The HFA Government Relations Action Team (GRAT) recently hosted Federal Maritime Commissioner Rebecca Dye during its regular meeting. Commissioner Dye is currently serving her fourth term and has been a Commissioner since 2002. She is leading the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) effort, Fact-Finding 29, as they examine the supply chain
More Sales = More Returns Do you have a solid returns process? As retailers gear up for peak sales seasons, it’s important not to lose sight of what happens next. Unfortunately, some of the merchandise you sell is going to come back! And increased sales mean increased returns. With more
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,
On February 24th, President Biden signed an Executive Order (EO), creating a broad, government-wide supply chain review. One of the order’s main drivers is the semiconductor chip shortage, impacting the technology and automobile sectors. While that was an area of focus, the EO directs many federal agencies to review various
Over the past few years, the emergence of the digital economy had already begun to change consumers’ expectations and buying habits. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the pace of change – placing more power and choice in consumers’ hands. Consumers are demanding – and smart retailers are providing –
Making a typical final mile home delivery in the COVID-19 era has changed for the foreseeable future. Many retailers have risen to the challenge and innovated quickly to provide options – driven by consumer preferences. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of deliveries made by full-line furniture retailers were a
Before we list the five important reasons why you should use a freight broker, let’s define what they do. A freight broker arranges freight shipping between a carrier and a shipper. In exchange, the broker receives a small commission for facilitating the transaction. Freight brokers add value and flexibility to your
When the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the furniture industry is going to look markedly different. The supply shock that started in China in February and the demand that followed when stores reopened after closing for months exposed vulnerabilities from Asian manufacturers to U.S. ports and railways that are only now being
The Home Furnishings Association and other industry groups have asked the Federal Maritime Commission to suspend unreasonable detention and demurrage charges on containers and chassis at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Worsening delays and inefficiencies at the Southern California ports are knotting an already constricted supply chain and
More Sales = More Returns As retailers gear up for peak holiday season sales, it is important not to lose sight of what happens next. Unfortunately, some of the merchandise you sell is going to come back! And increased sales mean increased returns. With more online shopping, the rate of
Imagine facing a crisis when you badly need cash to keep your business afloat. It might be a pandemic that
I’m David Gunn of Knight Furniture, your HFA president for 2021. I’ve never looked more forward to a new year
It’s no secret that people love to text. In fact, according to a Gallup poll, 68 percent of Americans under
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation is looking for rising stars in the industry. Recent classes of Future
Like most furniture retailers, Home Furnishings Association member Riley’s Furniture and Mattress has endured a difficult 2020. The coronavirus pandemic forced the
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
