Today’s hiring challenges What would you say is your biggest challenge in 2021? Up until recently, I think most of us would have said it was the broken supply chain. But for many of us, that has changed to the hiring challenges of finding and keeping quality employees. No, scratch
The furniture industry is no stranger to regulation – we have adapted to comply with hundreds of state and federal regulations. But despite political gridlock at the federal level often slowing down legislative and regulatory efforts, more chemical regulations for furniture manufacturing are on the way. Aggressive regulatory efforts have
The economy. If ever we needed someone with a crystal ball to tell us where this economy is going, now would be the time to find that person. We’ve been dealing with such confounding elements. Demand for home furnishings is still up even though supply is still down. While that
I have been to Washington, D.C. twice to discuss furniture industry issues on behalf of HFA and our members. It’s a trip HFA makes annually to meet face-to-face with our lawmakers and various government agencies to make sure our voices are heard as people who make a living in the
In the past few years, the terms Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma have been tossed around as companies look for proven methodologies in improving operations and reducing expense. Both approaches have been widely adopted in many industries with impressive results. There are two challenges for a small business owner: first,
As I write this, people throughout the country are dealing with crippling winter storms and need a helping hand. My area in Texas has been hit especially hard. In the six days my stores were closed, most of my employees were without power. City water facilities experienced power failures, generator
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s almost impossible to talk about any significant subject these days without the discussion ending up in a partisan conversation. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it quite like this where there is such a high level of divisiveness that springs up
I am craving contact! I think in home furnishings, we all are craving contact right now. Our industry has many wonderful attributes, but the one thing that I fell in love with and that resonates with me is our business’ collegial nature. We are part of a customer-centric industry, and
I love great quotations. They can capsulize thoughts and feelings or inspire. The late English author Douglas Adams said, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” In light of last year, I could rephrase that
I’m David Gunn of Knight Furniture, your HFA president for 2021. I’ve never looked more forward to a new year than this one. Yet as painful as 2020 was on many levels, I did learn a few lessons. I was reminded never to take anything, or anyone, for granted. It
The second National Furniture Safety Week is underway, with nearly 200 home furnishings companies participating. Furniture Safety Week aims to
There’s nothing like finding something new that adds a touch of style and comfort to your home, especially when you
In an industry where design inspiration and shopper trust drive every sale, a well-run company blog can be one of
Defining Roles, Purpose, and a Path to Leadership Bringing a son, daughter, or younger family member into your retail furniture
The Home Furnishings Association (HFA) is closely following the latest developments surrounding the ongoing Supreme Court hearings on the legality
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today The long-term success of every retail business depends on one thing: its people. Preparing the next generation of leaders isn’t
Navigating Leadership in a Family Business Stepping into greater responsibility within a family business comes with unique opportunities—and its own set of challenges. From
The long-term success of every retail business depends on one thing: its people. Preparing the next generation of leaders isn’t
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Family Business Dynamics Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in navigating family
