Casual Living - September 1, 2009

There's no place like home — and many observers within the casual furniture segment say that's where the growth will be when the recovery comes. A spot check of manufacturers, retailers and other industry experts boils down to two words of advice: Be prepared. Needed are innovative new products, better sales training, efficient operations, more effective marketing and promotions.

• Departments
• Business Outlook
• FYI
• Casually Speaking
• Dare to step out
• Editorial Sources
• Editorial Sources
• Grill Column
• Talk about cooking and grill accessories to boost profits
• Inside Out
• Keep looking for exciting furniture
• News
• Erwin & Sons offers Mini-Twenty Container Program
• P.T. Universal Furniture Industries enters U.S. marketplace
• Winston completes its move south to achieve a competitive advantage
• People on the Move
• Pride expands sales rep force
• Fillhouer joins Homecrest as COO
• ICFA creates Retail Council
• Reps on the Road
• Matchmaking distribution with best profit potential
• Correction
• Retail Column
• Win the retail street fight with customer centric tactics
• Weather Trends
• Forecast more favorable than last September

• Features
• Cushioning the bad economy
• Breaking through the Screen Door
• 2009 Apollo Award nominees focus on Best Practices
• The HammockSource transforms backyards around the world
• Karel & Barbara Simeon Jewels of Java
• Blasts from the Casual Past...
• Tropical Hideaway
• Home Sweet Home
• City Slickers
• Industry adapts to changing conditions
• Hot Products
• On the horizon for 2010
• Product Spotlight
• Eastern enchantment
• Potted panache
• Retail Profile
• The Chair King stays profitible despite crisis