Archive for July 17th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Merchandise Mart Properties announced that the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ will return to The Merchandise Mart September 17-21, 2007 offering the finest indoor and outdoor casual furniture, and featuring the return of the Exterior Design Showcase, the popular outdoor garden design series that debuted in 2006.
The only show in the United States dedicated to the indoor and outdoor casual furniture industry that is exclusively endorsed by Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association (SCFMA) and the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR), the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ encompasses 300,000 square feet of exhibit space filled with more than 300 exhibitors. The 29th annual show is expected to attract more than 5,000 retailers from the specialty furniture, home furnishings, pool and spa, hearth and fireplace and gifts and decorative accessories industries, as well as major catalogues and mass merchants.
Attendees and exhibitors alike have given The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market rave reviews for creating an environment that draws the best in the industry. “The Casual Show at The Merchandise Mart is the single most exciting event for the casual industry,” said Don Flanders of Lloyd/Flanders, Inc. “In one place, retailers view first-hand future styling and comfort trends, and visit with fellow dealers from around the nation and world.”
“This is the best show for the casual furniture industry,” said Henry Vanderminden IV of Telescope Casual Furniture. “The Mart management team understands the industry and promotes the show beautifully. It gets better every year.”
The Exterior Design Showcase on the 7th floor, presented by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and Garden Design magazine, features an incredible display of outdoor vignettes designed by leading manufacturers, designers and landscape architects. These beautiful garden designs will inspire retailers to take their outdoor living merchandising to the next level.
The New Product Gallery returns to the first floor lobby of The Merchandise Mart with a comprehensive preview of the newest casual furniture and outdoor accessories for next year. See the latest in furniture design, color, fabric trends, and innovative accessories.
The educational and complimentary Industry Presentations held Monday through Thursday are for exhibitors and attendees alike. Each presentation begins with lunch at noon; followed by the speaker or panel at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is first-come, first-served.
Monday, September 17
Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor
Hearth & Home magazine presents “Selling with Fabric: Retail Displays & Outdoor Rooms.” A panel discussion moderated by Richard Wright, publisher of Hearth and Home magazine. Presented by Hearth and Home magazine and MMPI.
Tuesday, September 18
7th Floor Market Suites
Casual Living magazine presents “Textile Trends: An Al-Fresco Fashion Show,” headlined by Sunbrella and featuring the top manufacturers of outdoor fabrics and trim. This premier runway event previews the latest fabric collections in a tailor-made fashion show, presenting unique, original designs.
Wednesday, September 19
Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor
Cinde W. Ingram, managing editor of Casual Living magazine, moderates “Getting to Know Your Customer,” a consumer panel discussion. Because of its popularity at last year’s Casual Market, Casual Living will present an enlightening consumer panel discussion, featuring mid- to high-end homeowners who have bought or are actively shopping for outdoor home furnishings. Hear what today’s consumers have to say about what they want, what draws them into various types of furniture stores and what makes them commit to a purchase. A question-and-answer period will allow retailers the opportunity to receive honest answers to their individual questions. Presented by Casual Living and MMPI.
Thursday, Sept. 20
Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor
Retailers looking to improve their visual merchandising display should sit in on “Add Profit to Your Bottom Line & Pizzazz to Your Store Merchandising with Outdoor Rugs,” sponsored by Casual Living, Capel Rugs and MMPI.
SHOW INFORMATION
The Merchandise Mart
7th and 8th-floor Market Suites and 16th and 17th Floors
Monday-Thursday, Sept. 17-20 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 21 8:30 a.m. – Noon
An Internet Café on the 7th floor of Market Suites allows guests to browse the web, check e-mail and even meet with representatives from Mart Travel Services for assistance getting around Chicago or to book travel for the 2008 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market.
For more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com/casualmarket or call 800.677.6278 (MART).
The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ is a trademark of MMPI.
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
July 17th, 2007
Heath E. Combs — Furniture Today,
Company says action will help dealers promote
THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Thomasville Furniture has pulled prices from its Web site, a move the manufacturer and importer said was designed to help dealers promote more aggressively.
The company began listing prices earlier this year, saying that would help provide consumers with a more consistent shopping experience through Thomasville’s various retail channels.
