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Furniture|Today > Archives > 04/07/2008 Issue
Table of Contents
Furniture|Today -- 04/07/2008

Bedding Today
  • Mattress Retailing 101
    A good mattress helps you do what?...
    It is the magic question, a single, simple question that helps consumers unlock the secret to a happier, more fulfilled life. And, best of all, the consumers supply the answers to that question themselves. All they need is a little prompting. Kurt Ling, president of Customer Kinetics, a customer experience firm, is a veteran focus group researcher.
  • Mattress Retailing 101
    Ling to speak at F/T Bedding Conference
    Kurt Ling will share some of his consumer insights on the mattress shopping experience in an address at Furniture/Today's upcoming Bedding Conference. He is one of the speakers in the Retail Workshop session at the conference, set for May 14–16 at the Ritz-Carlton golf resort in Naples, Fla. Ling's talk will be on the afternoon of May 15.

Editor's Desk
  • Here's to a show filled with zest
    So, here you are facing the opening day of market. There's scores of exciting new products and dozens of new exhibitors, but thanks to the soft economy, you probably feel as if you've inherited the proverbial lemon. So here are three options: Using last week's Furniture/Today, I did a quick count of the new exhibitors showing at this market, and was surprised to note that there are well over 10...

News
  • Prayer breakfast to feature Wilkinson, Chandler
    High Point— Bruce Wilkinson, author of more than 60 books including the best seller "The Prayer of Jabez," will be the keynote speaker at the Furniture Fellowship Prayer Breakfast during the upcoming High Point Market. The 14th annual breakfast will take place Wednesday, April 9, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.
  • Drake leaving president spot at NARDA
    Glenview, Ill.— After four years at the helm, Tom Drake is stepping down as president and CEO of the North American Retail Dealers Assn. Drake has driven such NARDA initiatives as outsourcing its operational functions and merging with the United Services Assn., which is now NARDA's service arm.
  • Shipment figures slashed
    High Point— U.S. furniture production is far lower than previously estimated, according to new figures from the Department of Commerce. In 2006, U.S. factories produced $21.2 billion worth of furniture or 19.2% less than the $27.7 billion previously estimated. The American Home Furnishings Alliance, which bases its shipments estimates on the DOC data, also released the first numbers for 2...
  • City planning first LEED-certified furniture store
    Fort Lauderdale, Fla.— City Furniture is planning to build what is believed to be the first furniture store in the nation certified by the most widely recognized standard in environmentally responsible architecture, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.
  • Ashley creating health and wellness center
    Arcadia, Wis.— Aiming to promote worker wellness and head off soaring health care costs, Ashley Furniture is establishing the Ashley Health & Wellness Center on its manufacturing campus here. Operated by Gundersen Lutheran Health System, a large regional health care network in Wisconsin and Iowa, the facility will provide basic medical services and preventive care for 15,000 Ashley em...
  • Halvorsen joins West Bros. as VP sales, marketing
    Hanover, Ontario— Industry veteran Tom Halvorsen has joined solid wood producer West Bros. Furniture as vice president of sales and marketing, a new position. "Tom's extensive knowledge of the furniture retail marketplace will be a great asset to our company as we continue to move forward and expand our business," West Bros.
  • Violino hires Reichick
    Atlanta— Richard Reichick has joined leather upholstery producer Violino as president of sales and marketing for the Americas. Reichick, most recently sales manager for Italian leather producer DeCoro, is an industry veteran who has worked in the upholstery sector for more than 30 years. He was previously sales manager for Bauhaus USA and began his career as a furniture buyer for Blooming...
  • Valdese Weavers promotes several executives
    Valdese, N.C.— Fabric supplier Valdese Weavers said that because of its dramatic growth, it has promoted five of its executives to new positions. "We recognize that since we made significant acquisitions last year and have had dynamic growth internally over the last few years, we are a different company with different management needs.
  • RTG opens in Houston
    Houston— Rooms To Go has opened the first of four stores it has planned for this metro area. The 35,000-square-foot showroom is at the Gulf Freeway and Bay Area Boulevard, adjacent to Baybrook Mall. Over the next few months, the Top 100 company also will open stores in The Woodlands, Stafford and Willowbrook areas of greater Houston.
