Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on March 25, 2011
Aiming to stay at the cutting edge in its use of technology to deliver information,
Sligh Furniture is introducing several new digital tools for consumers and retailers.
These tools include two enhanced Web sites, an expanded social media presence on
Facebook and Twitter and the launch of the companys first
iPad application.
We want to provide retailers and consumers with simple, immediate access to all the information they need to make informed decisions with regards to their furniture purchases, said Rob Sligh, president of Sligh Furniture.
Our new iPad application, and the enhancements weve made to our Web sites and Facebook and Twitter pages, provide an easy way to explore our product line and get the answers you need whenever and wherever its easiest.
Slighs iPad app, to be rolled out at the
April High Point Market, will provide the companys sales representatives and retail salespeople with a powerful new tool. The app includes information about products, including key features, sizes and photos along with information on suggested retail pricing, inventory and shipping times.
If a consumer is interested in a particular Sligh piece, a salesperson can use the iPad app to show them lifestyle photography, other pieces in the collection, pricing and availability, said Sligh. They wont have to run back to the resource room to jump on their computer, because all that information will be right at their fingertips.
The app will include details about every piece in the Sligh line as well as
Loft 102, a special line created by Sligh for the young and young at heart.
In addition to the new iPad app, Sligh has completely redesigned its Web sites adding new functions and features. The Web sites include a rotating series of new graphic images at the top of the home pages that position the company as a leading source for stylish home office and home entertainment furniture.
Modules underneath those photos highlight notable products along with the latest additions to the Sligh and Loft 102 lines.
The sites search functions also have been enhanced to make it easier for consumers to locate the piece that best fits their needs. CAD drawings of each piece provide detailed information on dimensions, making it simple to determine if a particular console or cabinet will accommodate a specific television or other electronics.
In addition, the dealer locator has been updated for more comprehensive searches.
The locations of links on the site also have been re-organized to provide easier access to product categories, photos, manuals, catalogs and the dealer locator.
The site also provides easy links to a question-and-answer area hosted by Rob Sligh, along with the companys Facebook and Twitter pages.
Slighs Facebook and Twitter pages are being enhanced to provide more frequent updates about the company and its products. Top executives, designers and invited guests will be contributing items to the social media sites, fostering ongoing discussions with current and prospective Sligh customers about new products, style trends and other home furnishings topics of interest.
March 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on March 25, 2011
Wildwood Lamps and
Chelsea House have a new agreement under which Wildwood will manufacture and distribute the Chelsea House line of home furnishings.
Under the agreement, Wildwood will distribute the Chelsea House product line from its factory in Rocky Mount, N.C. Customer service, sales and marketing will also be based out of this facility. Bill Cain, president of Chelsea House, will continue to develop product and manage the Chelsea House brand.
We are excited about this agreement and feel that this association with Wildwood will allow Chelsea House to take advantage of our strengths in supply chain management and customer service, said Russ Barnes, vice president of Wildwood. Our partnership will also enable Chelsea House to focus more energy on industry-leading product design.
The Chelsea House High Point showroom will remain in its current location in the 200 N. Hamilton Building.
I am extremely excited to partner with Wildwood Lamps, Cain said. Weve had a long relationship and our collaboration will result in an incredibly strong overall brand that will create even more product that our customer base has come to enjoy and expect from us over the years. I look forward to leading the Chelsea House brand as we take this important step towards elevated success.
March 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Home Office on March 25, 2011
Furniture retailer House of Norway, a retailer of Scandinavian and contemporary home and office furnishings, will close its doors temporarily.
The Fairfield, N.J., retailer plans to restructure the business to align better with the evolving needs of its New Jersey and New York metro market and to ensure viability in a highly competitive environment. To make room for changes that include remodeling its interior to remerchandising to adding lines of furniture, the store is liquidating its inventory.
As a longstanding member of the New Jersey business community, House of Norway has been committed to offering its customers high quality furnishing and great value with excellent service, said Arild and Glen Frustol, owners of House of Norway. We want to remain a vital part of this market. To do so, it is time to reevaluate our product mix so that we can better serve our customers now and into the future.
