Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 10, 2011
Jeff Cook has joined case goods vendor A.R.T. Furniture. Cook had resigned as president of Broyhill Furniture last week.
Cook's hiring is part of a series of executive changes in A.R.T.'s management structure. As president, Cook will oversee sales, marketing and product development.
We are pleased to have a person of Jeffs caliber strengthening our management team," said Ed Grund, CEO. "His experience and business insight will contribute to A.R.T.s continued growth.
As part of the restructuring, John Iasiello has been promoted to senior vice president of product development and key accounts; and Bill Sibbick has been promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing.
We are recognizing the significant contributions of John and Bill to our development with these promotions, Grund said.
A.R.T. Furniture Inc., based in Ontario, Calif., supplies originally designed case good collections in middle to upper middle price points. The company maintains warehouses in China, California and North Carolina; and has showrooms in High Point and Las Vegas.
January 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 10, 2011
Furniture retailer Mary Liz Curtin of Leon & Lulu, Clawson, Mich., has joined the Gift and Home Trade Associatio board of directors.
Last January, the GHTA--the gift and home industry's non-profit professional trade association comprised of vendors, sales agencies, retailers and industry affiliates--announced its plans to add retailers as members of its trade association.
"It made great sense to the Board of Directors to add retailers to its existing membership of vendors, sales agencies and allied members," said Marc Rice, GHTA president. "Now, the GHTA has all industry constituencies represented, which will enable our association to tackle many industry issues and to identify opportunities where all members can weigh in collectively. Mary Liz, representing the retail sector, has agreed to join the board as an ex-officio member and will be a valuable addition to our Board."
Curtin, co-owner of Leon & Lulu, is an internationally acknowledged expert in independent retail and has advised numerous manufacturers on marketing, sales and management issues. Curtin also is a book author, magazine columnist and national speaker.
"The GHTA is the voice of the gift and home industries, and I am delighted to add the independent's viewpoint to that voice," says Curtin.
January 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on January 10, 2011
The Western Home Furnishings Association and Profitability Consulting Group will host a Profit Workshop seminar at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
Part of WHFA's Academy Series, the sessions in the Retailer Resource Center (WMC-C488/496) start on Sunday, Jan. 23 with a five-hour session and will continue with one-hour sessions on Monday and Tuesday.
The Profit Workshop is for owners and sales managers who want the latest information on technology and proven practices for a better bottom line in all departments. This workshop will inform and motivate retailers to take a closer look at their operations and make the changes needed to survive and thrive in todays competitive marketplace.
Sundays workshop begins at noon and will discuss the following modules: Workshop Overview, Technology Footprint, The Science of Sleep, Customer Focused Delivery and How to Profit on Deliveries. There will also be the opportunity to work one-on-one with the leaders of Profitability Consulting Group and discuss your 2011 business plans and analyze problems specific to your business and operation. This session alone could have a dramatic impact on your profitability for years to come. Lunch and refreshments will be served and the session costs $15 per person.
The Monday session, 10:30-11:30 a.m., will cover the Financial Matrix. Even for those who don't attend Sundays workshop, the Financial Matrix module will still be a valuable seminar. It will discuss how all businesses are a numbers game, and while your store may have 40 to 70 unique processes, only one will generate revenue--sales. Everything else generates profit, and this module will show you how to keep more of it.
The final Change Management module on Tuesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., will focus on the principles of successful change, because business isn't the same today as it was five years ago.
For more information and to register for the Sunday Profit Workshop session, call the WHFA office at 916.784.7677 or e-mail here. The Monday and Tuesday sessions are complimentary and do not require a reservation.
January 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on January 10, 2011
LMS Design Group will debut a new year-round, 5,000-square-foot showroom in the Las Vegas Design Center at Las Vegas Furniture Market, Jan. 24-28.
LMS Design Group is a Las Vegas-based, multi-line fabric and furniture resource with a diverse assortment of textiles and furnishings, as well as wall coverings, lighting, luxurious Italian linens, high-end window coverings, upholstery, drapery hardware and more. Lines include Adriana Hoyos, Artifacts International, CR Currin, Evanson, Duralee, Highland Court, Jab Metropolitan, B. Berger, Maxwell Fabrics and others.
"I am looking into the future. I personally believe that Las Vegas Design Center will be the place to be," said LMS Principal LouAnn Sanoff, a Las Vegas native. "Designers enjoy going to one place without having to travel. It's all about convenience and saving time."
Randy Wells, vice president of Las Vegas Design Center, was pleased to welcome such an important local showroom.
"It's our mission to establish Las Vegas Design Center as the premier home furnishings and design resource for this part of the world," Wells said. "Working toward that goal, we are making every effort to include local interior design and home furnishings showrooms. Doing so bolsters our offerings with terrific product lines, and it makes a positive contribution to our goal of unifying the local design community."
January 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on January 10, 2011
Jim Gooding has been promoted to vice president and general manager of the Washington Design Center, Washington, D.C.
Gooding, a 25-year home furnishings industry veteran, will be responsible for overseeing the operations and leasing efforts for the 60 showrooms and office tenants housed at the Washington Design Center, an MMPI property. He also will develop the facility's strategic positioning, while overseeing and maintaining tenant relations at the Design Center.
Most recently, Gooding was vice president of sales for Merchandise Mart Properties inc.' six properties in High Point. In that position, Gooding oversaw the leasing efforts for more than 125 home furnishings showrooms, encompassing more than 2 million square feet.
"Jim brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the home furnishings industry to the Washington Design Center," said John H. Brennen III, MMPI executive vice president. "Jim understands our business, the challenges that our showrooms face, and the importance of strong relationships with our clients and customers. Jims strong leadership and business acumen will be a tremendous asset to this world-class facility."