Daily News Archive
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December 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on December 13, 2010
Specialty retailer Cost Plus (NASDAQ: CPWM) is conducting merchandising tests involving its food products in three
Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) stores.
The tests are taking place in three Bed Bath & Beyond stores that are located in San Diego, Totowa, N.J., and Elmsford, N.Y.
In a release, Cost Plus said it does not comment on merchandising tests.
December 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on December 13, 2010
Industry veteran Tony Moretti has been name vice president of merchandising for
Furniture First Buying Group. Moretti has more than 30 years experience in the furniture industry buying and selling products, showroom layouts, merchandising plans, increasing retail sales and leading buying teams. He has worked closely with manufacturers, fabric suppliers and retailers. He also has extensive experience in traveling to Asian markets to seek out product diversity and manufacturing capabilities.
Prior to joining Furniture First, Moretti has held a number of positions in the industry, including vice president of merchandising and design for
England Furniture; vice president of merchandising for
Jordan's Furniture; general merchandise manager for American Home Furnishings; and upholstery buyer for Alperts Furniture.
Moretti will join Furniture First Monday, Jan. 3, and he will be responsible for managing the groups team of buyers, assist members of the organization and bring buyers and sellers together between the groups' partners and members.
December 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on December 13, 2010
Ashley Furniture is considering a Thomasville Furniture plant in Appamotox, Va., for a manufacturing/distribution operation, the News & Advance reported Friday.
Thomasville's parent company, St. Louis-based Furniture Brands International (NYSE: FBN), announced last month it would close the plant and move furniture production to North Carolina.
The plant is one of several that Arcadia, Wis.-based Ashley is considering for a new East Coast facility, Chairman Ron Wanek said in the report. The project would create around 1,000 jobs. Ashley likes the Appamatox plant's proximity to rail and trucking routes.
December 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 13, 2010
WorldWide Furniture Direct announced on Sunday the grand opening of its new furniture store in Chesapeake, Va.
The store carries furniture, bedrooms, mattresses, upholstery, recliners and tables at wholesale prices.
"We created this bare bones warehouse concept to help consumers buy furniture at prices much lower than typical retail and stretch their household dollars," said Sales Manager Michael Porter.
Porter and his family have been in the furniture business for over 50 years, and have been warehousing furniture products for retailers to help them manage their inventory.
With the slowing economy, Porter realized that many consumers were having a hard time upgrading and replacing their home furnishings. After seeing this, Porter decided it was time to develop a direct-to-consumer concept in furniture.
December 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on December 13, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas has formed a strategic partnership with the Gift & Home Trade Association to attract new buyers and increase the association's membership.
Under this exclusive market program, World Market Center Las Vegas will give away 500 free Gift & Home Trade Association memberships to new gift buyers who register and attend the Jan. 24-28 Winter Las Vegas Market. Complimentary memberships will be only available to gift store buyers who are either completely new to market or have not been to the Las Vegas show for three market cycles. All qualifying buyers also must be in attendance at Winter Market to obtain the membership.
GHTA membership benefits include access to the annual all-member conference featuring nationally recognized speakers; networking and cocktail receptions at major industry shows in Dallas, New York, Las Vegas and Atlanta; and special discounted rates to ICON Honors, the awards program at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Members also are eligible for health insurance, discounted pricing on trade publications, monthly e-newsletters highlighting association news and events, e-clips, a monthly listing of articles of interest, the Brandwise Gift and Home Index, discounted credit card processing, a free 20-minute session with the GHTA attorney and a dynamic website with a members-only section.
Meanwhile, specific benefits for retailers include access to the Independent Retailers Resource Center, which provides retailers with information and tools to brand and publicize their stores, as well as the Retailer Help Desk, which gives retailers the opportunity to e-mail retailer-specific questions to the GHTA for consideration. They also will be provided with educational opportunities at various events seminars, quarterly webinars and retailer-to-retailer breakfast seminars at major trade shows throughout the year.
"This new partnership with the Gift & Home Trade Association further solidifies our ongoing commitment to grow the gift industry in Las Vegas," said World Market Center Las Vegas President and CEO Robert Maricich. "We think this will be an attractive incentive to bring new gift buyers to our market and a way for our gift vendors to gain more exposure for their brands and expand sales opportunities."