Furniture-Today back issues from October 2006:
Educational seminars set for High Point.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All seminars are held in NHFA's Retailer Resource Center, IHFC Main, 12th floor, unless otherwise noted. Monday, Oct. 16 8:30-9:30 a.m. Turn Lookers Into Buyers Today Presented by Phil Gutsell, GutSELL & Associates ...
Variety of social events on tap for market.(Calendar)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Monday, Oct. 16 8:30 a.m. -- Complimentary breakfast. Showplace atrium. 4 p.m. -- Afternoon socials. Showplace floors 1-3. 4-6 p.m. -- Complimentary bars featuring specialty drinks. IHFC accessory floors 2, 3, 4. 4-6 p.m. -- ...
High Point gets jazzy.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Blues, rock also on tap for concerts High Point-- Jazz trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso Arturo Sandoval will kick off six nights of entertainment at this year's High Point Market. Sandoval headlines the first of the Stars Under the Stars concerts and ...
Credit problems loom.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Clint Engel Philadelphia-- Credit managers of furniture industry resources say they are facing the toughest collections environment ever, with soft business for retailers across the country prompting stores to slow payments to factories. Some of those attending ...
Bassett 3Q income falls 77%.(Bassett Furniture Industries Inc.)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Larry Thomas Bassett, Va.-- Hampered by weak retail sales, Bassett Furniture Inds. saw its third-quarter net income drop 77% from the same period a year ago. Sales for the period ended Aug. 26 were off 6.3% to $77.6 million. "This was a tough quarter ...
Dondero to head WMC.(Harvey Dondero joined World Market Center )
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Founders: Time is right to pass the baton Las Vegas-- Former Broyhill, Maitland-Smith and Universal president Harvey Dondero has joined the World Market Center here as CEO, a new position for the showroom building developer and operator. Other WMC ...
How to lure tech-crazed teens.(furniture industry)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Jeff Linville High Point-- Some youth manufacturers are looking for innovative ways to draw teens into furniture stores using technology. There is no doubt that parents are spending money on their children, given the skyrocketing sales of mp3 players, wireless ...
A giant in Turkey, Istikbal eyes America.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Ray Allegrezza Kayseri, Turkey-- Istikbal, Turkey's largest manufacturer of furniture and mattresses, plans to drill deeper into the U.S. market as it targets a larger assortment of its goods for American retailers at this month's High Point Market. The strategy ...
Where to find food, beverages, other services.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff 200 Steele Cafe on Steele Continental breakfast - 7:30 a.m. Fresh fruit, crusty bagels, specialty cream cheeses, pastries and robust coffee. Lunch - 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Soups, fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches and ...
Showroom shuttles set for market.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff High Point-- Two shuttle lines will operate continuously throughout downtown High Point during the upcoming market. Other shuttle service is available to a number of outlying showrooms. Scheduled outlying showroom shuttles Free shuttles to showrooms ...
Casual dining.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail - In-depth stories on casual dining introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue A-America CP 201, 101 Bristol Point, a fresh take on modern country, in two-tone honey chestnut made from Asian ...
Wicker.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail Acacia Home & Garden HS 102 Island Retreat seating group offers wide-arm styling combining vertical split bamboo slats with full rattan framing; wood veneer tabletops; finished in Rich Merlot dark brown; sofa, $999. ...
Bedding.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail - In-depth stories on bedding introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue Bemco 111 E. Green Drive Continuing its 50th-anniversary celebration. Dr. Button's Chiro Posture mattress set is a ...
Chinese leather prices up.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Susan M. Andrews High Point-- Prices of some Chinese leather furniture are likely to increase because of a change in China's value added tax refund rate for exports, according to industry sources. Hoping to discourage "dirty" industries that pollute the ...
