June 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on June 13, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4838798351&z=1250249027
In a move that will greatly expand its customer base by adding online shoppers in 75 new countries, Williams-Sonoma (WSM) said on Monday it will soon start shipping its products abroad. The specialty retailer of home and kitchen products said it is partnering with retailer PBteen and FiftyOne Global Ecommerce to conduct the international transactions. Customers will be able to purchase items in their own currency, and the final checkout price will include all international duties, taxes and delivery costs, with a guaranteed exchange rate. This is a true milestone for Williams-Sonoma, Laura Alber, the companys chief executive said
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June 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on June 13, 2011
The U.S. Department of Commerce has extended the deadline for preliminary results of its review of new shippers of uncovered innersprings from China.
In March, DOC had extended the deadline for the preliminary results of the review to June 1. The new deadline for preliminary results now is July. The final results of the new shipper review are due 90 days later.
According to a Federal Register announcement, the review covers shipments from Chinese manufacturers Foshan Nanhai Jiujiang Quan Li Spring Hardware Factory (Quan Li); and Foshan Yongnuo Import & Export Co. Ltd. (Yongnuo) for the period Feb. 1-August 4, 2010.
Now DOC says it needs more time to issue, and analyze the responses to, additional supplemental questionnaires concerning Quan Li's and Yongnuo's sales practices and factors of production; and to analyze the bona fide nature of Quan Li's and Yongnuo's sales, which includes gathering data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
June 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on June 13, 2011
Upholstered furniture manufacturer Massoud has appointed industry veteran Ronna Griest to the newly created position of creative director.
Griest is responsible for the overall creative direction of the line, including fabric selection, frame development and trade showroom merchandising. She works closely with Dallas, Texas-based Massoud's sales team, dealer and designer customers to help shape and strengthen the company's marketing and merchandising direction. She reports to Massoud CEO Chuck Massoud.
Griest came to Massoud from Paul Robert Inc. where she served as design director. A 30-plus-year upholstered furniture and fabric industry veteran, Griest co-founded Expressions Custom Furniture in 1980. As president, she built and guided the company and its retail stores, which would grow to more than 75, until it was sold to investors in 1992. Griest went on to Covington Fabrics where she oversaw the fabric manufacturer's design studio as design director. When Century purchased Expressions, the company asked Griest to come back in 2001 where she would later serve as president of the franchised upholstery chain and create Century Furniture's Passementerie upholstered furniture unit as well.
"Ronna is the perfect candidate to help us as we launch the next phase of our long-term growth strategy," said Chuck Massoud. "Her creative vision, coupled with her proven track record and keen understanding of every aspect of the upholstery business--from retail, merchandising and marketing to sales, product innovation and operations--will help further strengthen Massoud's position as a leading resource for high quality designs."
"I've always admired Massoud and am excited to have the opportunity to join the team at a time when the company is so well poised for future growth," Griest said. "Massoud has made significant investments in technology and product innovation that will help us continue to effectively respond to the marketplace and trend directions. And, I look forward to calling upon my extensive retail background to help develop new business and growth opportunities for Massouds dealer base."
June 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on June 13, 2011
Former Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox will appear Thursday at the grand opening of Mattress King's new Vestavia Hills, Al., store.
He'll also help raise money for tornado relief.
At the new Birmingham-area store, Cox will sign autographs and take photographs with fans, with their $10 donation to American Red Cross to benefit disaster relief in Alabama.
"It's the least I could do," said Cox. "I have family here. We are so thankful and blessed that everyone in our family is okay. It's devastating to the state of Alabama and the great communities here. When I got the call from Mattress King asking me to join them for their grand opening, I was happy to help in any way I could."
Huntsville, Al.-based Mattress King, which owns and operates 19 sleep specialty retail stores across Northern and Central Alabama, lost two store locations during the April 27 storms. The Vestavia Hills store was under construction at the time.
"We knew we had to move forward. We wanted to focus on something positive like our expansion into Vestavia Hills. We count our blessings that all we lost was two stores and that all our employees and their families survived. When Bobby agreed to join us for the Grand Opening, creating an opportunity to raise money for the tornado recovery, well that was a home run," said Wayne Koswoski of Mattress King.
Cox spent 29 years in the Major Leagues, where he led the Atlanta Braves to a record 14 Division Championships and the World Series Championship in 1995. Cox was named the American League Manager of the Year in 1985, and the National League Manager of the Year in 1991, 2004, and 2005.
June 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in on June 12, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4835760065&z=1250249032
The President and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse has never been described as shy. He says he's never been one to back away from a showdown, and he's not afraid to pick on the new furniture store on the block. Jabs sent a letter to legislators and to the media raising several questions about the way IKEA is structured. The letter starts by asking if IKEA is actually a Swedish company.
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