Archive for August 8th, 2007
By Joshua McKerrow - The Capital
TOP: Lauren and Kevin Russell with their daughters Sawyer, left, and Libby, at the Russel and Mackenna showroom.
BOTTOM: Local funiture company Russell and McKenna opened its first showroom in Severna Park in January.
By ANDREW CHILDERS Staff Writer
It’s a modest goal Lauren Russell has set for herself and her family’s handcrafted furniture business.
“One day I want Russell and Mackenna to be to Severna Park what L.L. Bean is to Portland, (Maine),” she said. “It’s a great little town.”
From Lauren Russell and her husband Kevin’s Severna Park garage three years ago, the couple has grown a multimillion-dollar custom cottage-style furniture firm, Russell and Mackenna, with 30 dealers up and down the East Coast.
This summer the factory doubled its space by moving to a 6,000-square-foot production facility in Jessup, and the Russells opened their first showroom in Severna Park, which is already outselling the other licensed dealers.
The burgeoning furniture empire was born of vanity. Or at least one vanity.
The Russells needed the bathroom fixture when they renovated their home, so Mr. Russell set off for the garage with a handful of power tools. A neighbor was so impressed by the craftsmanship that she ordered 30 pieces for her home, essentially seeding the company.
Orders really started rolling in when the couple’s work was featured in Coastal Living magazine in March 2005.
“The phone started ringing off the hook,” Mrs. Russell said.
That’s when they decided to make a full-time go of the business. Mr. Russell had left his job at T. Rowe Price, coincidentally just ahead of a round of layoffs in his section.
“I got out at a great time,” he said.
Though his father was a woodworker, Mr. Russell said he didn’t take up the hobby until he and his wife renovated their home. It was then that he learned to carve decorative designs by trial and error.
Combing his new interest in woodworking with Mrs. Russell’s background in art and graphic design, the company settled on an aesthetic marked by clean lines and a palette of soothing pastels that mix and match well with each other. Mrs. Russell recruited her father, Larry Strassner, to manage the company’s books.
Though they didn’t know it at the time, their success bucked the national trend.
While hundreds of furniture companies gathered in Las Vegas last week to bemoan the decline in domestic production, Anne Arundel County has become a haven for boutique dealers who have weathered the market’s slide.
Furniture builders say they have trouble competing with cheaper products imported from overseas. The slowing housing market has also moderated demand for new furniture.
But Russell and Mackenna and the Pine Away furniture store in Annapolis both say they’ve identified their niches.
“There’s that segment of people that wants nice hardwood furniture and doesn’t want junk,” said Lori Livingston, who owns Pine Away with her sister, Terri Livingston Kozel.
The sisters sell custom-made furniture that’s handcrafted at their plant in Jacksonville, Fla., where labor is cheaper.
Boutique shops that appeal to high-end consumers typically have a better chance of surviving market dips, said Kathy Floam, president of the Pomerantz Agency, an Annapolis marketing firm.
“They’re offering something that’s better quality …,” she said. “There’s a whole lot of people who don’t think cheaper is better.”
For its next venture, moving into upholstered furniture, Russell and Mackenna is looking south to High Point, N.C., America’s furniture capital. It’s also the home of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a furniture trade group.
On Oct. 1 Russell and Mackenna will launch its line of upholstered furniture, in design for more than a year.
The company’s 12 employees can turn out 150 pieces of custom handcrafted furniture a month. Despite moving the business in July, the company took four times as many orders as in that same month last year, and expects to hit $5 million in annual sales within three years.
All of that because Lauren Russell couldn’t afford the vanity of her choice.
“I just wanted great furniture, and the only company that got me jazzed, I couldn’t afford,” she said. “So I figured out a way to build it myself.”
August 8th, 2007
Ashley Furniture is moving to greater Bluffton.
The chain furniture store will be in Okatie Center at the northwest corner of the U.S. 278 and S.C. 170 intersection.
