Simmon’s New CEO Seek to Restore Focus

Simmons' new CEO, Gary Fazio, said that the sleep products’ company has to ‘restore the focus’ to become a more competitive company. Fazio outlined the leadership strategy he will adapt for the company he recently joined. He told Furniture/Today that Simmons has to be more revenue-focused than it has been in the past.

The bedding company’s sales decreased by 13.2% last year, the biggest decrease for a major brand. Simmons eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Ares Management and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund, which also owns Serta, acquired Simmons last year and asked Fazio to be the company’s CEO.

Fazio says that Simmons’ new Beautyrest Black and ComforPedic lines that will come out for the first time at the Las Vegas Market are strong product offers. He adds that he will remain with the company until he has restored focus, built the market share, and have Simmons run well even without him.

For the full story, click here.

Quality Computer Desks

Computer desks are an extremely common fixture of offices all around the world. Good computer desks will provide space for a computer case and monitor, as well as a mouse and keyboard.

One of the most helpful features on computer desks is a sliding keyboard shelf. These are hooked on under the main desk surface and slide out when in use. A couple of really nice things about a keyboard shelf are that they allow the surface to be clear of the keyboard, it is safely kept tucked away until needed, freeing up work space. A second benefit of computer desks is that it allows the keyboard to be in a more ergonomically friendly position. Having your arms and hands a few inches lower than the top of the desk is more natural and comfortable.



You may have the fanciest computer in the world, but you can ruin your health if you do not have the proper computer desks furniture. However, choosing the right desk furniture for your computer is not simple. You may have to do quite a bit of research if you want to get the best furniture. You need to have the right computer desks furniture if you sit at your desk computer all day and work in an office. Experts in several scientific fields say that the way you sit at a computer desks chair while doing your work is an important factor in spinal and back problems.

Indeed, the computers have made an individual's life easier and more convenient. Quality computers should be partnered with quality computer desks as well. These desks will serve as the computer's protection or rather the computer's place of shelter. Having the computer desks around our homes will keep things to be organized and neat. It may occupy space but it if you want to protect your computers against dust and from damages, then it is best to purchase one.



Not everyone has a full size desktop computer. Laptops have become the preferred computer of most users due to their small size, and portability. This does not negate the need for office desks, but does complicate the design of your computer desks a little bit. If you are looking for computer desks plans for your laptop, then it is important to keep in mind the needs of a laptop user. You may want the tabletop to be a little lower than a traditional desk, since the keyboard will not be in a drawer. Leave enough room for using an external mouse, since most laptop users love to use a full size mouse when they are sitting at their desk.

For more information about the right and quality computer desks for you please visit: http://www.spacify.com/office_desks-58-14.html

Safety and Environment Mattress Seal Launched by SSA

A safety and environment mattress seal has been launched by the Specialty Sleep Assn. (SSA) in an aim to teach consumers about sleep products. The mattress label and seal that will be used were researched and worked on for over a year by participating manufacturers.

The label and seal will be attached to the mattresses and will tell the consumer about the safety and environmental compliance levels that the product meets. Sleep product manufacturers will pay the SSA to use the label and seal.

SSA president Dale Read said that consumers are concerned about buying environment-friendly items that have met safety standards. He adds that the Safety and Environmental Program is the best way to deliver the message to consumers.

For more on this story, click here.

ISPA says Bedding Sales Increase for First Half of 2010

The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) says that bedding sales are up with a double-digit increase for the first half of the year. From January to June 2010, sales by units went up by 11.3% while dollar sales went up by 10.7%, as compared to 2009 sales from the same period.

ISPA also said that specialty mattress unit sales increased by 35.2% while innerspring mattress unit sales went up by 11.2%, as evaluated against 2009’s numbers. The specialty mattress dollar value went up 33.9% while the innerspring mattress dollar value increased by 4.9%.

The above statistics was gleaned from the sales of 20 bedding producers who make up the majority of units and sale revenues in the bedding industry.

For more on this news story, click here.

