HIGH POINT, N.C.–This Thursday, Oct. 14, the fifth annual Hike for Hope will take place at High Point Market. Raising money for City of Hope’s cancer research, the event is hosted by the National Home Furnishings Industry. The hike will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Showplace at High Point Market, with registration for the event starting at 4:30 pm. A celebration will follow at 6 p.m.

Registration for the event costs $20, and online registration ends at midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The Market Square & Suites here will reopen after a major renovation at the High Point Market in April.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The new Shabby Chic upholstery line from Miles Talbott Furniture will debut in April, adding to the relaunch of the brand to the wholesale trade.
Earlier this year, GuildMaster got the license to produce accent and decorative furniture for the brand, known for its mix of California casual and British traditional, best exemplified by its signature slip covered sofa.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–In honor of President’s Day, Williamsburg will be back on QVC with Williamsburg Home for All Seasons on Monday, Feb. 15.
Starting at 9 a.m., the show will feature guest host and Williamsburg product manager Lori Williams, and will showcase the Williamsburg product line, including lighting, bedding and centerpieces. Products will feature updated colors and finishes, putting a modern twist on timeless designs.

LAS VEGAS–The Ante4Autism event during the recent Las Vegas Market raised more than $7,000 for autism research, according to a statement from Autism Speaks.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International reported a fourth-quarter operating loss of $23.4 million, down from the $40 million operating loss it posted in the fourth quarter of 2008.
The company managed this in spite of a 29.2 percent drop in net sales for the quarter, which totaled $285.6 million. Furniture Brands trimmed 29 percent off its selling, general and administrative expenses, and cost of goods sold for the quarter were 28 percent less than in the prior year.

LAS VEGAS–The winter edition of the Las Vegas Market is up and running.
The market, which takes place at the World Market Center here, runs from today until Friday, Feb. 5. Among the social events planned for today are a ribbon cutting at the Midwest/CBK showroom, C-999; parties at Global Views, room A-454, AICO featuring Jane Seymour in C-1601, AF Lighting in A-406, Sphinx/Oriental Weavers in B-580; and Kalco Lighting in A-950.

HICKORY, N.C.–Laura Dillon of San Bernardino, Calif., has won The EarthCare Challenge contest conducted by Hickory Springs.

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Home Meridian International, parent company to Pulaski and Samuel Lawrence, has purchased selected assets of PRI, Prime Resources International, a Chicago-based furniture supplier. Terms were not disclosed.

TULSA, Okla.–Home accessories and lighting company IMAX Worldwide Imports has added a Live Chat feature to its Web site, so customers who want to contact the company instantly can do so if they need assistance with sales, customer service or support. The feature is available during 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday. Customers can even print and save chat transcripts for future reference.

BASSETT, Va.–Turning House Furniture—the vertically integrated company which reclaims old wood, restores its character and repurposes it into furniture—has named Ross Levin to the newly created position of vice president/chief marketing officer.   
In this new position, Levin will oversee sales, marketing and merchandising. He reports to Spencer Morten III, chief executive officer and chairman of Turning House Furniture.
Most recently, Levin served as a national accounts manager for Tvilum-Scanbirk/d-Scan, an international furniture manufacturer.

LAS VEGAS–The Ante 4 Autism fundraiser Texas Hold’em tournament is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2, during the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Binion’s and will benefit Autism Speaks. The entrance fee is $125, and registration and donations may be made online at ramarketing.com/ante4autism beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of the tournament. Players must be at least 21 years of age.

ATLANTA–Fourth-quarter 2009 sales for home-furnishings retailer Havertys totaled $162.4 million, up 0.4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008.
The increase included a 2 percent uptick in comparable-store sales, according to a Havertys statement. For the full year, Havertys posted sales of $588.3 million, down 14.9 percent from 2008 full-year sales. Same-store sales for all of 2009 fell 14.2 percent.

PINETOPS, N.C.–Therapedic and Edgecombe Furniture have reached a license agreement in which Edgecombe will produce upholstered furniture under the Therapedic name.
The products will include sofas, loveseats, chairs, sleep sofas and other upholstered goods. The line will be manufactured entirely in the United States, with mattress inserts made with Therapedic’s MemoryTouch viscoelastic foam and PureTouch latex. It will be available for shipment throughout North America.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.–Biltmore’s licensing division, including core brands Biltmore For Your Home and Biltmore Chateau Reserve, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Biltmore House and gardens were constructed in 1895 for George W. Vanderbilt, who decorated his home with a unique combination of high fashion decor, artifacts from his world travels and regional folk art.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Vernon Distribution Services, which operates a 210,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility here for the furniture industry, has been bought and taken on a new name, Furniture City Warehouse and Distribution.
Partners Kristen Kochekian and Michael Kochekian bought the company from previous owner Kent Vernon according to the announcement this week. Terms were not disclosed.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–John Bray, chief executive officer of Vanguard Furniture, has been elected chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, the trade organization representing furniture companies. The election was held as part of the group’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., earlier this month.
Bray succeeds Bruce Bradburn of Bradburn Gallery who now becomes immediate past-chairman of the AHFA board. Also elected were Bob Duncan of American Leather as first vice chairman and Jeff Cook of Broyhill as second vice chairman.

MONROE, Mich.-La-Z-Boy reversed a second-quarter loss from last year by posting net income of $5.7 million in this year’s second quarter.
The furniture manufacturer and retailer sliced selling, general and administrative expenses by 16.6 percent and reported a drop of 16.2 percent in total cost of sales. In addition, La-Z-Boy’s interest expense was cut nearly in half. All of this combined to offset a 9.4 percent fall in net sales for the quarter, which totaled $300.7 million.

LEROY, N.Y. -- Wendell Castle Collection, a furniture company based on the designs of its namesake artist, is repositioning itself to focus on that brand and to target retail furniture stores for its product.

SPOFFORD, N.H.—The Unfinished Furniture Association (UFA) and Las Vegas Market have made arrangements for an exhibit area dedicated to manufacturers of unfinished furniture.

NEW YORK–Kartell, best known for its modern furniture, has launched Dune, a line of serving trays created by Mario Bellini.
Made from semi-transparent, batch-dyed technopolymer thermoplastic, the Dune trays “offer a chromatic intensity and luminosity that creates a striking, dramatic visual effect,” according to the company. “Inspired by everything from the waves of the sea to the shimmering reflections of silk, Bellini created these rainbow-colored trays as a way to re-imagine a design object that is often overlooked.”

