Daily News Archive
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March 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in sourcing/importing on March 8, 2011
Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports is expected to be up 11 percent in March over the same month last year.
That's according to the latest Global Port Tracker report, which is produced for National Retail Federation by the consulting firm Hackett Associates.
"These numbers show solid increases over last year and are evidence that our nation's economic recovery is continuing to build momentum," NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. "Increases in imports are a clear sign that retailers expect sales to continue to climb in the next several months."
U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.2 million 20-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) in January, the latest month for which actual numbers are available. That was up 5 percent from December and 12 percent from January 2010. It was the 14th month in a row to show a year-over-year improvement after December 2009 broke a 28-month streak of year-over-year declines.
February, traditionally the slowest month of the year, was estimated at 1.12 million TEU, which would represent an increase of 12 percent over February 2010. March is forecast at 1.19 million TEU, up 11 percent from a year ago; April at 1.24 million TEU, up 9 percent; May at 1.32 million TEU, up 5 percent; June at 1.39 million TEU, up 5 percent; and July at 1.45 million TEU, up 5 percent.
The first half of 2011 is forecast at 7.5 million TEU, up 9 percent from the first half of 2010. For the full year, 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16 percent increase over 2009. Last years percentages were high because 2009s 12.7 million TEU was the lowest level seen since 2003.
Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said recent political turmoil in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and elsewhere is driving up oil prices and will likely increase shipping costs.
"Oil supply is going down as a number of nations have dropped out of the production cycle," Hackett said. "Freight rates have been decreasing but that will not last long as fuel costs are factored in."
Global Port Tracker covers the U.S. ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast; and Houston on the Gulf Coast.
March 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on March 8, 2011
Belfort Furniture CEO Mike Huber will match pledges, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000 for the annual Walk for Hope, Women's Cancers, Women's Cures.
The walk will take place Sunday, April 10, in Washington, D.C., to support City of Hope's women's cancers research, treatment and education programs.
Huber will be honored at City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry group's Spirit of Life gala on April 3 with The Spirit of Life Award, City of Hopes most prestigious honor. The event, which benefits lifesaving cancer research, education and treatment at City of Hope, will be held at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C.
"It;s a privilege to receive this award from an institution that is on the cutting edge of cancer research," Huber said. "Together, the home furnishings industry and City of Hope will continue to work toward advancing innovative science and turning it into new treatments for patients battling life-threatening diseases."¨¨"We are pleased to recognize Mike Huber for his steadfast commitment to the fight against cancer," said Shannon Sullivan, director of development, City of Hope. "He recognizes the critical role of research in making cancer a manageable and ultimately curable disease. City of Hope is fortunate to have his support and commitment to our mission."
To register and join the Belfort Team for the Walk or to make a donation, visit Dulles, Va.-based Belfort Furniture's Web site, or City of Hope's national events pages.
March 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 8, 2011
The High Point Market Authority and American Society of Interior Designers are again producing a seminar series for interior designers at April Market.
The Design Viewpoints Series will take place April 3-5 at noon at 100 High in Showplace West. The series offers up to 0.3 continuing education units. All seminars in the Design Viewpoints Series are free to interior designers attending High Point Market. No RSVP is required, and lunch will be served on a first-come-first-served basis.
Topics and speakers for the April Design Viewpoints Series include:
* Survive and Thrive: Using Your Passion to Drive Design Business in 2011, Sunday, April 3: Rebecca Miller, the voice of Luxury Portfolio International and past president of furniture retailer Gabberts, examines economic shifts and new consumer buying behaviors, and how we have evolved to current strategies and struggles; and shows how to redefine passion for design and translate it into a strong strategic tool to work with clients, sources and the new-world reality. 0.1 CEU Credit
* Eco Living and Design, Monday, April 4: A panel of eco-designers offers the newest options and products in the "green" category, discusses how the economy has impacted eco-conscious design, and showcases how to combine sustainability and style. Panelists include Lori Dennis, designer and author of Green Home Design; Gat Caperton of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and Gat Creek Furniture; and Erik Van Mehlman, AIA, of BuildSense. 0.1 CEU Credit
* Marketing Yourself by Design, Tuesday, April 5: A panel of experts will provide pointers and tips for marketing online through blogging, e-mail outreach, social media and more. Following the one-hour presentation, attendees can sign up for 15-minute intensive tutoring sessions that them one-on-one with nationally acclaimed bloggers and online gurus. Tutoring sessions are limited and open on a first-come-first-served basis. Presentation panelists include Michelle Adams, co-founder and editor of Lonny; Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, founder of Apartment Therapy; Margot Austin, senior style editor at Style at Home; Brian Patrick Flynn, founder of Décor Demon; and panel moderator Julia Noran of Editor at Large. ¨0.1 CEU Credit
"We are extremely pleased to be partnering with ASID with the Design Viewpoints Series," said Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. "The interior design community is an important constituency for the High Point Market, and we have set a strong program of speakers to address the needs and concerns of designers today."
"ASID is proud once again to join High Point Market in bringing attendees top-notch speakers on a variety of topics. Our focus is to develop events that are educational as well as inspiring," said Heidi Salati, director of education, ASID. "Working together High Point Market has given ASID the chance to offer its members another quality educational opportunity."
March 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on March 8, 2011
World Market Center Las Vegas has announced the 2012 show dates for the Summer and Winter Las Vegas Furniture Markets.
Las Vegas Market will be held Jan. 30 through Feb. 3, 2012, for Winter Las Vegas Market; and July 30 through Aug. 3, 2012, for Summer Las Vegas Market. Hours will be consistent with the Winter 2011 Market, with permanent exhibitors open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; and temporary exhibitors open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Summer 2011 Las Vegas Furniture Market will take place Aug. 1-5. Quick registration for Summer Market as well as hotel partner room availability will open in April. Starting then, attendees will be able to take advantage of discounted hotel rates at some of Las Vegas' best hotels, both on and off the Strip. World Market Center Las Vegas will announce specific hotel partners closer to the kick-off of the Summer Market registration.
"We're expecting a terrific August Market and confident our partners will use the August show to introduce new, exciting product just in time to hit retail stores by the fourth quarter," said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. "The recent Winter Market was our best attended show in three years delivering an increase in exhibiting companies and new retailers. We're looking forward to continuing this momentum by bringing in fresh exhibitors and diversifying our buyer base for this Summer's Market and beyond, as well as announcing an exciting roster of events."
March 6,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 7, 2011
Luxury mattress vendor Magniflex is adding its new "Linen Experience" collection to its five-day drop-ship program.
The Linen Experience and two linen-covered pillows will debut at next month's High Point Furniture Market. Those goods feature Magniflex's temperature regulating and anti-bacterial fabrics, certified for environmental safety by Oeko-Tex and the Global Organic Textiles Standard.
"Retailers are telling us that the Linen Experience offers a very distinct comfort feel--a cross between memory foam and latex," said Magniflex Global Sales Director Marco Magni. "The linen is also unique, environmentally friendly and offers many health benefits in addition to being exceptionally soft and absorbent. Ours is made from organically bio-cultured flax, a rapidly renewable crop that requires much less water than cotton to grow."
The expanded Tonino Lamborghini by Magniflex Collection will showcase the latest designer mattresses featuring the brands signature red, black and white motif.