Buying Office Desks Online

Online office desks furniture dealers can offer better selection and better discounts than brick and mortar stores. But if you've never made a significant office desks furniture purchase online, these tips can help ensure your success.

Office desks furniture usually forms a significant budget while you think of setting up an office. It makes sense to buy cheap, beautiful and functional furniture you need for your office. Of many furniture items one of the most essential items that you would need is office desks, which can amount up to a large amount of bill at the end of day. Hence there is no harm to find cheap office desks to cut the expenses of setting up office or renovating it.



When you're online, finding office desks that are appropriate may take you a while. You'll need to measure the space you have available and consider the style you're looking for. There's no point in buying something that doesn't match your home, unless you're planning redoing your whole house.

Office desks that are brand new can be expensive and although you can find some awesome deals, you can usually save money by buying second hand. However, this doesn't mean you should always buy second hand. Just be aware that you can and that it could save you a lot of money.

You can buy office furniture online for your complete home and office furniture needs including, tables, office desks, office chairs and reception furniture and a lot more. You can either get a quote or discuss your needs with a member of spacify expert sales team, who can help you choose the right items and details on how to make great savings on large orders. All of spacify furniture store products are generally of good quality, with the fast delivery to your home or office within two to three working days.



You can choose from office desks, chairs, storage furniture and filing cabinets - whatever you want, you'll easily be able to find it. Even if you have a small space you will be able to find office desks that are right for the space you have and the look you want. Office desks should be your first choice because they make an area clean and tidy and are ideal for storage. There are tons of different furniture items available and there are lots of shapes and sizes to choose from.

You can choose and order one of the best and high quality office desks furniture online, and update your office entirely with the latest furnishings and modern accessories. They also keep in mind many aspects, whether the furniture fits the company's profile and also the comfort of the employees and visitors.

For the best deal on your next office desks or wood computer office desks be sure to visit spacify.com, modern furniture stores where you'll find everything you need.

Durable Goods Sale Decrease While Businesses Spend More

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, sales for durable goods, which include electronics, furnishings such as bedroom furniture, and other long-lasting goods, decreased by 1% in June. RealtyTrac says foreclosures have also increased during the first six months of the year. This was largely observed in metropolitan areas with population of over 200,000.

Meanwhile, businesses are shown to have increased spending in equipment. This may mean that companies are confident of the continuation of the economic recovery and are equipping themselves to be able to meet market demands.

Jim Sullivan, a New York economist, says that the improvement trend is still intact, though it had been slow going for the past two months.

For more information on this story, click here.

Home Line Inds. and Junction Home Furnishings Store Opens Home Makeover Contest to Military Families

Junction Home Furnishings Store, with the support and help of Home Line Inds., or Home Line Furniture, has opened a home makeover contest for military families from the five branches of the U.S. Military, namely the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. If a family wins, they will be given the furnishings they need to make their house over. The dining room, living room, and two bedrooms are covered by the makeover. The winning family will also get a flat screen television. Home Line Inds. will pay for the furniture used in the makeover while the Junction will take care of delivery anywhere on the continental U.S.

To join the contest, the participant will submit a video explaining why they should win the home makeover prize. The video will be submitted on Junction’s website, www.junctioninc.com. The winner will be determined through online voting.

The Junction has been helping military troops and families by sponsoring various activities such as barbecues. Home Line Inds.‘ marketing vice president, Bill Napier, says that they’re sponsoring the contest because they’re patriots.

Home Line’s furniture products are available at Wholesale Furniture Brokers.

For the full story, click here.

Housing Market Still Challenged According to Statistics

According to a report by the Mortgage Bankers Assn., home loan applications have decreased to the lowest number in 13 years. The housing market is one of the key factors that affect furniture sales so decrease in the purchase of homes keenly affects furniture sales. Although mortgage rates are low, refinancing demand is still down.

Realty Trac, which publishes foreclosures, said that over one million homes will be lost to foreclosure during the year. The company also reported that over half a million homes were foreclosed during the first six months of 2010.