  • AICO's Vizcaya takes inspiration from Spain
    High Point— In keeping with a history of bringing retailers designs from around the world, AICO this week is introducing the Vizcaya collection of case goods and upholstery, said to capture the opulent styling of upscale furniture from Spain and the northwestern Mediterranean. President Larry Rinaldi said the collection's bedroom and dining room furniture is offered in a warm Dusted Umber...
  • Green signing copies of new book at market
    High Point— Industry veteran Jim Green has scheduled a series of dates at the High Point Market to sign copies of his new book, "Furniture Retailing 101." Green, who was a retailer and sales rep for 30 years and has an MBA degree in management, authored the three-volume set as a comprehensive information resource for the retail furniture industry.
  • Smith to kick off WithIt seminars at market
    High Point— Jaclyn Smith will kick off the Women in the Home Industries Today's seminars at this week's High Point Market. Smith will be guest speaker for the industry organization's educational breakfast on Tuesday, April 8, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Club Level Ballroom A on the Green Wing of the International Home Furnishings Center's 11th floor.
  • FBI appoints Rolls CFO
    St. Louis— Furniture Brands International has hired Steven Rolls as chief financial officer, filling a post left vacant since Denise Ramos left 10 months ago. "With our executive leadership team now complete, we all look forward to delivering on the promise that Furniture Brands holds," said Ralph Scozzafava, FBI's vice chairman and CEO.
  • Casual Living®
    Glen Raven forms Tri Vantage division Glen Raven recently unveiled the name for its new distribution division, Tri Vantage LLC. In May 2007, Glen Raven acquired long-standing business partners The Astrup Co. and John Boyle & Co., two of the nation's largest distributors of fabrics, hardware and finishing supplies for the awning, marine, sign and casual furniture industries.
  • Mittelman signs on for Kansas City show
    Kansas City, Mo.— Mittelman Furniture, one of the largest furniture distributors in the Midwest, has confirmed that it will show at the first Kansas City Furniture & Accessory Market Sept. 13 and 14. This is Mittelman's first time exhibiting with show organizer Karel Exposition Management, said President Larry Karel.
  • Robert Allen plans WMC showroom
    Las Vegas— Decorative fabrics company Robert Allen Group said it plans to open a showroom for fabrics and upholstered furniture in the World Market Center here this summer. The nearly 30,000-square-foot showroom will be located in the Las Vegas Design Center on the first floor of the market's new Building C and will showcase product from Robert Allen and Beacon Hill.
  • Zorio teams up with Nick Oak for new line
    Tijuana, Mexico— Sergio Zorio, former vice president of sales at case goods manufacturer Sunny Designs, has formed a sourcing partnership to produce and export goods from Mexico. Zorio worked for Sunny Designs for the past eight years and decided to leave the company late last year to go out on his own.
  • Davis opts to make promo upholstery in Miss.
    West Point, Miss.— With shipping costs rising, Davis International has resumed manufacturing some upholstery frames in its Houlka, Miss., factory rather than importing them from China. Lynn Davis, vice president of the manufacturer, said the Houlka plant will produce between 10 and 15 frames to be used in sofas retailing at $399 and $499.
  • Give us your best market photograph
    High Point— Furniture/Today is soliciting photographs of product introductions for its Best of Market section, to appear in the April 21 issue. To be considered, products must be well-received introductions at this market. Furniture and rugs in all categories and price points will be considered.
  • 'Ask the Experts' panel ready for questions
    High Point— Retailers attending market will be able to "Ask the Experts" about topics like merchandising, operations, interior design, finance, human resources, and real estate, courtesy of the National Home Furnishings Assn. The retail trade group will arrange a series of one-on-one meetings here with five industry veterans, all past or present NHFA board members, in the association's Re...
