Archive for July 16th, 2007
While younger people can easily get in and out of bed or sit on a couch, older people can have a much harder time of it, with conditions such as arthritis or rheumatism considerably limiting their movements. Czech and German partners, involved in the EUREKA E! 3210 SPECIFURN project, have developed a new line of furniture aimed at making life and leisure easier for the elderly and infirm. Their designs are suitable for use in old people’s homes, public urban spaces, swimming pools and railway stations.
“There is a lot to consider when designing furniture for senior citizens,” says SPECIFURN coordinator Josef Bartak of Form, in the Czech Republic. “We need to closely consider elderly people’s special needs, particularly their reduced mobility, but also other differences compared to younger members of the population.” The new designs were based on in-depth research and considerable accumulated experience among the partners.
Form, along with partners Addesign Furniture, also from the Czech Republic, and Germany’s Fidura Capital Consult, aimed to design a complete set of furniture, including wardrobe and other storage furniture, chairs and couches of varying comfort levels, bedroom furniture, a table and kitchen furniture. Chairs fell into three categories, including standard chairs and semi-armchairs, chairs with changeable positions, and armchairs with extensive features. Special features include better availability and visibility of stored items, rubberised or elastic handholds on lower furniture and wardrobes, insuring maximum safety when moving as well as passive protection against possible falls. New designs include removable upholstery for easy cleaning, suitable shaping of arm handles, and innovative mechanisms for changing furniture configuration.
An expanding market
By all accounts, populations in developed Central and Western European countries are growing older, says Bartak, due to decreasing birth rates and increasing life spans. This, he explains, can only increase the demand for specialised products and services for the elderly. Moreover, governments in all European countries are now continuously increasing spending on facilities for the aged. “We see our new designs giving rise to an even wider range of original and attractive wood-based furniture,” says Bartak, “furniture that is fully compliant with both ergonomic and ecological requirements and resistant to heavy use.”
“A firm of our size could not have afforded such an extensive programme of research and development without the help of EUREKA,” says Bartak. “We have achieved some remarkable results thanks to the important support we received.” Bartak says the new SPECIFURN designs have already been well received, making a big impact at MOBITEX 2007, a major trade fair that took place this year in Brno, in the Czech Republic. “The new furniture is unique in terms of its coherent approach to a complex series of problems associated with the aged.”
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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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July 16th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
M.G. Smith Inc., one of North America’s premier business & marketing solutions company, as well as Maynards, a pre-eminent liquidation, auction & appraisal company, have joined forces and are holding the Multi-Million dollar bankruptcy sale of Furniture Direct, Home Fashion Market and Stan West Interiors based out of the Waterloo, Cambridge, London, and the Greater Toronto marketplaces in Ontario, Canada.
“We are thrilled to partner with Maynard’s for this project and believe it is going to be an extraordinary event,” said Michael Smith, president of M.G. Smith Inc.
Between the six locations, it is anticipated that over $12 million dollars of inventory will be liquidated over the next twelve weeks. The sale will launch simultaneously with a 1 day private event on Thursday, July 12 and then launch to the public on Friday, July 13, 2007.
Authorized by BDO Dunwoody, Trustees in Bankruptcy, M.G. Smith Inc. and Maynards were awarded the Bankruptcy sale, selected over several other North American companies. Between the two company’s, they have more than 100 years of experience in liquidating business operations.
“With our extensive experience in the furniture liquidation industry, combined with Maynards long-history of operating liquidation and auction services, the two combined will make for an incredible operation”, said Smith.
The Stan West chain of companies fell upon hard times and in April of 2007, the Home Fashion Market Company declared bankruptcy, forcing all six locations to close.
With an expert team of retail professionals, M.G. Smith Inc. offers a unique and innovative service…programs designed for retailers, by retailers. They specialize in high impact and high volume Marketing Campaigns, Remodeling Sales, Going Out of Business Sales, Relocation Sales, Cash Buy-Out Liquidations, Retirement Sales, Conversion Sales, Store Closing Sales, Cash Raising and Business Restructuring Consulting.