For the full story, click here.

Designer Modern Furniture

Modern furniture is actually a mix of the past and the present. It is also a blend of our artistic history and our presently highly technological world. Modern furniture is made for both comfort and style. It offers not only sophistication but is often an emblem of solace in homes. It is never a wonder why many homes today display this kind of modern furniture.

People always go for elegance and a modern furniture look in their place; this is to cope with the existing modern things that are introduced in the market. In home decoration there are variances of design that are available in the market, and most of modern furniture decorations are made in different materials that will suit different personality of an individual.



The good thing about modern furniture is that you get to have more space while maintaining a very comfortable environment. Contemporary designs also boast of new elements and materials that bring more life and sleekness into the room. Some pieces may be influenced by traditional styles but foster a more futuristic look. Here are some tips on how to choose the best modern furniture that suits your place.

It is also a fact that mere purchasing modern furniture may not give you the look or feeling of modern living. There are several other aspects that have to be taken care of. If you really want modern living you must first of all pick up a selected theme. Your house décor and every thing relating to your environment should conform to the theme. So also the selection of modern furniture would be an integral part of the process and such furniture should really fit into your environment.



Keep in mind that not all modern furniture is up to the task of giving you the right kind of theme or style for your home. There are dozens, or even hundreds of different styles and designs of modern furniture in the market today; and the secret to a successful home improvement project through modern furniture is selecting the right items to target your personal taste and budget.

With the choices of modern furniture designs available in the market today, the only thing stopping you from coming up with a theme for your living room is your creativity. You might want to look into different living room designs and note down what furniture they use to cater to their taste. Another idea is to pick one according to catalogs -- a compliment of modern furniture and living room design so you can just order the entire set instead of picking them out one by one.

And because of the different features of modern furniture, it is more convenient and easily fit a smaller home. They are available in different designs that will, surely fit any modern home at spacify.com.

Industry Veteran Roland Maddrey Becomes Pulaski Furniture’s Sales VP

Roland Maddrey, who has been in the furniture industry for about 25 years, has recently become Pulaski Furniture's vice president for sales for the eastern territory. Before joining Pulaski Furniture, he worked for Universal Furniture, Hickory Mark, La-Z-Boy, and Broyhill.

Pulaski Furniture president Page Wilson says that they are delighted to have Maddrey on their team. Maddrey will report to Wilson along with his western territory counterpart Dallas George.

Maddrey says that he is thrilled to join Home Meridian International (HMI), the parent company of Pulaski as well as Samuel Lawrence Furniture and Prime Resources International. He adds that HMI is distinguishable from other suppliers because of its financial stability and ability to adapt to market conditions, among other things.

For the full story, click here.

Furniture Retailers in Gulf Coast Ask BP to Pay Their Lost Profit

Because of the oil spill caused by the BP oil rig explosion, furniture retailers in the Gulf Coast said their business has slowed down since June. In an effort to recover their lost profit, they have filed claims with BP. However, none of these furniture retailers have received any checks yet.

The U.S. government and BP have made an agreement for BP to pay claims from those who have been affected by the oil rig disaster. A $20-billion fund has been created to pay up the claims for damages that will be incurred for the next three and a half years.

BP’s web site provides information as to how to file claims. Since May 3, BP has paid about $162.7 million and has received more than 100,000 claims.

For the full story, click here.

Designer Bar Stools

Leather bar stools and designer bar stools made from fabric and other materials are an essential addition to any bar but they also find use in a variety of other commercial settings. Leather bar stools, in particular, are very popular with owners as well as clients because of the beauty and comfort that leather has to offer. Designer bar stools, which include a variety of unusual designs and features, are also very popular and can be bought in a selection of colours and styles to match the decor of any room or establishment.

Bar stools can be made out of many different materials but usually they are created with either metal or wood. Metal bar stools are more modern and offer a few different features. They are typically easier to move around, more durable, and more weather resistant than wooden stools. Metal stools are usually a little bit less expensive because aesthetically they do no have the presence of wooden bar stools. With that said, it makes sense that most designer bar stools feature more traditional styles, and are heavy on the wooden look.