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Todd Sessa has been appointed to the position of vice president, merchandising and product development for Henredon, Maitland-Smith, effective immediately.
Sessa is a 20-year veteran of the furniture industry and has held various positions within Hendredon, including vice president of sales and vice president of Ralph Lauren Merchandising. Most recently, Sessa was Henredon’s marketing representative in the New York area.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Maitland-Smith is sponsoring a national design competition to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Open to interior designers and non-designers, the “One Design Competition” encourages participants to create a signature pice of furniture, lighting or decorative accessory using one of more than 500 silhouettes available through Maitland-Smith’s One Customization program. The winning pieces will be hand-crafted by Maitland-Smith’s artisans, displayed at the company’s showroom during the April 2010 market, and given to each of the winners.

CARTHAGE, Mo.-Leggett & Platt posted third-quarter net income of $54.3 million, a dramatic 66 percent ahead of the third quarter of 2008.
The company managed this in the face of a 28 percent dropoff in net sales, which finished the quarter at $809.9 million. Expense controls provided the key; Leggett & Platt lopped off 20 percent from its selling and administrative expenses, while cost of goods sold fell 33 percent.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Three industry leaders have been inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Joining 78 Hall of Fame members are M. Farooq Kathwari, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Ethan Allen; Steven M. Kincaid, president of Kincaid Furniture Co; and Joe Carroll, publisher of Furniture/Today.
The induction ceremony was attended by nearly 400 retailers, buying group members, interior designers, manufacturers, suppliers and association leaders. It was hosted by Libby Langdon, HGTV personality, interior designer, small space expert, and author.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–As part of its 100-years-celebration, the High Point Market Authority is inviting all attendees to share their unique memories of the market over the years on the Centennial Celebration Web site at www.highpointmarket.org/centennial.

NEW YORK–Frette and Brunschwig and Fils have formed a partnership through which Frette bed linens will be featured on Brunschwig and Fils beds in the latter’s show spaces in the Decoration & Design Building here and in the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, Fla.
The Brunschwig and Fils beds will display Frette couture, jacquard bed sets, luxury furs and cashmere, decorative pillows and an assortment of decorative pieces, according to a Frette statement. Frette will take custom orders in these spaces that entail personalized colors and embroideries.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Candice Olson licensees Surya Rugs, Norwalk Furniture and Revco International will offer a joint market discount to all buyers who purchase Candice Olson branded product from at least two of them during the High Point Market, which runs Oct. 17 to 22.
Surya Rugs makes the brand’s rugs, while Norwalk Furniture manufactures the upholstery and Revco the case goods.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Expanding into the former Tempo/Infinity space and most of the former Vintage Veranda space in the Commerce wing in the International Home Furnishings Center building, Uttermost has enlarged its showroom in space #448. The company will now have almost 19,000 feet of showroom space to display its mirrors, art, lighting, accessories, botanicals and accent furniture, as well as for its cafe, where hot breakfasts and lunches are served daily during the market, as well as hors d’oeuvres each night.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The second annual Sustainability Summit, sponsored by the American Home Furnishings Alliance, is scheduled for Dec. 2-3 in Greensboro, N.C. The conference is designed to help home furnishings companies address eco-friendly concerns and learn how to develop products for this market. Companies do not need to be members of the AHFA to attend.

NEW YORK–The entire Calvin Klein Home collection, including tabletop, bedding, rugs and its newly introduced furniture, will be all-together at the brand’s first shop at ABC Carpet & Home here, starting this week.
The shop will officially open onThursday with an invitation-only cocktail party hosted by Elle Décor editor Margaret Russell.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has launched special opportunities for the fall buying season during its First Monday & Tuesday Mini-Markets. Held on the first Monday and Tuesday of non-market months, these events give buyers the chance to place fill-in orders or make last-minute inventory additions.

OREM, Utah–You may think you’ve seen just about everything when it comes to folding chairs, but Randy Hales would absolutely disagree.
His company, Mity-Lite, is introducing the first of several folding chairs with a dramatic new feature: mesh seat cushions and backs, instead of the usual metal or plastic. Mesh One is the first model out, now just starting to show up at some retail stores, inspired by the legendary Aeron chair that Herman Miller, the office furniture giant, developed during the 1990s.

NEW YORK–The New York Design Center, the showroom building at 200 Lexington Avenue, is holding its first-ever building-wide event tomorrow, showcasing hundreds of new product introductions from nearly 100 participating showrooms.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Market Square & Suites has released a schedule of events to take place during the upcoming International Home Furnishings Market here.

AT THE LAS VEGAS MARKET–Attendees to the Las Vegas Market this week saw companies expanding their product categories to offer a more coordinated look, as well as launching new designer licensed collections.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The Bramble Co. has slated the unveiling of its Steven Shell furniture line for the U.S. market during the upcoming High Point Market.
The new collection will feature rustic and contemporary furniture, along with accessories, accents and artwork.
Robert Bramble, Bramble’s president, said the initial launch will encompass more than 200 items. The Steven Shell brand of furniture is already present in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

ATLANTA–The Home Depot today announced an agreement to develop an exclusive Martha Stewart Living brand of home improvement products in categories including outdoor living, home organization and home decor.

LENOIR, N.C.–Hammary, a La-Z-Boy company, has teamed with B. Smith to design a collection of transitional casegoods.
The B. Smith Home Collection will include 34 pieces including occasional, bedroom and dining room collections. This is Hammary’s first celebrity licensing program.
B. Smith merges eclectic style with ethnic influences that draw their inspiration from her world travels as a model, author and business professional.

SAN FRANCISCO–Zocalo, the furniture company that built itself on a reputation of design at a price, has been acquired by FurnitureOrigins, an international furniture company with a strong importing heritage.
Terms for the deal were not announced and Zocalo will continue to operate under its own name with existing management and sales force, headed by Jeremy Sommer, president.

CHINO, Calif.–Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Furniture will open a second showroom in the World Market Center during the upcoming Las Vegas Market, scheduled for Sept. 14-17.
The new showroom is in building A, room 235, and measures 4,800 square feet, and is close to the existing Kathy Ireland Omnia showroom in room 256 of building A. The new space will showcase the Kathy Ireland Home by American Elegance upholstery line, which was introduced at the February Las Vegas market this year in a temporary space.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Furniture company Henredon is a sponsor of the upcoming 2009 Concept Home, which will feature the latest in home products, finishes, building materials and decorating trends in a 6,600-square-foot space here. Proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Open to the public from Sept. 17 to Oct. 4, the Concept Home will include pieces from Henredon’s Spring Lake, Castellina and Acquisitions collections.

LOS ANGELES—Revco International will open its new showroom in High Point, N.C., during the upcoming High Point Market.
The new space is in Showplace, room 5100. Previously, the company’s space had been in InterHall. The new space will enable the company to launch 62 new furniture products, including fully upholstered dining chairs, a new high-design furniture line called the Inspiration collection, and the official introduction of the first dining and bedroom collections for Revco by Candice Olson, host of “Divine Design” on HGTV.