Durham names Pitman CEO.(Durham Furniture Inc. appointed Michael Pitman)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Michael J. Knell Durham, Ontario-- Industry veteran Michael Pitman has been named president and CEO of solid-wood bedroom specialist Durham Furniture. He assumes his post Oct. 2 and succeeds Keith McSpurren, who has been CEO for the past 18 months. ...
Admiring Hipple's team.(Storehouse Inc.)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief Storehouse president Caroline Hipple is dealing with the Chapter 11 filing of the Atlanta-based retailer's parent, the Rowe Cos., far better than I am. Here's what irks me: I've seen executives in other home furnishings sectors tank ...
Metal beds.(Hooker Furniture Corp.)(Largo International)(Stanley Furniture)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail American Drew IHFC C-926 Villa Merida collection has a Mediterranean style metal bed, $850. Grayson collection has a traditional-style metal bed. Hooker Furniture IHFC W-1047 ...
Home office.(Gautier France S.A.)(Hekman Furniture Co.)(Hooker Furniture Corp.)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail - In-depth stories on home office introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue Aspenhome IHFC M-1301 Custom concept popular in 4 Seasons home entertainment has been expanded to home office ....
Rugs.(AMS Imports Inc.)(Capel Corp.)(Dynamic Rug)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail - In-depth stories on rug introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue Abbyson IHFC D-337 Desert Visions collection uses Himalayan sheep wool and silk, with colors created with vegetable dyes ....
Motion furniture.(Brooks Furniture)(Ekornes-Konsernet)(La-Z-Boy Inc.)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff All prices retail Best Home Furnishings 239 S. Main St. U820RA4, a contemporary U-shaped conversation sofa with matching loveseat and recliner. The group features chaise recliners at each end and rounded arms. U420RA4 is a ...
Bloomingdale's opens metro N.Y. home unit.(New York)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Carole Sloan New York-- Upscale department store Bloomingdale's has opened a Home Store in The Shops at Riverside shopping center in Bergen County, N.J., with major new offerings in furniture, bedding and rugs. The 75,000-square-foot store features a wide array of ...
Texas' Gage installs two Rowe galleries.(Rowe Furniture)(Rowe Cos. added galleries)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Austin, Texas-- Upholstery maker Rowe Furniture has installed 3,000-square-foot studiorowe galleries in two Gage Furniture stores, the first Rowe galleries in both Austin and Round Rock, Texas. Gage's Austin store is 15,000 square feet, and the Round Rock unit ...
Barclay Butera signs on with Kravet, Stone America.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Los Angeles-- Designer Barclay Butera will expand his brand in the home furnishings market with an exclusive line of fabrics and trims to be developed with Kravet Collections, as well as a licensing program through Stone America. Butera joins Kravet's existing ...
GCI to handle PR for Toray Ultrasuede.(Toray Ultrasuede America selected GCI Group as its public relations agency)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff New York-- Ultra-microfiber fabric supplier Toray Ultrasuede America has selected GCI Group as its public relations agency, in a move to expand TUA's presence in a wide range of industries. GCI has worked for such leading luxury brands as Remy Martin, BMW and ...
Simmons outsources dealer services to call center.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By David Perry Atlanta-- Bedding major Simmons has made another change in the way it serves its smaller dealers, outsourcing services to a call center that handles a number of well-known retailers. The company said the new approach provides improved service. ...
Lexington, Trump plan furniture line.(Lexington Home Brands)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Jeff Linville New York-- You won't need Donald Trump's billions to buy the furniture line the iconic real estate and television entrepreneur agreed last week to develop with Lexington Home Brands. Trump Home, a full line of case goods and upholstery, will offer ...
University Loft adds 3 execs.(Kathy Carlson, Christy Myers and Chris Collins appointed at University Loft Co.)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Indianapolis-- Case goods and upholstery supplier University Loft has named three people to executive posts. Kathy Carlson , who joined the company in 2003, has been promoted to national sales manager of the Retail Division. Her duties include training and ...