When shopping for bar stools, stick with original designer bar stools. These products are sold in a variety of styles that generally look more contemporary and sleeker than typical bar stools. Also, designer bar stools are made of the finest products, which is typically not the case with knockoff products. Thirdly, designers of designer bar stools have spent hours upon hours to create these original seats. Buying knockoff versions to save a few dollars is simply a slap in the face to creativity and good old-fashioned hard work.

Bar stools come in a huge range of unique shapes, sizes and colors. They can be retro, funky, classic and grown up, modern and arty, fun and creative, or simple affairs. Given this variety, it's imperative that you consider both quality of construction and comfort. A high quality bar stools, which holds you up when you've had a few is well worth shelling out the extra bucks.

You can find bar stools using several materials, starting from the usual wood, but also metal, resin, aluminum and even fiberglass. Also the colors vary greatly. While the typical wooden chairs can be mostly brown (ranging from light to dark) and black, nowadays the other material, especially the fiberglass can have all sorts of funky colors, including bright green, orange, blue and red. Also there have been quite some interesting designs floating around, that make any living room the envy of the neighborhood.

Spacify.com has the finest range of modern furniture for your home. Whether you are after bar stools or sofas we probably have an item to suit your tastes. Come and have a look at our range online.

Leggett & Platt to Sponsor WithIt Conference

Leggett & Platt has been chosen to be the top sponsor of the Women in the Home Industries Today’s (WithIt) education conference which will be held on August 17-19 at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. The workshop will focus mainly on leadership.

According to Mark Quinn, marketing for residential furnishings vice president of the furniture and bedding components supplier, Leggett & Platt is proud to be a sponsor. Quinn added that it is important that the company reinforce its ties with organizations such as WithIt.

The conference’s other sponsors include Furniture/Today, Wray Ward, World Market Center Las Vegas, and Home Furnishings Business.

For the full story, click here.

Leggett & Platt recliner mechanisms are used in sports team recliners available at Wholesale Furniture Brokers.

Decrease in Consumer Confidence Observed in June

After three months of increase of the Consumer Confidence Index, it fell from 62.7 in May to 52.9 in June. The Expectations Index decreased from 84.6 to 71.2 while the Present Situation Index fell from 29.8 to 25.5.

According to The Conference Board Consumer Research Center director, Lynn Franco, uncertainty about the economy’s state as well as the labor market is the reason for the decrease in confidence. She also adds that if job growth doesn’t increase, confidence may not increase as well.

Consumers who expect increase in job prospects decreased from 20.2% to 16% while those who expect income increase fell from 11.4% to 10.6%. Those who expect improvement of business conditions in the coming 6 months declined from 22.8% to 17.2% and those who expect it to be in worse condition rose from 11.9% to 14.9%.

For the full story, click here.

U.S. Commerce Dept. Says Furnishing Store Sales Decrease in June

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, furniture and other home furnishing sales for June fell by 1.1% compared to sales in May. June furniture sales were $7.54 million while May furniture sales amount to $7.63 billion.

However, June’s sales increased compared to June 2009’s sales which amounted to $7.42 billion. The U.S. Commerce Department also reported that overall retail sales decreased by 0.5% in June of this year compared to May.

For the full story, click here.

PIERS Observe Increase in Furniture Imports

The Port Import Export Reporting Service (PIERS) Global Intelligence Solutions reported an increase of 20-percent in U.S. furniture imports as well as other goods from China for the first half of 2010. PIERS found out that the increase was mainly caused by the U.S. economic stimulus package for those buying houses for the first time. An 18-percent increase in furniture imports in May this year compared to May 2009 was also reported by PIERS.

PIERS economist Mario Moreno says that new homeowners are furnishing their houses which account for the increase in furniture imports. The housing stimulus gives the first-time home buyer an $8,000 tax credit. The purchase contract should be signed by April 30 and close by September 30.

