November 3,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Financial Reports on November 4, 2010
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported net sales of $6.3 billion for the month of October, the four weeks ended Oct. 31, an increase of 11 percent from $5.69 billion during the similar four-week period last year.
This year's four-week period included sales from the company's Mexico joint venture, as Costco began consolidating its Mexico operations on a prospective basis beginning with its 2011 fiscal year Aug. 30; without those sales the increase would have been 8 percent.
For the first nine weeks of its reporting period ended Oct. 31, the retailer reported net sales of $13.81 billion, an increase of 10 percent from $12.53 billion during the similar period last year; excluding Mexico sales the increase would have been 7 percent.
The complete release can be found online at Costco's Web site.
November 3,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 4, 2010
Outdoor furniture online retailer StrataShops has opened a new furniture site, 201main.com, selling modern indoor goods.
201main.com currently features modern indoor and outdoor furniture from such brands as Zuo Modern, Modloft Furniture and Diamond Sofa. New vendors and furniture items will be added in the coming weeks.
"201main.com extends an outstanding selection of modern furniture to the consumer at a great value," said Daryl Kleiman, president of sales & merchandising for StrataShops, Elkhart, Ind. "Of course, the reputable vendors that we are working with will be backed by our best in class service."
StrataShops now operates seven online furniture sites, including WickerCentral.com and StonecrestFurniture.com.
November 3,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on November 4, 2010
Jamison Bedding has revamped its Web site making it more consumer-directed by remarketing its online presence under the theme Sleep Made Different.
The new site details and compares the company's seven mattress collections on a single page, and offers three new FAQ sections along with a mattress selector function to help consumers understand the company's products.
Our objective was to develop a site that would speak to the consumer in new ways, strongly differentiate our brand and emphasize the business values weve promised and delivered on for 128 years, said Ken Hinman, senior vice president of sales and marketing. We also wanted to bring into better focus for consumers and hoteliers our position as the countrys fourth largest provider of quality mattresses to fine hotels, resorts and spas worldwide.
The Web site also incorporates Facebook and Twitter.
Visitors can opt to review the companys mattress core designs, components and their benefits, or to explore Jamisons offerings by collection, including Arbor, Crest, Equalizer, Oceania, Resort, TLC or Vita Pedic. Either option provides a list of specific Jamison models that apply.
A Mattress Comparison feature on the home page enables consumersat a glanceto contrast Jamisons product lines in three ways: By identity/function, comfort components and support system. Another home page link uses a prescription theme to address common sleep concerns and prescribe the right Jamison mattress.
The site features as many as 22 Q&As dealing with product issues and mattress shopping, customer care/service, and lodging/hospitality products. The site also offers consumers sleep tips, testimonials and ongoing company news. To reinforce our identity, we included for the first time extended information on our storied history, Hinman said. In differentiating ourselves, it was critical to emphasize that our mission is not to be the biggest bedding producer, but to be the very best in value, quality and service.
Jamisons site also features a new Green Dreams link that spells out the companys current conservation and recycling programs, as well as its specific plans to step up environmental protections in the future.
Finally, the new site includes an expanded hospitality section that highlights the companys longstanding alliances with
Marriott,
Best Western,
Choice Hotels and the
Intercontinental Hotels Group, among many other major hotel/resort names.
Featured in the section are the five product lines under Jamisons Hotel Collection, including the companys exclusive Hypnos-branded Stadia line.
November 3,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on November 4, 2010
Nateco has launched an online store dedicated to selling sustainable furniture and accessories, the company announced Wednesday.
Bethel, Conn.-based Nateco's line consists of goods in recycled and recyclable metal such as stainless steel, certified woods, natural materials such as bamboo, carb compliant wood composites, non toxic glues, and water based stains.
The company already has eliminated such processing as chrome plating and the use of polyresins or toxic glues and paints in production, both contributors to air and water pollution, as evident in the Easy Rider line of upholstered chairs. The Pisa home office line uses carb compliant wood composite, and in future production the use of of recycled paper.
As a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Nateco is learning about which woods to avoid, getting certification for the woods used in production, and assuring that forest management or replanting is involved. Currently, Nateco is making a concerted effort to work with bamboo, a plant that grows quite quickly and easily, with the introduction of the Breeze line of Audio Visual units, desks, occasional tables, and shelving.
November 3,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on November 4, 2010
Rent-to-own retailer Aaron's Inc. (NYSE: AAN) has promoted John Trainor to vice president and chief information officer, the company announced Wednesday.
"John has been instrumental in the Company's success over the last 11 years and has earned this promotion," said Robert C. Loudermilk Jr., president and CEO. "He has proven his leadership ability and has been the driving force in the development and management of the Aaron's information systems. We look forward to John's continuing contributions to the company's growth and financial performance."
Trainor joined Aaron's in 1999 in software development and the design and management of enterprise systems, and was promoted in 2007 to his previous position of vice president, information technology, Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Division.
Atlanta-based Aaron's currently has more than 1,770 company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. The company also manufactures furniture and bedding at 11 facilities in five states.