Maynards specializes in asset conversion of commercial inventories and industrial equipment through a range of services including transportation logistics, sale management, asset tracking, financial reporting, payment and final reconciliation. Working directly with the company or on behalf of a receiver, banker or lawyer in an insolvency or bankruptcy situation, Mayards has the personnel to properly manage the liquidation or auction of a company’s assets.
July 16th, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumers put away their wallets in June, sending retail sales plunging by the sharpest amount in nearly two years. Sales of autos, furniture and building supplies all fell, highlighting the economy’s weak spots.
The 0.9 percent drop in retail sales was the biggest decline since August 2005, the Commerce Department reported Friday. It was a far bigger setback than the flat reading that had been forecast.
Part of the weakness was seen as payback for a surprise on the upside in May, when sales surged by 1.5 percent. But the June decline was also viewed as an indication that consumers are cutting back under a barrage of higher prices and a recession in the housing industry.
‘‘Consumers are increasingly cautious in the face of higher gasoline and food prices and slowing home price gains,'’ said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com.
Two gauges of consumer confidence gave conflicting signals Friday. The RBC Cash Index fell to its lowest point in nearly a year while the University of Michigan/Reuters survey rebounded to a six-month high, an increase attributed to a temporary retreat in gasoline prices in late June and early July.
Capping a week that began with worries about the strength of consumer demand, Wall Street rose again on Friday as investors discounted the big drop in retail sales, choosing to believe it was a temporary stumble that will not derail prospects for continued economic expansion.
July 16th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Mattress Firm, one of the nation’s leading mattress retailers, announced that it has completed the acquisition of its nine franchise stores in St. Louis from the current franchise owner, Yotes, Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition of the St. Louis franchise brings Mattress Firm’s corporate-owned store count to 355 in 26 markets and its franchise-owned store count to 45 in 9 markets. Yotes, Inc., a Mattress Firm partner for 13 years, will continue to own and operate Mattress Firm franchise stores in the Denver, Colo. and Wichita, Kan. markets.
“This acquisition made a lot of sense for Mattress Firm because it allows us to establish a corporate presence in St. Louis, an attractive market with a lot of potential for future growth,” said Gary Fazio, CEO of Mattress Firm. “We look forward to building on the brand equity that has been established through the presence of our franchise partner in the market, and continuing to provide the unique retail experience, sleep expertise and the broadest selection of products and brands in the industry to these locations.”
Fazio added: “This acquisition underscores our strategy to grow both organically and through acquisitions as we strive to become the leading specialty mattress retailer in all of the markets we operate.”
Mattress Firm carries a full line of national name-brand mattresses such as Sealy®, Simmons®, Tempur-Pedic® and Stearns & Foster®.
Mattress Firm now assumes ownership and operations of the nine stores which already feature Mattress Firm signage and branding, expanded product selection and signature store format.
About Mattress Firm: Houston-based Mattress Firm (www.mattressfirm.com) is America’s preferred specialty mattress company and the nation’s largest specialty retailer of top-of-the-line Sealy products. Founded in 1986, Mattress Firm’s knowledgeable sales staff, broad product offering and competitive prices have fueled the company’s growth to 400 stores in 35 markets.
July 16th, 2007
By: Furiiture World Magazine
Macy’s is hosting an extra special housewarming with Donald Trump to celebrate his latest venture, a new furniture collection. Whether in a city-sized apartment or suburban oasis, the real estate mogul turned television megastar’s latest collection may provide the perfect opportunity to live like Donald Trump, for urban dwellers and suburbanites alike.
An entrepreneur known worldwide for his business expertise and classic American style, Trump has cornered the market on luxury product collections that already include menswear, accessories and super premium vodka. By launching Trump Home™ on Thursday, July 19 at Herald Square, Macy’s will become the first in the market to showcase this exclusive brand of furniture collections based on the life of Donald J. Trump. The evening, hosted by House & Garden Style Director Carolyn Sollis, includes a unique opportunity to meet the man behind the brand and experience the luxe lifestyle.