It will feature a 35,000-square-foot showroom. Additionally, it will be adjoined to a 16,000-square-foot shopping complex, according to designs presented Monday to the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Review Board.
Previous plans called for locating the store and a warehouse across S.C. 170 near The Fabric Store and Enmark, but the original owner backed out of the deal, said architect Darren Watson.
A different franchise owner signed onto the plans, Watson said, but the delay resulted in developers having to pick another site. The project is being developed by KG SC Holdings, LLC.
The development must still receive approval from the county Development Review Team and corridor review board before construction can begin.
August 8th, 2007
the wholesale furniture center achieves wide recognition weeks after its launch
The Kuwaiti Wholesale Furniture Center has achieved wide recognition for its ultra modern furniture line during the first month of its launch. The Wholesale Center’s success is due to its high quality products and wide selection of furniture, all of which are sold at competitive prices.
“The Wholesale Center’s philosophy is to present the same concept of an outlet factory, where diverse models of furniture are sold individually at prices 25% less than the retail price”, said the General Manager of the Furniture Wholesale Center, Bashar Karabash.
The Furniture Wholesale Center is the first of its kind in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, offering clients a vast range of furniture, including home furniture and decorative accessories. The prices of bedrooms start at JOD 800 while the Micro fiber sets are sold at JOD 650.
Building on its achievements in Kuwait and now in Jordan, the Wholesale Furniture Center will continue to introduce to the market sleek and sophisticated furniture items and accessories at affordable prices.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
August 8th, 2007
Aggressive pricing also pleases retailers at summer market
LAS VEGAS — Retailers who shopped the furniture market here last week were impressed by new products and deals, and the World Market Center’s efforts to make their shopping experience smooth and enjoyable.
Houston-based Gallery Furniture has been shopping here for some time, but it was the first visit for owner Jim McIngvale, who was wowed by a venue he called “dynamic.”
“I think it’s great,” he said. “It’s easy to shop. It’s new. It’s fresh. It’s terrific.”
And McIngvale found what he was looking for — contemporary furniture from Diamond Sofa and others to appeal to young, urban-oriented consumers gravitating to the loft living lifestyle in and around downtown Houston.
“We shopped a lot of vendors that are out of the mainstream,” he said. “One of our mantras is to not be a commodity furniture store. We’re not strong in that (contemporary) category, but we’re going to be.”
Howard Freed, owner of Freed’s Home Furnishings in metro Dallas, said he found “tons of new stuff here,” noting that one of the keys to this market is the manageable size of the showrooms and how vendors tend to show only their introductions and best sellers.
Among the bright spots for Freed’s: AICO and its new Essex Manor collection, and the newest Kathy Ireland Home by Standard product.
Freed also applauded the market for its work to make the shopping experience better, particularly a much-improved shuttle service from his hotel to the main buildings. He suggested his days of visiting High Point may be numbered.
“There are too many markets,” he said, adding that once WMC opens its third building next July, he may skip the larger North Carolina market.
“The problem here has been limited upholstery,” Freed said, “but it’s improved. The market is getting bigger, and I think those vendors (not here already) are just going to have to bite the bullet and pay the price.”
For Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based City Furniture, the amount of new product offered here depended on the supplier. Those particularly strong out West had a lot of new product, while others remain more High Pointed-oriented with only a few new things here.
“But Las Vegas continues to rise,” said City President Keith Koenig, pointing to the construction work on Building C. “With this new building, it’s going to attract more and more.”
Like Freed, Koenig has complained about too many markets, and said it continues to be an issue for his merchandising team, which is shopping more overseas markets.
“Where we spend the most time will be where we can see the most new product and utilize our time effectively,” he said.
Joel Huseby, vice president of merchandising at Becker Furniture World Home Center in Becker, Minn., had a different take on the current market schedules, saying he wants to see fresh looks every three months, in High Point and Las Vegas. That means he can make changes year-round without overhauling a large part of his lineup at one time.
