Larry Thomas
LAS VEGAS  — As televisions get larger, the entertainment furniture that holds them is getting smaller.


That seeming contradiction was apparent at last week’s Las Vegas Market, where the massive wall systems that once dominated the category took a back seat to more compact units that accommodate today’s popular — and wide — flat-panel televisions.

Producers said buyers took a keen interest in models that can be set up in multiple configurations, as well as units that have a variety of functions such as media storage, speaker cabinets or video game controls.

“The days of stacking up the components inside the pier are gone,” said Tim Donk, marketing manager at Legends Furniture, which introduced a variety of domestic and imported entertainment centers.

Donk said many units are now sold without piers, as consumers are choosing to store components in a console that also serves as the base for the television. Items such as a hutch can then be added. If the consumer opts for piers, they typically are used as curio cabinets or bookcases.

“Our dealers are still selling the big wall systems, but they’re not selling nearly as many as they were a couple of years ago,” said Paul Coscarelli, a partner with APA Marketing, which sells the Encore line of entertainment centers.

“I like to tell people that the smaller units deliver more function, but take two-thirds of the space at half the price,” he added.

Coscarelli and other executives said product introductions with such features were well received at market. They said dealers were hoping the new items would stimulate business as they ride the wave of flat-panel TV popularity.

“We’re seeing the larger retailers starting to stock up for busier times,” said Karl Eulberg, vice president of sales at Kathy Ireland Home by Martin Furniture. “Inventories are low, and I think it’s a good time to be placing orders.”

Eulberg said dealers were especially enthusiastic about his company’s new Jefferson Heights entertainment center, which can be configured eight ways. And rival Aspen Furniture reported good response to its new Four Seasons collection, which is designed for TV screens of 42 inches to 50 inches.

Aspen and Martin also reported good response to new units with bi-fold doors that allow the TV to be hidden when not in use.

“We think people are not going to use the TV as a status symbol anymore,” Eulberg said.

At Magnussen Home, the market focus was on a lineup of entertainment centers that debuted in April in High Point. President Jeff Cook said the response from dealers has exceeded expectations, and said the first group of orders will be shipped later this week.

Upbeat also was the word at Riverside, whose temporary space at the Las Vegas Convention Center was busy from the market’s opening bell.

“Most of the retailers that we had hoped to see have stopped by,” said Linda Owen, vice president of national accounts.

Officials at South Shore were pleased with traffic in that company’s temporary space in the Pavilions, but were looking forward to moving into their permanent World Market Center showroom in January.

“Entertainment is a hot category for us,” said Robert Robichaud, vice president of business development. “We’re developing a lot of new product in both the assembled and RTA segments.”

At ready-to-assemble major Bush, the focus was on video gaming furniture. The company unveiled several items aimed a teen and pre-teen gamers that include features such as swivel bases, adjustable shelves and storage bins.

“Based upon research we have conducted, we know that there is a definite shift of placement from the family room to the youth bedroom when the gamers become teenagers,” said Jim Schmidt II, vice president of marketing and merchandising for Bush.