“Macy’s is thrilled to launch Trump Home™ at our world-famous flagship store,” states Macy’s East Chairman and CEO Ron Klein. He adds, “The Trump Organization is globally recognized for luxury and an upscale lifestyle.
With our continued partnership that has extended beyond apparel to include furniture, Macy’s brings the distinctive Trump Brand to each customer so they may experience it everyday.”
Trump Home™, manufactured by Lexington Home Brands, includes two distinct lines of stylish pieces that encompass the bedroom, dining, home office, home entertainment and occasional furnishings, in addition to a full line of upholstered products. Westchester™ offers classic styling on an opulent scale, while Central Park™ reflects Trump’s metropolitan roots in more contemporary designs.
Macy’s East: Macy’s East, a division of Macy’s Inc., owns and operates approximately 171 stores in twelve Eastern states and the District of Columbia. Known for its fashion and affordable luxury, the company is synonymous with spectacular events including the world famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy’s Flower Show. Macy’s Herald Square, the company’s flagship location, is the World’s Largest Store. For more information on Macy’s East please visit www.macys.com/pressroom and select Macy’s East.
The Trump Organization: The Trump Organization encompasses global real estate development and global licensing, sales and marketing, property management, golf course development, entertainment, entertainment and product licensing, brand development as well as restaurants and event planning. Donald J. Trump is the Chairman and President of the Trump Organization, a privately held company in New York. (www.Trump.com)
Lexington Home Brands: Lexington Home Brands is a leading global marketer and manufacturer of branded case goods and upholstery, with the industry’s largest brand portfolio. Well-known consumer brands include Trump Home™ Tommy Bahama Home®, Liz Claiborne Home™, Nautica®, Palmer Home™, Bob Timberlake® and Woolrich®. LHB also markets products under the Lexington house brand.
Products are distributed through home furnishings retailers and designer showrooms. A privately-held company, Lexington Home Brands is an affiliate of Boca Raton-based Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
House & Garden: House & Garden is the only magazine that shows more than 7 million affluent readers how great design can touch their lives. It is a Conde Nast publication.
July 16th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen and their mary-kateandashley brand announced their endorsement of Help1Up, the home furnishings industry’s free, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly used furniture removal service.
Through a network of dozens of furniture banks, and facilitated by the non-profit National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA), the Help1Up service collects gently used furniture from the general public and provides it directly to children and families in need. Typical recipients of the furnishings are victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, women and children escaping domestic violence, and working families living below the poverty line.
“Ashley and I are happy to endorse Help1Up,” said Mary-Kate Olsen. “There’s no reason why usable furniture should be thrown away when it can instead provide a family in need with basic comfort and dignity.”
Furniture banks in America collect and distribute over a million pieces of furnishings each year. Children represent the largest client segment receiving the donated furniture.
“Mary-Kate and I believe that Help1Up will continue to expand through increased awareness within the industry,” said Ashley Olsen. “With so many families in need, Help1Up makes it easy for consumers to make a difference.”
Dualstar Entertainment Group, the international corporate group wholly owned by designers and global fashion icons Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, partnered with A.P. Industries to produce two furniture collections within the mary-kateandashley home category which also includes lighting and area rugs. The latest collection, mary-kateandashley home essentials, features key and accent pieces including bed sizes from twin to queen, bunk beds, nightstands, armoires, computer desks, hutches, dressers, sweater chests with door, mirrors and more.
Help1Up is endorsed by all of the home furnishings industry associations, and is sustained by sponsorships from retailers, manufacturers, and service providers.
About the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA): The NFBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to increase the service capacity of existing furniture banks, and to open new furniture banks in areas without one. No child in America should have to sleep on the floor. Visit http://www.help1up.org for more information, and to learn about becoming a Help1Up sponsor.