And it hasn’t meant extra time because Huseby has shaved time off his High Point trips — from eight days a few years ago to three-to-four days now.
Huseby was among those pleased with the aggressive pricing they saw here from manufacturers trying to drum up business in a tough business climate.
He cited an ultra-soft leather sofa at Leather Italia Becker can sell at $1,199, as well as the resource’s $999 retail price points on other new frames. He also liked the new motion sectional program at Catnapper, and looked closely as its bonded leather offerings.
“It’s nice on our side,” said Huseby, whose business is benefiting from the excitement of its re-opening as whole-home home center.
“It was worth it to be here,” Huseby said. “It was hot, but it’s hot in Minneapolis too.”
August 8th, 2007
When buying patio furniture, you need to be sure to select a set that will enhance your deck and suit your own personal style. Your patio should be a relaxing, private space where you can entertain friends or enjoy the peace and quiet by yourself. The right choice of patio furniture can help to create the ultimate outdoor space to be enjoyed every day.
A wrought iron patio set can bring a romantic, decadent feel to your backyard. It is the purest form of iron and can be a good investment if it is powder coated to avoid rust, as it is durable enough to last for many years. Wrought iron furniture usually has a delicate ornamental style which, when combined with deep colored plants like lavender and rose bushes, can give a beautiful Victorian appeal to your garden space.
If you prefer a tropical island theme to your deck, wicker furniture represents the ultimate in Caribbean luxury. You can maintain the feeling of relaxing by the poolside on your latest vacation by choosing form a wide range of furniture that includes love seats and deep seated chairs. A chaise longe can also help you recreate the spring break cabana and allow you to lay back in comfort to work on that all-important suntan. Wicker furniture has the added advantage that you can brighten it up with bold colored, weather resistant cushions. You can change the cushions to alter the overall look of your deck and keep your style fresh, without having to regularly replace your furniture.
Perhaps a sophisticated urban style is more to your taste, in which case you might choose a contemporary aluminum patio set. Most suited to those who love to entertain by the poolside and want to turn heads at their next party. As well as being the ultimate in durability and comfort, the sleek designs of aluminum patio furniture are all you need to make your poolside look luxurious and fun. Investing in a high quality set will make you quite a trendsetter and ensure a good time is had by all at your next pool party.
For nature lovers, who want their garden to be a place of rest and contemplation, wooden patio furniture sets present the ideal solution. The color and texture of the wood you select can turn your deck into your own personal sanctuary; a place to relax in comfort and serenity. The choice between the rich golden tones of teak and the rustic ambers of cedar wood will make your space a truly personal one.
Whatever your style and preferences, you need to take time to select the right patio furniture to suit your personal needs and lifestyle. Investing in a good quality patio set that meets your needs and moods, will enable you to really enjoy relaxing in your outdoor space. You deserve a great place to kick back in complete luxury and investing in the right outdoor furniture can allow you to do that.
Focusing on the topic of cabinets for your kitchen, Johnathan Bakers publishes for the most part for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com . Through his publications (such as http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/islands.html on kitchen islands ) he established his capability in the field.
August 8th, 2007
— Furniture Today,
They will avoid potentially higher duties; most will remain at 6.65%
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Commerce has agreed to forego administrative reviews of over 100 Chinese makers of wooden bedroom furniture, meaning most of them will retain their current antidumping duty rate of 6.65%.
The companies had been targeted for an administrative review on wood bedroom furniture items they shipped to the United States during 2006. They had 90 days to request their names be removed from the review list, which was published March 7, 2007.
The U.S. furniture makers supporting the original antidumping investigation sought an extension of that 90-day deadline, which the DOC granted.
By having their names removed from the review list, the Chinese companies are able to avoid a potentially higher duty by locking into duty rates in place for goods shipped in 2006. In most cases, this rate was 6.65%.
