Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 17,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on May 18, 2011
An Ashley Furniture Homestore's parking lot in Fultondale, Ala., is serving as a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center.
Two Ashley stores were damaged, including the one in Fultondale, during recent fierce tornadoes that tore across Alabama. The store, which was fully staffed at the time the twisters hit, is closed after suffering severe damage. No serious injuries were reported, but it could be several weeks before it will open its doors for business. Another Ashley store in Tuscaloosa also suffered damage in the storms.
The Fultondale recovery center at 3429 Lowery Parkway, as well as others throughout the region, will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week with representatives from FEMA, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and other agencies on hand to explain assistance programs and help survivors apply for disaster aid.
For those who'd like to help with recovery efforts, the Ashley Furniture HomeStores in Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Hoover are currently collecting non-perishable food items, plastic storage bins and gently used luggage to be distributed to storm victims through local non-profit organizations.
May 17,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on May 18, 2011
Casual furniture vendor Whitecraft is relocating and expanding its showroom in The Design Center at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago.
The new space is on the 17th floor in Suite 1752.
"With our relocation to the 17th floor, we will be able to show a greater portion of our ever-expanding product lines to dealers who may not be as familiar with the Whitecraft name," said Bill Herren, director of sales and marketing, Whitecraft. "The Casual Market is the apex for outdoor furnishings, and we see this expansion as an investment in our future."
"Whitecraft's relocated and expanded showroom will be a great addition to The Design Center at The Merchandise Mart," said Whitney Gillespie, vice president of Casual Sales and Leasing, MMPI. "Whitecraft's expanded space will boast more product offerings for interior designers, trade professionals and consumers to shop."
May 17,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on May 18, 2011
Chromcraft Revington (AMEX: CRC) reported a net loss of $1.8 million in the first quarter ended April 2, compared to a net loss of $980,000 in the first quarter of 2010.
Sales for the first quarter were $12.5 million, compared to sales of $13.9 million for the same quarter last year.
Residential furniture shipments in the first quarter of 2011 were lower as compared to the prior year period, and the company attributed that slump to weakness in consumer demand for residential furniture in its product categories and price segment.
Cash flow used in operating activities was $400,000 for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to $4.5 million provided in the prior year period. The $4.5 million of cash provided in the 2010 period included the receipt of a tax refund of $6.6 million. Excluding this tax refund, the company used $1.7 million less cash in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to larger reductions in inventories and accounts receivable in the 2011 period.
"Our disappointing operating results for the current quarter reflect a continuation of the very challenging business environment and the lingering effects of the economic downturn as the labor and housing markets continue to struggle which has suppressed consumer demand for furniture in our categories and price segment," said Ronald H. Butler, chairman and CEO. "In these uncertain times, we have diligently focused on our cash flow and balance sheet management along with controlling operating costs to be in line with our revenue base."
The complete release can be found online.
May 17,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on May 18, 2011
Mattress maker Naturepedic has updated
Global Organic Textile Standard certification from
Oregon Tilth Certified Organic on all its baby and kids' mattresses.
According to Naturepedic's founder, Barry A. Cik, who also is a board-certified environmental engineer, all Naturepedic mattresses use certified organic cotton fill and certified organic cotton tickings. They also include various approved accessories, such as steel innersprings and food-grade polyethylene.
The organic certification issued under the Global Organic Textile Standard also includes mattress related products such as mattress pads, pillows and sheets.
"This certification is important to the parents who are our customers, and to the furniture and bedding retailers who sell our mattresses, because we created this company to provide parents with a safer and healthier alternative," Cik said.
May 17,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on May 18, 2011
Furniture First has created a new Web site for retailers interested in joining the buying group.
The Web site describes the benefits of membership, in addition to the rebates and discounts members receive from furniture manufacturers. Visitors to the site are greeted by an introductory video featuring Bill Hartman, president of Furniture First, explaining how the organization makes its members more profitable.
Were very excited about our new Web site and its potential to reach furniture retailers who may not be familiar with Furniture First, Hartman said. Our staff designed the Web site to show how we are different from other buying groups by showcasing all the benefits of membership. Retailers join for the rebates, but our members find that other benefits are more valuable to their business. We have a staff of 16 in Harrisburg, Pa., that our members call on a daily basis for help with their businesses.
Furniture First members often call on the know-how of their fellow members as well. Hartman said that since they are not in direct competition with each other, they are more open to sharing ideas, strategies and best-selling merchandise. While the group has members in 46 states, Hartman states that there is room for expansion. We have recently added staff to offer more services to our members," he said. "Now we have the ability to make even more furniture retailers more profitable.
The Web site launch coincides with the groups Midwest regional meeting. Thirty-one member companies are gathering in Minneapolis for two days of educational sessions, program presentations, idea-sharing and networking. The regional meetings also serve as a forum for members to provide feedback to the staff of Furniture First about new initiatives and services the group offers its members. A Southeast regional meeting will take place in Charlotte, N.C., in July and a Northeast regional member meeting will be held in Mashantucket, Conn., in October.