November 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on November 30, 2010
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z3784674553&z=1250249030
Countryside Furniture is preparing to close its doors after more than 20 years in Freeport, Ill.
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November 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on November 30, 2010
Consumers got a bit bolder in November with today's consumer confidence numbers showing an increase in the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index to 54.1.
That's up from October's reading of 49.9. According to the
Conference Board, the Present Situation Index rose to 24.0 from 23.5, and the Expectations Index climbed to 74.2 from 67.5 last month.
The survey is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households and is by
TNS.
Consumer confidence is now at its highest level in five months, a welcome sign as we enter the holiday season," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "Consumers assessment of the current state of the economy and job market, while only slightly better than last month, suggests the economy is still expanding, albeit slowly. Expectations, the main driver of this months increase in confidence, are now at the highest level since May (Expectations Index in May was 84.6). Hopefully, the improvement in consumers mood will continue in the months ahead.
Consumers were more optimistic about the short-term outlook than in October. Those anticipating an improvement in business conditions over the next six months rose to 16.7 percent from 15.8 percent, while those anticipating business conditions will worsen declined to 12.1 percent from 14.4 percent.
Consumers were also more upbeat about future job prospects. Those expecting fewer jobs in the months ahead declined to 18.8 percent from 22.3 percent, while the percentage expecting more jobs rose to 15.5 percent from 14.5 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes increased to 10.6 percent from 9.7 percent.
Read the entire release online.
November 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on November 30, 2010
Dallas Market Center has announced that its shared showrooms will offer new lines, special events, and awards during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, Jan. 19-25.
The Hemisphere Design Gallery, KidsWorld Studio, The Living Room, Outdoor Living, Spectrum and Gourmet Market will showcase a wide range of collections across more than 80,000 square feet of showroom space.
Hemisphere Design Gallery, a 10,000-square-foot design resource for decorators, designers and retailers, is on the ninth floor of the World Trade Center. New lines for January include: Bellascenda, train trunks with television lifts inside; Blossom Pillows, hand sewn pillows, scarves and headbands; Doug Frates, hand-blown glass; Elaine Gleason, decorative lighting and original paintings; iZilio, African imports; Lattrell Canada, contemporary crystal lighting; Pamela de Somov, one-of-a-kind hand poured and painted wall art; Sheep Gate by Adenworks, restored teak furniture with Tibetan fur; STICKS, hand carved and painted furniture and accessories; and Unique Stone, a collection of old world reproductions in cast stone.
The 8,000-square-foot KidsWorld Studio on the eighth floor of the World Trade Center features leading manufacturers of children's products ranging from room decor and lighting to gifts, toys and apparel and accessories. New lines in January include: Adorable Originals, a new doll line that helps little girls build a positive self images through an interactive website; Bella Becho, custom baby albums; Bratt Decor, the decor for many celebrity nurseries including Jennifer Lopez, Mario Lopez, Ali Landry and Kourtney Kardashian; Dandelion,
earth-friendly goods with a sophisticated look; and Teamees, sports themed infant and toddler blankets and burp clothes.
The Living Room, a 10,000-square-foot showcase on the fifth floor of the World Trade Center, features collections for the home. Lines for January include: Adamo Home, handcrafted, hand-painted furniture, art and accessories inspired by Old World European art and created by
Peruvian artists and carpenters from solid and reclaimed wood; Always Unique, innovative products for the home, including oil paintings on canvas, metal containers, wall art and a wide variety of floral arrangements; Bella Toscana, hand-forged, wrought iron home accents; Bougainvillea, floral designs made with preserved botanicals in unique containers and complementary fragrant candles; Christian Aubry, Old World-inspired and contemporary luxury top of the bed linens, decorative pillows, table runners, throws and more; and Frantic Fern, an eclectic collection of handcrafted decorative accessories, baskets and accent furniture.
