Rocker recliners prove popular in motion
By Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today, August 6, 2007
Las Vegas — The rocker recliner is growing more popular as an add-on option to motion upholstery groups, judging by introductions at the Las Vegas Market held here last week.
Motion producers Elran, Flexsteel and Franklin all enjoyed strong outings with rocker recliner additions to their multi-piece functional seating.
Elran offered the upholstered rocker as an "either/or" choice for home theater, along with a power recliner or a standard recliner.
"Consumers can choose from a mix of all-power, all-recliner or rocker recliners at either ends," said President Sheldon Lubin. Retail pricing starts at $1,999 for the group, depending on which pieces are selected, he said.
At Flexsteel, Mark Hedden, director of sales and marketing for the West, said the rocker recliner motion option that the company introduced at the spring High Point Market did well here. Shown with a wedge, the imported bustle back group has proven "extremely versatile," he added.
It is available in neutral tones of either padded microfiber or leather.
Barcalounger, under new owners Hancock Park Associates, Los Angeles, added new colors to its offering of 10 contemporary leather recliners.
"It shows off what we're doing," said Phil Cooper, vice president of merchandising. "We're borrowing from the apparel industry's rich palette of vivid blues and greens."
Barcalounger is getting more aggressive with its product introductions and aiming more for a "high-style" look, Cooper added. "We are no longer geared only to 'Let's do this for High Point...' Our product development is on a 12-month cycle with ongoing introductions."
Showing at the World Market Center, Catnapper, Cheers Sofa/Manwah Holdings, Douglas Furniture and Leather Italia USA also saw success with motion frames.
Don Hunter, vice president for key accounts for Catnapper, pitched "phenomenal values" with a series of $999 motion sofas dressed in top-grain cowhide in combination with "Leather Touch" vinyl/match. Catnapper also did well with a microfiber console sofa and sofa-sleeper at $799 retail. Oversized chair-and-a-half entries also did well.
Cheers President Stephen Barr described his market business as "unbelievable."
"The motion category is still a bright spot and modular is making a comeback," he said. Cheers introduced 10 frames addressing stationary, motion, sectional and home theater needs.
Off-site, the Golden Nugget played host to Berkline/BenchCraft as the company awaits its move into Building C. In addition, Albany Inds., Franklin, Baseline and a few other motion sources exhibited jointly at The Plaza.
Albany's newest seating configurations feature a command center with center storage, as well as a recliner with dual massage functions.
In its first showing in Las Vegas, Franklin did well with a new import program from China, said Joe Sullivan, a western regional sales representative. The new line — unveiled in February — particularly appeals to West Coast retailers because of freight advantages.
Happy with the Plaza venue, Jay Shurling, vice president of sales for Baseline's western region, said, "We're part of a good draw here. They (Albany, Franklin, Steve Silver) get people here."
"In a sea of khaki, olive and brown, the Boston Red Sox stands out," Shurling said of his new licensed motion and stationary seating program that sports colorful logos of professional baseball teams.
"We could show a lot more teams but people get the picture," added President Red Barnes.
"We only need a few hundred feet to show our line."
