April 14, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

Outdoor designs add bright spots at High Point Market

Designs once reserved for indoor use appeared with new outdoor capabilities at the High Point Market.
“A natural extension” was the way manufacturers described their directions outward.
“Our customer doesn’t just live inside,” said Pride Sasser, whose accent furniture was among the high-end manufacturers unveiling indoor/outdoor designs for the first time. Dealers’ order-writing response to Pride Sasser’s eclectic pieces proved he reached some sophisticated, discriminating designers and retail customers while making others sought more familiar shapes.
Extensions to Lane...Read More
Industries: Hot Products, Market News, Outdoor Accessories, Top Stories

February 26, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

The International Casual Furnishings Association’s huge board of directors met for the first time last week in Las Vegas. This time, we’re hoping what happened in Vegas will not stay in Vegas.
As an industry, we’re anxious to hear decisions were made and direction was set toward reaching the goal of a unified front. It wasn’t clear what the re-organization would really mean after the ICFA was announced during the Apollo Awards dinner at the Casual Market last September.
If you saw eWeekly or visited our Web site lately, you may have noticed retailers were named to the board of what until now has been a manufacturer members-only group. Maybe you were one of those retailers at last week’s board meeting. Or maybe you were busy getting your store ready for the casual furniture selling season that is just beginning for most of the nation&rsq...Read More

November 6, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

We’re looking ahead toward 2008 and know that you are, too.

How can Casual Living help you move your business forward?

Tell us what you think. Your ideas are important to us as we plan our editorial coverage.
Please, take 5-7 minutes to complete this survey so we can focus more tightly on the content you find most valuable.

Click here to go to the survey

October 30, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

This is a thought-provoking letter I received from Todd Brewer, president/CEO of Hoigaard’s, a casual furniture retail specialist based in St. Louis Park, Minn. He’s among the retailers who are questioning how manufacturers’ online policies against showing photographs and prices may be hurting specialty dealers. Some manufacturers are in the process of revising their policies, so it’s a good time to weigh in with your own comments and/or complaints. I would like to hear your views. Cinde

From Todd Brewer, president, Hoigaard’s, Inc.:
The Consumer Buying Trends article in the October issue was good information. I sincerely hope that our vendor partners take note of the significant importance of the Internet as a resource for consumers. It’s odd that even needs to be pointed ou...Read More
Industries: Casual Furniture Retailers

August 15, 2007 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

What’s new? That’s the question retail buyers ask at any trade show. 

Many of you attended recent premarkets in Chicago or Ontario, Calif., so you’ve had a glimpse of what will be introduced at next month’s Casual Furniture and Accessories Market. Others may have traveled to summer trade shows in Atlanta or Las Vegas. 

You may be buzzing with anticipation for what the latest designs, colors and fabrics will bring for your company – whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, sales rep, industry supplier or designer. 

We’re taking a close look this month at the design side of the casual industry, both through an exclusive showing of this year’s record number of Design Excellence entries and through our profiles of desig...Read More
Industries: Business News, Hot Products, Market News, Top Stories