November 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 8, 2010
Slumberland Furniture's store in Topeka, Kan., has closed and will reopen under a new name, WIBW reported Friday.
A customer waiting on $4,000 worth of furniture told the station the store was closed when she visited last week and that she's contacted the Better Business Bureau.
A woman who said she's the store owner's daughter told WIBW the store will open under a new name and that customers will receive their furniture or refunds.
November 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on November 8, 2010
The High Point Furniture Market reported total attendance of 71,146 for last month's edition.
"In addition to retaining and catering to our existing buyers, we have made new buyers a priority and we saw good growth in that category," says Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. "Although buyer attendance was essentially flat year over year at 42,413, actual buying organizations increased by about 5 percent, and for companies who are new to High Point the numbers increased by 14 percent."
Overall sales personnel for both buyers and exhibitors showed a decline as retailers sent fewer people and exhibitors made do with smaller staffs.
"That is a common trend we're seeing in this economy overall," Casey continues. "Yet market performed very well. Business was brisk and this market has positioned us well for future growth."
"With the economy still in flux and with the election adding anxiety in October, we are pleased to see the numbers where they are," said Samson Marketing's Kevin OConnor, chairman of the board for the High Point Market Authority. "Frankly many headed into this market with a bit of nervousness, but the overall result of the market was good buying activity and a terrific upbeat mood."
"Were encouraged by the numbers weve seen," Casey said. "We will continue our marketing plans to cater to and retain existing buyers, to reach out to new national and international buyers, and to work in partnership with interior designer groups that we know will also increase our visibility with that target audience. We look forward to another strong Market in April."
The April High Point Market is scheduled for April 2-7, 2011.
November 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on November 8, 2010
Furnitureland South has partnered with sales trainer John Pyke to create a 15-month training program to enhance the skills of its 140 sales/design consultants.
This new training program focuses specifically on the strengths of each consultant and how each person's unique skill-set can assist them to create an environment of service to Furnitureland South customers, rather than one of selling. Using profile assessments, key-note speaking presentations, one-on-one planning sessions and small group accelerated skills training, the goal is make Furnitureland South's sales team a dynamic, world-class, enthusiastic and successful force whose core purpose is the service of our valued customers.
"I am very excited about our partnership with John Pyke," said Ken Macdonald, director of sales for Furnitureland South, Jamestown, N.C. "John's expertise, sales philosophy, training experience and enthusiasm will be a valuable asset to our ongoing educational program. We are thrilled to have John as a part of our team for the next 15 months as we strive to create an environment of unsurpassed excellence in the home furnishings retail market place."
November 7,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on November 8, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas has established a new on-line quick registration system for the Winter 2011 Las Vegas Furniture Market, Jan. 24-28.
The new expedited feature allows returning buyers, designers and members of the media who registered for the Summer 2010 Las Vegas Market to quickly register for the upcoming Market with just one click. When users log onto their WMCommunity profile and click register on their dashboard, a confirmation page will be displayed with all of their previous contact details. If no information has changed, they can submit immediately without having to enter any new information.
The new quick registration system also applies to previously-registered buyers who are planning to attend the upcoming Gift+Home(http://www.giftandhomelv.com/) and Vegas Kids in January 2011. Quick registration will be open for all exhibitors and reps later this month.
First-time registrants attending Market in January can visit lasvegasmarket.com and will also enjoy a more streamlined registration process. The quick registration feature will be available to all returning buyers for future Markets.
"We are constantly evaluating ways to offer added convenience to our Market attendees, and believe this new quick registration coupled with a more robust online experience, delivers greater ease and productivity," said Michelle Monteferrante, WMCLV's vice president of operations. "In addition, we've negotiated discounted rates with 25 leading Las Vegas hotels providing tremendous savings at some of the citys most prestigious and new resorts. The value of our citys offerings has never been better."
Nightly rates are as low as $44 and include properties both on and off the Las Vegas Strip. Go here for a complete list of hotels and rates, and to register for rooms.
November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on November 5, 2010
Stanley Furniture Co. (NASDAQ: STLY) reported a net loss of $4.9 million for the third quarter, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million in the same quarter of last year.
Net sales for the quarter were $34.9 million, a 9.3 percent drop from net sales in the third quarter.
The company reported an operating loss for the third quarter of 2010 of $6.4 million, compared to an operating loss of $7.5 million in the third quarter of 2009. The 2010 third quarter loss includes accelerated depreciation charges of $2.3 million related to Stanley's restructuring plan announced in May.
"In May of this year, we set our path towards profitability by announcing a comprehensive restructuring plan," said Glenn Prillaman, president and chief executive officer. "We are pleased with the progress we have made to date, as evidenced by a smaller operating loss and less use of cash in the third quarter compared to the first and second quarters of this year."
The company is still in transition with its plan to push its adult product line to an off-shore production model, and its
Young America line to a completely domestic model. The Young America line is now being produced in the Stanley factory in Robbinsville, N.C.
The move of the adult line to a global model is still in the works, and the company expects to shutter its Stanleytown, Va., factory in December.
"We anticipate operating inefficiencies stemming from the wind-down of this plant, and the disruption created by this move may reduce sales and increase our operating loss in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter of 2010," Prillaman said. "However, our partner factories overseas are already making a significant portion of this product line, and we anticipate a smooth operational transition as we shift our remaining domestic production to these suppliers."
The entire earnings release is available online.