The majority of its volume is believed to be sold through its dedicated network of company- and dealer-owned stores, which number about 150 in major U.S. markets. Furniture/Today ranks the network No. 15 on its latest list of Top 100 U.S. Furniture Stores, with estimated 2006 sales of furniture, bedding and accessories of $510 million, down 3.8% from 2005.
“Thomasville continues to remain focused on the consumer during these challenging times,” said Kathy Devereux, vice president of marketing. “To better help our markets promote themselves, we have chosen to temporarily remove the published Thomasville Price from Thomasville.com.
“This has been done to allow more involved interaction between customers and our Thomasville design consultants in the retail environment,” she added.
The Furniture Brands International-owned company said last year that about one in seven e-mails it received from consumers asked why it didn’t list prices online. The company does not sell product on the Internet.
Mark Smiley, manager of national brand communication, said Thomasville understands the Internet is an important tool for consumers.
“We are developing some new features to make Thomasville.com even more meaningful and helpful…. And we do have plans to reintroduce pricing when these enhancements are completed,” he said.
July 17th, 2007
(CBS) Americans already have a taste for organic food and organic clothing. Now, the organic trend is making a mark on the world of furniture.
In The Early Show’s “Trend Report” Tuesday, House & Garden magazine’s special projects editor, Susanna Salk, shows some stylish examples.
According to Salk:
Such furniture is made with stuffing, upholstery fiber and wood certified as chemical-free. While organic furniture sales make up just a fraction of the $14 billion rung up by the organic industry, the trend is growing. Just as organic food has become acceptable in the mainstream, organic furniture is now moving in the same direction.
The most noticeable change during the past few years is who buys it. While in the past, organic furniture sales where primarily to people with chemical allergies, today a majority of sales are to consumers who want a “green” lifestyle.
From Brooklyn to Oregon, more stores are offering organic, but now, more than ever before, we’re seeing a stronger design element among these organic products: form and function, commitment to beauty, and environmental preservation, all-in-one.
Organic used to mean sacrificing form, but now, the designs have gotten so nice that you’d never know they’re organic. Ecology is uppermost in the design process priorities.
The idea is also to make the consumer feel good about what his or her money is going toward. As people become more aware that their daily life is filled with toxicity, many are “greening their home,” meaning they’re making it more environmentally friendly.
Not only are companies using chemical-free ingredients, but many stress easier assembly, so less packing material is used, meaning less gas is used for shipping. Some items are even carbon-neutral. For instance, a tree can be planted for each chair sold.
What is organic?
Organic refers to the way agricultural products, food and fiber, are grown and processed. Organic products are grown, raised or dyed without the use of synthetic chemicals, heavy metals or GMOs (genetically modified organisms, also called “genetically engineered”). They are free of toxins and irritants and are biodegradable.
What does “Certified Organic” mean?
“Certified Organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards set by the federal government. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the National Organic Program, and makes sure any food labeled organic meets these standards in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. However, the broadening scope of organic products has led to confusion about products claiming to have organic or natural ingredients, and who has authority over them. They include cosmetics and personal care items, as well as pet food, dietary supplements, textiles and fish. In the case of cosmetics, personal care items and textiles, the authority is the Food and Drug Administration. But the FDA isn’t the only agency to co-regulate with the USDA when it comes to organics. The Federal Safety Inspection Service oversees meat labels, and the Environmental Protection Agency now performs NOP registration of pesticides. This leaves an enormous gray area that’s not adequately monitored.
There isn’t really an official certification process set up yet for upholstery/furniture. The upholstery lines featured on The Early Show are organic by construction, meaning all the fibers/fabrics are organically grown, the woods are reclaimed or sustainable, and adhesives are non-toxic. So, the whole process of making each component is done organically.
What are the benefits of organic products?
Choosing organic and or earth-friendly alternatives is a healthier option. It’s chemical-free, so it’s better for your skin and it’s better to breathe in, especially for people with allergies. Also, organic products don’t use harmful chemicals, which cause pollution, so the products are more sustainable. The benefits of organic items are in preserving the environment as well as our health.
How is organic different from recycled or reclaimed?
There is, technically, no such thing as organic furniture. There is earth-friendly furniture, which is covered with organic fabric and made with materials that are earth-friendly (recycled, reclaimed and/or low impact). Recycled and reclaimed are basically the same thing; with recycled furnishings, they generally process the material to re-use it, and reclaimed would mean it was something that was simply disassembled and reused.
What about the term sustainability?