The companies that won’t be reviewed are:
Alexandre International Corp., Southern Art Development Ltd., Alexandre Furniture (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Southern Art Furniture Factory
Art Heritage International Ltd., Super Art Furniture Co. Ltd., Artwork Metal & Plastic Co. Ltd., Jibson Industries Ltd., Always Loyal International
Billy Wood Industrial (Dong Guan), Great Union Industrial (Dongguan) Co. Ltd., Time Faith Ltd.
Changshu HTC Import & Export Co. Ltd.
Cheng Meng Furniture (PTE) Co. Ltd., Cheng Meng Decoration & Furniture (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
Chuan Fa Furniture Factory
Clearwise Co. Ltd.
COE Ltd.
Dalian Huafeng Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Cambridge Furniture Co. Ltd., Glory Oceanic Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Chunsan Wood Products Co. Ltd., Trendex Industries Ltd.
Dongguan Creation Furniture Co. Ltd., Creation Industries Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Grand Style Furniture Co. Ltd., Hong Kong DaZhi Furniture Company Ltd.
Dongguan Great Reputation Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Hero Way Woodwork Co. Ltd., Hero Way Enterprises Ltd., Dongguan Da Zhong Woodwork Co. Ltd., Well Earth International Ltd.
Dongguan Hung Sheng Artware Products Co. Ltd., Coronal Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Kin Feng Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Kingstone Furniture Co. Ltd., Kingstone Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Liaobushangdun Huada Furniture Factory, Great Rich (HK) Enterprises Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Lung Dong Furniture Co. Ltd., Dongguan Dong He Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Singways Furniture Co. Ltd.
Dongguan Sunrise Furniture Co., Taicang Sunrise Wood Industry Co. Ltd., Shanghai Sunrise Furniture Co. Ltd., Fairmont Designs
Dongying Huanghekou Furniture Industry Co. Ltd.
Dorbest Ltd., Rui Feng Woodwork Co. Ltd., Rui Feng Lumber Development Co. Ltd., aka Dorbest Ltd., Rui Feng Woodwork (Dongguan) Co. Ltd., Rui Feng Lumber Development (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
Dream Rooms Furniture (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
Eurosa (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Eurosa Furniture Co. (PTE) Ltd.
Ever Spring Furniture Co. Ltd., S.Y.C. Family Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Fine Furniture (Shanghai) Ltd.
Foshan Guanqiu Furniture Co. Ltd.
Garri Furniture (Dong Guan) Co. Ltd., Molabile International Inc., Weei Geo Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Green River Wood (Dongguan) Ltd.
Guangzhou Maria Yee Furnishings Ltd., Pyla HK Ltd.
Hainan Jong Bao Lumber Co. Ltd., Jibbon Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Hamilton & Spill Ltd.
Hang Hai Woodcrafts Art Factory
Hualing Furniture (China) Co. Ltd., Tony House Manufacture (China) Co. Ltd., Buysell Investments Ltd., Tony House Industries Co. Ltd.
Jardine Enterprise Ltd.
Jiangmen Kinwai Furniture Decoration Co. Ltd.
Jiangmen Kinwai International Furniture Co. Ltd.
Jiangsu Weifu Group Company Fullhouse Furniture Manufacturing Corp.
Jiangsu Xiangsheng Bedtime Furniture Co. Ltd.
Jiangsu Yuexing Furniture Group Co. Ltd.
Jiedong Lehouse Furniture Co. Ltd.
King’s Way Furniture Industries Co. Ltd., Kingsyear Ltd.
Kuan Lin Furniture (Dong Guan) Co. Ltd., Kuan Lin Furniture Factory, Kuan Lin Furniture Co. Ltd.
Kunshan Lee Wood Product Co. Ltd.
Kunshan Summit Furniture Co. Ltd.
Langfang TianCheng Furniture Co. Ltd.
Leefu Wood (Dongguan) Co. Ltd., King Rich International Ltd.