MORRISTOWN, Tenn.–The owner of Berkline—a Sun Capital Partners affiliate—has invested an additional $6 million in the furniture company, which Berkline said will provide “further capital for growth and expansion of its product line.” The money will also be used to pay down debt.

LAS VEGAS–The third Industry Wide Web Summit will be held on opening day of the Las Vegas Market, Monday, Sept. 14.
The event, which gives hands-on information on how the home industry can do business online, is co-sponsored by the Home Furnishings Independents Association and the World Market Center Las Vegas, as well as The Lively Merchant.
David Lively of The Lively Merchant will be one of the key speakers at the event, which runs from 1-4 p.m. on the ninth floor of Building C at the market center.

MCLEAN, Va.–Fashion designer Vivienne Tam is the latest star of the apparel world to move into home. Next month at the Las Vegas Market she will debut a new custom upholstery collection with Rowe Furniture. It will also be shown the following month in High Point.
The collection will include both upholstered furniture and accent pieces, featured in a range of exclusive Tam fabrics from her apparel. Included will be her iconic Mao design which has become her signature creation.

CHICAGO–Internationally acclaimed furniture designer Richard Frinier will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Casual Furnishings Industry next month. The award, which is reserved for individuals making significant contributions to the industry, is given to two luminaries each year. Frinier will be sharing this honor with Art Thompson, the retired founder and president of Lane Venture

DANBURY, Conn.–Ethan Allen reported net losses of $16.9 million for the fourth quarter and $52.7 million for fiscal year 2009 as a whole.
The furniture manufacturer-retailer said the quarterly loss compared with fourth-quarter net income of $11.1 million and full-year net income of $58.1 million last year. Much of the downfall for both periods occurred because of steep sales declines. For the fourth quarter, net sales were $138.7 million, a decline of 41 percent; while for the full year net sales fell 31 percent to $674.3 million.

PHOENIX–Rich Garrity has joined aspenhome as the new executive vice president of global logistics and supply chain management.
Previously, Garrity oversaw the global supply chain and operations for CR Home Incorporated and Thomasville Furniture.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–For the Fall International Home Furnishings Market, both Leather Italia and Oriental Accent will occupy new showrooms in the International Home Furnishings Market Center here.
Leather Italia will move from the Atrium to Room D1220 in the market building’s Design Center. Oriental Accent will relocate its space from Market Square to the second floor of the showroom building’s Hamilton Wing, Room H234.
In an IHFC statement, Deborah Linkhorn, director of marketing for Leather Italia, said the new showroom will be about 50 percent larger than the Atrium space.

CHICAGO–Trends in Design—Beyond 2009, a seminar sponsored by Garden Design magazine, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, during the upcoming International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market.

CHICAGO–The new Garden Accessories Courtyard is set to debut at the Chicago Merchandise Mart in time for next month’s International Casual & Accessories Market.
The 10,000-square-foot area, sponsored by Hearth & Home magazine, will be home to exhibitors featuring decorative accessories, outdoor lighting, hearth products, tabletop, rugs, pottery, statuary and more. The International Casual & Accessories Market is scheduled for Sept. 21-24.

LENOIR, N.C.–The torch has been passed to the next generation at one of the furniture industry’s last remaining family owned and operated powerhouses.
Yesterday Bernhardt Furniture Co. announced it was creating a three-member chairman’s committee of the board while creating new president-level positions for younger members of the extended Bernhardt family.
The chairman’s committee will consist of Alex Bernhardt Sr., chairman and chief executive officer and Lewis Norman and Anne Bernhardt, both vice chairmen.

CARTHAGE, Mo.—Net income for Leggett & Platt in the second quarter finished at $19 million, 59 percent below the company’s bottom line for the second quarter of 2008.

LAS VEGAS–Traditional Home magazine has formed an alliance with the World Market Center and Las Vegas Design Center to hold the Icons of Design awards program.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center has promised to provide travel discounts and preferential rates for attendees to September’s Las Vegas Market.
The trade-show center said in a statement that it has negotiated 25 hotel offerings for rates as low as $29 a night, and as low as $120 a night for some of the city’s more upscale resorts. It has also arranged for discounts with airlines for trips to the market. The rates can be found on the convention center’s Web site, LasVegasMarket.com.

STANLEYTOWN, Va.–Stanley Furniture posted a net loss of slightly more than $3 million in the second quarter, compared to a net loss of $68,000 in the second quarter of last year.
Net sales for the manufacturer dropped 28.4 percent in the quarter, to $42.3 million. Noting that its losses have been mounting throughout the first half of this year, Stanley Furniture said declining sales, reduced production levels, plant inefficiencies, increased selling discounts and rising factory overhead variances have all had an impact on these results.

NEW YORK–7 W New York is opening The John Aspley Collection on the eighth floor of the showroom building.
The collection includes antiques, collectibles and handcrafted objects, and is the first of a series of curated gallery exhibits in the building. Aspley is the owner and curator of Antiques & Interiors, based in the United Kingdom, which offers a wide variety of rare pieces from countries in Europe, Africa and the Far East.

PHOENIX–Jena Hall, who helped put aspenhome on the furniture map, has been promoted to the newly created post of executive vice president of merchandising and design for bedroom, dining and occasional furniture.
She had previously been vice president for those areas.
In her new position, she will be responsible for strategic planning for all merchandising programs as well as visual merchandising. She will continue to be in charge of design and the overall design direction for the company’s products.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio–Smith & Hawken, the lawn and garden retailer, will liquidate by the end of the year, according to its owner, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
Smith & Hawken has 56 stores in 22 states and Washington, D.C.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Ethan Allen’s Farooq Kathwari and Steven Kincaid of Kincaid Furniture are among the nominees for election into the American Furniture Hall of Fame for 2009.
“Distinctive leadership, vision and dedicated service characterize this year’s six nominees,” said Donald Belgrad, president of the Foundation. “Each of these individuals, nominated by their peers, has made a positive, lasting impact on the home furnishings industry.”

PHOENIX–Aspenhome held the grand opening ceremony earlier this week for its new 323,000-square-foot distribution center and corporate offices, more than doubling the furniture company’s inventory capacity and improving logistics.
“This building is a tribute to our retail partners,” said Bill Colegrove, chief executive officer, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony where he unveiled what the company calls a “Dedication Wall” with the names of all its retail customers. “They have trusted their businesses to Aspenhome and in the process have helped make us who we are today.”