About Dualstar Entertainment Group: Founded in 1993 to leverage the universal appeal of then-“Full House” stars Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, has evolved into a boutique global brand management company with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Corporate plans include management of existing brands as well as seeking out emerging labels and talent in the fashion and entertainment arenas. Ashley and Mary-Kate are collaborating on a contemporary brand, Elizabeth and James, which will launch Fall 2007, as well as taking a more active role in the film production division of Dualstar by purchasing and producing new properties. Dualstar’s mary-kateandashley brand is today the leader in affordable designer fashions for ‘tween girls (age 5-12).
Augmenting its original focus on home video titles with books, music CDs, videogames and fashion dolls, Dualstar has subsequently expanded the mary-kateandashley brand into apparel, cosmetics, fragrances and home décor, in addition to digital media with the launch of mary-kateandashley.com and shopmary-kateandashley.com, the dedicated e-commerce site for the mary-kateandashley brand. Dualstar Entertainment Group is also the proud force behind 14-year-old actors’ Cole and Dylan Sprouse (Big Daddy, “Friends,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”) Sprouse Bros. brand. The only young men’s lifestyle brand designed by boys for boys, the Sprouse Bros. brand is supported by Dylan and Cole’s strong fan base who view them as influencers in lifestyle and fashion choices. With a new clothing line, book series (Sprouse Bros. 47 R.O.N.I.N.), an online fan club and mobile content already in the market, the Sprouse Bros. brand plan to launch a DVD Home Entertainment series in early 2008 and many more categories are in development.
July 16th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
The Furniture Buying Index is down three points this month to a reading of 76. This downward slide brings the Index to its lowest point since November of 2006.
Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, explains, “again, soaring gas prices, higher property taxes, higher homeowners insurance and grocery prices have taken consumers minds off of shopping for furniture.” Beemer continues, “nearly 40% of consumers have reduced spending due to higher gas prices.”
Beemer added, “in June of 2006, 14% of consumers postponed a purchase of $500 or more, whereas 22% postponed a large purchase this year.”
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America=s Research Group from interviews with 5,000-8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index=s mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80% actually have a particular item in mind.
July 2005 index = 88
July 2006 index = 75
July 2007 index = 76
12 month low = 73
12 month high = 83
Britt Beemer is chairman of America=s Research Group, a full-service consumer behavior research company based in Charleston, SC. ARG provides research and strategic planning services to leading manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods across North America.
July 16th, 2007
Consistent with its California roots, Maku Furnishings combines a high-spirited surfing connection with environmental awareness — and makes wood furniture mostly intended for outdoor use.
The company, based in Carlsbad, Calif., was founded by Johnny West, a surfer and action-sports industry veteran, and Mike Johnson, his business partner.
Maku’s furniture is designed in Encinitas, Calif., and made in Java from sustainable Indonesian teak, reclaimed or plantation-grown. The company says it is a member of One Percent for the Planet, an alliance of businesses that donate 1 percent of sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Maku also runs a scholarship program for young people in Bali, to promote the benefits of a good education.
Among Maku’s chairs, chaises and tables introduced at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York City in May, one piece has its own distinction: a lounge chair in a limited edition of 250. The simple modern design has an understated extra detail: hand-carved panels depicting frangipani flowers are set under the arms on each side of the chair (price $1,399).
www.makufurnishings.com
www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
July 16th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Rockaway Bedding, a 24 year old chain of retail bedding stores, will liquidate all merchandise of the 64 remaining retail stores in a major sale managed by Hudson Capital Partners, LLC. The liquidation sale will be conducted under the orders of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, which is supervising the Rockaway Bedding bankruptcy proceedings.
The sale will begin on Friday, July 13, 2007, and is expected to continue for approximately five weeks. Liquidation merchandise will include mattresses, boxsprings, and bed frames in all Rockaway Bedding stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
“We are liquidating $20,000,000 million worth of merchandise from well-known bed furniture brands. This is a great opportunity for consumers, as they’re getting leading brand names such as Sealy, Simmons, Sterns and Foster, Serta, King Koil and Tempur-Pedic, Ortho Posture at a discount up to 60% off,” said Jim Schaye, President and CEO of Hudson Capital Partners.
