Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 16, 2011
Furnitureland South has signed onto soy-based foam supplier Cargill BiOH's new retailer training program to promote sale of sustainable and eco-friendly furnishings.
According to a 2010 Green Furnishings Study by the Sustainable Furnishings Council, more than 70 percent of consumers want to know more about furnishings that feature sustainable components. An informed retail staff is a key success factor in making sustainable furnishings sales, according to Yusuf Wazirzada, Cargill's Biobased Polyurethanes business unit leader.
To facilitate retail sales growth, Cargill BiOH developed the first retail training program of its kind, testing content at Jamestown, N.C.-based Furnitureland South last fall, where sales associates also will participate in the free training program.
Training is delivered through an online slide show that helps retail associates understand the issues and touch points for environmentally conscientious consumers, including health and wellness, pollution, and natural resource consumption, and is supported by SFC's consumer research data. Sales associates also learn how foam made in part with renewable resources like soybeans can make a positive difference to the environment when used in furniture and bedding products.
Furniture manufacturers using BiOH in their products in product on Furnitureland South's floor include Century, Broyhill, Lane, and Harden, as well as upholstery specialists such as Lee Industries and BKind3.
"With consumers becoming more and more eco-conscious, they are searching for sustainable options for their home furnishings," said Jason Harris, executive vice president, Furnitureland South. "The training offered for BiOH soy-based foam has already proved to be an invaluable tool for our sales force as they seek to stay ahead of the latest options for eco-friendly shoppers."
A BiOH retail training program package will be made available to retailers this month. To learn more, retailers should contact Nicole Nachazel, assistant marketing manager at Cargill by e-mail.
March 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 16, 2011
Michigan furniture retailer Leon & Lulu is celebrating its fifth birthday by taking business nationwide with a new e-commerce site.
Clawson-based Leon & Lulu's online destination at leonandlulu.com will offer an ever-growing selection of gifts, home accents and personal accessories.
April 1 marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of Leon & Lulu which moved into and remodeled the former Ambassador Roller Rink and created a small-business success story for a metropolitan Detroit neighborhood.
A birthday party that day will kick-off a month-long celebration.
"The Ambassador Roller Rink was the site of many great parties so we feel that we are continuing that tradition at Leon & Lulu, with most of the events here supporting local charities," said Owner Mary Liz Curtin.
Check the Leon & Lulu Web site for celebration details.
March 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on March 16, 2011
Biltmore For Your Home and Dimond Fine Lighting have signed a license agreement to expand the brand's portable lighting offerings.
Dimond, the newest member of the ELK Lighting family, brings more than 25 years of experience to Biltmore's newest line. The collection recreates the classic style felt throughout Biltmore House, coupled with the uncompromising detail and impressive fashion-forward style that is coveted by today's designers.
"Dimond Fine Lighting is known for its emerging fashion and industry-leading trends," said Tim Rosebrock, vice president and general manager of Biltmore's Licensed Products Division. "Our partnership with Dimond enables us to bring quality lighting from a brand at the forefront of the industry to home decor retailers and professionals across the nation."
Dimond Lighting will unveil its new collection for Biltmore during the April 2-7 Spring 2011 High Point Furniture Market. Initial introductions include 10 to 15 portable lighting products that reflect the well-known style and broad appeal of the current Biltmore line. Dimond Fine Lighting products will be shown in the ELK Lighting showroom at this spring's High Point Market. The ELK showroom is located in the International Home Furnishings Center, space H223.
The lighting program will continue to be expanded over time with a variety of additional styles.
The new products will be available at fine lighting showrooms and retailers throughout North America.
"Creating this new co-branded product with Biltmore is a great opportunity," said Carre McConnon, business development specialist of the Dimond Lighting Division. "Our award-winning team of designers ensures that each product is created at the highest level of quality and stays true to Biltmore's vision of classic designs and fine country living."
March 15,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedroom on March 16, 2011
Kids Brands Inc. has fired two executives of its LaJobi youth furniture subsidiary for violating antidumping regulations on wood bedroom furniture from China.
LaJobi's current president, Larry Bivona, and the company's current managing director of operations both have been terminated from employment. Rick Schaub, president of Kid Brand's Sassy subsidiary replaces Bivona as president of LaJobi. Schaub also will continue as Sassy president.
Kids Brands (NYSE: KID) made the moves based on its investigation into LaJobi, which was initiated after the Board of Directors was made aware of potential issues regarding customs duty paid on products imported into the United States. The Board's investigation found instances at LaJobi in which incorrect import duties were applied on certain wooden furniture imported from vendors in China, resulting in a violation of anti-dumping regulations. On the basis of the investigation, the Board concluded that there was misconduct involved on the part of certain LaJobi employees in connection with the incorrect payment of duties, including misidentifying the manufacturer and shipper of products. The ongoing investigation is also focusing on certain of LaJobi's business and staffing practices in Asia.
"Kid Brands is committed to the highest standards of business ethics and conduct," said Raphael Benaroya, chairman of the Board of Directors. "We have taken actions against personnel who engaged in misconduct and are introducing other remedial steps. The Board will consider additional appropriate actions necessary to uphold ethical standards."
Kid Brands is committed to working closely with U.S. Customs to address issues relating to incorrect import duties. The Company currently estimates that it will incur costs of approximately $7 million relating to customs duty owed and may be assessed additional penalties.
The Company previously disclosed a potential earnout payment of approximately $12 to $15 million in the aggregate relating to its acquisitions of LaJobi and CoCaLo, substantially all of which was estimated to relate to LaJobi. The Company no longer believes such amount is payable with respect to Kid Brands' acquisition of LaJobi, and the company does not intend to make any earnout payment related to LaJobi.
While Kid Brands expects 2010 net sales to exceed its previously disclosed outlook of $267 million, amounts owed to U.S. Customs and other costs and expenses relating to the investigation will adversely impact the company's reported income.
March 14,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 15, 2011
Furniture Warehouse, one of Utahs largest furniture retailers, has expanded its flagship location on Redwood Road and enlarged its warehouse to accommodate merchandise from its distribution center in South Salt Lake, Utah.
The 25,000 square-foot remodel will allow the company to accommodate additional furniture, mattresses and accessories from its warehouse. The new space allows for more efficient shipping and receiving with cross-docking capabilities.
According to Gary Riddle, owner of Furniture Warehouse, the expansion will also enhance the shopping experience by allowing customers purchasing merchandise to take it home directly from the store, rather than drive to the warehouse for pick up.
With the rising cost of fuel, this will allow Furniture Warehouse to control our overhead, provide more convenience to our customers and allow us to offer quality furniture at affordable prices, Riddle said.