Link Silver Ltd. (V.I.B.), Forward Win Enterprises Co. Ltd., Dongguan Haoshun Furniture Ltd.
Locke Furniture Factory, Kai Chan Furniture Co. Ltd., Kai Chan (Hong Kong) Enterprise Ltd., Taiwan Kai Chan Co. Ltd.
Longrange Furniture Co. Ltd.
Maria Yee Inc.
Nanhai Baiyi Woodwork Co. Ltd.
Nanhai Jiantai Woodwork Co. Ltd., Fortune Glory Industrial Ltd. (HK Ltd.)
Nantong Dongfang Orient Furniture Co. Ltd.
Nantong Yushi Furniture Co. Ltd.
Nathan International Ltd., Nathan Rattan Factory
Ningbo Furniture Industries Ltd., Techniwood Industries Ltd., Ningbo Hengrun Furniture Co. Ltd.
Orient International Holding Shanghai Foreign Trading Co. Ltd.
Passwell Corporation, Pleasant Wave Ltd.
Perfect Line Furniture Co. Ltd.
Primewood International Co. Ltd., Prime Best International Co. Ltd., Prime Best Factory, Liang Huang (Jiaxing) Enterprise Co. Ltd.
PuTian JingGong Furniture Co. Ltd.
Qingdao Liangmu Co. Ltd.
Restonic (Dongguan) Furniture Ltd., Restonic Far East (Samoa) Ltd.
RiZhao SanMu Woodworking Co. Ltd.
Season Furniture Manufacturing Co., Season Industrial Development Co.
Sen Yeong International Co. Ltd., Sheh Hau International Trading Ltd.
Shanghai Jian Pu Export & Import Co. Ltd.
Shanghai Maoji Import & Export Co. Ltd.
Sheng Jing Wood Products (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Telstar Enterprises Ltd.
Shenyang Shining Dongxing Furniture Co. Ltd.
Shenzhen Forest Furniture Co. Ltd.
Shenzhen Jiafa High Grade Furniture Co. Ltd., Golden Lion International Trading Ltd.
Shenzhen New Fudu Furniture Co. Ltd. Shenzhen Wonderful Furniture Co. Ltd.
Shenzhen Xiande Furniture Factory
Shing Mark Enterprise Co. Ltd., Carven Industries Ltd. (BVI), Carven Industries Limited (HK), Dongguan Zhenxin Furniture Co. Ltd., Dongguan Yongpeng Furniture Co. Ltd.
Shun Feng Furniture Co. Ltd.
Songgang Jasonwood Furniture Factory, Jasonwood Industrial Co. Ltd. S.A.
Starwood Furniture Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Starwood Industries Ltd.
Strongson Furniture (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Strongson Furniture Co. Ltd., Strongson (HK) Co.
Sunforce Furniture (Hui-Yang) Co. Ltd., SunFung Wooden Factory, Sun Fung Co., Shin Feng Furniture Co. Ltd., Stupendous International Co. Ltd.
Superwood Co. Ltd., Lianjiang Zongyu Art Products Co. Ltd.
Tarzan Furniture Industries Ltd., Samso Industries Ltd.
Tianjin Fortune Furniture Co. Ltd.
Tianjin Master Home Furniture
Tianjin Phu Shing Woodwork Enterprise Co. Ltd.
Tube-Smith Enterprises (ZhangZhou) Co. Ltd., Tube-Smith Enterprise (Haimen) Co. Ltd., Billionworth Enterprise Ltd.
U-Rich Furniture (ZhangZhou) Co. Ltd., U-Rich Furniture Ltd.
Wanhengtong Nueevder (Furniture) Manufacture Co. Ltd., Dongguan Wanhengtong Industry Co. Ltd.
Woodworth Wooden Industries (Dong Guan) Co. Ltd.
Xiamen Yongquan Sci-Tech Development Co. Ltd.
