Posts Tagged ‘high point nc furniture stores,’

2010 headed in right direction

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

I don’t want to jinx things, but I’m seeing a number of signs that suggest that 2010 is headed in the right direction.

For openers, a number of retailers active in home furnishings are enjoying sales spikes. Pier 1 Imports, for example, announced that same-store sales for the five-week period ending Jan. 2 grew 8.5%, while Costco reported a rise in December same-store sales of 9%.

But there is another yardstick that I’ve used over the years to help me gauge how well the industry will fare. I listen to front-line reports from retailers and exhibitors who have attended the first two industry shows of the year — the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and the Canadian Home Furnishings Market.

The good news: Based on everything I’ve heard, each of these shows knocked the ball out of the park.

Take the Atlanta show. A cold front that left much of the South shivering was unable to turn down the heat on the excitement in the aisles at AmericasMart as retailers aggressively shopped the Atlanta show.

Tom Russell, our case goods editor, was impressed by the volume of new product that vendors such as Four Hands, Palecek, Halo and Bailey Street introduced. Russell, who noted a big push in the area of sustainability, also saw a growing number of vendors offering custom options.

Of all that he shared, I was most optimistic about his sense of dealers breaking the tradition of shopping for best sellers in favor of gambling on more design-driven items as a means of livening up sales floors.

For its part, AmericasMart reported some of the busiest days in the history of the venue.

“The 2010 edition of (our) home, gift and rug shows was a great example of how important and transformational it is to work with exhibitors to promote and aggressively pursue buyers from all across the United States and all over the world. We are flattered and honored that so many retailers chose AmericasMart to spend their open-to-buy,” said Jeffrey Portman Sr., president and COO of AmericasMart.

The reports from the Toronto market were equally upbeat. Retailers used words like “busy, exciting and worthwhile” to describe the event.

And if there’s truth in the cliché about the third time being a charm, then Tupelo, set to welcome 40 new exhibitors, may be well on the way to helping make my perception a reality.

Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief — Furniture Today

Antique upholstery trends

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Upholstery Journal |by Dionne Cordell

     Antique Trends are more varied today than they were in the past. George Evans of Bond & Bowery notices specific trends in pieces ordered from his online antique marketplace. Evans says the more history we have to influence trends, the more variation there will be in styles.

IN

Antique pieces, such as Biedermeier, Georgian and Regency styles. Classic Chippendale, Louis XVI pieces, Swedish painted pieces, Jansen pieces and fine Art Deco pieces are also hot.

Mission-style oak rockers with straw-filled leather seating.

1880 Eastlake styles and 1890s, 1920s chairs.

Well-proportioned legs on sofas and loveseats rather than skirts.

Animal prints in small quantities. A leopard-print footstool or ottoman works well as an accent piece.

Silk and wool fabrics, and down and feather cushions with sumptuous trims work best with traditional frames.

Rich chenille tapestry along with classic damasks.

Jewel and earth tones. Terra cotta reds, sage greens and flaxen golds are popular.

Tone-on-tone damask fabrics.

Sumptuous trims and cording in Bullion fringe.

Neat trim and a well-done cover never fails.

Nickel nailhead trim.

OUT

Arm covers. These should only be used when taking to the paint or fabric store for color matching.

Living room sets. The classic sofa, loveseat and chair set is out of style.Use two sofas or a sofa and a pair of chairs for a versatile and stylish alternative.

Loose slipcovers.

Broyhill Launches WOW Sales Strategy

Monday, January 4th, 2010

LENOIR, N.C. — Case goods and upholstery resource Broyhill is set to launch a sales strategy it calls “WOW,” which is aimed at improving relationships with retail customers through a variety of merchandising, promotion and pricing initiatives.

The WOW strategy eventually will be rolled out by all brands owned by Broyhill’s parent Furniture Brands International, according to company officials.

“Broyhill is the perfect place to launch this strategy at the brand level,” said Ralph Scozzafava, FBI’s chairman and CEO. “Broyhill’s customer base ranges from single location independent dealers to national accounts. The consultative, fact-based sales approach that is the foundation of the WOW strategy works with customers at every level, and we maximize the upside leverage of this proven sales strategy by starting with Broyhill.”

The strategy consists of three core elements, which the company describes as Win at the Store, Own the Customer, and Work Together.

Mark Stephens, formerly vice president of national accounts at Furniture Brands, will shift to Broyhill to lead the sales team there.

“Mark has been the point person for rolling out the WOW strategy to Furniture Brands’ five national account teams, and their early success has been impressive,” said Broyhill President Jeff Cook. “It just made great sense to leverage his knowledge and experience to lead the Broyhill sales team in implementing the WOW strategy.”

Stephens is replacing Don Webb, who is leaving Broyhill to return to the West Coast to pursue other business interests in the furniture industry.

In addition to Broyhill, FBI’s key brands include Lane, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Maitland-Smith and Thomasville.

 

Source: www.highpointmarket.org

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratratingCenter.com