April 24,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has released a new member survey that reflects mounting financial concerns, along with increasing reductions in staffing levels and advertising spends.
April 24,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry
Ikea Retail U.S. has announced its donation of $1.6 million worth of products and supplies toward relief efforts to help the many people impacted by COVID-19. The U.S. donation is part of the company’s global $28.2 million grant of in-kind donations.
April 23,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry
The Independent Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA) has issued a letter to Vice President Mike Pence asking that industry reps get access to any future Payment Protection Program (PPP) funds after the program failed to supply many small businesses with money.
April 23,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry
Specialty bedding manufacturer Classic Brands has issued the following statement in response to the decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to initiate antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations related to the importation of mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
April 23,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry
Partnering with distillery Ole Smoky Moonshine, mattress manufacturer Mlily USA is donating 75 gallons of medical-grade hand sanitizer to three different hospital networks in Eastern Tennessee and in South Carolina to help healthcare workers in the battle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 22,
2020 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, High Point, Industry, Market
International Market Centers (IMC) has announced that its signature TrendWatch program – typically presented live at the Spring 2020 High Point Market – will now be presented as a series of free, half-hour CEU-accredited webinars on April 29, May 13 and May 27. The series will preview the three Spring 2020 TrendWatch trends – MEADOW, AVIARY and PENTHOUSE – through a live online presentation and “flip-books” showcasing products reflective of each theme.
April 22,
2020 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio-based Norwalk Furniture has shifted its production from custom upholstered furniture to sewing protective facemasks and medical gowns for local hospitals and healthcare personnel. Efforts began this month at its 440,000-square-foot facility.