People on the Move.(appointments at Blue Ocean Traders)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Managers Blue Ocean Traders Louisville, Ky. -- Occasional and accent furniture and antique reproduction specialist Blue Ocean Traders has hired Cindy Parker as inventory control manager, a new position. She joined the company Sept. 1 and ...
Guys dig flat-panel TVs, while gals want furniture.(Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association trade show)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Larry Thomas Denver-- A quick scan of the trade show floor at last month's CEDIA Expo here erased any doubts about who calls the shots when it comes to buying a flat-panel TV. It's clearly a guy thing, as the overwhelmingly male audience of high-end electronics ...
Bell'O debuts seating at CEDIA.(Bell'O International)(Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Denver-- Bell'O International, a supplier of contemporary entertainment cabinets and television mounting systems, made its debut in home theater seating at the CEDIA show here. The new product, which retails for about $999 per seat with a leather/vinyl cover, ...
Mike O'Sullivan launches custom entertainment importer.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Denver-- Mike O'Sullivan, a former executive with ready-to-assemble powerhouse O'Sullivan Inds., has launched a company that offers customized home entertainment furniture that can be delivered to a consumer's home in 21 days. Sold under the Custom House ...
Carpenter, Mills garner top awards from FMCA.(Furniture Manufacturers Credit Associations award for Dave Carpenter and Angie Mills)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Clint Engel Philadelphia-- La-Z-Boy's Dave Carpenter and Bernhardt's Angie Mills took top honors at the Furniture Manufacturers Credit Assn. meeting here for longtime service to the industry and the association. Mills, director of customer financial services at ...
The last time I shopped Paris....(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Carole Sloan, Senior Contributing Editor It's amazing how similar retailing is around the world, despite cultural and product differences. Walking the floors of key players will tell the story no matter what the country or city. Case in point: Paris, where major ...
Luxury market is growing faster than we're feeding it.(Industry overview)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Jerry Epperson Earlier this year, the luxury end of the home furnishings industry was faring better than mid- to low-priced furniture, but the sector remains very volatile. Years ago, I was taught the high end was dependent on the stock market, but I'm not so sure that's true ...
Portable audio sales soar.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Arlington, Va.-- Sales of portable audio devices soared 39% for the first half of the year, according to the Consumer Electronics Assn. Portable audio -- which includes iPods and other mp3 players, portable CD and cassette players, and portable "boom boxes" -- ...
Grab bag of books provides insights on good, bad beds.
Oct 02, 2006; ... David Perry, Executive Editor It's time for a change of pace from talk of warranties, hot retail concepts, luxurious latex, etc. This week, we share some fascinating insights into beds and sleep from the eclectic mix of books that occupied us this summer. We start ...
City Furniture completes $13M renovation.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Clint Engel Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-- City Furniture has completed more than $13 million in renovations on three stores and expanded one of the units in a move expected to provide a sales boost for the Top 100 company. Last week, City reopened its West Palm Beach ...
Lacquer Craft doubles China warehouse capacity.
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Thomas Russell Jiashan, China-- Chinese case goods manufacturer Lacquer Craft has added a second warehouse at its factory here, more than doubling its handling capacity at the location. The first warehouse holds about 1,800 containers of finished goods. The new, ...
Flexsteel honors top galleries.(Flexsteel Inds.)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Las Vegas-- Flexsteel Inds. presented its inaugural Presidential Gallery Awards to four gallery owners during a weekend jaunt here just before the July market. The galleries, each representing a sales region, were selected from among 450 nationwide based on ...
Tag enters furniture with acquisition of Parallel Lines.
Oct 02, 2006 ... By Heath E. Combs Chicago-- Accessories, tabletop and gift manufacturer Tag has acquired Parallel Lines, a designer, producer and importer of contemporary occasional furniture. The move will take the Tag brand into furniture as the Parallel Lines brand name is phased ...