CARTHAGE, Mo.–John Walsh has been appointed to the newly created position of director of creative services for Leggett & Platt.
Walsh is in charge of the company’s design, Internet, printing and exhibit functions within its creative services division, and reports to Mark Quinn, executive vice president of marketing. His hiring signals that Leggett & Platt is enhancing the creative services department to improve the company’s visibility with customers, according to a Leggett & Platt statement.

NEW YORK–CHF Industries has reached an agreement with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams to produce a line of bedding designed by the furniture company.

LAS VEGAS–Roger Thomas, executive vice president of Wynn Design and Development, has been given the “Design Icon” award from the World Market Center.
According to a World Market Center statement, Thomas has been the key creative force behind the interior designs of the Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn Macau and Encore and the Wynn Diamond Macau resorts, the latter of which is scheduled to open in January 2010. His imprint can also be found in the interiors of the Golden Nugget hotels, the Mirage, the Treasure Island and the Bellagio resorts.

BASSETT, Va.–Bassett Furniture Industries posted a net loss of $37.8 million in the fourth quarter, as compared to a net loss of $4 million in the final quarter of the prior year.

HOLLAND, Mich.–Sligh Furniture has established a warehouse and distribution center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

CARTHAGE, Mo.–Leggett & Platt reported a net loss of $18 million in the fourth quarter, well below the $212.6 million posted for the fourth quarter of 2007.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center has scheduled a number of receptions for next week’s Las Vegas Market.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–High Point Market is turning to a pair of musical institutions for its spring Stars Under the Stars concert series and gala Centennial Celebration.
Blood Sweat & Tears will kick off the festivities on April 25th under the Main Event Tent adjacent to the Transportation Terminal on Commerce Avenue. The next evening, legendary ’70s R&B group The Spinners will take the stage armed with their long playlist of hits. On April 26, the Beatles tribute band 1964 plays songs made famous by John, Paul, George and Ringo.

LAS VEGAS–The upcoming Las Vegas Market will feature more than 100 new exhibiting companies, according to a statement from the World Market Center.

LAS VEGAS–The Living Green Pavilion will be situated in a new space, Room 220 in Building B, at the World Market Center for the upcoming Las Vegas Market.

DALLAS–Trammell Crow, the real-estate entrepreneur who founded the Dallas Market Center, has died. He was 94.

LOS ANGELES–Klaussner Home Furnishings will debut a collection of Christopher Lowell furniture this month.
The furniture company recently signed a deal with the Fine Living Network TV star and author Christopher Lowell to develop the new collection, which features custom upholstery with fabric choices designed and pre-coordinated by Lowell.
The collection will be sold exclusively at DirectBuy, another Christopher Lowell corporate partner.

FORT MILL, S.C.–Manufacturers of home furnishings will be among the exhibitors at the second annual Green Products Expo.

LAS VEGAS–Furniture Brands International announced that four of its brands will join the growing roster of World Market Center exhibitors.
Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, and Maitland Smith will debut at the upcoming winter Las Vegas Market, Feb. 9 to 13. These leading furniture companies will join Furniture Brands’ Broyhill and Lane, which have shown at World Market Center Las Vegas since the market’s opening in 2005.

UNION CITY, Tenn.–Emmy award-winning television journalist Cristina Saralegui will sign autographs at the CBK showroom in the Dallas Market Center on Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
She will also introduce her outdoor furniture collection, expanding upon her home decor collection. The Casa Cristina Garden Collection includes a garden bench, chair and side table, all featuring either a black metal design embellished with an amber glass detail or a terra-cotta-colored mosaic design.

DALLAS–The Home Furnishings Independents Association is offering a new health insurance program designed exclusively for HFIA member firms with two or more employees.
The health plans are underwritten and administered by Trustmark Affinity Markets, a division of Trustmark Life Insurance Co., and are designed to help members better manage their health insurance costs and combat the rising cost of health care.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York International Gift Fair in January and February’s Las Vegas Market.

FRANKFURT, Germany–The sixth annual Architecture, Textile and Contract Business Innovation Prizes will be awarded at the Heimtextil show in January.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York International Gift Fair in January and February’s Las Vegas Market.

MADISON, Wis.–The Henry Simon Fine American Furniture store here will close its door as staffers hit the slopes on what was forecasted to be a snowy winter’s day.
Yesterday, in advance of approaching snow in the area, the store owners decided to add some levity to the work week and gave the staff a break to go skiing. Shop owners posted a sign that read: “If you’re crazy enough to be out in this weather, please join us at Tyrol Basin for a ski day—WE’RE CLOSED.”

COLOGNE, Germany–About 1,200 companies from 60 countries are expected to exhibit at the upcoming IMM Cologne, the international furniture fair that takes place here Jan. 19 to 25.
Non-German companies account for about 60 percent of the show’s exhibitors, and buyers from more than 125 countries are expected to attend. Last year’s show saw 107,000 attendees from 130 countries.

PHOENIX–Nearly 500 Aspenhome employees, family and friends participated in a fund-raising, 3-mile walkathon for the City of Hope, a research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases

LENOIR, N.C.–Hickory Chair Co. was named the first recipient of the Sage Award by the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill’s BiOH polyols business unit yesterday at an awards reception held during the 2008 Sustainability Summit.
The award recognizes companies that are environmental leaders, strong contributors to their local community and remaining a profitable business. Judges in the competition cited Hickory Chair for its efforts to involve employees at every level in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

STANLEYTOWN, Va.–Stanley Furniture Co. Inc. has named Rick Schroeder as vice president of design and Adam Tilley as vice president of product management for adult product lines.
Both positions are new.
Schroeder and Tilley will report to Glenn Prillaman, executive vice president of marketing and sales.
Schroeder was most recently a product designer for the company, which he joined in 2002. He will now be responsible for coordinating design efforts across all product lines as well as managing the efforts of both internal and external design staff.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center has scheduled “Passport to Glamour,” an event designed to highlight the luxury home-furnishings market, for Nov. 13.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The High Point Market Authority awarded the winners of its second annual Showroom Design and Merchandising Ideas Competition on Tuesday evening during an event at Market Square.
Winners among 70 entries in six categories were: Miles Talbott, Visual Appeal; Revco International, Elements and Principles of Design; Dellarobia, Retail Application; American Leather, Consumer Allure; Lexington Home Brands, Creativity; and Cisco Brothers, Sustainability.

CARTHAGE, Mo.–Third-quarter net income for Leggett & Platt dived 50 percent to $32.7 million.

NEW YORK–Showcasing the design style of the Lombardy region of Italy, Living the Italian House in Soho will recreate five spaces using items from 35 innovative design companies at an event that launches Oct. 27 and runs through Dec. 20.
Created by Promos, a specialized division of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, and Regione Lombardia, the house will include more than 150 products from such companies as Luceplan, Bizzari and Bodema.

