Furniture Today - June 30, 2003

When Don Hunter conducted his first retail sales training session in 1971, only 20% of U.S. homes had recliners, so it was natural for him to stress the growth potential of the product. Hunter, now vice president of merchandising for Catnapper, still is talking about that growth potential.

• News
• Relax-R goes adjustable
• Matthews promoted at Wild Rose
• Hall of Fame seeks nominees
• Textile group decries currency tricks
• Rhodes to replace warehouse
• Ethan Allen supersizes
• High hopes for latest R.C. Willey unit
• Household to manage Furniture Row credit program
• Runyan joins show company
• Connell, Scarlata get promotions at rug resource CMI
• Cribs give youth segment a fresh hook
• Dealers applaud prototype
• Kids area aims to attract young shoppers
• New Country blends casual, traditional design elements
• Buffett: Integrity, character critical assets in business
• Reinvesting during boom now paying off for Harden
• Dealer Days serves up training, ideas and fun
• BDO: Factory orders off 9% in April, 10% for year
• New Levitz financing to fuel improvements
• La-Z-Boy wood group fills five new positions
• Corrections & Amplifications
• Araam, Hypnos bedding enter Canadian market
• Obituaries
• Obituaries

• People Today
• People on the Move
• People on the Move

• Opinion Today
• We should acknowledge human cost of imports

• Business Today
• Hooker 2Q sales up 28.7%; charge hurts profits
• Bassett 2Q sales skid 11.6%
• Gold sale puts Rowe in black
• Consumer confidence barely slips in June

• Special Report
• Mall display pays off for Ekornes dealer
• Klaussner gets serious
• Exclusive Survey
• Independents benefit from flexibility
• Sales showing signs of rebound
• Single-market players continue to be a force
• Retailers leverage power of own brand
• How the list was compiled
• Where the Beyond the Top 100 retailers are located

• Up Front
• Rent-to-own pioneer Ernie Talley dies at 68
• Four will receive SFM Gold Passes
• 29-store Workbench files for Chapter 11
• BART extends service to San Fran's airport
• Tietex appoints Henderson to market development post
• Harden pouring millions into defending its niche
• China sourcing trips resuming
• Rowe hires Lucas, promotes Corso
• Welch is Hickory Furniture Mart chief
• Weir's promotes Moore
• Cubberley joins Royal Patina
• Martin to direct Natuzzi training
• Calgary slower, but still important
• Retailers win big at Showplace

• Bedding Today
• Retailer visits will be key for new Spring Air home

• Store Openings
• Fla. store has Broyhill gallery
• Norwalk adds five galleries