  • Stewart, Sills to share home decorating ideas
    High Point— Home products icon Martha Stewart will take the stage at the High Point Theatre at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, to discuss home decorating and her design inspirations before a High Point Market audience. Interior designer Stephen Sills also will speak at the invitation-only event. He and James Huniford are creators of the Dwellings home furnishings line, which can be seen at their...
  • BB&T wins Factor of Year recognition
    Winston-Salem, N.C.— BB&T Commercial Finance has received the Import Factor of the Year award from financial company Factors Chain International. The award recognizes the FCI member that provides the highest level of import factoring service and business volume among FCI's 227 member organizations in 2006.
  • Familiar faces in new showrooms this market
    High Point— Changes of venues have caused many High Point Market exhibitors to scramble to be ready for opening day today. Dozens of companies are either new to market or have changed locations since the October show. Among those on the march: Pulaski and Davis International changed buildings, SLF shifted further south in 220 Elm, and Ligo Products dropped six floors.
  • Mesa Brasileira ceases operations
    Deerfield, Fla.— Mesa Brasileira, an importer of mosaic stone-top dining and occasional tables, is winding down operations after a five-year run. Company principal Chris Figueira, a mechanical engineer by training, said he closed down the Virginia Beach, Va.-based operation about two months ago and is selling off 20 to 30 SKUs of remaining inventory.
  • LeggettSleep makes permanent home on Web
    Carthage, Mo.— LeggettSleep.com, the Web site launched last year during Leggett & Platt's national Spring Alive Tour, is back in cyberspace. This time, officials say, it will have a permanent home. The site originally gave L&P's Mark Quinn and the members of the Spring Alive Tour, consultants Craig McAndrews and Kurt Ling, a chance to talk about their travels and insights on the f...
  • Jordan's customers will win big again if Red Sox sweep
    Boston— Jordan's Furniture customers will have another shot at free furniture this year, but the bar has been set higher. Last year, the official furniture store of the Boston Red Sox promised free products if the Sox won pro baseball's World Series. This time, the Red Sox will have to sweep all four games of the Series — like they did last year — for customers to get their mo...
  • Cologne fair draws more international visitors
    Cologne, Germany— The IMM Cologne furniture fair drew 107,000 visitors from 130 countries, up slightly from the 106,000 who attended the show in 2007. Of those, an estimated 31,000 were international visitors and another 21,000 were consumers who came in during the days the show was open to the public.
  • Free furniture offered to Cubs fans
    Algonquin, Ill.— Another furniture retailer is tying free furniture to a home team sports victory. SuitePlay, a four-store Chicagoland retailer of home entertainment furniture, games and accessories, will reimburse all purchases made at its stores from March 13 through April 15 if baseball's Chicago Cubs win the World Series this year.
  • Company offers innovations with adjustable foam beds
    New York— Innovative foam systems meet sophisticated German engineering in new specialty sleep sets offered by Sleep Studio, say founders of the supplier. Foam bedding veterans Michael Rothbard and Chris Ann Ernst have joined forces again to head Sleep Studio. They worked for Comfort Sleeper, a supplier of specialty foam sleep products, in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Big Tree to introduce Simmons brand futons
    Atlanta— Bedding major Simmons has signed a licensing agreement with Big Tree Furniture for a new collection of branded innerspring futon mattresses. Big Tree, which makes futon mattresses, frames, and covers under the Big Tree and Big Sleep brand names, will use the Simmons and Simmons Beautyrest brand names for the new collection.
  • Sleep Country Canada expects to add stores
    Toronto— Sleep Country Canada will enter the Saskatchewan market in May with two stores and a distribution center in Regina and two stores in Saskatoon. Company President Christine Magee said that once those stores are open, the only major region of the nation without Sleep Country units will be Atlantic Canada.
  • MCM planning center in Columbia
    Dallas— Market Center Management, the company behind the Dallas Market Center, Shanghaimart and Brussels International Trade Mart, has announced plans to develop a market center in Bogota, Colombia. To be known as the Latin-American Trade Mart, the 2.5 million-square-foot complex is scheduled to open in 2011.