The idea of sustainability is to encourage a way of thinking about resources that translates into significant lifestyle choices with an awareness of resource use, thereby permitting citizens to use less, waste less, reuse materials and conserve raw materials and energy in their lives. People who work in a daily way to conserve resources and help the environment are working toward sustainable living.
NEW YORK, May 30, 2006
(CBS/The Early Show)
(CBS) Among the items Salk showed, with descriptions provided in large part by their manufacturers:
BEDROOM
BELLA TERRA BED
An upholstered platform-style bed by Bean Products — made with sustainable (meaning nothing has been destroyed in making it) wood so you can feel assured that the bed you’re sleeping on has not destroyed or harmed the environment. The headboard consists of organic cotton and natural latex to eliminate synthetic foams and toxins. It is upholstered in your choice of 100 percent hemp or herringbone fabric. Even the stain is earth friendly. Fabric colors come in natural, black, espresso or chocolate. Wood colors: natural, mahogany, walnut or ebony.
PRICE: Twin $2,720, Full $2,990, Queen $3,395, King $4,295; earthfriendlygoods.com
LINENS
These stylish 200 thread-count bed linens are made with 100 percent organic cotton percale. Why? Because 25 percent of the world’s insecticides are used to grow conventional cotton. So many people are not aware that our traditional lifestyles are so riddled with toxicity. So many are also not aware that virtually anything can be made from recycled, all natural and organic materials, and to the high standards we are used to with conventional products. The cool orange, blue, khaki and brown tones of this geometric design inspire Harmony in any bedroom. The reversible duvet cover and shams are designed with the harmony print on one side and alabaster on the other. Machine wash. Sold separately. Items come packaged in their own reusable 100 percent organic cotton self-fabric bags. Alabaster Sheet Set, Duvet Cover and Shams sold individually.
dreamsoftbedware.com
MATTRESS
Don’t let the words confuse you. “Latex Mattresses,” “Natural Rubber Mattresses,” and “Natural Mattresses,” all describe the same natural rubber core mattresses made from 100 percent natural and organic materials. Lifekind, the largest seller of organic mattresses in North America, produces Natural Rubber Mattresses 100 percent derived from the sap of rubber trees. They use no synthetic blends of styrene butadiene (SBR). Most of the so-called “Natural Rubber” marketed for mattresses is not natural at all. The Lifekind mattress core is also covered with 100 percent certified organic cotton ticking and batting, along with chemical-free naturally safer wool. A pure Natural Rubber Mattress is also resistant to mold, mildew and bacteria. Plus, dust mites will not live in a natural rubber environment. Talalay Natural Rubber Mattress
PRICE: $1,196 / Full; lifekind.com
MATTRESS TOPPER
Do you know house dust mites are responsible for 25 percent of allergies, 50 percent of asthma attacks and most allergic and respiratory infections? Now you can have a dust-mite free night with Indika’s 100 percent French wool mattress pads. The pure French Biolane wool is sheared from live, organically raised sheep. The wool is then infused with Indika’s revolutionary dust-mite treatment using all natural extracts proven to kill dust-mites.
PRICE: $150-$200; earthfriendlygoods.com or beanproducts.com
DECORATIVE ITEMS
YUEN TABLE LAMP
This Yuen Stained Table Lamp by Kwytza Kraft is made from recycled bamboo chopsticks. The paper lining gives it a glow that will light up the room. Comes with a 4 1/2 foot chord with on/off switch.
PRICE: $45, earthfriendlygoods.com
JUICE CLOCK
Created from 100 percent reclaimed and recycled detergent bottles, this clock will look good on the wall of any home. Available in orange, lemon and grapefruit. The compact quartz clock mechanism comes with snap-on hands, and battery included.
PRICE: $49; earthfriendlygoods.com
HANDPAINTED PICTURE FRAMES
Bring style, color and sustainability to your photo or artwork. All materials are from rescued, recycled and re-used sources. Choose from hand-painted picture frames with beautiful floral nature designs hand-painted by decorative artists, beveled-style picture frames beveled with 2- or 3-inch widths, or flat-style picture frames. All from reclaimed and recycled pine. The glass and cardboard have also been rescued and re-used. Finishes are made from reclaimed, water-based paint, and are non-toxic. All frames are polished and sealed with hand-rubbed wax polish. Seven stylish and textural colors.
