Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on January 14, 2011
Home decor vendor Classy Art Wholesalers will host its annual award ceremony honoring top performers at Las Vegas Furniture Market on Jan. 23.
On the Sunday before opening day at 4:15 p.m. in WMC-A626, Classy art will celebrate account managers with above average performances in 2010, and announce the winner of a brand new iPad for the sales representative who accumulated the most new accounts in the fourth quarter.
Awards include the Dedication & Commitment Award, Most Improved Performance Growth, The Performance Achievement Award, Top Producer and Salesman of the Year.¨
The eight honorees led Classy Art to a 21 percent revenue increase in 2010.
January 13,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 14, 2011
Sealy Corp. (NYSE: ZZ) reported net sales of $296.6 million for the fourth quarter ended Nov. 28, compared to $295 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
The company reported a net loss for the quarter of $4.5 million, compared to net income of $2.6 million during the same quarter last year.
U.S. sales decreased 3.6 percent to $224.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, while international sales increased 15.2% to $72 million in the quarter.
"The series of strategic actions we implemented in the fourth quarter has enabled us to build an even stronger foundation for future growth and improving financial performance," said Larry Rogers, president and CEO. "During the quarter, we completed the development of the Next Generation Posturepedic line, which we will introduce at the upcoming Las Vegas Market on Jan. 24. We also completed the rollout of the Sealy Branded Promotional line, which exceeded our initial slot goals. In addition, we continued to drive placement of our Embody line. Finally, we reorganized our international business through a divesture of our Europe segment, SAPSA, as well as our Brazilian operations and have transitioned our business in these locations to license arrangements. These transactions will enable us to better focus our resources on the areas with the greatest growth opportunities."
Net sales for the fiscal year ended Nov. 28 were $1.22 billion from $1.17 billion for the prior fiscal year. The company reported a net loss of $13.7 million, compared to net income of $13.5 million in the previous year.
The entire earnings release can be found on the Sealy Web site.
January 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 13, 2011
The Sleep to Live Institute has named Frank Hood president.
Hood also serves as vice president and chief information officer for
Kingsdown and its Sleep to Live division. He was responsible for executing all domestic and international marketing and public relations functions, as well as implementing the companys domestic and international information technology. His career includes more than 20 years experience as a senior level information technology executive for companies including
Quiznos Subs and
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
The Sleep to Live Institute, located in Joplin, Mo., examines the impact that environment, behavior and sleep equipment have on sleep quality. The 9,000-square-foot complex is comprised of engineering facilities and a sleep laboratory. Hoods additional responsibilities will include collaborating with the Sleep and Wellness Board, a group of leading physicians and medical experts that specialize in sleep science.
Hood will be responsible for leading the Sleep to Live Institute and its ongoing developments and advancements related to the study of sleep.
January 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 13, 2011
Orient Express Furniture is expanding its Las Vegas showroom in the World Market Center.
We are increasing our showroom space by over 40 percent to accommodate our newly expanded product line which includes our very popular Regency collection, consisting of natural fabric dining and occasional chairs and our new Bliss collection comprised of custom order, domestically made, upholstered sofas and chairs that fit into our casual lifestyle marketing approach," said Bill Cubberley, director of business development. We have been very fortunate to increase our business in 2010 mainly because our retailers are seeing the need to address the 25-45 age demographic that desires a more casual comfortable look.
The Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based company is owned by
Star International Furniture and operates two quick-ship warehouses on the East and West coasts. Orient Express also offers a container program.
The company's Las Vegas showroom is in Building B, Suite 700.
January 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on January 13, 2011
The Miss America Organization is debuting its licensed furniture collection with furniture retailer American Signature at the 90th Miss America Pageant.
The Miss America pageant is a weeklong event for the contestants that culminates with the crowning of the 2011 Miss America this Saturday at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The pageant begins at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
"We are excited to be a part of the 90th Miss America Pageant," said Columbus, Ohio-based American Signature's COO, Jonathan Schottenstein. "Through this opportunity, we are set up in the pageant venue for three days debuting our Miss America Youth Collection. We are also just overall supporting the pageant, past and future winners and all the successes that this great organization represents."
With the pageant returning to ABC, American Signature will have a commercial airing nationally during the show. This is American Signature's first national airing of a commercial, and it will feature the Miss America Youth Collection with a lighthearted look at a young boy searching his sister's room for Miss America.
In addition, American Signature along with the Miss America Organization will be honoring the former Miss Americas and families of fallen soldiers at a special breakfast on Saturday morning. The breakfast is to acknowledge and recognize all of the platforms of the former Miss Americas and provide those who have worked diligently to support the men and women of the United States Military with a way to thank the families of fallen soldiers through an honorarium celebration.
American Signature also has chosen to donate a vanity from the Miss America Youth Furniture Collection to be auctioned at the Decade of Dreams Gala held the evening prior to the pageant. The vanity will be autographed by all the former Miss Americas present at the pageant. The Miss America Organization is one of the world's largest scholarship providers and the auction, among other fundraisers, provides support towards the $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance provided each year by the organization.