The analysis by PIERS, however, expects a decrease in furniture imports due to unemployment and credit conditions, among other things.

For the full story, click here.

Simmons Co. has New CEO

Simmons Co., a manufacturer of sleep products, has named Gary Fazio, a mattress industry veteran, as its new CEO. Fazio worked at Mattress Firm since 2001 up to his appointment at Simmons Co. He replaced Steve Fendrich, who has been Simmons’ CEO since 2008.

Fazio is taking over management of the company after it came out of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The owners of Serta, last year’s number 2 mattress brand, acquired Simmons Co. this year. Simmon Co.’s US sales from 2009 amount to $858 million.

While Fazio was with Mattress Firm, the company turned from being a regional company to the second largest bedding specialty chain. The company now has stores in 22 states.

Fazio says he is thrilled to be joining Simmons while the company is enhancing its brand. He adds that the company’s opportunities are broad and that he looks forward to joining the leadership team. Simmons Co.’s new CEO will be based in Atlanta.

For the full story, click here.

Survey Results - Why People Don't Order Furniture Online?

Wholesale Furniture Brokers recently had a Father’s Day 2010 Contest where contestants from the US and Canada needed to fill out a survey and subscribe to their newsletter to be eligible to win a $1000 gift certificate. The survey had results from over 550 people. It was designed to help us learn more about why people don’t order furniture online. The results will be useful for all ecommerce websites that want to know how they can improve their website to target a larger audience.

The results of the survey have been tallied. We are providing the questions and top three answers for each of the questions:

1. What is your gender?
Female: (67.9%)
Male: (32.1%)

2. What is your age?
50+: (44.5%)
40 – 49: (29.1%)
30 – 39: (15.9%)

3. Have you ever bought anything online?
Yes: (92.2%)
No: (7.8%)

4. Do you plan to buy furniture online?
No: (49.9%)
Yes: (50.1%)

Comments:
I might buy furniture online: (45.07%)
I’m not planning on ordering online: (21.13%)
I haven’t thought about it: (18.3%)

5. When shopping for furniture, where are the top three places you would look to gather information and buy? Please select three.
Local Furniture Store: (20.84%)
Online Furniture Store: (14.88%)
Friends or Family: (11.29%)

6. Have you ever order furniture online before? Please choose yes or no and explain why you did or did not order online in the comment box below.
No: (70.3%)
Yes: (29.7%)

Why People Order Furniture Online:
Best price: (32.58%)
I liked the furniture online since it wasn’t available locally: (25.84%)
Free shipping: (11.24%)

Why People Don’t Order Furniture Online:
I want to be able to see the furniture before I buy: (42.86%)
High shipping costs: (15.79%)
I’m not presently in the market to buy furniture: (12.78%)

7. Where do you prefer to buy your furniture? Please let us know and explain why in the comment box below.
Local Furniture Store: (75.08%)
Online Store: (5.89%)
No Preference: (17.01%)

Top 3 Stores:
Ikea
Sears
Brick

8. What are the top three services you would want when buying furniture? Please select three and explain in the comment box below.
Ability To Choose Custom Fabric and Color Options: (28.23%)
Ability To Schedule My Delivery Date When I Place My Order: (27.93%)
Financing Options Ie. No Payments for 90 Days: (15.81%)

9. How important is knowing the reputation of the store you buy from? Ie. You've heard of it before or bought from it before, so you are more likely to buy from them. Please let us know in the comment box below.
Very Important: (55.08%)
Important: (29.69%)
Not Important: (8.39%)

10. If you were to buy furniture online, what store would you buy from and why? Please let us know in the comment box below. You can include a link to the online furniture store.

Top 3 Stores:
Ikea
Sears
Wholesale Furniture Brokers

11. Are you willing to buy without seeing an item if you are able to save a considerable amount on your purchase?
Yes: (51.7%)
No: (48.3%)

12. If the product you want is not currently in stock, what would affect your decision to continue your purchase? Please let us know in the comment box below.