PRICE $30-$42; greensage.com
ZAISHU STOOL
“Zaishu” is Japanese for small seat. It also functions as a small table and storage box. It requires no tools or problematic fittings like nails, screws or adhesives. Made from plywood “ideally salvaged from construction sites,” the seats simply slot together. Requiring no packaging, the seats are designed to take on a used patina, while the external artwork has been created by a variety of designers and artists from Australia, Japan, Korea and Italy. Designed by Matthew Butler, whose Australian company Blue Square makes the claim: “Environmentally, we are a ‘carbon neutral’ company where we guarantee that a tree will be planted for each chair sold.” PRICE: $270 (includes delivery); zaishu.com
GLASS KARPOS VASE
The first piece in a design collaboration between Delano Collection and Esque, the Karpos Vase emphasizes beauty as well as environmental sustainability. Sensual, alluring curves taper from the bulbous base to the slender neck and opening. This dramatic piece is made from 100 percent lead-free recycled glass and hand-blown, utilizing renewable energy powered electric glass furnaces. Colored with natural, non-toxic Copper Ruby.
PRICE: $380; vivavi.com
GLASSWARE
Recycled glass tumblers and goblets with decorative designs in clear or frosted glass. Some styles also available with no designs. The classic Willow Vintage style is inspired by a turn of the century antique mirror. Saved from reaching landfills, glass bottles once again become useful — this time as beautiful glassware. These stylish and unique goblets and tumblers are transformed from ordinary bottles. Glasses are dishwasher safe. They are not suitable for microwave use.
PRICE: $18-$48 for sets of two and four; greensage.com
BAMBOO
Bamboo is one of the most environmentally-friendly options to wood. Unlike hardwood trees, this grass grows fast and does not need to be replanted. It’s an endlessly renewable resource. It takes in greenhouse gasses and produces 35 percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Farmed bamboo also stabilizes the earth with its roots, preventing erosion. Plus, it’s stronger than oak and is considered more durable than hardwood. When laminated, bamboo is nearly as strong as soft steel. And, it doesn’t shrink or swell like hardwoods do, making it ideal for furniture and flooring.
HOLLOW END TABLE
The Hollow line of furniture reveals the potential interiors in each piece. Clean lines and contrasting tones of dark and light Bamboo are used to show volume and accentuate negative space. With a side magazine/book cubby and a thru-surface, the end table is comprised of a number of additional folds that create pockets for hidden storage. Also performs triple duty as a foot rest or small bench. The smooth surface is finished with BioShield Organic Herbal Oil. PRICE: $375; vivavi.com
BAMBOO CHAIR
Although appearing to be made with natural bamboo culms (stalks), the chair by EcoDesignz is made entirely from laminated bamboo. The hand shaped pieces give the visual effect of natural bamboo canes but with the strength and durability of layered bamboo.
PRICE: $165; earthfriendlygoods.com
LIVING ROOM
TIERRA MODERNO CHAIR & OTTOMAN
You don’t have to sacrifice style by bringing eco-friendly décor into your home with this contemporary and sophisticated organic hemp chair and ottoman from Bean Products. Constructed with such organic elements such as hemp/silk fabric (hemp being one our planet’s most natural resources with a multitude of uses), 100 percent natural latex foam rubber cushion, organic contents, as well as non-toxic natural based glues and safe low VOC (volatile Organic Compounds) wood finishes. Available in four organic hemp fabrics and four wood colors.
PRICE: $2,000, Ottoman $700; earthfriendlygoods.com
LOTUS CHAISE/SOFA
ABC Home, a successful Manhattan company, introduces the “Pure Seating Collection” — adding to their one-of-kind recycled and reclaimed furniture lines. The collection uses only the finest in sustainable and toxic-free ingredients (from alder good wood, non-toxic adhesive, to all natural fibers and untreated fabrics), as illustrated with their contemporary Lotus Chaise/Sofa. The exclusive organic upholstered line allows you to breathe freely and create a chemical and allergen-free environment in your own home. Available at ABC Home store in Manhattan only. Prices range from $650-$6,750. CHAISE PRICE: $3,550; abchome.com or 212-473-3000.
