December 20,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on December 21, 2010
Southern California Edison Co. has honored full-line furniture vendor AICO/Amini Innovation Corp. for leadership and participation in an energy savings program last summer.
Pico Rivera, Calif.-based AICO's Vice President of Operations Mike Orth; and Director of Finance Matt Davaie were on hand to accept the award for "Excellence in Demand Side Management Program Participation" in a ceremony held Dec. 13 at the SCE Customer Technology Application Center in Irwindale, Calif.
AICO was one of 30 large Southern California corporations to participate in SCE's Energy Conservation Program from June to September. The program aimed to reduce power consumption during peak hours, which in turn would reduce the need for rolling blackouts throughout the Los Angeles area. AICO committed to 13 days over the summer months to significantly reduce consumption during the peak hours of the afternoon by reducing air conditioner, lighting and unnecessary power usage throughout AICO's corporate facilities. Additionally, the company's light fixtures were switched to motion-censored lighting for ongoing savings. These changes netted a 77 percent decrease in AICO's overall energy consumption.
"I appreciate Southern California Edison for presenting our company with this opportunity to participate in this important and meaningful program," said AICO CEO and Founder Michael Amini. "By reducing our energy consumption so significantly, we helped make a positive impact on the environment, and that is very gratifying to me. It's good to be able to set an example to other large companies that reduced electrical consumption is very achievable through good planning and discipline."
AICO plans to continue its efforts in sustainability, and has committed to repeating its participation in SCE's Demand Side Management Program next year.
December 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Customer Service on December 20, 2010
A customer complaint led a local Better Business Bureau to revoke Ben's Fine Furniture's positive rating, the Port Huron Times Herald reported Saturday.
The customer said part of her purchase deal last year at the Port Huron, Mich., store included a coupon for $600 in groceries. The original third-party company supplying the coupons went out of business, and so did another third-party company that took over the program. The customer declined a coupon from a third company.
A co-owner of Ben's Fine Furniture, said in the report that the coupons were sponsored by Ashley Furniture, and that the store stopped the program due to customers saying it wasn't working.
"We responded to all complaints," Bryan Wak said in the report. "I would say 99 percent of them said, 'Bryan, we love you and we don't hold this against you.'"
December 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 20, 2010
Two men robbed Mattress & Furniture Express in Green Township, Ohio, Fox 19 reported Saturday.
Saturday afternoon, the suspects entered the store and confronted the clerk with a handgun, and took cash, a purse, cell phone and laptop before fleeing the scene. No one was injured.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's office is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamilton County Sheriffs at 513-825-1500 or Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.
December 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on December 20, 2010
The Sustainable Furnishings Council's GREENleaders Certified Sustainability Training course will see some changes as it celebrates its second year.
First presented at Las Vegas Furniture Market in February 2009, the GREENleaders program was the first and remains the only major accreditation for expertise in the area of sustainable residential home furnishings. Content was vetted by ranking staff of Rainforest Alliance, World Wildlife Fund and one of the two co-founders of the USGBC/LEED program and has been delivered via webinar and live presentations at all the major furniture trade shows. To date, nearly 450 people have taken the intensive 6-hour exam course to receive their accreditation.
Changes for the new year include the launch of a recertification program called GREENleaders renewal, a 2-hour annual recertification course to keep past graduates current on important developments in the green movement. This is necessary for GREEN AP's, each graduate's professional designation, to retain their accreditation and ensure that they remain the best resource for guidance on this subject. The basic course is also regularly updated, including findings from the latest consumer study completed in September 2010 that was sponsored by World Market Center Las Vegas for the second year in a row.
One of the main findings of the study is that while financial concerns are definitely impacting the marketplace, consumers remain significantly interested in sustainable solutions provided they cost about the same as other options with 37 percent likely to buy. The obstacles are awareness and availability, so knowing what to look for, where to find them and being able to communicate in a clear and compelling way remains a big opportunity for providers to differentiate themselves.
Winter Las Vegas Furniture Market will be the next place for interested participants to take GREENleaders training. The first renewal course for graduates will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 26, and the full course for new participants will be held all day on Thursday, Jan. 27. For those who cannot attend, a webinar series is also scheduled after market beginning on Monday, Jan. 31.
To register or learn more, contact margaret@sustainablefurnishings.org or call 919.967.1137.
December 19,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 20, 2010
Western Home Furnishings Association and the
National Home Furnishings Association, along with their affiliates have added four industry partners for the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference (HFIC) set for April 30May 2 at the
Westin River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.
Home Furnishings Business magazine,
Interior Design Society, IHFRA, and the
World Market Center have aligned themselves with this first-of-its-kind industry event that will bring together different knowledge, skills and resources from each sector of the home furnishings industry and show the true power of partnerships.
"Looking to 2011 and beyond, the opportunities for retailers and suppliers to network and partner will provide significant and needed synergies, said Howard Haimsohn, owner of
Lawrance Contemporary and HFIC Committee chair. Today, more than ever, our industry demands that the entire supply chain work together to bring design, value and service to the end consumer. The 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference will provide a great forum for partnering opportunities to be explored. At the 2011 HFIC, suppliers and retailers can engage with each other and share ideas, knowledge and a vision for improving our industry.
The conference has an energizing agenda geared to help retailers move their business into the future through workshops, general sessions, open forums, and a dynamic Expo with more than 40 vendors from around the country. Home Furnishings Industry Conference partners receive additional benefits of increased visibility before during and after the event, co-host status, a comprehensive marketing campaign specifically highlighting their participation, as well as registrations incentives for their members and colleagues.
Aligning with the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference demonstrates a level of commitment to the entire industry that is unmistakable, said Cindi Williams, WHFA events director. The 2011 HFIC partners are leaders in the industry who are ready to embrace the challenges that businesses face today. These partners are ready to put their knowledge, experience and vast talents to work keeping the entire industry united in a common causesuccess for all.
It is far too seldom that the various segments in the home furnishings industry are provided a chance to truly share and brainstorm together, Haimsohn added. Being a partner at the 2011 HFIC will provide your company with the opportunity to learn, share and help our industry move forward into tomorrow. This is the one educational and networking opportunity that you don't want to miss."
Members of WHFA, NHFA, all of the affiliates and designated partners can take advantage of the great buy one, get one free deal. One registration of $495 must be purchased and the second person can attend for free. Additional registrations for other team members are $199 each.
If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or partner of this event, contact
Williams at or (916) 960-0277. For the latest information and updates on the Home Furnishings Industry Conference, follow the event on
Facebook.