LAS VEGAS–In what amounts to a direct conflict with the High Point Market, World Market Center Las Vegas just announced this afternoon that it will shift to a fall and winter schedule for its market weeks in 2009, instead of the summer and winter rotation it has had since its start.
The winter 2009 dates, Feb. 9 to 13, had previously been announced, but the big news is the second show, which will now be held Sept. 14 to 17, instead of the last week of July. Each Vegas show will be reduced by one day to a four-day schedule as well.

WOOLRICH, Pa.–Woolrich has signed a licensing agreement with Shadow Mountain, which will produce a collection of case goods and upholstery for Woolrich’s home furnishings division.

NEW YORK–Fifteen years after the Calvin Klein Home debuted its first line of home textiles, the brand will finally round out its home collection with a line of furniture.

STANLEYTOWN, Va.–Albert Prillaman, longtime head of Stanley Furniture, has returned to the company as chief executive officer.
Prillaman succeeds Jeffrey R. Scheffer, who has resigned as president, CEO and director to pursue other interests.
In a statement from the company, Prillaman said he would focus on strategic issues targeted toward increasing shareholder value. Stanley Furniture has experienced disappointing financial results for some time, and has been undergoing a restructuring of its manufacturing operations, according to the statement.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors are invited to submit new product photography and press releases to HFN for its High Point Market show coverage. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 29.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.–Agio International and Disney Consumer Products have teamed up to create the Disney Resort Collection, which will make its debut at the International Casual Furniture Market in Chicago, Sept. 15 to 18.
Exclusive to specialty patio retailers, the first two collections in the new outdoor furniture line are inspired by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors are invited to submit new product photography and press releases to HFN for its High Point Market show coverage. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 29.

LAS VEGAS–The Las Vegas Design Center at the World Market Center has named Randy Wells vice president.
In this newly created position, Wells is responsible for the management of the design center—a professional design and hospitality resource comprising 70 showrooms that feature fine furniture, fabric, lighting, floral products, accessories, rugs and wall decor. Wells reports directly to Robert Maricich, president and chief executive officer of the World Market Center.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.–The International Furnishings and Design Association has recently opened a chapter in Southern California, with Rita Orland, Wings Inc. Design, serving as the new chapter’s president and Designcorp International in Solana Beach as the chapter center.

AUSTIN, Texas–Sears Holdings Corp. has named Four Hands as a 2007 Partner in Progress, citing the manufacturer’s outstanding product and service to The Great Indoors, a division of Sears, according to a statement from Four Hands.
Sears’ Partners in Progress awards are presented annually to a select group of supplier companies that provide the retailer with quality products and services. Less than 1 percent of the more than 30,000 companies that supply Sears Holdings earn the award annually.

NEW YORK–The Conran Shop has named Emmanuel Plat president of The Conran Shop New York. Having been at The Conran Shop since 1992, Plat has served as vice president of the New York store since 2004.
It is a new position at the company.
“With my new role as president, I’m thrilled to take this opportunity to expand our trade,” said Plat. “With our new Conran Contract business, growing e-commerce business and innovative product collections, now is the best time to lead as one of the best independent home furnishings retail businesses in the world.”

NORWALK, Ohio–Norwalk Furniture said it temporarily suspended operations beginning last Friday until internal issues regarding its current banking partnership can be resolved.
The 106-year-old family-owned manufacturer of custom upholstered furniture said in a statement that it “anticipates that operations will resume soon, and that Norwalk Furniture will fulfill all current and future orders in a timely manner.”
The statement blamed the circumstances on larger credit and banking woes in the country.

ST. LOUIS–Citing “unusually weak economic conditions,” Furniture Brands International announced this morning that it will expand its manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, exit various local retail locations and consolidate some of its manufacturing still done domestically.
The company, presenting the moves as an acceleration of its strategic plan, said it expects to realize savings of $40 million to $50 million when all the actions are fully implemented. Eventually, Furniture Brands said it foresees savings of $55 million to $70 million annually.

STANLEYTOWN, Va.–The Stanley Furniture Co., which has been consolidating operations, today announced it has reduced its loss in the second quarter ended June 28.
Net income for the period was down $68,000, a sharp improvement over the loss of $2.37 million during the same time the year before. As a result, the per-share loss reached 1 cent, compared with a 23-cents-per-share loss in the year-ago period.
The results were based on sales of $59.14 million, a decline of 12.7 percent from the $67.7 million taken in last year.

MONROE, Mich.–La-Z-Boy Inc. has made several management changes in its residential sales and marketing areas.
Greg White was appointed senior vice president of sales and merchandising, a new post in which he will oversee all sales and merchandising functions, as well as real estate and customer service. He reports to Kurt L. Darrow, president and chief executive officer of La-Z-Boy.
White, who has served the company since 1988 in various capacities, previously was vice president of merchandising since 1997, with the additional responsibilities for sales since 2004.

NORWALK, Conn.–Lillian August has signed a new partnership deal with manufacturer Hickory White to introduce Lillian August case goods and upholstery collections at the October High Point Market. The furniture lines previously had been made by Drexel Heritage.
Hickory White, part of the 60-year old Sherrill Furniture Co., will present a complete product offering in its showroom, covering Lillian August’s traditional European styling as well as expanded design directions, the details of which were not released.

NEW YORK–This is the last call for Las Vegas Market exhibitors to send product photos and releases to be considered for HFN’s special market coverage in our daily show issues and the national issue that get distributed at market.
Please send by the end of the day today. After that, we cannot promise that any materials received after the deadline will get in.

NEW YORK–This is the last call for Las Vegas Market exhibitors to send product photos and releases to be considered for HFN’s special market coverage in our daily show issues and the national issue that get distributed at market.
Please send as soon as possible, but no later than this Wednesday, July 9. After that, we cannot promise that any materials received after the deadline will get in.

HOLLAND, Mich.–Sligh Furniture will introduce Loft 102, a medium-priced brand of home office furniture, at the July Las Vegas Market.
Loft 102 will be shown alongside the company’s upper-end collections in the new Sligh showroom, C-1189, in Building C of World Market Center Las Vegas.

ABILENE, Kan.–Duckwall-Alco, the regional retail chain, has appointed Lawrence Zigerelli as its president and chief executive officer.
Zigerelli succeeds Bruce Dale, who resigned as president and CEO in February. After Dale’s departure, Donny Johnson, senior vice president and chief financial officer, served as interim CEO. With Zigerelli’s appointment, Johnson has been named executive vice president and has resumed the chief financial officer position.

