March 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on March 30, 2011
Universal Furniture has launched an all new Web site that personalizes the ways consumers can shop while expanding the extranet functions for dealers.
"We know that most consumers do their homework online before ever stepping into a store, so a great deal of thought went into creating a site that is easy to navigate and intuitive to use," said Steven Lush, Universal vice president sales for the eastern region and manager of the Web site project. "Our goals are to capture her attention with a fresh, vibrant website design; to make it easy to quickly find what she is looking for; and to drive her into the nearest Universal retailer where she can make her purchase."
Thus the site reflects the company's tagline and goal to create "good, affordable, smart design" that is both aspirational and attainable. Smart navigation options provide multiple browsing paths so visitors may browse the site by room, by item or by style. She can then narrow her search by filtering the results in several ways, including by size and by special smart product features. Whenever a piece catches her eye, she can choose to print it, e-mail to a friend, or save to a personalized favorites folder. Or, if she prefers, the site goes one step further, giving her the choice to digitally scroll through each collections catalog, page by page.
The home page also presents revolving aspirational photography of the four Universal brands--Better Homes and Gardens by Universal Furniture, Paula Deen Home Collection from Universal Furniture, Pennsylvania House and Universal Furniture. It also includes micro sites with independent URLs for each brand and is fully optimized for maximum searchability.
"Consumers today are not only looking for style but for function," Lush said. "We have included detailed product information, FAQs focused on the questions that consumers really do ask, and a conversational blog with style tips and trends, which will allow us to highlight new collections and key items in greater detail."
Visitors also may sign up for a monthly e-mail newsletter.
For dealers, the extensive image library of high resolution photography may be downloaded without a login while the enhanced password-protected extranet now offers inventory availability, shipping status and sales reports.
March 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 30, 2011
Home furnishings vendor Powell Co. will recognize confirmed orders at Spring High Point Furniture Market by giving retailers an iPad2 or MacBook Pro.
"We have had great success with this popular promotion over the past five markets so we are continuing it," said John Conrad, Powell senior vice president of merchandising. "For a placed and confirmed order of $10,000 in our High Point showroom we will give our retailers the recently released iPad2 to take home with them. And for a placed and confirmed order of $20,000 in our High Point showroom they will get the new MacBook Pro to take with them. This is our way of showing appreciation for helping us speed-up new items for production."
The new iPad2 was recently released in early March. It has a lighter thinner design, works faster, front and rear cameras for FaceTime video calling, HD video recording and ten hours of battery life.
"Our retailers will be able to use this hot new technology for not only sharing information with their customers on their sales floor but also for keeping in touch with them as new selections arrive," said Clay Ackard, Powell vice president of sales.
For larger orders, the retailer will take home a MacBook Pro 2011, which has state-of-the-art processors, all new graphics and HD FaceTime camera with better resolution along with improved low-light performance.
"The MacBooks will also help them grow their business as they keep up with the technology revolution that is taking this industry by storm," Ackard said.
March 29,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Motion Upholstery on March 30, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4450929684&z=1250249032
Upholstered furniture manufacturer Berkline is closing, liquidating its assets and ending more than 550 jobs in Morristown, Tenn.
Read Full Article...
March 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on March 29, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4445692410&z=1250249032
Lease-to-own retailer Aaron's Inc. said Tuesday that it plans to create almost 1,000 jobs in the U.S. and Canada this year.
Read Full Article...
March 28,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on March 29, 2011
Home furnishings women's professional network WithIt is offering a new program for retail sales associates to fine-tune skills and network with professionals.
Under a new Retail Sales Associate Member program, qualified sales associates can the women's leadership development network, for a fraction of the full membership price. By joining at the special $50 level, RSA WithIt members will earn benefits that include free access to WithIt's business webinars in 2011 (each a $35 value); the opportunity to connect with women across North America; a subscription to the monthly e-newsletter and other e-mailings; access to local events; a profile posting at WithIt.org; job opening alerts; and access to the WithIt members-only directory.
"WithIt membership will open doors for retail sales associates who may long for involvement that reaches beyond their network of colleagues and the perimeter of a store," said WithIt 2011 President Mary Leigh Howell, vice president of RLF Communications. "By joining WithIt at the RSA level, sales associates earn access to the people and resources they need for leadership development and career advancement."
Retail sales associates can sign up at WithIt.org, or during the High Point Market at any of WithIt's High Point Furniture Market events, including the new Celebration/Learning Circuit.