sales numbers Luce said. If Las Vegas Market can recreate the level of success for its exhibitors and excitement for the western retailers at our price point, we would certainly consider a permanent home there in addition to our High Point showroom."
July 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on July 4, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r4918942140&f=10761
Ikea said yesterday it was seeking to open three superstores in London but was being stymied by planning regulations. Chief executive Mikael Ohlsson said he wanted to build his stores in the capital in run-down industrial areas.
But he said traffic planning rules were standing in his way.
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July 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on July 4, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4916042297&z=1250249029
The family-owned Steinhafels furniture chain has not only survived the recession, it has grown. Chief Executive Officer Gary Steinhafel talked about the company's recent expansion into free-standing mattress stores, growth plans for superstores, and a new initiative into higher end brands. Excerpts from that interview follow:
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July 1,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on July 2, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4912594776&z=1250249030
Sofa Super Store and its owners have agreed to pay about $1.9 million to settle claims brought by the families of nine Charleston firefighters who died fighting an inferno at the West Ashley showroom in June 2007, court records show. The action effectively brings to a close the various lawsuits surrounding the deadly fire at the massive Savannah Highway furniture outlet. In all, more than $18 million in settlements were paid out over four years of litigation involving a field of more than two dozen defendants, said Motley Rice attorney Kevin Dean, who represents some of the families who
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