CHICAGO–The Chicago Market: Living and Giving will feature its fourth green-themed display home during the Chicago gift show later this month.
The concept home offers design ideas and inspiration for lake homes, cottage retreats or second homes, and encourages retailers and designers to incorporate green product into their stores and clients’ homes.

LITTLE CANADA, Minn.–Slumberland Furniture, the Midwestern furniture retail chain, has joined forces with local charities and relief organizations to help families affected by recent tornadoes and floods in the Midwest.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Tim McGee has been named senior vice president and general manager of the office here of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.
The appointment puts McGee in charge of all aspects of MMPI’s High Point properties, including Market Square, The Suites at Market Square, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and National Furniture Mart. Reporting to McGee are Karen Olson, vice president of marketing; Steve Johnson, vice president of administration; Mike Snider, vice president of operations; and 25 other employees.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center and Fiera Milano, a furniture exhibition center, will collaborate on an Italian furniture exhibit during the July Las Vegas Market.

COPPELL, Texas–Craftmade International Inc.’s board of directors has appointed J. Marcus Scrudder, 40, to serve as the company’s chief executive officer, effective July 1.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The American Home Furnishings Association announced Sept. 5 as the deadline for Sage Award submissions.
The award, created in April, recognizes home industry companies that pay as much attention to environmental and social issues as to the traditional bottom line. It is sponsored by Cargill’s BiOH polyols, a worldwide provider of food and other agricultural products and services. Cargill’s polyols, developed from soybean and other natural vegetable oils, are used in flexible foams.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International has named Dan Stone to vice president of strategy and business development, as interim leader of the company’s supply-chain organization. He succeeds Mike McBreen, who has left the company, according to a statement.
Ralph P. Scozzafava, Furniture Brands’ chief executive officer, credited McBreen with developing the blueprint for the FBN Asia organization and building a team to manage that operation.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Beginning April 2009, the High Point Market will shift to a Saturday to Thursday pattern, and shorten the biannual market by one day to six days (April 25-30), the High Point Market Authority board of directors unanimously voted today.

NEW YORK–The University of Oxford has launched the first phase of a new licensing program that will take advantage of the English university’s wealth of content to translate into home and fashion programs.
The university announced its network of international agents, which includes StoneAmerica Licensing for the North American region, at an event last night.

LENOIR, N.C.–Broyhill Home Furnishings announced today that it will partner with a family game television show, “Your Place or Mine,” by providing furniture prizes for the game’s contestants.
The show, which will be on the TLC network, arranges for two families to compete for up to four rooms of furniture in each episode. Hosted by actor Cameron Mathison, the competition is based on correct answers to trivia questions.
When a family wins, they watch immediately, along with the TV audience, as movers place their new Broyhill furniture directly into their homes.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International said it will expand its licensing program beyond Thomasville to include several other of its leading brands, including Lane, Broyhill, Drexel Heritage and Henredon to home furnishings segments that complement its furniture.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Finalists for the prestigious 2008 Apollo Awards were announced last evening by the International Casual Furnishings Association. The annual awards recognize retail excellence in selling and marketing outdoor furnishings. Among other things, finalists must have demonstrated “commitment to customer service,” according to an ICFA statement.
Winners will be announced at a gala awards banquet on Sept. 17 at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories market in Chicago, which will be held at the city’s Navy Pier.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The High Point Market Authority has again secured subblocks of hotel rooms at discounted rates for the 2008 fall market, which will take place from Oct. 20 to 26.
The market authority urges attendees to book early, as the discounted rates are available until July 31 or until they sell out.
Fall market attendees can book the rooms through the High Point Market Web site. Some restrictions and minimum-night stays apply. For questions, contact Dawn Smith at (800) 874-6492.

ARCADIA, Wis.–Ashley Furniture Industries said yesterday that it has settled its pending patent infringement lawsuit brought against Lifestyle Enterprise involving the ornamental carvings of two of Ashley’s bedroom collections.

MONROE, Mich.–La-Z-Boy and Brown Jordan International are extending their collaboration in casual furniture by launching a new line, La-Z-Boy Outdoor Select.
Comprising 13 collections, the line will debut at the Summer Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association’s premarket, July 9 to 11, at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Each collection will include dining, deep seating, chat sets, bar seating and alternative table tops.
Retailers will include traditional and specialty outdoor furniture stores.

NEW YORK–The Conran Shop in New York is extending its iconic take on contemporary home furnishings to the city’s commercial and residential markets with Conran Contract, a new division.
Conran Contract will target a broad swath of businesses, from corporate offices to restaurants, hotels, museums and airports, as well as residential buildings, to be its furniture and lighting resource. Other home goods could later follow suit.

COPPELL, Texas–Craftmade International Inc. reported a decrease in net income of 14.7 percent to $639,000 for the third quarter ended March 31.
The company also reported a quarterly sales increase of 144 percent to $54.9 million, reflecting its acquisition of casual furniture maker Woodard LLC.
Craftmade said the Woodard acquisition boosted consolidated net sales, partially offsetting the decrease in ceiling fan, lighting and accessories sales in both operating segments, primarily due to the continued decline in the overall housing market.

THOMASVILLE, N.C.–Lexington Home Brands has recognized five retailers with outstanding in-store displays in the Trump Home National Retail Display Contest, sponsored by Lexington.
Winners were Louis Shanks in Austin, Texas; Baer’s Furniture in Pompano Beach, Fla.; DeBoer’s in Toronto; Furnitureland South in High Point, N.C.; and Hurwitz-Mintz in Metairie, La. At the July Las Vegas Market, Lexington will unveil its newest Trump Home collection, Mar-a-Lago, in the company’s permanent showroom at the World Market Center, Building C, Space 1100.

ST. LOUIS–Hours before its annual meeting today, in which a proxy fight will play out, Furniture Brands International executives discussed the company’s 14 percent decrease in quarterly sales, coupled with its near-tripled net income over the prior quarter.

MONTREAL–Citing the “right combination of products and price points for consumers at the right time,” Dorel Industries this morning reported a 25.8 percent increase in profits for the first quarter ended March 31. In a statement announcing the earnings, Dorel said its net income reached $35.1 million, up from $27.9 million during the same period in 2007.
That translated into a growth in earnings per diluted share to $1.05, up 23.5 percent over the year-ago period.
The strong showing was based on revenues for the period of more than $556 million, up 22 percent.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–High Point Market Authority reported its buyer registration was stable for spring market, despite the tumultuous economy and a wave of recent bankruptcies in the domestic home furnishings retailing and manufacturing sectors.
With a boost from increases in international delegations, interior designers and first-time buyers, the number of buyers registered for the April High Point Market was 47,168, compared with 47,109 buyers registered in spring 2007, according to Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the HPMA.