  • Room Planners studies consumer behavior in home
    Centerport, N.Y.— When Loreen Epp was directing marketing and merchandising for furniture makers and retailers such as Staples, Levitz, Seaman's and Palliser, she often longed for reliable information about what consumers really wanted — not just what they saw in furniture stores or said in focus groups.
  • Bernie & Phyl's planning sixth
    Norton, Mass.— Bernie & Phyl's Furniture will open its sixth New England store this spring in the Cape Cod town of Hyannis, Mass. The Top 100 company said it is purchasing a 12,000-square-foot store at 20 Airport Road in Hyannis, across from the Cape Cod Mall, from the Cabana family, which has operated a La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery store there for more than 30 years.
  • McKay joins Protect-A-Bed as EVP of sales
    Chicago— Bedding veteran Larry McKay has joined Protect-A-Bed in the new position of executive vice president of sales. The 30-year bedding veteran was most recently president of Comfort Solutions and earlier worked at Sealy, Spring Air and Serta. "Larry McKay has extensive experience in the bedding industry," said Lawrence Hirson, Protect-A-Bed principal.
  • Pride Sasser taps Chiappa as president
    Morganton, N.C.— Industry veteran Peter Chiappa has been hired as president of high-end accessories and furniture resource Pride Sasser Home Furnishings. Chiappa left Thomasville Furniture as a senior marketing representative for the Southwest late last year. He replaces Brian Robinson, who left Pride Sasser last summer.
  • Hige joins IBC
    Fort Lauderdale, Fla.— International Bedding Corp. said Daniel Hige has joined the company as senior vice president of manufacturing, a new position for the company. Hige has worked in the bedding industry more than 15 years and most recently was vice president of operations in the northern region for Sealy.
  • Flexsteel promotes Freeman, Piekenbrock
    Dubuque, Iowa— Flexsteel Inds. has promoted executives Chip Piekenbrock and Roger Freeman to new management positions. Piekenbrock is now director of marketing, a newly created post. He has worked in varied sales and marketing roles at Flexsteel for 22 years and most recently was director of retail development.
  • Chinese sources face variety of cost pressures
    High Point— To find the roots of this spring's price hikes, retailers need look no further than the manufacturers producing the merchandise that ends up on their sales floors. Interviews with Chinese manufacturers at furniture shows in southern China last month gave a glimpse into some of the pressures their businesses are facing.
  • Carpet One names Demaree president
    Manchester, N.H.— Eric Demaree has been named president of retail group Carpet One Floor & Home. Evan Hackel, former president of Carpet One Floor & Home, has been named president of Biz Unite, a new division of CCA Global. In addition, Hackel retains his duties as senior vice president of groups for CCA.
  • Goss joins Highland House in VP post
    Hickory, N.C.— Industry veteran Parker Goss has joined upholstery and occasional manufacturer Highland House as vice president of sales. Goss had been vice president of sales for Southern Furniture, a post he held from late 2003 until last December, when he became Southern's sales representative for North Carolina and South Carolina.
  • Kahan family buys Covington
    New York— The Kahan family, a Massachusetts retailer, has bought decorative fabric producer Covington Holdings LLC from Covington CEO Roger Gilmartin and other investors. Gilmartin, who will remain president and CEO under the new owners, and his partners had purchased the company from the founding Gilmore family in January 2006.
  • Vaughan taps Miller
    Galax, Va.— Vaughan Furniture has named industry veteran David E. Miller to the newly created position of senior vice president of merchandising. Miller, a former president and founder of case goods importer Huntington Furniture, also held sales and marketing posts with Samuel Lawrence Furniture and Universal Furniture.
  • American Leather taps Archer for merchandising
    Dallas— Amy Archer has joined custom upholstery specialist American Leather as director of merchandising, a new position. In her 25 years in the industry, Archer has worked in manufacturing and retail, including sales and merchandising. She is known as a trend and consumer behavior expert. Archer was with Rowe Furniture for 10 years in product design and as creative director for its Robin...
  • Huntingdon promotes Frenzel
    High Point— Case goods importer Huntington Furniture has promoted Bruce Frenzel to manage company's product development efforts, in addition to his duties as senior vice president of sales and marketing. A 30-year industry veteran, Frenzel had similar roles at Thornwood, Silver Furniture and JDI, an occasional division of Klaussner before joining Huntington in September.