Xingli Arts & Crafts Factory of Yangchun
Yida Co. Ltd., Yitai Worldwide Ltd., Yili Co. Ltd., Yetbuild Co. Ltd.
Yihua Timber Industry Co. Ltd., aka Guangdong Yihua Timber Industry Co. Ltd.
ZhangZhou Sanlong Wood Product Co. Ltd.
Zhangjiagang Daye Hotel Furniture Co. Ltd.
Zhangzhou Guohui Industrial & Trade Co. Ltd.
Zhanjiang Sunwin Arts & Crafts Co. Ltd.
Zhong Shan Fullwin Furniture Co. Ltd.
Zhongshan Fookyik Furniture Co. Ltd.
Zhongshan Golden King Furniture Industrial Co. Ltd.
Zhoushan For-Strong Wood Co. Ltd.
The DOC also tentatively chose not to review the following companies, which initially did not receive the Section A rate of 6.65%. But they must prove they’re entitled to the Section A rate and not the all-China rate of 198.08%.
Those companies are:
Engmost Investments Ltd.
Golden Well International (HK) Ltd.
Hainan Rulai Furniture Co. Ltd.
Huizhou Jadom Furniture Co. Ltd., Jadom Furniture Co. Ltd.
Kong Fong Furniture, Kong Fong Mao Iek Hong
Kunshan Junsen Furniture Co., Ltd.
Nathan China Group
Putian Ou Dian Furniture Co. Ltd.
Time Crown (U.K.) International Ltd., China United International Co.
Tradewinds Furniture Ltd.
Tradewinds International Enterprise Ltd.
Trendex Industries Limited (BVI)
August 8th, 2007
Indeed, traditional Adirondack furniture typically is used on the deck or patio. Indeed, Adirondack chairs and loungers have been traditional choices of outdoor furniture for more than a century now. Normally constructed out of mahogany or pine slats of wood that are separated by evenly-spaced gaps, beautiful Adirondack furniture was made for enjoying the great outdoors. So, you might be asking yourself why purchasing chairs, loungers, or swings that are designed for the deck or patio would be wise with winter coming on.
Well, for anyone who has ever went shopping for a motorcycle or swimming pool in the winter, the answer is obvious?because of the lower prices! Hey, retailers are just like all of us who need to make a living! While everyone knows that only people living in warm climates could possibly benefit from a set of Adirondack patio furniture, this is the very same reason why you can get the best deals! Hardly anyone goes shopping for outdoor furniture during the winter so the demand is very low but inventories still need be sold?and that is why retailers are willing to provide significant discounts during the holidays on chairs, tables, and loungers designed for the deck or patio.
However, for those of us who decide instead to go shopping for luxurious Adirondack furniture in the Spring or summer, the prices will go up as demand is high and inventories are typically lower. Now this is not to say that you still can?t find a deal on some traditional Adirondack furniture during those warmer months?but it will almost never be equal to the savings you can find if you purchase chairs or swings during the winter!
Of course, no matter when you decide to buy your next set of outdoor furniture, it is a good choice to go with pieces made in the Adirondack style. With an angled back and wide armrests, all beautiful Adirondack furniture is very comfortable to sit back and relax in. While you can add some additional comfort with a nice chair cushion, it really is unnecessary because the angled back distributes weight better so less is concentrated on your rear.
Magnificent Adirondack furniture is a great buy no matter when you decide to go shopping. However, try surfing the Internet for the best deals on this uniquely styled and very comfortable outdoor furniture. Online merchants, especially during the holiday season, have better prices and a greater selection of luxurious Adirondack furniture when compared to your typical ?brick-and-mortar? stores.
Jennifer Akre, owner of numerous outdoor furniture and home and patio decor websites, makes it easy to find fantastic http://www.adirondackchairs-store.com/view-all-adirondack-chairs.html and beautiful http://www.adirondackchairs-store.com. Learn how to decorate your patio and garden in style - come indulge yourself: http://www.adirondackchairs-store.com.
