Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
October 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 14, 2010
High-end furniture retailer Robb & Stucky Interiors recently hosted a "Furniture Fashion Fusion" event at its Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., showroom.
The gathering, which drew 300 guests, was held in partnership with Palm Beach Illustrated magazine. The reception showcased Robb & Stucky's fine furniture collections, and displayed fashions and cosmetics from Saks Fifth Avenue, and the magazine's September 2010 "Home" issue.
"This was a great way to reinforce that Robb & Stucky epitomizes style and, at the same time, to introduce new consumers to our beautiful venue," said Craig Nelson, general manager of Robb & Stucky in Palm Beach Gardens.
Luxury catering came from III Forks Steakhouse, Christafaros Catering and Fine Foods to Go, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant, Café Chardonnay, and Blue Martini/Pinnacle Vodka.
October 13,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on October 14, 2010
Home decor and accessories vendor Global Views will open a new year-round showroom this January in the Las Vegas Design Center.
Global Views' new 7,000-square-foot showroom will be located in space A-153 on the Atrium of World Market Center Las Vegas' Building A.
"We are thrilled to expand our presence in the Las Vegas marketplace with the relocation and expansion of our permanent showroom into Las Vegas Design Center," said David Gebhart, president and CEO of Dallas-based Global Views. "After five successful years on the World Market Center Las Vegas campus, we realized the added value of the daily business delivered in the Design Center. Their business model is unique and it will open up tremendous opportunities in the marketplace. We will capture the major markets hosted twice a year, in addition to servicing the design community and establishing brand identity with the consumer."
Gebhart said the new showroom offerings will be consistent with existing Global Views showrooms in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, High Point and New York, which feature home products in modern and eye-catching surroundings. The colorful showrooms are regarded for inspiring customers through edgy presentation and establishing a clever design dialogue.
"Global Views creates some of the most dynamic showroom environments in our industry," said Randy Wells, vice president of Las Vegas Design Center. "Their talent for visual merchandising and design is second to none and the new showroom at Las Vegas Design Center will bring an incredible new year-round resource to our community."
October 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on October 13, 2010
David Crane has joined La-Z-Boy (NYSE: LZB) as vice president of international sales and business development.
He is responsible for further globalizing the La-Z-Boy brand, including developing, driving and supporting international business sales and development.
Crane, who has more than 13 years of furniture industry experience, most recently served as managing director of Natuzzi Oceania, where he managed all Natuzzi, Italsofa and Editions branded business in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, he established the Natuzzi Oceania entity and oversaw the successful launch of the new Editions brand. Crane also previously served as vice president of sales for Natuzzi's southern region, managing business in south central United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. He has held various additional sales roles with Natuzzi and LeatherTrend Furniture, and spent two years as a La-Z-Boy associate sales representative in Texas.
"David comes to us with an excellent combination of international experience and furniture-industry savvy," said Doug Collier, chief marketing officer for Warren, Mich.-based La-Z-Boy and head of the company's international business. "We look forward to his leadership as we work to profitably build the La-Z-Boy brand and business in key global markets."
"La-Z-Boy is an icon of comfort and quality in North America, and I look forward to the challenge of expanding our international footprint both with existing customers and by developing new partnerships," Crane said. "I'm excited to be part of a team which will strategically build its unparalleled brand and reputation on a global scale."
October 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on October 13, 2010
Leather upholstery vendor Natuzzi (NYSE: NTZ) is beefing up consumer advertising by going digital with a relatively new online engagement technology designed to drive sales from Internet surfing.
The technology, pioneered by digital advertising firm GET Interactive and used by consumer products companies such as The LOreal Group and Hanesbrands, will immerse consumers in Natuzzi Group brands through unique furniture browsing experiences using digital advertising, social media, e-mail communication and retail partner deployments.
From a number of digital touchpoints, including unique interactive banner ads, consumers will have instant access to the Natuzzi Group brand and product information they are searching for, including product details, special offers, company background and retail locations.
Launching at the upcoming October High Point Furniture Market, Natuzzi Group will show its dealers how the online advertising works and how it can drive consumers to their stores. The information rich ads will run on high profile sites such as Elle Décor.com throughout 2011. Each media partner selected for the roll-out was strategically chosen to reach target consumers for the companys Natuzzi Italy and Natuzzi Editions brands.
Additionally, the flexible banner ads may be further customized with specific retail information and used on dealer Web sites.
We are committed to helping our dealers sell Natuzzi Group products to their consumers, as we are to finding innovative ways to do that, said Joe Mussallem, president, Natuzzi North America. No one can afford to ignore the fact that shoppers are online and actively looking for information before making a home furnishings purchase. By engaging them in the digital space first, we can help direct them to our dealers, armed and ready to buy.
GET Interactives rich media technology earns significantly higher consumer interaction metrics, compared with other digital advertising formats.
We are especially pleased to bring this first opportunity in the furniture industry to Natuzzi Group, said Rick Harrison, CEO of GET Interactive. Natuzzi Group has consistently demonstrated marketing leadership, and we are thrilled to be their partner in this inaugural initiative.
October 12,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on October 13, 2010
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation's oral histories of furniture industry leaders are available for sale, complete with family and company photos.
The first eight oral histories currently available from the 40-book set include: John C. Bernhardt, Alvin E. Bland, Rose G. Blumkin. Bob Bush Sr., O. William Fenn, Rawson Haverty Sr., Clyde Hooker Jr. and Don A. Hunziker.
"These rich little gems share the memories and wisdom of our leaders in their own words and through historic photography," said Foundation President Jeff Cook. "Our oral history and book publishing programs forever capture the personal stories and culture of the furniture industry in America and provide historical insight for future generations."
In 2008, the Hall of Fame Foundation received a grant from the Furniture Foundation to digitize the transcripts and tapes of 33 previously recorded oral interviews that were in danger of being lost. These interviews, along with seven additional new oral histories, are available for purchase through the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library or online. Individual copies cost $25 each, or a complete set of 40 can be purchased for $1,000 (not including shipping and handling). In addition to the eight histories are currently available, those interested in the others can make advance purchase orders.
The 32 additional oral histories that soon will be available include: Nathan S. Ancell, Doug Brackett, E. L. Brigg Paul H. Broyhill, David J. Brunn, Dan Edmonson, Bert Roy Fenn, John R. Gerken, Charles O. Gordon, Mary McKenzie Henkel, W.G. Holliman Jr., Leo Jiranek, William P. Kemp Sr., J. Wade Kincaid, Steven M. Kincaid, Bernard B. Lane, Joanna C. Maitland, Hyman Meyers, Steve Millender, Patrick H. Norton, Steve Pond, Joe Richardson II, Lawrence K. Schnadig, Irving Sherman, Edwin J. Shoemaker, Harley Ferguson Shuford Jr., Charles R. Sligh Jr., Robert H. Spilman, John B. Vaughan, Howard O. Walker, Ronald G. Wanek and Elliott S. Wood.
To send suggestions for other industry leaders whose story needs telling, or receive more information, e-mail here.