Casual Living - August 1, 2006

The top five big box retailers took a larger share of 2005 outdoor furniture sales, weighing in at nearly $1.6 billion by offering selections to appeal to the broadest range of consumer tastes. While Wal-Mart ranks as the top discount department store player with its Better Homes & Gardens and Home Trends brands, the other four discounters are jockeying for position.

• Departments
• CFR News
• Focus on selling your customers
• Casually Speaking
• Anticipation builds
• Editorial Sources
• Editorial Sources
• News
• Cal Spas offers new Avalon Series
• Brown Jordan launches accessory program by Bell
• Suncoast starts new company
• Tyndall Creek closes
• Lou Rosebrock exits Whitecraft
• Lloyd/Flanders to consolidate plants
• Foremost Groups joins forces with Nasitra
• Tropitone expands cushion program
• Al-Fresco Fashion show slated for Casual Market
• Venture capital firm buys Weather Trends
• Kingsley-Bate adds sales position
• Auto accident claims life of Jon Graham

• Features
• Design Excellence Awards: 2006 Entries
• Manufacturers vie for recognition at the Design Excellence Awards
• Designer Conversations
• Povl Eskildsen
• Robert Mainville
• Peter Homestead
• Michael Burridge
• Outdoor Style
• Indoor looks outdoors
• Premarket Buzz
• Tommy Bahama Outdoor Collection sets sail
• Hitting the highlights of a Casual Show preview
• Retail Profile
• A change of Seasons in Saratoga brings upscale opportunities