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
The STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) was passed by Congress and signed into law as ASTM F 20657-23, effective on September 2, 2023. The Home Furnishings Association supports furniture safety and the STURDY regulations. Unfortunately, consumers can still find non-compliant clothing storage units in secondary-market
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
We saw something that we haven’t seen in quite some time, a compromise on Capitol Hill. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, supported by the Biden Administration, was debated in the Senate, passed with a strong bipartisan vote, and sent to the House. For years, there’s been talk about the
I’ve noticed an interesting shift in meetings we’ve had with key staff in Cabinet departments like Commerce and Transportation or with members of Congress. Before I get to that shift, you need to know that we have increased the frequency of the meetings with influencers intentionally. We have got to
Accomplishing the goal of adequate U.S. infrastructure funding has been a critical talking point in recent months on Capitol Hill. One of President Biden’s major legislative accomplishments was the American Rescue Plan. It was a $2.2 trillion bill that extended federal unemployment bonuses through early September, provided $300+ billion to
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.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the Department of Labor recently released its long-anticipated Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on ‘Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.’ Labor Secretary Marty Walsh led this effort while President Biden’s nominee for OSHA Administrator, Doug Parker, is still working
Crumbling infrastructure is a common problem across the United States, impacting our global competitiveness and directly impacting furniture retailers trying to receive, process, and deliver in-demand goods to consumers. For the last several years, the running joke in Washington, DC, has been the never-ending ‘Infrastructure Week.’ Previous administrations and congresses
You haven’t missed anything — and we’re still watching closely for you. While there have been no new developments since
Defining Roles, Purpose, and a Path to Leadership Bringing a son, daughter, or younger family member into your retail furniture
Nearly 40% of U.S. consumers are non-prime, and their needs shape how they research and shop with furniture merchants.1 New
Furniture is deeply personal. Every day, we meet customers who are excited about finding the right piece, yet also understandably
You don’t need another research firm telling you what happened last quarter. You need a heads-up on what’s coming so
Immersive Retail: Inspiring Customers with 3D, AR & VR Today’s most successful furniture retailers aren’t replacing personal service with technology, they’re using it to
Merchandising Trends: Creating Inspiring Retail Spaces that Drive Sales Your showroom is more than just a display—it’s your most powerful sales tool. Join us
Today’s most successful furniture retailers aren’t replacing personal service with technology, they’re using it to elevate it. Join us for
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Customer Experience Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in navigating family business
