November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on November 5, 2010
FurnitureCore has released an application that allows retail management to track the activity of its truck fleet on a continuous basis.
The application, Truck Tracker, allows the tracking of delivery truck's progress against the daily schedule, records the duration of scheduled and unscheduled stops, notes the vehicle's speed, and indicates the exact location of vehicles at all times. The application also makes it possible for consumers to keep track of their delivery time through a retailer's Web site with a purchase order number.
The company beta tested the site with Milwaukee, Wis.-based
Steinhafels Furniture where Truck Tracker monitors more than 30 trucks.
We saw an instant improvement in delivery efficiency and we also provided better customer service by reducing late deliveries by 20 percent in a two-hour time window," said John Haas. "After over a year of use were still finding ways to improve our efficiency using the reports. The value in this comes from the day-to-day, weekly, and monthly reviews with the drivers. Its an amazing tool for coaching and training your operations team.
Other retailers utilize the Truck Tracker to improve their customers experience.
While the potential for improved productivity is important, Truck Tracker is also a visible commitment to our Red Carpet Delivery Service, an important part of our marketing program to our customers, said Ben Willis, president of Willis Furniture in Virginia Beach, Va.
Currently new applications are underway at other retailers, both small and large.
The Truck Tracker application is another application that reinforces FurnitureCores goal to provide solutions tailored to the needs of the furniture industry," said Bob George, president of
Impact Consulting Services. "Whether accessing industry information, performance benchmarking, or productivity improvement, FurnitureCore is the source."
November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on November 5, 2010
Juvenile and RTA furnishings vendor Dorel Inds. (NASDAQ: DIIB) reported Thursday that third-quarter 2010 sales rose 9.8 percent from a year ago to $569.5 million.
Net income of $30.1 million for the period remained virtually flat compared with third-quarter 2009.
Revenue through 2010's first nine months rose 11.2 percent over the same point last year to $1.8 billion; and year-to-date net income stood at $102.6 million compared with $83 million through third-quarter 2009.
"Dorel has posted solid third quarter results," said Montrea-based Dorel's President and CEO Martin Schwartz. "Our top line improved markedly while earnings were in line with the prior year. This was achieved notwithstanding the combination of much high container freight rates and increased raw material costs which impacted margins, particularly at our US juvenile business and home furnishings divisions. Dorel's bicycle business is reflecting the investments that we are making in our brands and in R&D with increased sales and earnings. At the same time despite a difficult economy abroad, there was solid progress in our juvenile business in Europe and a continuing strong showing in Brazil."
Looking ahead, although input and freight costs have begun to retreat, consumer demand is currently soft, particularly in home furnishings. Expectations are for full year earnings to be on plan. Net income will exceed the prior year.
"Our bicycle segment continues to improve, for both our mass merchant and IBD businesses," Schwartz said. "Investments in brand building and product innovation are proving to be successful with consumers in North America and Europe. ... In Juvenile, we faced challenges on costs and currency, but we are optimistic looking forward based on our commitment to ensure a pipeline of upcoming new and innovative products. Dorel Europe continues to make progress and our investment in Brazil has proven to be a very good one, with sales growth and earnings far exceeding expectations."
November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 5, 2010
Five North Carolina Ashley Furniture Homestores have begun furniture inventory liquidation sales the News & Observer reported.
The stores, located in Raleigh, Durham, Clayton, Fayetteville and Goldsboro, are owned by FreDe Enterprises, which declared bankrupcty in July.
Ashley Marketing Director John Spach said in the report that customers with items on layaway are being notified they must pay off their balance and claim their goods or make new selections from inventory; and that customers who placed orders before the liquidation sales began will get their items and that all warranties will be honored.
Two other Ashley Furniture Homestores owned by FreDe in Goldsboro and Durham closed earlier this year.
November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on November 5, 2010
This years Celia Moh scholars toured October High Point Furniture Market, visiting showrooms, networking and sharing insights on trends and opportunities.
The annual market experience included showroom visits with Fine Furniture Design, Hickory Chair, Baker, Theodore Alexander, Althorp Living History, Kincaid Furniture and Whitecraft.
The group also received a briefing on trends in social media, marketing and the press from Cheminne Taylor-Smith, vice president of marketing for the High Point Market Authority.
In addition, students took part in a roundtable discussion about the real world aspect of home furnishings. The students also received updates on design and marketing trends, business models for manufacturing and sourcing and future directions for the industry.
The visit included a dinner at the String & Splinter Club attended by former Celia Moh scholars as well as Celia Moh Scholarship Committee members.
The nine current Celia Moh scholars attending the market were Brian Harris, Appalachian State University; Shannon Taylor, Jessica Henderson and Meaghan Leonard, High Point University; Will Eatmon and Trenton Huffines, North Carolina State University; Joseph Sadony IV, Kendall College of Art and Design; Martha Gray Deans Wharton, East Carolina University; and Rebecca Gibson, Mississippi State University. The only current Moh scholar not able to attend the October market was Andrew Golombisky of Kendall College, who is currently working as an intern with Theodore Alexander in Vietnam.
The Celia Moh scholarship program was created in 2001 by furniture entrepreneur Laurence Moh--the late founder of Universal Furniture and Fine Furniture Design--to honor his wife, Celia. The program provides full-tuition scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in home furnishings.
November 4,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on November 5, 2010
Customs inspectors seized 18-plus pounds of opium hidden inside rattan chairs at Los Angeles International Airport, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
The opium was found Oct. 29 in a shipment from Thailand of 22 small rattan stools, Jaime Ruiz, a Customs and Border Protection representative, said in the report.
Some countries, including Thailand, require a complete screening of every load arriving at LAX.