NEW ORLEANS–The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) will devote a full day at its upcoming annual meeting here to help Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild and recover.
HFIA members from around the country are donating furniture, which will be stored by member Julian Doerr Mutter, of Doerr’s Furniture, until HFIA’s annual meeting May 7 and 8, at which time attendees will furnish several restored homes.

LAS VEGAS–World Market Center Las Vegas said it moved the dates for its winter 2009 market from the last week of January to Feb. 9 through Feb. 13, 2009, to better align the market with exhibitor business cycles, relieve industry show conflicts and offer more favorable Las Vegas hotel rates.
Specifically, Las Vegas is targeting more international attendees, who might attend January shows in Europe, and the gift industry, which also has a very crowded January trade show calendar, officials said.

ST. LOUIS–In a press release and a letter to shareholders, Furniture Brands International called Sun Capital’s attempts to gain control of the furniture maker’s board of directors “expensive and distracting.”
Furniture Brands’ board stated that its offers to discuss business strategies with Sun Capital have been denied and that Sun’s representatives have “never suggested that they have a strategic plan that is superior to the one management is now executing successfully.”

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.–AMC Liquidators, known for its hotel and office furniture liquidation, asset recoveries and salvage operations, has expanded its offerings to include items such as tabletop products, wall art and furniture. The company hopes to attract more home owners to its two stores here, as well as to its online site, with the product expansion.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–When times are tough, many vendors pull back on product development, but that wasn’t the rule at this market, which runs through Sunday.

LONG BEACH, Calif.–Human Touch, the massage-chair brand, has formed a two-year partnership with PGA Tour pro Tim Clark to enhance consumer awareness of the brand’s products.
Clark will appear in Human Touch print advertisements, participate in select Human Touch corporate-communications activities and serve on the Human Touch Wellness Council. Clark, who has been on the PGA Tour since 2001, has posted high finishes in the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championship tournaments.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–CA Boom, a West Coast design trade show and exhibition, will launch its first East Coast show during the fall 2008 High Point Market.
Titled CA Boom East, the show will be held at The Mills Village, the newly opened showroom complex here. It will run from Oct. 20 to 26 in the flexible showroom space at The Mills Village. CA Boom East will feature new, independent contemporary furnishings designers and manufacturers “that have yet to be discovered by top contemporary and transitional retailers,” according to a CA Boom statement.

AT THE MARKET–High Point Market opened today under gloomy conditions: both the weather and the shape of business.
The furnishings industry has been hit the hardest of any of the home furnishings segments by the slowdown in the housing market, but High Point was expecting the usual number of buyers and sellers this week.
While there were no marquee debuts of celebrity programs, there were introductions from a bevy of market veterans, including Martha Stewart, Jaclyn Smith and Alexander Julian.

RICHMOND, Calif.–Lisa Frudden has resigned her post as creative marketing director for Palecek, effective May 2.
After 24 years with the furniture and decorative home decor importer, Frudden is looking for a change of venue, she said. “I want to explore something different, like freelancing and consulting,” she told HFN.
Frudden, who has worked on many facets of the company’s marketing, merchandising and creative strategies, has already been asked to do some consulting for home furnishings firms, she said.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The Phillips Collection has appointed Rick King as national director of sales and marketing, a newly created position to assist the company’s growth plans, the company said.
King, who has more than 30 years of executive management experience in sales, marketing, operations and product development, most recently served as vice president and general manager of Bluefish Home LLC.
He reports to Mark Phillips, chief executive officer and president.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The International Home Furnishings Center will cut the ribbon on two new transformed spaces, Pavilions on 3 and Wrenn and Green Wings, to visitors at the upcoming April High Point Market.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International said today it has completed the sale of it HBF business furniture unit to HNI Corp. for $75 million. Wachovia Securities assisted Furniture Brands in the process.
“This transaction puts our focus solely on the home furnishings industry,’’ Ralph P. Scozzafava, chief executive officer of Furniture Brands, said in a statement. “The proceeds of the sale will be used to further improve our balance sheet, where today we have the most cash and least debt since the company recapitalized in 1992,’’ Scozzafava added.

TENAFLY, N.J.–Funeral services were scheduled to be held today for David Goldstein, president of furniture sales representative agency Metropolitan Furniture Marketing Services, who died this week after complications from back surgery. He was 66.
Goldstein was an award-winning sales rep who worked with Stanley, Universal, Schnadig and others throughout his career.
Goldstein served on the boards of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association and the Metropolitan Furnishings Association of New Jersey.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.–Office Depot, one of the largest retailers of home office supplies and ready-to-assemble furniture, was honored as among the top 25 firms in the forefront of advancing women in business. The honor was bestowed by the National Association for Female Executives.

ARCHBOLD, Ohio–Sauder Woodworking, North America’s largest manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture, said today it would scale down its domestic RTA operations.
By midyear, Sauder will reduce the number of products the company makes in its plant here and automate several functions, including order entry and delivery verification, which will primarily affect smaller and non-North American retail customers. This will allow the company to streamline its operations, run more efficiently and serve its core customers more effectively, Sauder officials said.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The High Point Market, which has been designated a U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program event for the spring edition next month, has been awarded the same status for the spring market in 2009.
The High Point Market Authority released a letter from the U.S. Department of Commerce that applauds the “Market exhibitors’ great export potential.” The International Buyer Program is designed to connect U.S. companies with foreign customers and to raise global awareness of a designated event.

LOS ANGELES–The California Gift Show has joined the Sustainable Furniture Council, a non-profit coalition of furniture industry executives that promotes ecologically sensitive practices among industry manufacturers, retailers and consumers. In addition to profits, the council says it advocates adherence to two other bottom lines: people and planet.
The July 18 to 21 show, to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will host a pavilion at its At Home division, featuring the council’s members.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International said it will sell its Hickory Business Furniture unit to HNI Corp. for $75 million in an all-cash transaction expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008.
Hickory Business Furniture, an office and commercial furniture producer, “does not fit our strategic focus on the residential consumer market,’’ said Ralph P. Scozzafava, chief executive officer of Furniture Brands. The company’s divestiture will help strengthen Furniture Brands’ balance sheet and enable it to “focus on our core consumer brands,’’ Scozzafava continued.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The Uttermost Co. will enter the accent furniture category with a major presentation at the High Point Market that opens here next month.
After nearly a year of development, Uttermost will unveil its 50-piece furniture collection that includes everything from stacking tables to tall chests to upholstered chairs and ottomans. The line features many different materials and styles, including some high-end pieces with eggshell detailing from Vietnam.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Sweden’s unique design philosophy and home furnishings will be the focus of a symposium during the High Point Market next month.
The Swedish Design Symposium, slated for April, 7, 8 and 9 in the Suites at Market Square, Space 1-300, is being co-sponsored by Merchandise Mart Properties and the High Point Market Authority, in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Industrial Development Center West Sweden AB.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors should send new product photography and press releases to HFN editors for coverage in our April Market issue. We’re accepting product submissions now—please don’t send them any later than Thursday, March 13.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Martha Stewart will give a speech and answer questions about home decorating and design inspiration at an invitation-only event during the High Point Market next month.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–A set of books entitled, “Furniture Retailing 101,” will be unveiled during the spring High Point Market here.