COCKTAIL/COFFEE TABLE
ABC Home’s recycled, reclaimed and salvaged wood pieces bring the organic terrain of nature home. Created by fine arts trained craftsman, the environmentally sensitive modern collection includes a contemporary cocktail table (14″ by 25″ by 65″) made of poplar wood originating from upstate New York. The reclaimed domestic woods from buildings, factories and trees felled by natural causes come in walnut, poplar, heart pine, hickory and mahogany — all with a low VOC finish.
PRICE: $3,695; abchome.com or 212-473-3000
PILLOW COVERS
Choose from 100 percent organic color-grown cotton or hemp/silk blend pillow covers. The cottons contain no dyes, no sizing or chemical finishes. The hemp/silks are low-impact dyed. Zipper closing. These pillow covers fit normal throw size pillow forms, which are 18″ x 18″. Allston Salina (organic cotton) $39, Concord Liberty (organic cotton) $39, Pasha Jade/Straw (flax/silk) $45, Kuli Blue/Straw (hemp/silk) $45 greensage.com
July 17th, 2007
— Furniture Today,
Five models retail from $349 to $549
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Home office workers can sit in Donald Trump style with a new line of chairs from Staples.
Trump Office, an exclusive licensed line the office products superstore said is “inspired by the lifestyle” of the real estate mogul and TV personality, includes five chairs retailing from $349 to $549.
“Your office should represent success, sophistication and style,” Trump said in a release on the new line. He describes the products as “solidly crafted executive chairs that are not only beautiful, but also extremely comfortable.”
Staples said the chairs are made using stain-resistant, heavy-duty fabrics and leathers, and that exposed wood parts have an 11-step scuff-resistant finish. Height and tilt controls allow the chairs to be customized to the sitter’s preference, and lumbar support promotes comfort.
“Understanding that the Trump name personifies quality and success, and given Staples’ commitment to offering our customers new and innovative products, teaming up with Donald Trump is a perfect fit,” said Ron Sargent, Staples chairman and CEO. “Together we have built a collection that reflects high quality and elegance while also being affordable.”
The chairs are available at Staples stores and online at www.staples.com.
Lexington Home Brands introduced the first collections in its licensed Trump Home line at the spring High Point market.
July 17th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
Kathy Ireland Home® by Martin (KIHBM), also known as Martin Furniture, and Kathy Ireland Worldwide have extended their brand partner relationship to 2015. The partnership will extend Martin Furniture’s official license to produce home office and home entertainment furniture under the Kathy Ireland Home brand.
“Our partnership with Kathy Ireland Worldwide has been and continues to be a beneficial and wonderful experience for me personally and for our company,” said President and Owner of KIHBM, Gil Martin. “We have grown immensely over the past few years with the partnership being an important contributing factor. We appreciate Kathy and her team’s efforts in making in all facets of our business successful and meaningful.”
“Our relationship with Gil Martin and the entire Kathy Ireland Home by Martin Team is extraordinary. The values, work ethic and commitment to excellence inspire us and are shared by both teams. We are very fortunate that this relationship continues to grow in such powerful ways. We believe that we’re just getting started. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come,” said CEO and Chief Designer Kathy Ireland.
KIHBM is the sole licensed manufacturer of home office and home entertainment furniture under the Kathy Ireland Home brand. The partnership that the manufacturer shares with Kathy Ireland Worldwide initiated in 2003 will now extend until at least 2015.
This extended partnership will also allow the expansion of products under the Kathy Ireland Office by Martin (KIOBM) brand. KIOBM will allow the design team to develop product made specifically for the commercial office industry. Current efforts include a seating program with executive and guest chairs.
In 1981 Gil Martin founded Martin Furniture, a premier producer of home office and home entertainment furniture. Twenty-two years later, in April 2003, Martin Furniture partnered with Kathy Ireland Worldwide and became Kathy Ireland Home by Martin (KIHBM). KIHBM is the sole licensed manufacturer of home office and home entertainment furniture under the Kathy Ireland Home brand. Their products are sold through several retail channels all over the country including warehouse clubs, commercial office, catalogs, Top 100 Retailers and specialty stores. For more information please visit www.martinfurniture.com.
About Kathy Ireland Worldwide:
Kathy Ireland Worldwide (KIWW) is the design and marketing firm founded in 1993 by CEO and Chief Designer, Kathy Ireland.
The mission of KIWW is “…finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.”
