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Plenty of blame to go around for lost furniture jobs

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
We all know that thousands of furniture manufacturing jobs in the United States have been lost to countries that pay much lower salaries to their furniture workers. China is Exhibit A on that list, but there are others. But what is much less clear, to me at least, is just who we should blame for those lost manufacturing jobs.The critics would say we should start by blaming a Chinese financial syst... Read More
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Really big idea: Let's get moving

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
Lao Tzu, the brilliant Chinese philosopher, once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."Earlier this month, when we broke the story of Keith Koenig's plan to allow consumers to finance furniture purchases as part of home mortgages, I felt that Keith had taken the first step of what could become one of the most important journeys this industry has taken in quite some time... Read More
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Top retailer doubts our 56% figure on high-end spending

Posted by topdog 1276 days ago Editorials
This week we reflect upon a very provocative finding about the high end of the market that we shared with you earlier this year: that 56% of all dollars spent on bedding are at price points of $1,000 and up.That's what analysis of a broad-based consumer research study we conducted in 2005 told us. And that's what we told you.But in the last few weeks, we've gotten comments that raise questions abo... Read More
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New CEO has brands galore

Posted by topdog 1276 days ago Editorials
Today is Phil Haney's first day as CEO of Lexington Home Brands. As most of you know, Phil was executive vice president at Stanley Furniture, a highly visible and pivotal position. (see related story)Prior to joining Stanley in 2002, Haney had amassed close to 30 years in the ma... (more) Read More
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New logo a 'tree-mendous' move for High Point

Posted by topdog 1276 days ago Editorials
Antonio Vivaldi celebrates the glories of the changing seasons in his classic work, "The Four Seasons."

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Steele to Philippine mfrs.: Market what you do

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
Ultimate Accents Vice President Ray Steele went to the Cebu furniture market in the Philippines for the first time this past February. He was amazed by what he saw.While there, he took photo after photo of goods with mixed-media elements ranging from abaca and coco sticks to sea grass, shells and stone. It's the type of creativity he would love to add to his own occasional line. The photos are a r... Read More
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Panera playbook offers business-boosting clues

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
Want to make more "dough" with your bedding store? Try the playbook of Panera Bread Co. Yes, the restaurant and bakery chain, which sells plenty of bread, is also making plenty of money in the process. A flattering story on Panera in my favorite weekly business magazine (that would be BusinessWeek) offers our industry some "food for thought," as it were.... (more) Read More
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First Bedding Conference sparked spirit of camaraderie

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
What happens when you assemble an A-plus lineup of retailers, producers and suppliers, address key industry issues, celebrate retail successes, tackle challenges and provide plenty of networking opportunities?You have the kind of rousing success we enjoyed with our inaugural Bedding Conference at the end of last month, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Henderson, Nev. (Check out BeddingToday.com for mor... Read More
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Ultimate Accents

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
When Ray Steele visited the Philippines for the first time earlier this year, he returned full of ideas on how manufacturers and designers there could promote their use of raw materials. He also came back with some ideas on how to incorporate those materials into his own product line. Read More
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Salary Scorecard controversy

Posted by topdog 1278 days ago Editorials
You might be surprised to learn that one of the more controversial stories published by Furniture/Today every year is the "scorecard" that lists the salaries, bonuses and other compensation paid to top executives at publicly-held furniture companies. (Click here to order the report.)We don't get hundreds of angry phone calls and e-mails after the report appears,... (more) Read More
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