Stanley broadens Prillaman's duties.(Stanley Furniture)(Glenn Prillaman)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Stanleytown, Va.-- Stanley Furniture has promoted Glenn Prillaman to the newly created position of senior vice president, marketing and sales. He now has responsibility for both Stanley Collections and the company's youth furniture line, Young America. He ...
WMC breaks ground on 3rd.(World Market Center)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Las Vegas-- World Market Center officials and Las Vegas leaders formally broke ground last week on the WMC's third building, to be the largest in the planned complex at nearly 2.1 million square feet on 16 floors. It is more than 25% leased and is expected to ...
Bob's opening first Rhode Island store.(Bob's Discount Furniture)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... By Clint Engel Manchester, Conn.-- Bob's Discount Furniture will open its first Rhode Island store and third New Jersey showroom next week, a move it promises is just the beginning of an aggressive expansion plan. The Top 100 company will open 35,000-square-foot ...
GTA adding ticking plant.(Global Textile Alliance)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Colfax, N.C.-- Global Textile Alliance, a supplier of upholstery fabric and mattress ticking, plans to open a ticking production plant in Reidsville, N.C., bringing some textile production back to the state and allowing GTA to avoid duties, tariffs and quotas on imported ...
Obituaries.(Obituary)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Allyson Coleman Lowman, daughter of Edwin Coleman, Life Style Furniture Staff Jackson, Miss. -- Allyson Coleman Lowman, daughter of Edwin Coleman, sales manager of upholstery producer Life Style Furniture, died in an automobile accident here Sept ....
Correction.
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Jack Eger of Craftex Mills was incorrectly identified as Jack Cobb in a photo caption on page 8 of the Sept. 25 issue. A People Today item on page 20 of the Sept. 25 issue ...
High Point readies lounges for offshore, U.S. buyers.(High Point Market Authority)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff High Point-- The High Point Market Authority will unveil a pair of new reception spaces for the fall market, created to serve offshore and domestic buyers. Non-U.S. buyers will find a place to relax in the International Buyer Center, on the 5th floor of ...
Miller kicks off Excelsior line at R&S Tampa store.(Nicole Miller's collections)(Robb & Stucky)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Tampa, Fla.-- Designer Nicole Miller was on hand at retailer Robb & Stucky's store here to help kick off the national debut of her home furnishings collection, manufactured by Excelsior Designs. Fans arrived early and lined up for autographs and pictures of the ...
High Point Group to liquidate Wood Armfield inventory.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... Clint Engel High Point-- Bankrupt retailer Wood Armfield here has hired The High Point Group to handle its liquidation sale, with plans to dispose of all inventory. The former Top 100 furniture store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection July 20, at that time ...
Two truckers for 1-800-Mattress killed.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff New York-- Two independent truckers serving 1-800-Mattress were killed last week in an accident on the George Washington Bridge here. Driver Salvador Vasquez and assistant Wilfred Gomez were employees of Eleven Truckers, an independent contractor to the bedding ...
Aktrin: Canadian spending to grow 4.4% in 2007.(Akrtin Furniture Information Center)(Industry overview)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Michael J. Knell Oakville, Ontario-- Canadian consumer spending on furniture and bedding should total C$10.8 billion this year and grow by 4.4% in 2007, according to research company Aktrin Furniture Information Center. Those spending figures include sales taxes, ...
Amex may delist Rowe stock.(American Stock Exchange)(Rowe Cos.)(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff McLean, Va.-- Rowe Cos. said last week that it had been notified that the American Stock Exchange might delist the stock of the company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a week earlier. The upholstery manufacturer and owner of retailer Storehouse ...
Ethan Allen expects lower sales in 3Q.(Brief article)
Oct 02, 2006 ... Staff Danbury, Conn.-- Ethan Allen last week forecast that its fiscal first-quarter sales would be below last year's level and Wall Street analysts' estimates. Chairman and CEO Farooq Kathwari said the retailer and manufacturer/importer currently anticipates sales ...