To prepare for restructuring efforts, House of Norway is conducting the largest sale in its history with the assistance of
Profit Management Promotions (PMP).
Customers of House of Norway with outstanding orders will not be affected by the store closure.
For our valued customers who have recently made a purchase, all orders are being processed in a timely manner, Glen said. Customers should not experience any delays in receiving their merchandise as a result of our reorganization plans.
House of Norway expects to reopen in May before Memorial Day weekend, and customers can expect to experience new, updated interiors and fresh product lines.
March 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 25, 2011
Lisa Sorenson's
High Point Market parking woes have been taken care of for life.
Sorenson, of
Knoxville, Tenn.-based Bliss Home, has been awarded a lifetime parking pass by
220 Elm.
"I am so thrilled about winning the lifetime parking pass," Sorenson said. "We were so excited that we Tweeted the news to all of our followers. This gives us even more time to shop for unique furniture and accessories for our stores.
In addition to Sorenson's prize, 220 Elm awarded April Market parking to:
Bloomingdales in New York;
Hurwitz Mintz Furniture in Metaire, La.; online retailer
ATG Stores.Com in Kirkland Wash.;
Canadian buying group CANTREX; and
House of Bedroom Kids in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
"I look forward to welcoming our winners to 220 Elm to help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary," said Heinz Kattenfeld, COO of 220 Elm.
The winning retailers will park at 303 W. Green Dr., across the street from 220 Elm. The contest ran from March 1 to March 15 and was featured in online ads by Home Furnishings Business. Watch for online ads on the
Home Furnishings Business Web site for the October Market as new entries will be accepted Sept. 1 to Sept. 15.
March 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 25, 2011
Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker for the
Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market Aug. 1-5.
President Clintons speech, A Conversation with Bill Clinton, will focus on the challenge of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence, and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values. Following his keynote address, President Clinton will participate in a moderated question and answer session. All registered Las Vegas Market attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to attend the keynote, sponsored by World Market Center and the iComfort Sleep System by
Serta.
President Clinton served the United States for eight years during a time of unprecedented prosperity and change. Now, he is a powerful voice for progress around the world as he shares his unique insights and observations with audiences around the world.
Complimentary and exclusively for registered attendees of Las Vegas Market, the private event will take place during Markets opening night, Monday, Aug. 1 at 6:45 p.m. on the World Market Center campus and will be accompanied by a special reception for all attendees. Online registration for the summer market opens next month and will offer attendees the opportunity to reserve their spot at the keynote event.
Globalization has changed the furnishings industry more significantly than anything else in our time, said Robert Maricich, World Market Center Las Vegas president and chief executive officer. It indisputably has created new challenges as well as opportunities for our industry. Thanks to Serta, the events co-sponsor, we can provide our attendees with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear directly from President Clinton, a world leader and one of the foremost experts on globalization and the economy. Home furnishings professionals at Las Vegas Market will benefit from President Clintons insights and solutions on the most pressing economic and social issues in the U.S. and abroad.
Retailers, designers, manufacturers and industry professionals planning to attend Las Vegas Market this August are encouraged to plan in advance and register online in order to receive their badges before the show. When registering, attendees are also encouraged to book their hotel rooms through World Market Centers online hotel block to ensure discounted rates.
After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the
William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence. Today the Foundation has staff and volunteers around the world working to improve lives through several initiatives, including the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (now the Clinton Health Access Initiative, a separate nonprofit organization) which is helping two million people living with HIV/AIDS access lifesaving drugs. Other initiatives including the Clinton Climate Initiative, the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative, and the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiativeare applying a business-oriented approach worldwide to fight climate change and develop sustainable economic growth in Africa and Latin America. As a project of the Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the worlds most pressing issues. In the U.S., the Foundation is working to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and is helping individuals and families succeed and small businesses grow.