Forbes Magazine reports that KIWW is a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars annually in retail sales”. This year Newsweek reported, “Annual sales run to $1.4 billion.” KIWW products include flooring, rugs, home furniture, office and entertainment furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, window coverings, bedding, mattresses, candles, apparel, jewelry, blankets, leather, hand painted porcelain, fire resistant products, and top of bed fashions.
In 2000, KIWW began expanding its mission and consumer needs, with the addition of specialty brands, presenting “Design Ambassadors” ACafé by Chef Andre for food and entertaining,
Jardin du Jour cultivated by landscape designer, Nicholas Walker for outdoor living and garden inspirations and The Quilts of Gee’s Bend whose original works of art from rural Alabama are the Genesis of unique designs for home. The original Quilts of Gee’s Bend gained international recognition through museum tours around the world.
KIWW teams with industry leaders in each category of business, Flooring-Shaw Industries a Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Rugs-Shaw Living a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Home Furniture-Kathy Ireland Home by Standard, Office and Entertainment Furniture-Kathy Ireland Home by Martin, Lighting-Pacific Coast Lighting, Decorative Accessories-Pacific Coast Accessories, Window Coverings-Kathy Ireland Home by Alta, Bedding-Kathy Ireland Home by Therapedic, Permanent Florals-Kathy Ireland Home by Labs, Candles-Kathy Ireland Home by Hanna’s Candle Co., Socks-Kathy Ireland by Moretz, Active Wear-Kathy Ireland by Orioxi, Blankets- Kathy Ireland Home by Faribault Mills, Top of Bed Fashions- Kathy Ireland Home by Hallmart Collectibles, Hand painted porcelain-Kathy Ireland Home by Franz, Fire resistant products-Kathy Ireland Home by Basofil and Jewelry-Kathy Ireland Exclusively for House of Taylor Jewelry, House of Taylor Jewelry (NASDAQ:HOTJ) is a publicly traded company, Leather- Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Furniture.
For more information, visit www.kathyireland.com.
July 17th, 2007
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Furniture Row® Companies, parent company to Oak Express® and Bedroom Expressions®, is expanding their presence in Alabama with the construction of a new Furniture Row Shopping Center. The Center will contain four specialty furniture stores in one convenient location. The Center is located at 8405 Madison Blvd, by Interstate 565 at Hughes Road in Madison. The stores brands include Oak Express®, Bedroom Expressions®, Sofa Mart® and Denver Mattress Company®.
The Oak Express® and Bedroom Expressions® stores previously located at 4830 University Drive NW by Wynn and University, across from Chili’s in Huntsville, have been relocated into the new Center. The new Center will open Saturday, August 4th and store hours are Mon-Sat 10am-9pm and Sun 12pm-6pm.
Grand Opening of Furniture Row Shopping Center in Madison, AL on Aug. 4 (Photo: Business Wire). View Multimedia Gallery
“The 53,440-square-foot Center will bring a unique furniture shopping experience to the area,” said Bill McKendry, Marketing Director for Furniture Row® Companies. “Unlike other furnishings retailers, our centers have four specialty stores at one destination. Each store focuses on a particular category and each store is managed and staffed with people who are extremely knowledgeable about their specific lines. And, best of all, they all guarantee their prices to be the lowest.”
Here’s a run down on each store brand and their specialty…
Denver Mattress Company® is considered unique among its competitors in the bedding industry because it is both a mattress manufacturer and mattress retailer. It manufactures, distributes, and retails its own private-label. Ultimately, providing full control over how its products are priced and sold.
The company uses the same components and materials as the leading brand-name manufacturers, but because it manufactures and sells its own mattresses, it has eliminated the middleman markup. Therefore, Denver Mattress customers get brand-name quality mattresses for as much as 50 percent less. Denver Mattress stands behind their product by offering a 10-year warranty on every mattress sold.
Sofa Mart® specializes in casual leather and upholstery home furnishings, as well as accent pieces such as occasional tables, armoires, and home accessories. The kind of furniture you would use in your living room and family room areas of the home.
The chain provides a large variety of styles, some of which are reminiscent of those found in high-end department stores and fashionable furnishings catalogs. The difference being that consumers will find Sofa Mart’s products more attractively priced and more readily available.
Oak Express® sets itself apart by only carrying furnishings made from fine woods like, oak, cherry, maple, pine, and more. From dining and entertainment to home office, Oak Express offers consumers a chance to own quality, long-lasting furniture at very affordable prices. Oak Express is the largest cash buyer of wood furniture in the country.
