October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 19, 2010
The Greater New York Home Furnishings Association has named Carr Business Systems a preferred service supplier to its retail and rep membership base.
As part of the numerous changes that were and are being made within the association, the group is in the process of aligning itself with premier vendors and service suppliers to offer to members of GNYHFA. One of the first major alliances has been with Melville, N.Y.-based Carr Business Systems, A Xerox Company.
Carr Business Systems has provided document management solutions for 70 years, and can extend its services globally as it is owned by Xerox. Technologies and solutions include office and production systems, copy/print/scan/fax, black/white and full color, document management and software solutions, cost control and document security, wide format systems, management print services
Carr Business Systems is offering all members of GNYHFA a free workflow analysis to examine all the costs associated with their document output, which includes costs related to supplies, maintenance agreement, preprinted forms, and outsourcing. Carr will make recommendations on how to gain efficiencies, lower expenses and potentially improve employee productivity and job satisfaction.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on October 19, 2010
Houston-based Mattress Firm has acquired eight franchised-own locations in Tennessee and Alabama, making the corporate store count 530 and the franchise count 70.
The stores are located in Chattanooga, Tenn., Knoxville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., and the were previously owned by Ryan Vinson and Scott Scoggins with Peak Management.
Vinson and Scoggins have joined the corporate organization.
Vinson has been named to the new position of director of new market development. He is responsible for establishing successful new market stores through cross-functional coordination with an entrepreneurial focus.
Scoggins continues to oversee the acquired markets as district manager.
I am excited to bring thriving, established markets in to the corporate presence and to continue to build on the solid foundation assembled by Peak Management," said Steve Stagner, Mattress Firm CEO. "Additionally, Im eager to bring Ryan and Scott back into the corporate team. They have a unique perspective on the industry which stems from their time as a Mattress Firm, Inc. district managers and successful entrepreneurs. Both Ryan and Scott have proven that they can enter an organic market and create sustainable and profitable growth.
Vinson started his career at Mattress Firm in the sales and management program 11 years ago. He held several roles including district manager before opening franchise locations in 2007. His growth and development through the corporate sales organization prepared him for success as a franchisee. Early success allowed the franchise to expand during a time when most retailers were closing doors. Vinson is a graduate of
Stephen F. Austin State University.
Scoggins joined Mattress Firm in 1995. Shortly after, he became a partner in the Mattress Firm Elite franchise and helped build a 50-store chain across the southeastern United States. Hes held a number of roles at Mattress Firm including district manager, city manager and franchisee. Scoggins is also a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Mattress Firm operates stores in 22 states and sells bedding from a number of traditional and specialty suppliers including
Tempur-Pedic,
Sealy,
Simmons, and
Sleep to Live.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on October 19, 2010
Consumer furniture portal HomeFurnishings.com will launch "Ask Christopher," a new Web series from interior design and lifestyle guru Christopher Lowell, on Nov. 3.
Each unique three- to five-minute video episode is designed to help consumers with their home improvement and decorating challenges and is delivered with Lowell's trademark humor and infectious "You Can Do It" attitude.
"Ask Christopher" is for viewers interested in high style design on realistic budgets and is driven by interactive questions received from consumers via social media. Episodes provide thoughtful solutions on how to transform homes into spaces that pamper and inspire while defying today's time and money constraints.
The series focuses on surprisingly simple updates and covers everything from de-cluttering and maximizing space to accessorizing and hassle-free in-home entertaining. Lowell's mantra, "It's not what it costs or where you got it, it's what you do with it that counts," will be the series' central theme; and fits HomeFurnishings.com' mission to be the destination for consumers looking for practical, unbiased advice on decorating and shopping for home furnishings.
"Were very excited to partner with Christopher to feature this entertaining, information-packed series," said Doug Kays, HomeFurnishings.com CEO. "Today's consumers are looking for solid, objective advice to help them improve their homes and the 'Ask Christopher' series delivers just that. Christopher is one of America's original and best-loved interior design and lifestyle personalities--as well as a trusted leader and innovator in the home furnishings industryand were proud to bring his expertise to the users of HomeFurnishings.com."
Ask Christopher is co-produced by Christopher Lowell Productions Co. and Pazona Productions. Homefurnishings.com will be part of a select network of Web portals and affiliated Web sites that are distributing the first round of the series.
"I'm delighted that Homefurnishings.com has become a recent affiliate for my new Web series," Lowell said. "Between our on-demand education and their great resources I feel it offers viewers a complete home design experience. Together we can offer timeless solutions for tomorrow's home."
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Legal on October 19, 2010
Furniture retailers and manufacturers might be interested to read CPSC Commissioner Nancy Nord's blog about her experience at High Point Furniture Market.
Titled "Loss of Faith in Regulators," Nord's entry recounted her positive impressions of current safety efforts in the furniture industry, and the industry's problems with testing requirements and a proposal to create a public database for consumer complaints.
"We should be working cooperatively with those who make and sell products to assure that safety is built into their products without costly, unproductive regulations," Nord wrote.
October 18,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on October 19, 2010
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z3339771192&z=1000247453
Ashley Furniture Industries announced Tuesday plans to reduce its workforce. In a company news release, the company said 65 jobs will be eliminated.
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