Outdoor Living will debut its newly expanded and relocated 31,000-square-foot showroom in the International Trade Plaza (formerly the International Floral & Gift Center). A ribbon cutting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. on the first floor of the International Trade Plaza; and a Superbowl Tailgate Party will be held in the new space on Friday, Jan, 21 at 5 p.m. featuring favorite tailgating cocktails, snacks, entertainment and giveaways. Outdoor Living offers a wide range of merchandise for outdoor spaces from furniture, lighting and outdoor flooring, to fountains, pottery and garden accessories.
Spectrum, a 3,000-square-foot lighting resource, is located on the third floor of the Trade Mart. The showroom features a wide variety of lighting products. Expansions for January are Edge Lighting and LIGHTS UP! New lines for Spectrum include Toshiba International and Gamasonic. Spectrum is part of the largest concentration of permanent lighting showrooms in the world.
The 25,000-square-foot Gourmet Market on the first floor of the World Trade Center, is the only permanent shared showroom in the gourmet industry. The shared showroom features unique gourmet gifts and specialty food and beverage lines, as well as housewares, cookware, tabletop, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets and wine accessories from more than 140 companies.
To make plans now to attend Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, contact the Dallas Market Center's in-house travel agency, Market Travel, for
substantial travel and hotel discounts by calling 800.DAL.MKTS.
November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on November 29, 2010
Furniture retailer Jennifer Convertibles (OTC: JENNQ) reported Friday that fourth-quarter 2010 sales increased 11.8 percent to $19.99 million.
Woodbury, N.Y.-based Jennifer Convertibles lost $6.28 million during its fourth fiscal quarter, which ended August 28, compared with a $5.3 million loss for the prior-year period. Comparable store sales decreased by 13.2 percent for the fourth quarter.
For the fiscal year 2010, revenue from continuing operations increased 4.1 percent to $76.3 million; and the retailer lost $24.3 million, compared with a fiscal 2009 loss of $11 million. Comparable store sales fell 14.2 percent for the year.
Jennifer Convertibles closed 52 stores during its fourth quarter, 69 for fiscal 2010.
With respect to the company's previously disclosed voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Jennifer has filed plan of reorganization and accompanying disclosure statement and a motion seeking authorization to enter into a debtor-in-possession financing agreement with its principal supplier, all of which are subject to the bankruptcy court's approval.
Harley J Greenfield CEO of Jennifer, commenting on the results of Fiscal 2010 said, "Despite the financial difficulties we have experienced, culminating with filing bankruptcy in July, we have continued to provide customers with extreme value merchandise and excellent customer service," said Jennifer CEO Harley J. Greenfield. "We intend to emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger company. In our Jennifer Division we have been able to restructure leases, close unprofitable stores, and focus on our strong markets. Our Ashley HomeStores Division continues to mature and should continue to make a significant contribution to the Company."
Jennifer Convertibles is the owner and licensor of the largest group of sofabed specialty retail stores in the United States, with 72 Jennifer Convertibles stores; has eight Jennifer Leather stores; and operates six licensed Ashley Furniture Homestores.
November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 29, 2010
Bruce Cohenour has resigned from the position of president of casegoods at Hooker Furniture (NASDAQ-GS: HOFT), effective Tuesday.
Cohenour joined the Hooker management team in 2007 as senior vice president of national accounts and business development after 12 years as a sales representative in Northern Texas and Oklahoma. In 2009, he was promoted to executive vice president of marketing, and was named president of Hooker Casegoods earlier this year.
"Although we are disappointed to see Bruce leave, we accept his decision and are extremely appreciative of his contributions at every level," said Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman and CEO of Hooker Furniture, Martinsville, Va. "Under his leadership, we have re-positioned and strengthened the product line, opened multiple Top 100 retailers and developed many of the future leaders of the company. He has been a joy to work with and we wish him well in his future endeavors."
"I have the highest regard for Hooker Furniture and its people, and cherish the friendships and relationships built there over the last 16 years," Cohenour said. "I'm gratified to have played a role in positioning the company well for both near and long-term success."
Cohenour intends to remain in the furniture industry.