Bedroom Expressions® provides a unique retail experience, a single store specializing in bedroom furniture, offering consumers a larger selection of better quality bedroom furniture at affordable prices.
Furniture Row® also offers a 200% price pledge guarantee. This states that if within 30 days of purchase, the customer finds the identical item advertised for less at another local store, Furniture Row will refund 200% of the difference! In addition, Furniture Row® provides a variety of financing options designed to cater to the customer’s needs.
Furniture Row is also dedicated to donating to charitable organizations such as World Vision, The Salvation Army, The Arbor Day Foundation, and the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions.
Furniture Row® also owns and is the primary sponsor of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team #78. For more information on Furniture Row Racing, or driver Kenny Wallace visit www.furniturerowracing.com
A tentative appearance from driver and motor sport personality Kenny Wallace and the entire team is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9th from noon to two at the store. The appearance will not take place if the NEXTEL Cup race scheduled the night prior is rained out and rescheduled for Sunday.
Furniture Row® Companies is one of the largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers. The company is comprised of five specialty store brands including: Sofa Mart®, Oak Express®, Bedroom Expressions®, Denver Mattress Co®, and Big Sur® Water Beds and operates over 330 stores in 31 states. For more information, please visit www.FurnitureRow.com.
MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5448591
Contact:
Furniture Row Marketing
Wendy Manning, 303-293-2437
July 17th, 2007
By: Furniture World Magazine
World Market Center and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino announced that they are offering Summer Las Vegas Market attendees the chance to win big.
Buyers at the Summer 2007 Las Vegas Market can register to win an exclusive prize package to be a VIP guest at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, redeemable in conjunction with the Winter 2008 Las Vegas Market (taking place January 28-February 1, 2008).
The prize package includes a three-night stay for two in deluxe suite accommodations at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, dinner for two at one of MGM’s signature restaurants (Craftsteak, Fiamma, SeaBlue, Pearl, Shibuya or Nobhill) and two VIP seat tickets to KA. Featuring an international cast of 80 artists, the Cirque du Soleil show KA combines acrobatic performances, martial arts, puppetry, multimedia and pyrotechnics.
To register for the prize package, buyers must swipe their Las Vegas Market Expo Card (included with their market badge) at a designated area at the Sands Expo, between July 31 and August 3, 2007 during Summer Market hours. The prize registration area will also serve as the advance housing desk for attendees who want to book rooms for the January 2008 Market. MGM Grand will be the location of Las Vegas Market’s temporary exhibits and the headquarter hotel for the January 2008 Market.
“Sands Expo is a must-attend venue during the Summer Market featuring more than 700 exhibiting companies, and getting there is easy via the market’s free M-line shuttles. During a buyer’s visit to the Sands Expo, we encourage them to register to win a true Las Vegas experience through this fabulous prize package,” said Dana Andrew, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for World Market Center, adding that the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino giveaway is another traffic driver to the temporary venue.
Also featured at the Sands Expo, attendees can enjoy a grand opening celebration for the temporary exhibits, on Tuesday evening starting at 5 p.m. The “Viva la Venetian Festival” will transform The Sands venue into the sights and sounds of Venice complete with music, costumed performers and Italian cuisine. On Wednesday, August 1, all attendees visiting the Sands will receive a box lunch, compliments of World Market Center.
The Sands Expo, adjacent to and adjoining the Venetian Hotel and minutes from the permanent showrooms at World Market Center, will feature eight distinctly branded show sections including: Furniture; Design & Living, featuring Living Green, an area for sustainable furniture; Home Collection; Light; Sleep; Vegas Accessory & Gift; Interior Lifestyle and Resource.
The Summer Las Vegas Market will take place July 30–August 3, 2007 at World Market Center’s Buildings A and B and the Pavilions; the temporaries will be featured at Sands Expo opening on Tuesday, July 31. To register for market, visit www.LasVegasMarket.com or call 888-962-7469.
For more information about MGM Grand or to make reservations for KA, visit www.mgmgrand.com.
July 17th, 2007
CEBU CITY, July 16 Asia Pulse - An internationally acclaimed Cebuano furniture designer is planning to set up a design academy in the next two or three years.
Kenneth Cobonpue, who owns and manages Interior Crafts of the Island Inc., a family-owned furniture design and manufacturing company, said the design academy would be a postgraduate school for two years.