  • Natuzzi names Gaipa CFO
    Santeramo in Colle, Italy— Upholstered furniture major Natuzzi said that Filippo Simonetti has resigned as chief financial officer and will be replaced by Salvatore Gaipa, former CFO of Panasonic Italia. The company said Simonetti's resignation is effective March 22, but did not give a reason for his departure.
  • Obituaries
    Obituaries
  • Bernhardt achieves environmental status
    Lenoir, N.C.— Bernhardt Furniture has successfully completed registration of all five of its U.S. facilities in the American Home Furnishings Alliance's Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture, or EFEC, program. Bernhardt also is the first AHFA member to have its corporate office achieve EFEC registration.
  • Chamber supporting designers in tax fight
    High Point— This city's Chamber of Commerce has lent its support to designers fighting a proposed North Carolina state sales tax on their services. The N.C. Department of Revenue wants designers to collect a 6.75% sales tax on consulting fees from clients who also purchase products from them. The state also wants to collect thousands of dollars in back taxes, penalties and interest from d...
  • Bassett, La-Z-Boy, Select get flak from shareholders
    High Point— Furniture Brands International isn't the only publicly held home furnishings company facing criticism from disgruntled shareholders. In recent weeks, Bassett, La-Z-Boy and Select Comfort have been targeted by shareholders unhappy with the companies' financial performance and the declining stock price.
  • Chromcraft reports 27.2% drop in sales
    West Lafayette, Ind.— Chromcraft Revington posted a sales decline of 27.2% in the fourth quarter of 2007 and an operating loss of $8.3 million, citing competition from imports, shifts in product and selling strategy and weak retail sales. For the year, the manufacturer and importer said its sales of $123.
  • Brace for higher prices
    High Point— The already tough business of selling furniture is about to get a little tougher. While retailers are on the lookout this market for even sharper price points to help them cope with one of the biggest industry slowdowns in recent memory, they are likely to see an opposite trend beginning to take place — price hikes.
  • In weak economy, stores seek deals
    High Point— Market could prove exasperating for retailers here this week as they brace for price increases while looking hard for deals to lift their business out of the muck of a weak economy. Furniture dealers shopping the market know price increases are coming on everything from upholstery to case goods.
  • Spring Air resigns from ISPA
    Elk Grove Village, Ill.— Spring Air, the sixth largest U.S. bedding producer, last week resigned its membership in the International Sleep Products Assn. The company cited unhappiness with a number of ISPA's policy decisions. "After careful consideration," said Bob Hellyer, Spring Air's CEO, "we do not believe ISPA leadership is effectively representing the needs of its members or properl...
  • Sun seeks seats on FBI's board
    Boca Raton, Fla.— Rebuffed in an earlier effort to buy Furniture Brands International, Sun Capital Partners now says it will nominate its own slate of directors for the company's annual meeting on May 1. Furniture Brands Chairman Mickey Holliman said in reply that the FBI board is "disappointed" by Sun Capital's latest action and said a proxy fight would be "costly and disruptive.
  • Franklin Corp. promotes Monaghan, Denson
    Houston, Miss.— Randy Monaghan and Scott Denson have been promoted to regional vice presidents at motion and recliner specialist Franklin Corp. Both posts are newly created. The two executives previously were regional sales managers, Monaghan in the East and Denson in the West. Monaghan, based in Flowood, Miss.
  • McKenzie joins JT Michael
    High Point— Case goods importer JT Michael Designs has hired Bill McKenzie as vice president of operations. He replaces David Routt, who left the company about a month ago to take a position at Aspenhome, said Jon Starr, general manager. McKenzie has an operational background in a number of industries, including furniture.
  • Jennifer opens 2nd Ashley store in N.Y.
    Woodbury, N.Y.— Top 100 chain Jennifer Convertibles said last week it has signed a lease to open its second Ashley Furniture HomeStore in the New York metro area at 200 Sunrise Highway in Bayport, N.Y. Harley Greenfield, CEO of the 177-store company, based here, said the retailer is "very excited" to be opening another Ashley store.