Upon completion of the liquidation sale, the 64 remaining Rockaway Bedding stores will be closed. Approximately 134 of the former Rockaway Bedding locations will be re-opened under the Sleepy’s banner, as a result of Sleepy’s acquisition of the chain, which was approved in a court hearing on Monday.
For an insider’s view of the Rockaway Bedding situation, go to the furninfo.com message board Rockaway message string at:
http://www.furninfo.com/forum/message_view.asp?TID=17203&PN=1
About Rockaway Bedding: Based in Randolph New Jersey, Rockaway Bedding is a 24 year old chain of retail bedding stores offering a wide selection of merchandise including mattresses, boxsprings and bed frames. With initial retail stores located in New Jersey, Rockaway quickly expanded its presence into New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region.
About Hudson Capital Partners, LLC: Hudson Capital Partners, LLC offers an extensive array of professional solutions to the challenges retailers face today, including management of excess, obsolete and discontinued inventory, changing geographic and demographic circumstances, unproductive store sites, and real estate and liquidity issues. The firm’s diversified staff is experienced at performing strategic store closings and relocations, fixed asset dispositions, wholesale inventory buyouts and lease mitigations. To learn more about Hudson Capital Partners, please visit the firm’s website at www.hudsoncpl.com.
July 16th, 2007
BY JO WERNE
INFORMATION
MBM Miami showroom is at 130 NE 40th St. in the Miami Design District. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Contact showroom manager Angie Castillo at 305-571-7117 or visit www.mbmpureoutdoor.com
Florida Finds is a weekly feature about purveyors of home products in South Florida. To suggest stores, craftspersons or manufacturers to profile, e-mail newhomes@miamiherald.com.
Wicker furniture can be brown, beige, white or any other color. Whatever the color, it can also be “green.'’
MBM makes an environmentally friendly synthetic wicker line that’s on display in the company’s showroom in the Miami Design District.
No trees are destroyed to make the furniture with Mirotex, a synthetic fiber developed by MBM. The initials stand for Muenchener Boulevard Moebel, a German furniture manufacturer. Mirotex is made of a nontoxic, recyclable, high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The furniture has the look and feel of natural materials, but is far superior in weather resistance. It is resistant to harsh temperatures, sun, salt and chlorine.
‘’This furniture is totally for outdoors,'’ says Angie Castillo, MBM showroom manager. “This furniture is produced in Indonesia and it’s extremely well made.'’
But it’s pricey. The Bellini seating collection, made of Mirotex on aluminum frames, includes a large, sectional sofa with cushions and throw pillows priced by the module: corner module is $2,672 retail; the middle section is $1,600; the lounge arm chair is $2,800.
Sectional cushions are available in apple green, white or red, ‘’but we can make custom cushions in any color,'’ Castillo says, adding that almost everything in the showroom is in stock.
Besides the Bellini collection, MBM makes umbrellas, glass tables, dining chairs, a chaise longue and ottomans. The company fashions many pieces out of yellow balao, a hardwood.
‘’Yellow balao weathers to gray like teak, but it doesn’t weather as fast as teak,'’ Castillo says. “It weathers smoothly — no splinters.'’
An intriguing item in the showroom is the Heaven Swing, a single-seat indoor or patio fabric swing ($1,600) suspended from a ceiling with acrylic rope.
Glass-topped patio tables are nothing new, but MBM gives them a twist with colored glass tops. An apple green or teal glass table and six chairs cost $3,800. The chairs are stackable, ‘’up to 28 chairs,'’ Castillo says.
MBM furniture made a circuitous route to Miami. Founded in 1954 iin Bavaria by Josef Duna, the company went to his sons, Bernd and Markus, when the elder Duna died in the early ’90s. They decided to focus on outdoor furniture.
In 2002 MBM opened its first subsidiary in South Africa. In 2005 the company became established in Argentina. Then a year ago, the Miami store, with 2,500 square feet, opened on Northeast 40th Street. It’s MBM’s first showroom in the United States.
July 16th, 2007
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