March 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 4, 2011
The International Sleep Products Association will host a mattress vendor/retailer panel at its 2011 Industry Conference and Exhibition, March 16-18.
The panel takes place Friday, March 18, during the conference at Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. Seasoned mattress manufacturers and retailers will share their ideas on how these two industry segments can communicate better.
Panelists Mike Bookbinder, senior vice president of retail development, Comfort Solutions; Barrie Brown, CEO of et Oyeblik: Retail Strategies and interim CEO of Mattresses Unlimited; Karrie Forbes, vice president of marketing, Mattress Firm; and Tim Oakhill, executive vice president of marketing, Simmons Bedding Co., will share their perspectives on how retailers and manufacturers can establish more productive, collaborative relationships that can expand the mattress business for all.
"It's a no brainer that efficient and clear communication between manufacturers and retailers is critical to business success, yet we often seem at odds," said Don Hofmann, panel moderator and marketing consultant with Louisville Bedding. "During this discussion, industry leaders and I plan on throwing political correctness out the window, rolling up our sleeves and digging deep into the subject of how we can communicate and work better together."
Another program highlight is keynote speaker Dr. Roch Parayre, fellow at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education, Wharton School; and senior partner, Decision Strategies International.
Parayre's opening session, titled, "Blue Ocean--Navigating Your Way to Undiscovered Markets," will discuss how companies such as Netflix and Southwest Airlines have achieved industry dominance by identifying "blue oceans," which are untapped innovative market spaces that are ready for growth. This approach has succeeded in many corporate, government and nonprofit settings, and is now being taught at business schools worldwide.
For more information or to register, click here.
March 3,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on March 4, 2011
Home furnishings marketing services and support vendor Wright of Thomasville has expanded its Showroom Solutions division.
The division has now has a freestanding 30,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center at 6980 Pikeview Drive in Thomasville, N.C., to accommodate significant business growth. The company also hired an additional 16 new employees.
"The bedding industry has become one of the most dynamic segments in the home furnishing industry and as the industry leader in providing market support, we have seen a significant expansion in our business requiring additional space and employees to assure our customers the continued quality, service and value they have come to expect from Wright for the past 50 years," said Wright President and CEO Greg Wright.
Wright took possession of the space late last month as was able to quick install new equipment to handle the sales uptick.
"There has been an immediate benefit to our customers as the additional space and people makes it easier for clients to get a quick turnaround on product, and particularly on smaller runs if that is their requirement," Wright said.
March 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on March 3, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4195808410&z=1250249027
A regional furniture retailer has taken over and Odessa, Texas, building vacated by Lacks. Bob Mills Furniture store has been open for the last two weeks, and a grand opening is scheduled for Friday.
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March 2,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on March 3, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r4197959979&f=10761
Weirs Furniture Village founder J. Ray Weir will celebrate his 100th birthday Thursday at the companys new headquarters in Farmers Branch, Texas.
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March 1,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on March 2, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4194540810&z=1250249030
Home furnishings retailer Hayneedle.com's 500,000 square-foot distribution center has been recognized for environmental leadership by the U.S. Green Building Council.
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