People Today
  • Ashfords join Lynch Sales Co. in Canada
    London, Ontario— The Lynch Sales Company has named the husband and wife team of Don and Carol Ashford as divisional managers for Canada. They will be based at the company's new office here. The Coral Gables, Fla.-based sales promoter also has an office in Ottawa staffed by senior sales consultant Gordon Zuliani.
  • People on the Move
    People on the Move
    Marketing/Sales Affordable Furniture Tupelo, Miss. — Promotional upholstery manufacturer Affordable Furniture has added three sales representatives to its sales staff. Nelson Gravett will handle the Florida territory, Latin America and the Caribbean. Ron Teeter will be responsible for the Northeast territory, from Virginia through New York.

Special Report
  • Market Guide
    Modern edge
    Hot looks this market go beyond the lifestyle look of typical casual contemporary collections. Rather than boring rectangular cases, look for bold lines — both wavy curves and geometric angles. Forget the sea of medium-brown colors — dark stains and woods like walnut and wenge are in the spotlight.
  • Market Guide
    Metro casual
    With many consumers favoring the look and functionality of today's designs but restricted by smaller living spaces, manufacturers are offering downsized versions with big style. These laid-back, no-nonsense, yet still-attractive upholstery and case goods pieces avoid clutter and frou-frou. The wood or metal finishes are subtle, and the hardware and other accent touches are toned-down and scaled...
  • Market Guide
    Easy living
    If the hustle and bustle of city life has worn you down, recharge your batteries in a more rural setting. Some groups this market draw on the time-worn pieces you might find in an old farmhouse, a mountain retreat or a summer cottage. Expect some distressing and rubbed-through painted finishes on case pieces.
  • Market Guide
    Italian attitude
    Take a trip through the Old Country with groups inspired by this Mediterranean locale. Traditional designs feature thick carvings and sturdy frames with warm brown finishes. Or the look can go softer and more casual, drawing upon the Tuscany wine region.
  • Market Guide
    Royal treatment
    Though it may change somewhat over time, the Old World charm of European and American classics never loses popularity. This market, a number of introductions are featuring updated versions of styles that have drifted down through the centuries, both in case goods and upholstery. A common denominator will be lots of carved wood, elegant fringes, turned legs and graceful, flowing lines — al...
  • Market Guide
    Stationary upholstery
  • Market Guide
    Leather
  • Market Guide
    Motion upholstery
  • Market Guide
    Bedroom
  • Market Guide
    Dining
  • Market Guide
    Home office
  • Market Guide
    Entertainment
  • Market Guide
    Occasional
  • Market Guide
    Wicker & rattan
  • Market Guide
    Metal beds & bedding
  • Market Guide
    Rugs
  • Market Guide
    New licenses, slimmer scaling mark wood intros
    High Point— Licensing, scaling and European designs are three of the hot topics for case goods products going into market. After a drop in licensing in recent markets, more than a dozen licensed groups will debut this market — both as new lines and as additions to established collections.
  • Market Guide
    Occasional sources bring lots of fresh merchandise
    High Point— Occasional and accent furniture vendors showing here this week haven't let the economic slowdown affect their product offerings. In fact, they are being as aggressive as ever, launching numerous groups with combinations of style and function that retailers have come to expect in the category.
  • Market Guide
    Upholstery makers keep a fresh outlook
    High Point— Asked what they're expecting for the market that takes place here this week, stationary upholstery execs are likely to answer like Matt Eddy. "I've got a zero reading on it," said Eddy, president of Habersham, which is launching its first collection of upholstery — Habersham Feathers — at Market Square, space142.
  • Market Guide
    New entertainment sports step-up features
    High Point— Hoping to capitalize on the continuing popularity of flat-panel televisions, entertainment furniture sources are unveiling a wave of new products aimed at increasingly sophisticated consumers. Executives say the industry's current sales slump has clearly hurt the category, but they believe it is still a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy sales picture.