Top 3 Answers:
If it will be in stock soon, it doesn’t matter.
If there is nothing else similar, I will wait.
If I can get a discount.

13. What do you consider an acceptable amount of time to wait for your order to arrive at your home from the date of purchase? Please let us know how many days in the comment box below.
8 – 14 Days: (38.52%)
1 – 7 Days: (35.44%)
15 – 21 Days: (7.23%)

14. What would affect your decision to buy if the product you want is only available online?
Free Shipping: (19.87%)
Price: (50.99%)
Reputation of Website: (6.29%)

15. Is website security a concern of yours and do you look for a certified secure website icon while shopping? Ie. Your credit card information will be safe on a secure website. Please let us know in the comment box below.
Yes: (69.51%)
Yes and I check to make sure it’s secure: (12.89%)
No: (17.6%)

Let us know what you think about the results in the comment box below.

Relaxing Patio Outdoor Furniture

The placement of patio outdoor furniture should be based on your home's design. Houses made of wood with traditional Asian pieces work best with patio outdoor wicker furniture. Patio outdoor furniture retailers include wicker dining room to living room sets in their stock. Wicker dining sets are perfect for families who like eating their meals outdoors. With a patio outdoor furniture wicker dining set, you can enjoy your garden's scenery as you feast on breakfast.

More and more people are adding a patio outdoor furniture bar to their outdoor living experience. Are you thinking about adding a patio bar set to your yard? It is a great idea for entertaining or relaxing outdoors on beautiful summer evening. Picking the right set is really a matter of personal preference and protection from the summer elements. Obviously, you want it to look nice, something that compliments your home and garden. However, you also should consider practical ideas as well. How will patio outdoor furniture stand up to the weather? Is it durable and long lasting? Does it require a lot of maintenance?


Wicker patio outdoor furniture is durable, beautiful and elegant. It is the most suitable type of patio outdoor furniture and you can have a pleasure sitting outside. For enjoying lunch with family and friends and BBQs, wicker patio furniture is the best choice. You can enjoy sitting on it for long hours as it has no trace of discomfort. Two factors; durability and stability are the main reasons why patio outdoor wicker furniture is preferred over other kinds of furniture.

Modern patio outdoor furniture cannot be compared to any other style. It's a great addition to any outdoor space because of its simplicity. Just like with the regular indoor furniture, those that are designed with a modern flair have straight lines. There is no fussing or great detail in embellishments. That makes it a great addition to your patio outdoor furniture because it really makes it easier to clean all the pieces.


Patio outdoor furniture needs to be able to withstand the rigors of all seasons. While many materials can rust, corrode, or discolor because of the rain, cold weather, and frost, modern wicker patio outdoor furniture can withstand all of these potential problems. Powder coated aluminum frames help ensure that the rain is never a problem while the treated synthetic wicker will not discolor or fade after being left in the cold, damp, or in the summer sun. Such weather resistance is offered thanks to the unique properties of synthetic wicker which is designed to be durable and tough.

Spacify includes modern patio outdoor furniture in designer will give it the touch of contemporary elegance that you are trying to attain. Or, you can select wicker patio outdoor furniture and attain a beautiful traditional look on your patio easily!

Lea Industries Comes Up with Nickelodeon-Style Kids Bedroom Furniture

Lea Industries, one of the manufacturers who contribute to Wholesale Furniture Brokers collection of kids’ bedroom furniture, has just come up with bedroom furniture that features designs from Nickelodeon shows. Cartoon shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Go, Diego, Go are some of the Nickelodeon shows featured in the new line of kids bedroom furniture. The graphics on the bedroom pieces can be removed or changed to suit your child’s interests.

The new Nickelodeon-style bedroom furniture collection offers three lines: Nick (for ages 3 to 7), TweenNick (for ages 8 to 11), and TeenNick (for teenagers and older).

Check out other furniture pieces by Lea Industries to find more exciting and fashionable furniture.