August 8th, 2007
— Furniture Today,
Blue Ocean Waters’ Shaw also was corporate exec; more stores in works
HOUSTON — Mattress Firm, a leading specialty mattress retailers, has agreed to terms with a new franchisee, Blue Ocean Waters, which is headed by a veteran bedding executive who previously worked at Mattress Firm.
Blue Ocean Waters recently opened its first Mattress Firm store in Alabaster, Ala., a suburb of Birmingham. The company plans to open several more units throughout the Birmingham region over the coming months and years, including three additional stores before the end of 2007.
This marks Mattress Firm’s entrance into Alabama, its 21st state.
Blue Ocean Waters President Mike Shaw previously served as Mattress Firm’s director of marketing and advertising for five years, leaving in 2006 but remaining involved as a consultant. Prior to that, Shaw was a Mattress Firm franchisee in Hartford, Conn., from 1999 to 2001, operating seven stores in the region.
“I am extremely excited to once again be working with the Mattress Firm team in a full-time capacity, and to be a part of the company’s plans for future growth,” said Shaw. “As a former franchisee and from my previous role with corporate, I know the respect the Mattress Firm brand commands in markets all across the country.”
Gary Fazio, CEO of Mattress Firm, said, “Given his industry knowledge and previous experience as both a franchisee and as a key member of our corporate team, we are confident that Mike will be an excellent representative of the Mattress Firm brand and will quickly achieve success in this new venture.”
Mattress Firm currently operates 400 stores in 36 markets. The Birmingham market is the first new franchise market to open since 2004.
August 8th, 2007
— Furniture Today,
Some 620 producers set to show; last year’s fair drew 1,628 foreign visitors
BEIJING — The 10th China International Furniture, Woodworking Machinery and Wood Products Exhibition is expanding, thanks to growing interest and demand.
This year’s event, set for Nov. 15-17, will occupy eight halls, or 460,000 square feet of space, at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing. The 2006 event, held Dec. 17 to 20, occupied five halls, or 330,000 square feet.
The upcoming show will feature some 620 manufacturers of residential and office furniture geared to both domestic and international buyers. A portion of the show will be devoted to woodworking machinery.
The 2007 event also will include a 3,100-square-foot pavilion for Turkish furniture manufacturers, and a 73,000-square-foot pavilion for Italian furniture makers.
Last year, the show featured 526 exhibitors and attracted 32,358 visitors, including 1,628 from overseas. Show officials said buying groups from the United Kingdom, Korea, the United States, Japan and Germany were among the international visitors.
More information is available on the show’s Web site, www.furniture-cn.net.cn.
August 8th, 2007
Tupelo market to give away three Hummers at upcoming show
Buyers, reps eligible for drawings, but must be present to win
TUPELO, Miss. — Buoyed by the success of its Hummer giveaway at the winter market, the Tupelo Furniture Market is giving away not one, but three Hummers at this month’s market.
Market officials said a Hummer H-3 will be given to a lucky retailer or manufacturer’s representative on three consecutive nights — Aug. 23, 24 and 25.
The market begins Aug. 22 and continues through Aug. 26.
The Aug. 23 and Aug. 25 drawings will award vehicles to qualified buyers, while the Aug. 24 drawing is limited to sales reps. Market officials said entrants must be present to win.Buyers, reps eligible for drawings, but must be present to win
TUPELO, Miss. — Buoyed by the success of its Hummer giveaway at the winter market, the Tupelo Furniture Market is giving away not one, but three Hummers at this month’s market.
Market officials said a Hummer H-3 will be given to a lucky retailer or manufacturer’s representative on three consecutive nights — Aug. 23, 24 and 25.
The market begins Aug. 22 and continues through Aug. 26.
The Aug. 23 and Aug. 25 drawings will award vehicles to qualified buyers, while the Aug. 24 drawing is limited to sales reps. Market officials said entrants must be present to win.
August 8th, 2007
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