2011 Holiday Retail Forecasts: sampling the samples
It's no surprise that holiday retail forecasts are quite a mixed bag this year. Economic indicators are all over the place: unemployment claims are falling but so is consumer confidence, stock...
View ArticleWhy American-made got paid at High Point
In case your head's been securely buried in a hole for the past three weeks, please allow me to inform you that "made in America" was a fashionable phrase at October's High Point market.Just look...
View ArticleLinger A Little Longer: Furniture by Jay Watson
Linger a Little Longer, by designer Jay Watson, is a solid chestnut table and bench with a thermographic finish that changes color in response to heat. Just imagine the dinner conversations this...
View ArticleDan Yeffet and Lucie Koldova Introduce Series of Large Scale Contemporary Lamps
Balloon: Paris based designers Dan Yeffet and Lucie Koldova have introduced a new series of elegant large scale blown glass lamps with a decidedly modern appeal. They are available in three sizes,...
View ArticleBlack Friday backlash
Is Black Friday threatening to become Grey Thursday? Maybe not. As the number of major retailers planning to open at or before midnight grows, so does the backlash from employees who have taken to...
View ArticleHelping the homeless: Greensboro College, Middle College, IRC and Furniture...
A few nights ago, I attended a Hunger Banquet at Greensboro College. I was welcomed by a young man who invited me to choose my "station" ticket from a box, which would determine where and what I...
View ArticleMarket brings out 'the best'
This past October's High Point Market was one of my favorites to date. The weather was great, energy was positive, moods were upbeat, and it just seemed really busy. For the first time since I...
View ArticleFree Resources to Help Your Business Go Mobile
Mobile is the big trend leading into the holidays and for 2012. According research from Gartner, Google Internal Data and Cisco, mobile has grown fourfold since 2010, and there will be more people...
View ArticleKeith Granet's 'The Business of Design' - how to run an interior design biz,...
For more than 30 years, Keith Granet has advised designers on everything from billing, branding and marketing, to product development and licensing. At the October High Point Market, Granet spoke...
View ArticleLessons from year one in home accents
It's been a year since I first joined the Home Accents Today staff, and all I got was this t-shirt. Okay, maybe I also learned a few things. Here are some noteworthy revelations...1. Prepare for...
View Article2nd retail 'Workshop at Macy's' now accepting applications
In this month's retail profile of Nyla Simone Home, shopowner Maria Benson mentions the contacts she's made as a result of participating in this year's inaugural retail "Workshop at Macy's," a...
View ArticleStepping It Up
It seems like the retailers and vendors in this industry are really stepping things up lately.And on the subject of "stepping it up," I had a really interesting conversation with Ridvan Tatargil,...
View ArticleA Web for Everyone!
Welcome to the New Year and more exciting advances in online technology! I can't wait to see if the 2012 predictions -- including increased mobile marketing, greater use of the cloud, and...
View ArticleRetailers share game-changing strategies at Furniture Today conference
In December, 350 furniture manufacturers and retailers listened to and participated in a series of "Game Changer" themed presentations at the 14th annual Furniture Today Leadership Conference. The...
View ArticleGreat mood at retail: Stores restock in Atlanta following strong year-end
ATLANTA - If they're not coming off their best year or holiday selling season "ever," retailers shopping Americasmart this week say their businesses have finally taken a solid turn for the better....
View ArticleLights, camera... action!
DURING THE FIRST HALF of March, the National Retail Federation will be accepting submissions for its "Best Retail Story in America" video contest. On April 2, the top 20 videos (selected by a...
View ArticleFlower Power in Las Vegas!
Spring is on the way and florals are all the rage. Check out this selection of fab flower designs showing at the Las Vegas Market this week.Mademoiselle Chair in mahogany and red velvet from...
View ArticleRedefining rustic at the Las Vegas Market
Rustic and distressed styled home accents have a sophistication all their own. Take a look at these designs debuting at the Las Vegas Market this week.Synergy I and II distressed wooden wall...
View ArticleCage Match: New Lighting Designs by Arik Levy
French designer Arik Levy presented Cage, a new collection of lighting for Forestier at Maison & Objet last month. The juxtaposition of hand-made and machine-made elements is both unexpected and...
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