June 30,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on July 1, 2011
The Carolinas Chapter of International Furnishings & Design Association will sponsor a financial planning seminar for small business owners in home furnishings.
The event is set for Wednesday, August 10, in the Plato Wilson Building at High Point University.
"Taking Control of Your Financial Future--a Sensible Approach to Financial Strategies for Business Owners" will be an after-work event starting with wine and networking at 5 p.m. It will be followed by a summer buffet and the presentation by Pat Miller, a former furniture retailer, and Carol Halweil of MetLife Securities. A range of thought-provoking concepts will be discussed, answering such questions as: What do you want for the future?; What first steps can you take?; and What strategies can you use?
"We want to offer our industry meaningful information on strategies to plan financially for all phases of one's life--whether a free lance designer, industry consultant, marketing professional, small business owner, or active baby boomer," said Carolinas Chapter President Dawn Brinson, FIFDA. "This timely seminar will provide fresh ideas and practical steps designed to help you navigate the current economy and prepare for a more secure future."
Everyone in the industry and High Point community is invited to attend. Cost for IFDA members is $25, non members, $35. Reservations can be secured by sending checks before August 5 to: Carolinas Chapter, IFDA, Box 6383, High Point, N.C. 27262.
June 30,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on July 1, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4911643324&z=1250249029
Stores use investigation units, forensics labs and high-tech preventive measures to counter specialized thieves who steal thousands of dollars of merchandise at a time and sell the goods for profit. Stung by a new breed of sophisticated thieves, the nation's major retailers are fighting back. These well-organized crime rings have added tough new challenges for merchants who have long contended with petty shoplifters and their own light-fingered employees. Although those concerns remain, retail chains today are plagued by gangs of highly specialized thieves who steal thousands of dollars of merchandise at a time and sell the goods for profit.
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June 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on June 30, 2011
Don't look now, but furniture is front and center on the Daily Show.
Comedy Central's satirical take on the news offered a segment Wednesday night called "Swede Dreams." Here's the tag line: "Sweden is everything America used to be--dominant, arrogant and so much more beautiful--while America has become Sweden's Mexico."
Daily Show couldn't get an interview with Ikea, but Hickory Chair President Jay Reardon was outstanding as straight man to The Daily Show's reporter, Jason Jones.
June 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on June 30, 2011
La-Z-Boy (NYSE: LZB), Warren, Mich., announced several leadership changes and the retirement of Dave Layman, senior vice president of residential operations.
Mark Bacon has been promoted from chief retail officer to senior vice president and president of the La-Z-Boy Branded Business, which includes wholesale and retail leadership responsibility for the company's largest business unit.
Chief Marketing Officer Doug Collier has been promoted to the additional role of president of international, where he will continue to be responsible for leading the corporation's international operations and growth efforts. Additionally, he will assume responsibility for the Information Technology function, providing executive oversight and direction throughout the entire corporation;
Senior Vice President of Residential Operations Dave Layman will retire at the end of fiscal 2012, after more than 40 years with the company. Darrell Edwards will succeed Layman and is promoted from vice president and general manager of La-Z-Boy, Tennessee to vice president of residential manufacturing, where he will be responsible for the six La-Z-Boy branded manufacturing facilities, including the company's Mexico-based cut-and-sew facility.
Director of Retail Sales and Operations Dan King has been promoted to vice President of La-Z-Boy's Retail Operations, where he will be responsible for the 83 company-owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores.
Production Manager Harold McCawley has been promoted to general manager of La-Z-Boy Tennessee, the company's largest manufacturing plant.
"Succession planning has and will continue to play an integral role in the management of our company," said La-Z-Boy President and Chief Executive Officer Kurt Darrow. "It is an evolutionary process and these appointments have been in the planning stage for some time. With recent changes to the organizational structure and the announced retirement of Dave Layman, it is the appropriate time to make these moves to ensure our company has the correct leadership structure. Each of these individuals has demonstrated their dedication and commitment to our company, with proven results of their various operations."
June 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Legal on June 30, 2011
Luxury furniture and textile manufacturer J. Robert Scott has received a U.S. design patent for the Adelphi lounge chair.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Design Patent No. D638,229 for the chair, which was introduced last year. The chair features a strong angular profile and sweeping curvature of the wood frame. In addition, a utility patent has been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to safeguard the decorative finish.
Sally Sirkin Lewis, who designed the Adelphi chair, has received other patents over her nearly 40-year career.