Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
March 20,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 21, 2013
Home furnishings and appliance buying group Mega Group USA reported strong attendance at its Spring convention held earlier this month in Dallas.
"We had great attendance and dealers were buying," said Mega President Rick Bellows. "We had record orders taken for this 3 day event indicating attitudes are good and there is a comfort level for the months to come."
The theme of this years conference was Traffic, Margin, Execute and the point was driven home by the keynote speaker, Sam Geist, president of Geist & Associates and author of best selling book, Execute Or Be Executed. Geists keynote addressed the need to develop strategies and more importantly the will to execute to completion.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was dedicated to various workshops and educational seminars. The day concluded with the inaugural "Mega Madness" event. This is a special one hour event that brought Mega members exceptional buys. Vendors were challenged to provide truly exceptional offers for members to purchase within the one hour window.
"Mega Madness exceeded our wildest expectations", commented Missy Hodges, appliance director. "We wrote more business in one hour than our previous show in one day. The vendors came to the party with great offers that were only available to attendees, a huge success."
Mega launched the new Dreamhaven Collection by Serta at the show. The Collection includes Private Label, Perfect Sleeper and iSeries collections hitting $299-$1999 retail points for queen beds and offers dealers an exclusive proprietary assortment. In addition, Mega introduced an 11-group upholstery/motion program retailing from $599 to $799 sofa in covers and frames from a Mega exclusive premier U.S. supplier.
These two programs offer great value, margin and sales opportunities for our members and will drive traffic to the stores," said Furniture Director Jerry Honea.
"Our dealer focus over the last several years has been on on-line marketing, technology, and eCommerce opportunities through the Mega WebFronts program, which was reinforced by guest speaker Sucharita Mulpuru of Forrester Research and Roger Blackwell PHD, an expert on consumer behavior, said Scott McFarland, IT director for Mega.
Jim Sendrak, director of advertising, introduced the Mega plans for a comprehensive circular campaign to include personal URLs, a complete POP Kit for the store, and web banner ads featuring consumer offers for participating dealers.
Business Services Director Mallory Parker presented the Retail Selling Skills video to the membership, a complete and comprehensive selling resource for all sales personnel, new or veteran. The RS3 video package consist of 22 modules with 16 targeted for selling skills and six dedicated to management and leadership skills. This package contains a workbook guide for every participant and an online certification program. This product is now available for all Mega members.
Mega's next national convention is August 18-21 at the Renaissance Hotel and convention center in Nashville, Tenn.
March 20,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 21, 2013
Bedding vendor Kingsdowns Sleep to Live Institute has launched a revamped Web site.
The move is an effort to reach multiple audiences online, including consumers, retail sales associates, retailers and manufacturers. Stocked with sleep research and science, product reviews and blogs from Sleep to Live Institute Director Dr. Robert Oexman, the site is designed to serve as a one-stop shop on sleep information and products.
The site features an entirely new look with easy to navigate toolbars and resources. Consumers will benefit by looking under the tab You & Your Sleep, which includes sections called Sleep 101, Disorders and Diagnostics and Product Reviews.
Also, at Dr. Oexmans Nightstand, browsers can read the latest blog posts, access some sleep tips for themselves and their children and even write with a personal question to him. Additionally, RSAs can benefit by keeping themselves up-to-date on the latest available sleep studies and research found on the homepage under Latest Buzz or go even more in-depth in the Sleep Library. Everyone can stay connected by subscribing to the new Wake Up! newsletter.
This site was developed as an in-depth sleep resource thats also user-friendly. Consumers can access our website and walk away with a step-by-step plan for better sleep. We only recommend products weve tested and weve addressed the most common sleep questions and concerns, said Oexman. With RSAs in mind we went a step further and created an in-depth library they can use for continuing education as well as a reference center to answer customer questions in-store and on-the-spot.
Via the top toolbar, manufacturers and retailers can access a section of the Web site designed especially for them outlining STLI services including consulting, custom research, product development and the ability to have products tested and certified. Those who elect to have their products reviewed will receive an online posting. The STLIs current reviews consist of mattresses, pillows, bedding and sleep equipment, which includes everything from sleep masks to white noise machines and alarm clocks. All reviews explain the sleep science behind the product development.
When Kingsdown founded the Sleep to Live Institute we put the companys dedication to the science of sleep into action. We set a goal to impact the entire industry and more importantly, improve the way people sleep," said Frank Hood, president and CEO of Kingsdown, Mebane, N.C. "Thats why the STLI doesnt just certify Kingsdown products; it was designed to act independently working with any company designing sleep-related goods. Were really proud of the fact that weve created an institute based on scientific testing where manufacturers and retailers can confidently turn to develop and test their products.
