Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
August 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on August 15, 2011
Home furnishings importer
Aico has created an accent furniture division called Discoveries, Accents by Michael Amini.
The division is inspired by the travels of Amini, Aico founder and CEO.
"For years, Aico has been creating unique items within our collections," Amini said. "We felt it was time to focus on a new line of product offerings that targeted customers looking for products that address the needs their customers have for unique style, size and scale."
The pieces in Discoveries can work in any room and include accent tables, consoles, storage items, trunks, trunk cocktail tables and foyer tables, said Chuck Reilly, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Materials used in the products include shell, stone, and tile, and other exotic materials, along with ornate finishes and carvings. Discoveries has more than 50 items, showcasing designs from different parts of the world and different eras, Reilly said.
Its not a matchy-matchy kind of ensemble of product," Reilly said. "Its a real eclectic mix of problem-solving tables and accents that people can discover on their own and fill voids in their assortment, or fill voids in their home."
August 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on August 15, 2011
Home furnishings retailer Ikea
http://www.ikea.com is at it again with its creative advertising.
The Swedish company has launched a campaign in the Austrialian market using the fierce battle scene from the movie
"Braveheart" as inspiration.
The 60-second television spot shows an army of people brandishing Ikea products and rushing from the woods and fields into poorly furnished homes. The plan -- wage war on boring interiors with Ikea's home furnishings.
Enjoy the show.
August 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Youth, Juvenile Furniture on August 15, 2011
Universal Furniture has entered the youth furniture market with a new brand called Smartstuff.
The program launches with four kids' collections, all providing innovative features and pricing in keeping with the company's good, affordable, smart design mantra. Smartstuff will be introduced at the September Pre-Market in High Point. The four initial collections--Gabriella, RoughHouse, Free Style and Classics 4.0--have about 25 pieces each. Similar pieces cost the same across all collections.
Priced at 20 percent above Universal's sister company,
Legacy Kids, and 20 to 40 percent below premium brands, Smartstuff features drawer interiors with English dovetail joints on the front and back, full-finish 9/16th inch oak plywood, and drawer operation on a pair of ball bearing, full-extension, soft-closing, under-mount glides.
Bedrails are 100 percent bolt-together construction for sturdier, wobble-free beds. All finishes are lead free and the product complies with the latest guidelines regarding lead parts per million. Bunk beds feature ladders with wider steps and deeper mattress openings, are bolted at every joint, and are tested by the independent third-party lab, Intertek.
"In today's challenging environment there is the tendency to want to race to the bottom and chase price," says Jeff Scheffer, High Point-based Universal Furniture CEO. "Smartstuff, on the other hand, is a race to the top in terms of styling, construction, function and fun. Just as it is hard to imagine buying a car today without electric locks and cup holders, we believe that many of our Smartstuff features will set new standards in youth furniture."
Other features include:
* Patented charging stations for cell phones, iPods, iPads, computers, televisions; or the vacuum sweeper when it's time to clean up.
* Removable partitions in the drawers provide simple organization to help mothers and kids bring order to busy lives.
* Each dresser includes a hideaway for special treasures or a girl's first jewelry.
* Built-in lighting is strategically placed for studying or as nightlights.
* A tray for the upper bunk creates a "nightstand in the sky" for an iPod, cell phone or alarm clock.
* Beds are available in twin and full with bunk beds available as twin over twin, twin over full, and full over full.
Fun teaching elements to expand young minds are included with select pieces:
* Nightstands feature coasters for sweaty glasses, urging kids to "Respect the Wood" and protect the furniture.
* A folding board makes it easy to keep shirts looking tidy and kids looking smart.
* Maps of the world and a star chart foster a love of exploration and discovery.
* Desks feature an easy guide to ergonomics and proper posture when sitting.
* Every chest includes a Smart Moves sheet of easy exercises to keep young minds sharp, nimble and quick.
Manufactured in the company's dedicated factory in China, Smartstuff will be warehoused in both Shanghai and High Point. Smartstuff can be purchased one piece at a time from High Point. From China, it can be mixed with all other Universal Furniture product by full container or through the company's Smart Mix 500 program by ordering as few as 500 cubes. Smartstuff will begin shipping to dealers late this year.
August 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in economic news on August 13, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5070452487&z=1250249029
U.S. consumer sentiment worsened sharply in early August, falling to the lowest level in more than three decades, after retail sales posted the biggest gain in four months in July.
High unemployment, stagnant wages, gridlock in Congress, and a stock market slump all contributed to a consumer mood that was as grim as when Jimmy Carter was President during the recession of 1980 and interest rates were more than 20 percent. Despite the gloom U.S. consumers kept spending in recent weeks with retail sales up in July by the most in four months.
Read Full Article...
August 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Bankruptcy on August 12, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5064260186&z=1250249032
Customers will have to join other creditors in line for refunds from a furniture store chain that closed its doors this summer. Claims must be filed with the court by Nov. 7, under a ruling signed by a Jefferson County judge last week.
Complaints previously filed with the Better Business Bureau or the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will be automatically submitted to the court, said DATCP spokesman Brock Bergey. Furniture Deals & Steals abruptly closed six stores across Wisconsin in early July.
Read Full Article...
August 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 12, 2011
High-end Donghia is now distributing textiles, wallcoverings and lighting from Hinson & Co. in all of its national showrooms.
Hinson & Co. was founded by Harry Hinson, who remains a respected member of the design industry and director of design of the company. New collections are slated to be introduced biannually beginning in spring 2012; Hinson will be added to Donghia showrooms network over the next few months.
"This is a significant opportunity for Hinson and I believe that the integrity of our brand will thrive with such an established company as Donghia," Hinson said. "Our visions for growth and our commitment to superior quality are aligned."
The breadth of Hinson & Co. products, including Hinsons strength in archival prints and extensive range of color lines, will immediately offer designs which are unlike other products currently displayed in Donghia showrooms. Hinson will seamlessly integrate into the collections of Donghia forming a destination for both 20th and 21st century pieces. Hinsons signature Madagascar woven grasscloth wallcovering is a particularly highly-anticipated addition.
We are eager to support the Hinson brand and honor the work of Harry Hinson," Crans Baldwin, Donghia president. "Mr. Hinson is a leader in our industry and we are privileged to help write the next chapter of this brands story."
August 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on August 12, 2011
El Dorado Furniture has been named the 2011 Florida Retailer of the Year by the Florida Home Furnishings Representatives Association.
The award, presented posthumously to El Dorado Furniture founder Manuel Capó, is given to businessmen who have distinguished themselves through management expertise and innovation in the Florida furniture industry. El Dorado has shown growth during hard economic times, spreading ¦ into other counties. It was an easy decision for us as a group to make, says FHFRA President Scot Barten.
Founded in 1967, El Dorado Furniture has grown to become the largest Hispanic furniture retailer in the United States. With 12 stores covering areas from Kendall to West Palm Beach, the family-owned business continues to grow throughout South Florida. El Dorados innovative Boulevard showrooms are also changing the way people shop for furniture, allowing customers to stroll down a quaint, old-fashioned main street surrounded by numerous facades that house different styles of furniture.
This years FHFRA luncheon is poised to raise the bar in its own right organizers are expecting the biggest turnout ever for the event. Special preparations and custom setups have been implemented in an effort to make this one of the most memorable luncheons the association has ever held.
The Florida Home Furnishings Representatives Association http://www.fhfra.org/ has been providing services, support, and recognition to Florida home furnishings representatives since 1946.