Several significant governmental actions have emerged this week, directly influencing home furnishings retailers and manufacturers. Understanding these policy changes is crucial for industry stakeholders to navigate the evolving landscape effectively and mitigate potential financial impacts. From rising shipping fees on Chinese-built ships to shifting trade regulations to sustainability mandates, staying
Congress Must Prioritize American Business by Extending Tax Cuts & Reducing Business Regulations One of President Donald Trump’s top campaign promises was to open the floodgates for businesses to thrive in the U.S. economy once again. The best way to deliver on that promise is to protect existing tax rates,
Americans Want Affordable Goods, Healthy Economy & Safe Nation U.S. trade policy has been at the epicenter of discussion in the nation’s capital, with broad universal tariffs at the core of the conversation. To assign some facts to the debate about the impact of across-the-board tariffs, particularly on consumers and
2024 HFA DC Fly-In Recap In the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington DC, the HFA Government Relations Action Team embarked on a mission to champion the interests of the furniture industry. Through pivotal meetings with key legislators and policymakers, the team delved into pressing issues ranging from safety standards
Are you battling zoning restrictions in your local community? Do labor laws and sales tax compliance change regularly in your state? Are you aware of the federal and state data security and privacy regulations? Are you compliant with the newly enacted STURDY ACT affecting all home furnishings retailers? As a
Over the last 18 months, HFA has engaged with industry, congressional, consumer safety, parents, and regulatory stakeholders to advocate for a consensus-driven mandatory stability standard for clothing storage units (CSU). Clothing storage unit compliance efforts culminated in the passage of the STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on
On the surface, HFA DC Fly-In, our in-person advocacy visit scheduled in late May, would be simply going through the motions. Our primary issue of the last year, the tip-over controversy, is over, except for compliance. Then we unknowingly timed our visit to coincide with the debt ceiling crisis, which
Nothing drives congressional activity like a deadline – in this case, the August recess and November midterm elections have created a unique environment spurring action on priority issues for both parties. Democrats have controlled the White House, House, and Senate since January 2021 but cannot advance large parts of their
For the first time since 2019, many of our HFA members came together in Washington for what we affectionately refer to as our DC Fly-In. Each attendee is a member of our Government Relations Action Team (GRAT). This has always been an annual chance to get in front of key
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
Let’s assume that you took some steps to get the right traffic to your website. You focused on SEO, served
Online shopping is far from perfect. Customers frequently encounter frustrations that can lead to abandoned carts, negative experiences, and lost
Hiring managers, human resources professionals, or retail owners will all tell you that retaining employees is difficult. Managing people in
Human Resources is ever-evolving. It’s our job to keep up with and stay ahead of the emerging human resource trends
eCommerce success hinges on more than just having an online storefront—it requires a seamless, scalable, and customer-centric platform. The shift
eCommerce Essentials for Brick-and-Mortar A strong eCommerce presence isn’t just about selling online—it’s a powerful tool to drive customers into your store and enhance your
Recruit High-Performing Sales Teams Attracting and keeping top sales talent is a major challenge for furniture retailers, especially in today’s competitive market. Join a dynamic
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Human Resources Connect with other HFA member retailers to share the challenges and successes you are experiencing in
Discover how to ensure your business remains compliant, competitive, and well-informed about the legislative policies shaping the home furnishings industry.