SOMERSET, N.J.–Ekornes has expanded its retail sales associate training program by launching an interactive Web site, ilovestressless.com.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–At its first meeting last week in Las Vegas, the board of directors for the new International Casual Furnishings Association named an executive committee and initiated strategic planning.
Elected chairman of the new organization was Dudley Flanders, president of Lloyd/Flanders. Vice chairman is Pete Fleischut, from retail store Casual Marketplace in Hockessin, Del. Completing the executive committee are Bill Echols of Tommy Bahama, Palm City, Fla.; Gary Ecoff of retail store Carls Patio in Coconut Creek, Fla.; and Dean Engelage of Woodard, in Chicago.

ST. LOUIS–Furniture Brands International last night rejected an unsolicited bid from Sun Capital Securities Group, LLC, to purchase all outstanding shares of Furniture Brand’s common stock, stating that Sun Capital did not include an offer price, and that Furniture Brands’ strategic plan is “on track.”

CARTHAGE, Mo.–Felix Wright, chairman of the board of Leggett & Platt, and Harry Cornell, chairman emeritus, will not seek re-election to the company’s board.
Cornell, grandson of J.P. Leggett, the company’s co-founder, joined Leggett & Platt in 1950. Wright joined the company in 1959, when he was hired by Cornell. The board’s nominating committee has recommended the election of Richard T. Fisher as the board’s independent chairman. Fisher has served as the board’s president director since 2003.

MONROE, Mich.–La-Z-Boy this morning reported profits of $9.5 million for the third quarter ended Jan. 26, up from a loss of $7.8 million during the same period last year.
For investors, this meant a net gain of 18 cents per diluted share, compared with a loss of 15 cents in the year-ago period.
These results were based on net sales of $373 million for the quarter, down 7.8 percent over the year.
The per-share profit included income related to “anti-dumping duties received on bedroom furniture imported from China,” the furniture company said in a statement.

SAN ANTONIO–Motif Modern Living, an award-winning contemporary furniture store, has opened a new loftlike flagship store at the Legacy shopping center here.

DALLAS–Market Center Management Company has signed a multi-year agreement to help develop and manage the LatinAmerican Trade Mart, a new wholesale trade center in Bogota, Colombia.
The 2.5 million-square-foot trade complex is scheduled to open in 2011 as the largest wholesale mart in South America. It will be the first wholesale marketplace on the continent to serve both international and domestic markets, according to a release.

NEW YORK–BoConcept, a furniture manufacturing company retailing its own branded items through franchises, announced openings this morning slated for three cities, bringing its total in the United States to 24.
The three cities are San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle.
In a statement announcing the planned openings, BoConcept said its international goal is 350 stores by 2011.
The 58-year-old family-owned firm attributed part of its success to its franchise philosophy, which enables consumers to buy “from a family business.”

DALLAS–C.S. Wo & Sons, a furniture retailer based in Hawaii, has been inducted into the ARTS Hall of Fame, thanks to its fifth ARTS Award, earned last month during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.
This is the fifth time that C.S. Wo & Sons was honored as the best furniture store in the West region at the ARTS Awards gala over the years.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The April High Point Market will feature a full lineup of educational sessions and live entertainment by Cheap Trick, Kool & The Gang, and blues guitarist Robert Cray, courtesy of the High Point Market Authority.
The HPMA’s Stars Under the Stars evening concert series kicks off Monday, April 7, with Kool & The Gang playing such hits as “Celebration,” “Get Down On It” and “Ladies Night,” among others.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The newly created International Casual Furnishings Association this morning announced its first board of directors. The board includes Ron Ball, Ball Casual Sales Inc., Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Bill Brown, Brown Jordan International, Birmingham, Ala.; Ken Burrows, Terra Furniture, City of Industry, Calif.; Dougan Clarke, The Ultimate Umbrella Company Inc., Miami; and Steve Cohen, Season’s Leisure, Atherton, Calif.

NEW YORK–The seventh annual Architectural Digest home design show, featuring quality home furnishings products from almost 300 exhibitors, will be held in New York from March 6 to 9 at Pier 94, at West 55th Street and 12th Avenue.
Open to the public as well as the trade, the show will feature home furnishings, accessories, antiques, art, kitchen and bath products, floor coverings, wallcoverings, lighting and outdoor furnishings.
The show will also offer complimentary designer consultations, special exhibits and seminars led by industry leaders.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.–Office Depot has added multifunctional, work-at-home furniture pieces to its exclusive Christopher Lowell Furniture assortment.

NEW YORK–Designer Thomas O’Brien has signed with Creative Artists Agency, the talent and literary agency, for representation. CAA’s Lifestyle department will focus on expanding O’Brien’s brand beyond the home and into an array of areas where design is central, according to a statement from CCA and O’Brien. Additionally, CAA will seek opportunities in publishing and on the Internet that will broaden O’Brien’s media presence.

WASHINGTON–Sales of furniture and televisions will increase over last year due to the Feb. 5 Super Bowl, according to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s 2008 Super Bowl Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the National Retail Federation said.
Viewers plan to purchase 1.8 million pieces of furniture, up from 1.3 million last year, the survey said. Young adults ages 18 to 24 will spend more than other consumers. One in 20 (4.9 percent) of these viewers will buy new furniture, the survey said.

LENOIR N.C.–Broyhill Home Furnishings has added two merchandising positions.
Debbie Blackburn was named merchandise manager for occasional tables, and Linda Moretz was appointed merchandise manager for youth furniture. Blackburn and Moretz will report to Michael Foster, Broyhill’s vice president of merchandising for case goods.
Blackburn, who has 28 years of experience in furniture retailing, previously was Broyhill’s merchandise manager of Continents, an occasional accent collection, and was also director of Broyhill’s accessory program.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Ligo Products is moving to a new show space within the National Furniture Mart here. The space is expected to be open for the furniture market this spring.

DANBURY, Conn.–Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. said today it will consolidate about 12 of its retail design centers and two service centers. About half the 175 full- and part-time employees affected by the move are expected to transfer into nearby operations.

NEW YORK–Las Vegas Market exhibitors need to submit new product photography and press releases to HFN for its Viva Las Vegas special section and daily show issues by tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 10.