He said he may have to tap foreign funding institutions or establish international partnerships to ensure the school’s sustainability.
“But if things run efficiently the way I want it to, I’m gonna do it myself,” he added.
Cobonpue said he “strongly believes” in the academe to produce new and creative ideas from students.
Designing is seen to be an edge of the Philippine furniture industry above its competitors.
Due to the volatility of the local currency and stiff competition in the global market, he said the Filipinos well-renowned craftsmanship is what the industry is banking on to stay competitive.
However, he said finding and retaining hot-shot designers have now become a great challenge for industry players as most designers leave the country for high paying jobs abroad.
“We need to train them, cultivate them because we don’t have schools for furniture design,” he said.
Cobonpue, who is also an industrial design lecturer at the University of the Philippines-Cebu College, foresees the industry’s potential to stimulate the minds of students enrolled in architecture, fine arts and industrial design.
Cobonpue spoke in the recent furniture export industry forum conducted by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) together with the University of San Carlos (USC), CIDA Pearl 2 and the German Development Service.
In his speech titled “From OEM to Branding: Strategic Move from Survival to Domination,” Cobonpue demonstrated how companies can adopt several strategies to slowly shift to high-value design manufacturing and branding.
“There’s a need to brand individually. If we market it solely as a Philippines brand, it won’t work,” he said.
He said a single Philippine brand does not seem to appeal to the local market and will be regarded with even less interest by the highly critical American and European markets.
(PNA)
July 17th, 2007
Furniture Today,
Had been EVP at Breuners Arizona
FAIRBORN, Ohio — Industry veteran Tom Daley is joining Morris Furniture here as vice president of merchandising for home furnishing and home theater, a new position at the Top 100 chain.
Daley, with 35 years of industry experience, most recently was executive vice president and general manager of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Breuners Arizona, where he worked for 13 years. In April, Breuners announced it was closing its four-store operation.
Before joining the Arizona chain, Daley was senior vice president and general merchandise manager for department store Elder Beerman from 1988 to 1994, when it was based in Dayton.
At Morris, he will oversee all home furnishings merchandising at its three store formats — Morris Home Furnishings, Ashley Furniture HomeStores and Thomasville.
“As our company continues to grow in our Ohio showrooms located in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus and northern Kentucky, Tom will complement our current management team,” said George Hartley, Morris chief operating office.
Larry Klaben, president and CEO, call Daley a “true home furnishings industry professional with a great merchandising style and successful track record. We welcome him to our growing company.”
Daley said he looks forward to returning to Ohio and helping Morris build on its reputation for innovative merchandising and community service.
Morris ranks No. 91 on Furniture/Today’s survey of Top 100 furniture stores with nine stores last year doing an estimated $72.3 million in furniture, bedding and accessories sales, up 12.6% from the year before. It recently opened its 10th store, an Ashley unit in Springfield, Ohio, and plans to open one more Ashley store this year in the Columbus market.
July 17th, 2007
Clint Engel
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The AVB/BrandSource buying group has created a new division within its furniture dealer ranks called BrandSource Furniture Advantage, consisting of more than 50 retailers who have committed to a group buy during the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
The main purpose of the move is to merchandise the retailers’ circular advertising program for the next six to 12 months, AVB/BrandSource said.
The group within the 1,800-member buying organization chose six product categories — bedroom, fabric upholstery, leather, motion, casual dining and entertainment — for the first Advantage buy, said Michael Allen, BrandSource executive vice president-home furnishings.
“During the market, we will review product from numerous suppliers and select one for each category,” he said. “Every member has committed to keep these floor placements for the next 12 months in order to support the tabloid program.”
Under the program, two to four SKU’s will be selected from each supplier with a significant opening order, the group said.
“We have put a lot of research into the needs of our members and the consensus is they want a well-designed, product-specific circular program that is not dedicated to a single supplier,” said Dan Crain, owner of Garden City, Kan.-based Appliance & Furniture Mart and a BrandSource member.
With more than 50 dealers buying the same product, Crain said the program puts the subgroup’s buying power on par with a Top 100 furniture store.
More than 25 furniture manufacturers are set to make product presentations to the Advantage dealers during the summer market.
“Our goal is to look for the best overall values, but not base the sole decision on price,” Allen said.
July 17th, 2007
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