November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Display on November 29, 2010
American Furniture Warehouse, Thornton, Col., will create Lane Furniture galleries in all 11 of its Colorado store locations.
Each gallery will encompass 10,000-square-feet of space and display many of Lane's top selling styles.
The galleries will showcase a large selection of Lane recliners, motion furniture, and stationary upholstery emphasizing the special order choices available in all product categories.
November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Youth, Juvenile Furniture on November 29, 2010
Bassettbaby, the infant division of Bassett Furniture Inds. (NASDAQ-GS: BSET), has recalled 90,000 cribs, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced last week.
The drop-side cribs with external plastic hardware pose entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards. The recalled cribs are wood with a metal mattress support and have a drop side with external plastic hardware. The cribs were sold in a variety of finishes. A label is attached to the footboard or headboard with the names "Bassettbaby" or "Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc." as well as the model number, production date and other information. On some older models the manufacturer's name appears on a separate label.
The cribs, manufactured in China, Croatia, Slovenia, Taiwan and Vietnam, were sold at children's product stores, and other retailers nationwide and on-line from January 2000 through August 2010 for between about $200 and $500.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drop-side cribs and contact Bassettbaby for a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. Consumers should contact Bassettbaby at 800.308/7485 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; or visit the firm's Web site.
November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedroom on November 29, 2010
Bedroom furniture manufacturer AP Inds. has launched a new Web site structure and design to increase the site's efficiency and the company's brand awareness.
The new APIndustries.com is divided in three distinctive consumer categories: adult, youth, and baby. Each age range is separated into traditional, transitional and contemporary lifestyle categories to reflect the fact that AP targets all ranges of consumers in its bedroom manufacturing.
AP also added a buying guide to the Web site that will help consumers focus on the important factors to consider when they are planning to buy new bedroom furniture for themselves or for their children.
"The new look is a direct reflection of where AP is moving as a company and much more user friendly," said Olivier Van Houtte, marketing and communications coordinator for Laurier-Station, Quebec-based AP Inds. "Consumers and retailers will love it."
In coming weeks, AP also will launch a new dealer locator on the site, which will tie into the gallery program AP plans to launch in 2011.
"AP is taking steps every day to better its brand recognition, its overall partnership with retailers, and taking this step with the website also let us better our brand with the consumer," said Vice President of Sales Ken Loh II. "The Web site we hope will become the main funnel for a direct connection between consumer and our Preferred Partners."
November 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on November 29, 2010
Retailer LifeStyles Furniture is working with Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter of the Quad Cities to raise donations for food, hygiene products, clothing and beds.
Customers who donate $50 to the homeless shelter through Moline, Ill.-based LifeStyles Furniture this holiday season will receive $200 off their Ekornes Stressless recliner purchase from Nov. 26 through Jan. 17.
The Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter as well as transitional and permanent supportive housing programs. The shelter offers opportunities for men, women and children experiencing homelessness in an environment that will promote emotional, mental and physical well being and stability.
November 27,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on November 28, 2010
Hershel Alpert, long-time president of Alperts Furniture, passed away over the weekend. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in New Bedford, Mass.
Alpert, the son of George and Rose (Sederholm) Alpert was a graduate of New Bedford High School and Colby College. It was at Colby College that he met his future wife Barbara (Weiss) Alpert. They had four children, Beth, Bruce, Peter and Scott Alpert.
After serving time in the U.S. Army, Alpert returned to New Bedford to work at Alperts Furniture Store, a family business. From 1964-1972, Alpert was President of Arlan's Furniture (a subsidiary of Alperts Furniture) with stores in Massachusetts, New York and Florida. From 1972-1985, he was president of Alperts Furniture Warehouse and Showroom, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Cinema Corporation (formerly Harcourt General Corp.) with 15 stores in New York, Ohio, Florida and Massachusetts.
In 1985 Alperts Furniture once again became a family business. Alpert was president and CEO of Alperts Furniture, a 150,000-square-foot furniture warehouse and showroom facility in Seekonk, Mass. The store was considered amongst the most productive in the industry. Alpert was an icon in the furniture industry and the business was honored with several awards including the recipient of the Brand Names Foundation Retailer of the Year award, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Retailer of the Year, and the National Home Furnishings Association Retailer of the Year in 2005.
In 2007, at 75 years old, Alpert sold the Alpert Furniture Co. to
Raymour & Flanigan and started Alpert Consulting. Alpert became a consultant to the president of
Serta. He also lectured at the
Charlton College of Business at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth where he was a member of the faculty and the senior executive in residence. He served on the Dean's advisory council at the Charlton College of Business, the advisory board at the Center for Marketing Research, and was a member of the UMASS-Dartmouth Foundation Board.
Alpert was a past president and chairman of the
National Home Furnishing Association and a past chairman of the National Home Furnishings Foundation, where he served as a trustee. He also served on the board of the Home Furnishings Association, New England. Alpert was also a member of the industry Board of Directors of the
City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles. Alpert is survived by his four children Beth, Bruce (and his wife Heidi), Peter (and his wife Rebecca Drill) and Scott Alpert, his grandchildren, Leah, Marcus, Hannah, David, Daniel, Amanda and Laura Alpert and his sister Beverly Goldstein.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice, or to the Hershel and Barbara Alpert Charitable Fund/Fidelity Gift Fund, c/o Alpert Law LLC, 105 Chestnut Street #17, Needham, Mass., 02492.