Industry News

The National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is forming an alliance with Web4Retail to provide complete Internet Marketing Services to NHFA members.

The services include website development, search engine optimization, social media marketing, reputation management and email marketing. Members will select from a complete packaged offering or individual services. “Our membership has requested that we develop a program in conjunction with a provider to handle all aspects of internet marketing and social media”, says Steve Dehaan, NHFA Executive VP, “After an extensive search, our search committee determined that Web4Retail is the appropriate provider for the home furnishings industry.”

Web4Retail, a division of Keniston & Company, has over a decade of experience working with retailers and is an industry leader in technology and the internet. “Web4Retail and the NHFA are alike in that we are committed to the preservation of the independent retailer”, says Web4Retail President Denise Keniston, “This program has been designed specifically for the independent home furnishings retailer who has seen a drastic change in the manner in which the consumer shops the category, as well as changes to the competitive landscape.”  The program is currently in place and is available to NHFA members.

About NHFA: NHFA is the nation’s largest organization devoted to home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,000 corporate entities representing nearly 5,000 stores.
NHFA’s mission is to help our members operate highly profitable businesses that provide an exceptional level of service to the consumers who buy their furniture.
Web4Retail: A leader in web management for retail, Web4Retail (www.web4retail.com) provides website design, web marketing, SEO, social media and e-commerce services for home furnishings industry retailers.

Del Sol Furniture has bought a 25,000-square-foot former grocery store for a new furniture store in Phoenix’s West Valley.

The space is nearly double the size of the company’s largest store and is intended to expand their presence into an area currently underserved by home furnishing retail options. Interior remodeling on the space is currently underway with an expected opening by April of 2012.

While plans for the company’s growth were put on hold by the economic downturn, management is bullish on current and future trends in the market.

“We definitely held back when the economy slowed down, but we adapted and built a better foundation,” said Vice President Alex Macias . “When the opportunity for this space came along we saw the potential to better serve our customers as well as get back to our West Valley roots.”

Del Sol is looking to establish this anchor location as a flagship for the furniture brand. The concept will take advantage of the larger location to offer more product selection and provide a one stop shopping experience to a wider customer demographic.

In reaction to the economic downturn’s impact on the home furnishing and greater retail markets, Del Sol scaled back some locations and made efforts were made to broaden the customer base. Responding to the effects of the housing downturn, the company enhanced its finance offerings to help customers fulfill their furnishing needs.

“We understand that families have struggled, so we are excited to open this new location as a thank you to all our loyal customers and demonstrate our commitment to the Phoenix community,” said owner Rosa Macias.

Opened in 1997 as Muebleria Del Sol by Venancio and Rosa Macias, the company has grown to four valley locations including Red Tag Furniture at Arizona Mills Mall, which coincided with a rebrand from a mostly Hispanic market segment to a more general consumer reach. The company has evolved into a second-generation family-owned furniture retail business with son Alex Macias and daughter Minerva Macias-Maestas now at the helm.

Importer AICO/Amini Innovations Corp recognized their top producing Sales Representatives during their annual Sales Award banquet held in Las Vegas last month. The most prestigious honor, “Sales Professional of the Year 2011”, was presented to Brad Pyne, who has been with AICO managing the New York and Northern New Jersey territory for over six years. Aside from his trophy award, Pyne received a brilliant white gold diamond ring recognizing his achievement. Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Chuck Reilly said, “Brad’s drive and commitment has been key to our growth in the region, however the recognition that Brad received from his peers this past year as Dean of IHFRA is a true tribute to his makeup as a Professional.”

AICO President Martin Ploy presented the President’s Club award for outstanding sales achievement to Hank Butler, Mike Gray, Frank Lorenzo, Brad Pyne and Jake Salman. In presenting these awards, Martin commented, “the measure of success is not just in the volume of sales achieved, but in facilitating growth even in the toughest times. These gentlemen continually reinvent their sales approach to win in challenging times.”

Lawrence Pascal, who has managed the Canadian territory at AICO for over 12 years, was honored with the Spirit of Professionalism award, which is given annually to the sales professional who most exemplifies professionalism day in day out and in the management of their accounts.

In addition to these awards, there were awards given for Sales Achievement in both Top-of-Bed and Upholstery to several top producing sales professionals.

Also on hand to congratulate the award winners was Michael Amini’s collaborator, Jane Seymour. Said Michael Amini, “I want to thank Jane for taking the time out of her busy schedule to join me in recognizing the outstanding achievement of our sales professionals. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated and well-respected professionals on our team. It gives me great pleasure to recognize their efforts and achievements.”

Bush Industries, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of reliable and affordable furnishing solutions for work and home, announced today that Jim Sherbert has stepped down as CEO and will retire this spring.  Sherbert, who has served as CEO of Bush Industries since August 2005, will continue to serve in a transitional role until his retirement date and assist with efforts such as international affairs.  Jim Garde, who has served as CFO and most recently as president of the BBF Division, assumes leadership of Bush Industries.