Istikbal parent Boydak Holdings huge in Turkey.(Company overview)
Oct 02, 2006; ... By Ray Allegrezza Kayseri, Turkey-- While the Istikbal brand may be the face familiar to American retailers, the company's Turkish parent, Boydak Holdings, is the heart and soul. Founded 50 years ago in this city as a local furniture maker, Boydak Holdings has ...
Rose Furniture to close, may file for Chapter 11.
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Clint Engel High Point- Top 100 store Rose Furniture said last week it will close and may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The North Carolina discounter, with three High Point showrooms, said in a press release that Rose and its affiliated Rose Furniture ...
Berg to head DMI's Home Styles, Asia.(appointment of David Berg)(Brief article)
Oct 09, 2006 ... Staff Louisville, Ky.- Industry veteran David Berg has joined DMI Furniture as managing director of Home Styles, Asia. Berg was most recently global project coordinator with Lexington Home Brands, where he was responsible for global sourcing, product design and ...
Broyhill to launch accessory program.(Broyhill Home Solutions program)(Brief article)
Oct 09, 2006 ... Staff High Point- Broyhill will offer an array of accessories to its gallery dealers as part of a new Broyhill Home Solutions program, aiming to help match the perfect lamp or tabletop item with its furniture. The program will be introduced at next week's market here ...
Showroom changes.(Table)
Oct 09, 2006 ... Staff International Home Furnishings Center: 210 E. Commerce Ave. IHFC <Pre> New exhibitors DnK EnterprisesD249 Mary Mayo G262 Charles Carol Designs G472 Ely's D449 LABS H435 Euro Design ...
Soft Line set to buy former Collezione Europa building.(Soft Line SPA)(Brief article)
Oct 09, 2006 ... Staff High Point- Italian upholstery manufacturer Soft Line SPA has signed a multi-million-dollar contract to purchase Collezione Europa's former market showroom here at 131 W. Commerce Ave. Collezione Europa, which outgrew the 14,000-square-foot building, has leased ...
A whole new day.
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Heath E. Combs When will market really start? High Point- Next week's High Point Market will be an unconventional one for Alan Kramer and his team of eight buyers from Houston's Star Furniture. That's because this time, they'll show up just one day ...
Pier 1 chief will retire.(retirement of Marvin Girouard)
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Clint Engel Fort Worth, Texas- Marvin Girouard, chairman and CEO and 32-year veteran of Pier 1 Imports, will retire from the Top 100 store chain Feb. 28. Pier 1's board has hired New York-based search firm Herbert Mines Associates to help find a replacement. ...
Hooker 3Q sales flat, net income soars 80%.(Hooker Furniture)
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Larry Thomas Martinsville, Va.- Hooker Furniture reported flat third-quarter sales, but net income jumped more than 80% because of a sharp drop in restructuring charges. Sales in the quarter came to $83 million, compared with $82.4 million in last year's third ...
Storehouse liquidating.(Rowe's division liquidation approved by bankruptcy court)
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Clint Engel Time runs out for going-concern bidders Alexandria, Va.- A federal bankruptcy court last week approved the liquidation of Storehouse, the 70-store subsidiary of The Rowe Companies, as time ran out on efforts to find a buyer to keep the Top 100 chain ...
Shanghai extends global reach.(China International Furniture Expo )
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Thomas Russell Shanghai, China- With 20% of its buyers coming from more than 150 countries, the 12th edition of the China International Furniture Expo here lived up to its reputation as a global event. Perhaps more importantly, it helped accomplish the goals of ...
Natuzzi launching high-end stores.
Oct 09, 2006; ... By Joan Gunin High Point- Italian upholstery manufacturer Natuzzi is set to announce plans next week to open a series of upscale Pasquale Natuzzi freestanding stores and flagship galleries worldwide. The move is part of the company's ongoing campaign to segment its ...