Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
December 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on December 2, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas has launched anew online registration process for furniture reps attending Las Vegas Market, Gift+Home and Vegas Kids.
Reps only need to register one time, under their company name, and then have the ability to request additional badges from exhibitors they represent. Registration is available here.
Here are the steps to add exhibiting companies:
* Register for Market under your company name.
* Login to WMCommunity. Click the tab called "Badge Requests."
* Select companies you would like badges for. To request additional badges, select the company name and click "request badge."
* You may access your WMCommunity profile at any time to view the status of your badges, request additional badges or update your profile.
WMCLV will not print Rep badges unless they have been approved by the exhibitor, so reps must manage your exhibitor lists prior to January Las Vegas Market. If an exhibitor denies a badge request, it is the rep's responsibility to contact the exhibitor.
December 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on December 2, 2010
Luxury mattress maker Hollandia has opened five Therapedic International mattress boutiques in Israel.
The move is part of Hollandia's strategic alliance with Therapedic, and includes mattress boutiques its Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Hertzliya Petuach and Rishon LeZion showrooms. Two more will open in early 2011 in Rechovot and Ra'anana.
Hollandia acquired the Therapedic license for Israel and Cyprus several months ago. In addition to opening retail stores in Israeli cities both companies have announced that they will form a joint research and development team that will create products leveraging Hollandia innovation, which would be sold throughout the world.
Hollandia CEO Avi Barssessat said he had been looking for sometime to find the right U.S. sleep products brand to bring to Israel and that he was very pleased with how the strategic alliance has been progressing to-date.
"Israelis love American brands, and Therapedic is an outstanding sleep products company that offers a full range of product choices. I think the brand will resonate exceptionally well here in Israel," he said. "We have examined the growth of Therapedic internationally to benchmark what has worked outside of the United States, and we believe our strategy will make the brand the fastest growing here in Israel."
"We have been watching the growth and development of the Hollandia brand over the past few years and it is incredibly impressive," said Gerry Borreggine, Therapedic president and CEO. "They make some of the most luxurious products in our industry, and on the retail side of their business, they understand the importance of selling more than just mattresses to their customers--but rather the benefits of a good night's sleep. Together, I think we make a powerful combination in the bedding industry. We will be able to learn from one another and help our brands continue to grow."
Hollandia now operates in more than 120 locations throughout the world. In the United States, it operates two retail showrooms, one in Philadelphia and the other in Short Hills, N.J. All its products are manufactured in Israel.
Therapedic International has more than 50 licensees producing products under the Therapedic brand label throughout the world.
December 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on December 2, 2010
Houston-based Mattress Firm has acquired Maggie's Enterprise and the 26 Mattress Discounters locations in Virginia that Maggie's owned.
Maggies has operated its mattress retail operations since 1986 under the Mattress Discounters name under a long-term license agreement, which remains in place. As a result of the leadership position and brand awareness in the Virginia Beach, Va., and Hampton Roads, Va., markets, the stores will continue to operate as Mattress Discounters.
Roger Magowitz, president of Maggie's, will join Mattress Firm as charitable advisor, a new role to the company. He leads the company's charitable and philanthropic efforts and will continue to focus on the
Seena Magowitz Foundation, which raises money and awareness to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.
We are excited to bring Maggies well-established locations into the Mattress Firm network," said Steve Stagner, CEO of Mattress Firm. "This is a great opportunity to combine our scale with an experienced and proven leadership team to continue to grow the Mattress Discounters business. Additionally, we are glad that Roger will have an ongoing role at Mattress Firm. He is an icon in the bedding and furniture industry and has done a phenomenal job building a successful business.
Magowitz founded Maggies in 1986 and grew the business to a multi-million dollar enterprise with strong store averages, healthy market share and a memorable and trusted brand in Virginia and North Carolina.
I couldnt be more pleased to have a company like Mattress Firm carry on what I started more than 25 years ago, Magowitz said. Their organization has the ability to build on the foundation created by my team and me and take the business to new heights. Mattress Firm is a great cultural fit and it is especially gratifying that the people that have been with me for so long will get an opportunity to work for such a wonderful company.
December 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on December 2, 2010
High Point University and the High Point Market Authority have launched a new internship program that will help connect students and home furnishings companies.
The partnership, which will match students with companies that are looking for help during the High Point Market, also will match students with semester-long internships throughout the calendar year.
Students involved in the program will include those who are majoring in business, home furnishings, marketing, interior design, strategic communication, and other career-related fields of study. The Career and Internship Services Office at HPU will advise students who hope to work with companies that need assistance in public relations, marketing, showroom set up, market staffing and more.
"Exhibitors at the High Point Market contact us every April and October, looking for short-term workers before and during Market Week," said Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. "We have worked with interns from HPU ourselves at the Market Authority and have found them to be professional and incredibly hard-working. This is a win-win for the university and for companies who are looking for market help. These students could also step in and fill posts for local businesses, public relations companies, industry associations, and market buildings that need interns long-term."
Options available in the program include week-long internships with exhibitors and companies at the High Point Market, or semester-long internships for companies in the High Point area. Students participating in the program will receive credit for their work--including 1 to 2 credit hours for Market Week Internships, and anywhere from 3 to 12 credit hours for semester-long internships.
"High Point University is committed to the concept of experiential education," said Dr. Dennis Carroll, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at HPU. While we acknowledge the significance of what takes place in our classrooms, we know that direct hands-on experience is what truly rounds-out a quality education. The partnership with the High Point Market Authority will give many of our students an incredible opportunity to put their classroom education directly to work."
Companies looking for interns should contact HPUs Career and Internship Services staff by e-mail and include High Point Market in the subject line. A link to the site can also be found on the High Point Market's Web site. For more information on externships and internships, contact the Career and Internship Services at 336.841.9025.
December 1,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Recliners on December 2, 2010
Massage chair vendor Human Touch an Innovations Design and Engineering Awards honoree for the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 6-9.
The International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program recognizes successful consumer electronics products and their excellence in design and engineering. The AcuTouch 9500 with HT-Connect by Human Touch, will be unveiled during the Digital Experience! media event Jan. 5 at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, and displayed in the Design and Engineering Awards Showcase in the Grand Lobby during the Consumer Electronics Show. The AcuTouch 9500 with HT-Connect is the world's first massage chair to deliver a completely personalized massage and wellness experience via Bluetooth at the convenience of any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
"The AcuTouch 9500 is the only massage chair that provides an anatomic interface between the user's needs and the advanced features of Human Touch massage technology," said Human Touch Vice President of Design David Potter.