March 20,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 21, 2013
Pavilions on Main will add 28 new furniture and home accent vendors for the April 20-25 High Point Furniture Market.
In addition, twenty-two exhibitors have expanded and renewed in Pavilions located on the third floor of the International Home Furnishing Center's Main Wing.
Woodard Outdoor Furniture is set to open its second showroom at the High Point Market in the Pavilions supplementing their original space on the second floor of Market Square. For more than 140 years, Woodard craftsmen have designed and manufactured products loyal to the timeless art of quality furniture design and construction.
The Pavilions on Main 3 at the IHFC is sold out for the April market, with a total of 50 exhibitors set to show furniture, rugs, wall art and other decorative accessories, according to market officials.
"The Pavilions is a great place for new companies to enter the High Point Market," said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers, which owns the IHFC. "This temporary exhibit area has open spaces with great visibility from the aisles, so exhibitors can attract the attention of buyers as they walk the halls."
This market, buyers will also have the opportunity to win one of four iPads while shopping the Pavilions. Every time they visit a showroom in the Pavilions, they will be given a ticket for a chance to win. The drawing will take place after market, and winners will be notified by phone or e-mail. A secret prize patrol will also be roaming the pavilions 4-6 p.m. daily during the afternoon receptions and handing out $100 bills.
March 20,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on March 21, 2013
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association will honor Jim Craven with the Harold P. Braun Distinguished Service Award.
Craven, a longtime member and former president of IHFRA, will receive the associations highest honor April 23 at the 19th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala at High Point Furniture Market in the International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom on the 11th floor of the Green Wing.
The Harold P. Braun Distinguished Service Award was established in 1975 and goes to a sales representative who embodies certain qualities and character, and has distinguished him or herself on behalf of IHFRA to sales representatives and the industry. The recipient has also enhanced, by deed and action, the image of home furnishings sales representatives in the community and the industry.
Craven served as 70th President of International Home Furnishings Representatives Association. Prior to his presidency, he served on IHFRAs Executive Committee from 2005 through 2008. He was IHFRAs legislative chairman from 1999 to 2007. For eight years, Craven was on the IHFRA board of directors, representing his local IHFRA Chapter, the Tennessee Furniture Travelers. Before joining the Board of Directors, he was President and Chairman of the Tennessee Furniture Travelers.
Craven is a graduate of the University Of Tennessee School Of Business where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He began his career in 1989 as a representative for Fairfield Chair Co. He also has represented Cresent Fine Furniture since 2001.
Aside from his business commitments, Craven has also served as the Chairman of the Parish Council for his Church. He is also President of the School Board for Saint Joseph Catholic School where he also coaches his daughters basketball team. Jim is married to Laura Craven, and they have three children, Jackson (14), Ansleigh (12), and Diana (10).
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association and the National Home Furnishings Association sponsor the annual event. For more information on the Furniture Industry Awards Gala, please contact the IHFRA Office at 336.889.3920 or e-mail. Reservations for the Gala an also be made online here.
March 20,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on March 21, 2013
Gift For Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries' leading charitable organization, has new leadership and new board members.
Taking over as chairperson of the board is Stu Teller, who previously served as vice chair. Teller is managing partner of Right Angle Strategies, a business development services company, and has more than 30 years of experience in the gift, home décor, and collegiate industries including senior executive positions with OneCoast and Madco.
Joining Teller is Frank Joens, who was elected vice chair. Joens is senior vice president and general manager of the LA Mart in Los Angeles, Joens began in the gift and home industry 28 years ago with Russ Berrie & Company. In 2001, he joined LA Mart as director of marketing then progressed to vice president of leasing and was recently appointed general manager.
I am excited and motivated to serve as Chair of Gift For Life," said Teller. I have been involved with Gift For Life for more than 20 years and its very important to support the organization and the great work it has done. Thanks go to Leslie Nathan-Street for her service; she has been an amazing Chairperson and has guided Gift for Life through two of its best years.
Recently joining the board are two industry veterans, bringing the total number of board members to 29.
Marc Blackwell, American designer, creates and produces his own line of bespoke American home product and creates exquisite retail, home, and event experiences. Marc also serves on the board of DIFFA: Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS.
Matthew Katzenson is founder and CEO of Fine Lines Co., a leading multi-line rep agency based in the southwest United States.
Each year, Gift for Life hosts regional events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the United States. Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs.