Daily News Archive
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November 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on November 19, 2010
Specialty mattress retailer Mattress Firm, has named Scott Ebner and Tim May regional sales directors.
Both are responsible for the execution of strategic business objectives for his region including sales, profitability, customer service, management, store operations and merchandising in their respective regions.
Ebner will manage the Midwest Region, which includes St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis; and Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Ebner started with Houston-based Mattress Firm as district manager in St. Louis in 2009, where he was responsible for maintaining from the city's stores and sales associates. Prior to Mattress Firm, Ebner spent 10 years with Circuit City in a variety of roles including store manager, regional roadshop manager and regional vice president.
"Scott's experience with a large retailer during high growth periods and economic downturns gives him a unique perspective on creating sustainable and profitable growth," said Ken Murphy, national vice president of sales. "Since joining Mattress Firm, he has created a highly-engaged sales team and produced impressive results."
May will will manage the Atlantic Region, where he will oversee Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte, N.C.; and Charleston, S.C. May has spent 12 years with Mattress Firm and has played an integral role in executing programs on a market and national level. His accolades include Store Manager of the Year, You Make a Difference Award and District Manager of the Year. May has held the role of district manager in key markets including New Orleans, Houston and Dallas.
"Tim's innate leadership skills have helped to grow large and profitable markets," Murphy said. "His mentorship has also helped to grow the management team with at least six district managers and countless area managers promoted from his areas."
Mattress Firm has more than 600 stores in 23 states.
November 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on November 19, 2010
The International Oeko-Tex Assn. will present "Greening the Home Textile Supply Chain" at the Dec. 1-2 American Home Furnishings Alliance Sustainability Summit.
In its fourth year and with the theme "Weaving Sustainability into the Corporate Fabric: Competing in the Global Marketplace," the event will take place at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park in Asheville, N.C.
The summit will bring together a cross section of decision-makers and thought-leaders from manufacturing, retailing, and supplier companies to share ideas about elevating sustainability within the home furnishings industry; and feature expert panels and presentations.
"Sustainability is a high interest initiative within the home furnishings industry, both as a response to consumer and regulatory demands and as a key component of corporate strategies that emphasize environmental accountability," said Bill Perdue, AHFA vice president for environment, health, safety and standards. "Third-party certification is a critical tool for manufacturers to ensure their supply chains are delivering products that meet desired quality and ecological standards."
Dina Dunn, who represents the International Oeko-Tex Association in the United States, will address the role textile certification should play in corporate sustainability strategy and will outline the scope and requirements for two important global Oeko-Tex certifications. First, she will overview the well known Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification which ensures that textile products are tested to be free from harmful levels of more than 100 potentially dangerous substances; and second, the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 which certifies that textile manufacturing facilities operate with environmentally and socially conscientious methods.
For almost 20 years, the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 has been acknowledged as the world's most comprehensive and verifiable method for ensuring that textile products and the supply chains that create them do not use hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, carcinogenic dye stuffs, heavy metals, or other concerning substances that can hurt people and damage the environment.
For AHFA Sustainability Summit online registration, go here, click on EVENTS and select "2010 Sustainability Summit." Companies need not be AHFA members to attend.
November 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 19, 2010
Selden's Home Furnishings, Tacoma, Wash., recently hosted the West Coast retail launch of Theodore Alexader's Keno Bros. collection.
Furniture experts and twin brothers Leigh and Leslie Keno designed the new line, which debuted at the April High Point Furniture Market, for Theodore Alexander.
More than 300 consumers attended the Nov. 4 event, where the Kenos showcased signature pieces, discussed the key elements common to all fine furnishings, and shared how they melded classic decorative art forms, sculpture, and even racecar design into their furniture designs. The brothers signed pieces of the furniture and talked with guests until late into the evening.
"This was by far one of the most successful private events that we've had at Selden's," said Scott Selden, president of Selden's Home Furnishings. "The draw of the Keno brothers was key to the event's success and attendance; their presentation caused a flurry of sales that night immediately following the program."
Selden's was the "perfect place to kick off the retail rollout of this exciting new collection," said Theodore Alexander USA President Russell Towner. "The Keno brothers are so enthusiastic and engaging, and they really connected with the audience. Their genuine love of furniture design creates an air of excitement that is infectious and enjoyable."
The Keno Bros. collection is an eclectic, classically modern mix of 18th- through 20th-century styles. Key features include the use of exotic woods, flowing, organic shapes, fine craftsmanship, and elegant yet functional details. The collection includes dining and occasional tables, chairs, sideboards, cabinets, chests, desks, bookcases and accent items.
November 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 19, 2010
Ethan Allen (NYSE: ETH) has selected Intava to power its new touch screens in participating Ethan Allen Design Centers nationwide.
The touch screens showcase Ethan Allen's designs using interactive technology that combines photos, videos and details on all available furnishings and accessories. The result gives consumers the ability to discover, select, and visualize their home interiors through intuitive interactions with the screen.
"Choosing Intava as the technology provider for our new touch screens was an important decision, as we needed an extremely high quality interactive retail system that could showcase complex product lines," said Mike Bacon, director of retail systems for Ethan Allen, Danbury, Conn. "The Intava solution is easy for our clients to use and can scale to support our retail locations across the country."
Ethan Allen will deploy the touch screens in most of its U.S. retail locations this fall. The touch screens are powered by Intava Vector, a visual merchandising and shopper assistance solution customizable for any product category. In addition, Ethan Allen's network of touch screens will run on the Intava Sphira application platform, providing Ethan Allen with complete control through Web-based content management tools, centralized system health monitoring, remote diagnostic and administration tools, and store-by-store usage reports.
Intava, Bellevue, Wash., provides consumer-facing touch screen solutions to the retail and hospitality markets.
November 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on November 19, 2010
Contemporary furniture vendor Zuo Modern has relocated its Miami distribution center.
The new facility has more than 100,000 square feet of warehouse, office, and showroom space, and will serve as distribution gateway for all of the U.S. East Coast as well as into Central and South America.
An 8,000-square-foot showroom to show San Leandro, Calif.-based Zuo's complete line, including outdoor and accessories, is under construction.
In addition, Erika Torres will relocate to Miami from Zuo's Mexico offices to run Latin America supply chain management. She will help manage the showroom and sales with the help of Zuo rep William Diaz.
"This is an exciting opportunity to grow our distribution and brand into Latin America while better servicing our East Coast customers," said CEO Luis Ruesga. "2011 is going to be a great year."