It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since a series of tariffs were imposed on China by the Trump Administration. This so-called trade war was started primarily to address the trade imbalance between the U.S. and China. There were several tariffs imposed over the summer of 2018 in four
Often when we talk about our government relations action team (GRAT) and our advocacy efforts, it is always about works in progress. We focus on those issues that are at hand, and that need a resolution of some sort. Finally, we have the chance to discuss something we worked on
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
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
Build Back Better Congressional Democrats and the White House spent the last several months of 2021 working to enact President Biden’s signature legislative priority, the Build Back Better Act. This proposed legislative piece is key to advancing the Administration’s economic recovery agenda. The House passed its version before Thanksgiving in
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
On the surface, the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act, which passed the House in June 2021 and is under consideration in the Senate, seems straightforward. It heralds strict new mandatory requirements to address furniture tip-overs. Unfortunately, the intentions of the STURDY Act simply don’t translate
*Disclaimer: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit (based in New Orleans, LA) has issued a temporary, national injunction (pause) against the OSHA vaccine mandate. Republican Attorneys General in 26 states and other stakeholders have challenged the rule in federal court. The ruling and subsequent lawsuits put the
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 trade and tariff landscape remains fluid, with several developments—and non-developments worth monitoring. While there haven’t been many substantial changes
Most retailers understand the fundamentals of visual merchandising. They know how to build a vignette, create a focal point, and
The retail landscape is more competitive and dynamic than ever, especially in the furniture space. Retailers invest significant resources to
Visual merchandising has evolved significantly from traditional window displays and static store layouts. What used to rely solely on creativity
Today, customers are not just comparing prices, they are comparing experiences. Especially in furniture and mattress retail, where purchases are
Selling Like a “Million-Dollar Writer” What separates a good sales associate from a true million-dollar writer? It’s not luck, and it’s not just traffic.
The Right Way to Use AI in Retail Marketing (and What to Avoid) Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping marketing and its impact on retail