Jim Sherbert joined Bush Industries as CEO more than six years ago following a company reorganization and set out to further establish Bush Industries as an industry leader. Prior to joining Bush, Sherbert served as the CEO of Castle Rock Industries; President and Chief Operating Officer of Southcorp Packaging USA; and President and Chief Operating Officer of Advance Packaging.  He began his career at Container Corporation of America, rising through the sales ranks to General Manager.  During his college years, he was a Second Team All American linebacker for Oregon State University.

“It’s been an incredible, six-year journey that I’ve taken with Bush Industries and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished during that period and grateful to everyone at Bush who has contributed to advance the efforts of the company,” said Sherbert. “I have every confidence that Jim Garde will direct the company toward continued excellence and growth.”

Jim Garde was named president of the BBF Division in August 2011 when it became a distinct operating division of Bush Industries.  Prior to this, Garde served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of Bush Industries since 2006.  Through his vast executive-level financial and operations experience with Bush and companies such as Heidelberg Digital LLC and Heidelberg Web Systems, Inc., he brings to his new role a disciplined management focus and proven track record of leading company operations and increasing profitability.

“We are grateful for Jim Sherbert’s leadership over the past six years.  He has done a tremendous job of navigating us as a company through one of the most challenging economic periods in history,” said Garde.  “I accept my new role with the confidence that we have the people, products and position in the market to continue to thrive and excel in the industry.”

Following two years of product development research, Cargill announces that memory foam mattresses made with its revolutionary BiOH® soy-based visco polyols ingredient dissipate heat 25 percent faster than memory foams using conventional infused-gel technology.

Memory foams are popular among people seeking a supportive mattress that conforms to their body, which reduces tossing and turning. Until now, one disadvantage of memory foams is the tendency to absorb and retain heat. Testing shows that foams produced with the new BiOH® visco polyols offer a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep, while providing other memory foam benefits.

The temperature advantages of the Cargill bio-based product over other memory foams and gel-based products are vitally important to consumers. Sleep studies consistently show that even a slight increase in external temperatures can become uncomfortable enough to awaken sleepers.

“Temperature is a critical element in a good night’s sleep,” said Kelsey Ness, marketing manager for the BiOH® brand. “Research data shows that the closer a person can stay to their body’s natural ‘set point,’ the more rested they will be in the morning. Foams made with the new BiOH® visco polyols not only dissipate heat more quickly, but also, because they are nature-based, are less sensitive to temperature overall. The new foam stays softer at cooler temperatures, further enhancing a comfortable night’s sleep.”

BiOH®’s visco polyols are a soy-based ingredient, resulting from Cargill’s research and development in visco elastic memory foam polyol technology, which allows the supplier to facilitate formulation of new foam products through foam producers. Foams made with the new BiOH® ingredients can incorporate more than 70 percent renewable polyols, twice the percentage of renewable ingredients in the foam products previously available. Prior to the BiOH® visco polyol development, the renewable to petroleum based ingredient ratio was dominated by the petroleum polyol. This high percentage of plant-based ingredient now allows the renewable component to reach more than 50 percent of total foam composition thereby replacing an even larger amount of petroleum-based ingredients. The new Cargill BiOH® visco polyols are now commercially available to foam producers and bedding manufacturers.

“BiOH® polyol foams have been recognized as a sustainable option for eco-conscious shoppers, but this recent breakthrough gives bedding manufacturers and retailers another benefit to sell,” adds Ness. “‘Cool sleep’ products appear to be one of the fastest growing categories focused on improving sleep and overall wellness, and we’re excited to contribute in a positive way to the trend.”

“Omnia and kathy ireland Worldwide have fulfilled the term of their agreement and together we’ve shared great success. I wish Kathy and her team continued success. kathy ireland Home by Omnia products which have been sold and are currently on retail floors will continue to be supported,” said Peter Zolferino, President of Omnia.

“Peter and the Omnia team are wonderful people, who manufacture beautiful products. Our friendship and mutual respect continues for this fine company and its brilliant leader. Our designs will continue in the category with other and future manufacturers,” said Kathy Ireland, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Peter Zolferino, President of Omnia, is proud to announce with a new year comes a new Omnia, brand image and mission. While comfort, quality, and style still make up the pillars of Omnia’s foundation, our new mission centers around the consumer – Personalizing Comfort™.

Through its rejuvenated visual image, Omnia further reinforces its core essence – Hand-tailored American craftsmanship providing quality, valued leather furniture hand-tailored to each unique customers’ vision. Peter Zolferino and his staff will be available at the Las Vegas World Market Center to address any questions. Showroom A-256.