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April 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in on April 21, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4538297807&z=1250249030
OTTAWA - Statistics Canada says retail sales increased four-tenths of a per cent in February, rising to $37.3 billion. All but two of the 11 subsectors tracked by Statistics Canada showed improvements. The biggest increase was at gasoline stations, where sales were up 1.3 per cent. Some of the other retailers to see improvements were clothing and accessories stores, furniture and home furnishings as well as food and beverages. One of the two declining subsectors was motor vehicle and parts, where sales were down six-tenths of a per cent. Sales at electronics and appliance stores also fell by six-tenths
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April 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on April 21, 2011
Bedding manufacturer Tempur-Pedic (NYSE: TPX) reported first-quarter 2011 sales of $325.8 million, a 28 percent increase over the prior-year period.
Net income for the period jumped 45.9 percent income to $48.3 million. Those figures are records for the period, which ended March 31.
Lexington, Ky.-based Tempur-Pedic's net sales in the North American segment increased 37 percent, while international segment net sales increased 11 percent.
During the first quarter of 2011, the Tempur-Pedic purchased 1.32 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $47.35 for a total cost of $62.5 million. As of March 31, the company had $137.5 million available under its existing share repurchase authorization.
Tempur-Pedic also confirmed its full year 2011 guidance for net sales and earnings per share. It currently expects net sales for 2011 to range from $1.31 billion to $1.36 billion. It currently expects EPS for 2011 to range from $2.80 to $2.95 per diluted share.
April 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on April 21, 2011
Capel Rugs awarded giveaway prizes to four retail customers during the recent High Point Furniture Market.
Those prizes include an Amazon Kindle e-reader, an Apple iPad and two Capel Rugs braided baskets.
Katie Grubbs of Classiques in Winston-Salem, N.C., won the Amazon Kindle e-reader; the Apple iPad was awarded to Michelle Mosley of Pine Tree Barn in Wooster, Ohio.
The Capel Rugs braided baskets were given to Mercedes Lopez of One Of A Kind Design in Dania, Fla.; and Dawn Heinen of Thoroughbred's in Somerset, Ky.
Capel's High Point showroom is open year-round in Market Square.
April 19,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on April 20, 2011
Furniture and bedding component vendor Hickory Springs' HS Converting facility achieved American Home Furnishings Alliance's Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture registration.
EFEC is the environmental management program developed by AHFA to help its members create and maintain a strong, proactive environmental program. AHFA-certified auditors submitted a final report to the EFEC Board of Examiners, which approved the HS Converting facility for one year. All EFEC-registered facilities will undergo a simplified "maintenance audit" once a year.
Located in Conover, N.C., Hickory Springs' HS Converting division stocks and distributes an extensive range of more than 6,000 supply items, including non-woven fabrics, welt cord, polyflex edging, pneumatic fastening equipment, packaging materials and strapping. The HS Converting facility is the first Hickory Springs location to receive EFEC certification.
EFEC helps companies implement systems for tracking and improving energy consumption, water consumption, waste reduction and recycling. The initial benefit is monetary to the company with significantly reduced costs and, in some cases, new revenue from recycling. There is also an initial environmental benefit to the community in which EFEC facilities operate, because they are using fewer resources and educating their employees/citizens about the benefits of recycling. The long-term benefit is a more efficient operation and, of course, being a better environmental steward.
The successful campaign to earn EFEC certification was spearheaded by a team led by Hickory Springs Corporate Environmental Manager Randy Waibel, who was recently named as the newest member of AHFA's EFEC Board of Examiners.
"We are proud of HS Converting, its management and its staff for earning this prestigious certification," said Dwayne Welch, Hickory, N.C.-based Hickory Springs' executive vice president. "This recognition by the AHFA's EFEC Board is further proof that Hickory Springs is continuing to do the right thing--for our customers, for our industry and our environment."
Additional facilities are also in the process of working towards EFEC certification: "Our goal is to become EFEC certified at all furniture components related locations across the country," Welch said.
Hickory Springs developed and follows its own CSI program, a continuous-improvement process aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing waste, easing environmental impact and boosting workplace safety. The company continues to introduce innovative products such Preserve foam, the first foam to incorporate a significant percentage of non-petroleum ingredients into its traditionally all-petroleum based formula, and other products such as the new EarthCare Inside line of eco-friendly components.
The company's emphasis on environmental consciousness has become so far-reaching that it touches every aspect of Hickory Springs production processes and operations. For example, the company has decided to print all its new sales and promotion materials on recycled paper; and where available, recycled paper will be used for everything from copy paper to scrap note paper throughout the company.
April 19,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on April 20, 2011
Cargill BiOH has joined the Specialty Sleep Association in promoting a labeling program pointing consumers and sales associates to bedding products with different levels of environmental and safety.
The SSA launched its three-level labeling program last year based on consumer research and retail sales associate surveys.
"Consumers with environmental and safety concerns are hungry for information, with almost 40 percent claiming they would pay more for products that meet established standards in both areas of concern," said Dale Read, president, Specialty Sleep Association. "We are committed to product labeling on SKU's that are marketed as 'green,' to facilitate the selection process at retail and to support credible green marketing claims."
Environmental and safety standards associated with each particular level are set through established third-party programs such as Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Global Organic Textile Standard and CertiPUR-US. Certifications achieved through these programs are recognized by SSA as proof of compliance with specific criteria in the SSA program along with other proof of verification from reputable testing facilities.
The organization established a board of governors with representatives from participating manufacturers and suppliers such as Cargill. The SSA Green Initiative Board, led by Ralph Rossdeutcher, board chairman and CEO of NaturaWorld, works to define communications standards, or, truth in green marketing, and other protocol for program participants.
Manufacturers participating in the program complete a rigorous application process and pay a fee to the SSA to use the SSA seal and tag on their products.
"SSA's labeling initiative aligns with the BiOH brand's goal of transparent communication with end users," said Nicole Nachazel, assistant marketing manager, Cargill's Biobased Polyurethanes business unit. "We want to give consumers access to data that allows them to make informed choices at the point of sale."
Cargill is the maker of BiOH polyols, an ingredient for flexible foam used in a host of consumer products including bedding, mattresses, furniture, carpet cushion, and automotive seats, and which is made from renewable soybean oil. In March, Cargill BiOH launched its RSA-directed education program designed for furniture and bedding retail stores.