  • Market Guide
    Sunrise relocates to IHFC
    High Point— Sunrise Home Furnishings, an importer specializing in entertainment, dining and home office, has moved to a new showroom on the sixth floor of the International Home Furnishings Center. The new 6,000-square-foot space, M-630, replaces its former showroom at Center Point on Centennial.
  • Market Guide
    Martin revamps Web site
    San Diego— Kathy Ireland Home by Martin, which specializes in home entertainment and home office furniture, has revamped its Web site to make it more consumer-friendly. The site, www.martinfurniture.com, now includes larger product images, a retail store locator, tips on furniture care, and warranty information.
  • Market Guide
    Modern looks gaining strength in home office
    High Point— Based on the focused nature of home office introductions this market, furniture companies can certainly be said to be buckling down and trying hard to make an impression with retailers. Home office vendors are introducing a lot more modern looks this time. There's a question, though, whether this is being done to appeal to an established niche in the market or to target future...
  • Market Guide
    Motion producers promote domestic programs
    High Point— Manufacturers of motion upholstery are putting a big push on their domestic programs this market, as Chinese imports continue to be bogged down by pricing issues. In addition, most motion executives expect a decent turnout this week with buyer representation largely from the East Coast.
  • Market Guide
    Bedding majors roll out new brands, additions
    High Point— Call this bedding market A Tale of Three Brands. The big bedding news here is being made by three Top 15 bedding producers. One is rolling out a reinvented brand, one is launching a new brand, and one has additions to one of its key brands. Industry sales leader Sealy, showing at its Archdale campus as usual, is touting its new Posturepedic line, which has been revamped to off...
  • Market Guide
    Green, Olympic, RTA mattresses in market mix
    High Point— Green beds, gymnastic-themed beds and ready-to-assemble beds will be featured in the mattress mix at the market here as bedding producers pursue a variety of strategies to stimulate sales. Bemco is introducing three new models that salute its ties with the U.S. Gymnastics Team, which goes into action at the upcoming Olympics in China.
  • Market Guide
    Rug vendors get innovative to combat tough economy
    High Point— Rug vendors are coming to High Point with a healthy attitude despite the sick economy. Looking at the current state of the home furnishings business, they are not expecting this market to be a record-breaker. However, many vendors have developed a new wave of innovative products and merchandising services to help them gain market share in the furniture store channel.
  • Market Guide
    Fresh product on tap for High Point Market
    STANFORD Part of the J Banks collection, the 78-inch Anna sofa is a modern take on the sexy settee, glammed up with clean lines and nailhead detail. AMERICAN LEATHER Paolo Favaretto has created Zermatt, a contemporary chair with stitching details. E.J. VICTOR This canopy bed is part of a new collection licensed with The Preservation Society of Newport County, R.

Store Openings
  • La-Z-Boy installs galleries in Pennsylvania, Kentucky
    Monroe, Mich.— La-Z-Boy has added galleries to stores in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. In Rockton, Pa., a new 7,300-square-foot La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio has been added to Steeple Furniture, located on North Street. Shirley Conrad owns the store with Galon Conrad and Sherri Ball. In Somerset, Ky., a new 9,000-square-foot La-Z-Boy Comfort Studio has been added to Kemper Home Furnishings, locate...
  • Christensen's adds Flexsteel gallery
    Charlotte, Mich.— Family owned retailer Christensen's Furniture has installed a new 5,000-square-foot Flexsteel gallery in its 17,800-square-foot showroom here. The company, founded by Otto and Eilene Christensen in 1946, began in Nashville, Mich., and was moved to Charlotte, Mich., in 1961. Christensen's has been a Flexsteel retailer for more than 40 years.
  • Winchendon adds two Ekornes galleries
    Winchendon, Mass.— Winchendon Furniture has installed Stressless Comfort Zone galleries by Ekornes in its retail stores here and in Amherst, N.H. The new 850-square-foot Stressless Comfort Zones were installed in Winchendon's 25,000-square-foot store on Railroad Street in Winchendon and in its 8,500-square-foot Amherst store on Route 101A.

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