Robert Kennedy proclaimed in a speech many years ago, “There is a Chinese curse which says, ‘May he live in interesting times.’ ” As current events continue to unfold, it would seem as though we are living in increasingly interesting times. Recent announcements by many auto manufacturers that production lines
The Q1 Furniture Retailer survey completed by Piper Sandler in partnership with the Home Furnishings Association (HFA) shows sales were flat to down for Q1. Sales were +1%/-5% on a mean/median basis. Transactions during Q1 declined -12% to -15%, while ASP was up mid-teens %. Online sales for retailers lagged
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) denied an industry request, co-signed by HFA, to extend the comment period for their clothing storage unit tip-over safety standard. Public comments are due to the CPSC by April 19, 2022. It is critical that the furniture retail voice is represented as they
Outward, Inc. is happy to be one of the Home Furnishings Association’s newest Solution Partners, providing its members with product photography tools and services to improve the way they do business. Retailers need high-quality product photography We understand that retailers must put their best foot forward when promoting their product
On January 19th, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously, 4-0, to advance its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) on a mandatory safety standard for Clothing Storage Unit tip-overs. The text in the CPSC proposal was initially published in July 2021, but the Commission did not receive a staff
Recently, we held a webinar relating to optimizing eComm, and it was a perfect example of the need for what I call the 3-10 approach. Just looking at eComm alone, there are so many aspects of it that you need to get right to be successful. How are you tracking
If you are an avid reader of my blog – thank you for your loyalty – you’d know that my family went to Switzerland over the Thanksgiving break. Ever been to Switzerland? It’s ludicrously expensive for everything! We bought a pint of water for seven American dollars – Insane. When
When I look at 2021 through the lens of advocacy, I must tell you that it was a game-changer for our industry and the home furnishings association. That’s something I say on many different levels. First, the sheer volume of issues we weighed in on, the positions we presented, and
The supply chain crisis is nothing new for furniture retailers – it’s been an unfortunate reality for our industry over the last several years, with many inefficiencies exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19. In several instances this year, President Biden has focused on the supply chain, either by Executive Order
The Home Furnishings Association invited High Point Representatives Kathy Manning (D) and Ted Budd (R) to visit High Point Market. HFA CEO Mark Schumacher discussed with them the furniture industry and the issues that retailers face such as supply chain, tariffs, and more.
Today’s hiring challenges What would you say is your biggest challenge in 2021? Up until recently, I think most of
In this Quick Click Solutions video from RetailSystem, Jesse Akre shares some tips on how to display products online with
I am not big on gold watches or plaques. While they are historical ways to thank people for their dedication
I always remind myself and other people that I am not a furniture retailer. I do have retail in my
This Quick Click Solutions video from FormPiper shows you some effective ways to streamline your financing forms process your customers
Congress and the Trump administration are preparing another Covid-19 relief package. The Home Furnishings Association’s Washington representative, Chris Andresen, and government relations liaison Doug Clark
Everyone is trying to figure out what the “new normal” will look like when your stores reopen. What will recovery look like to you and
