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
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
It’s not much, but furniture retailers can find a sliver of solace knowing they are not alone in the disruption of their supply chains. Main Street mom-and-pop stores to some of the largest global manufacturers have had their worlds upended by the pandemic. The impact of that disruption can be measured in a new study
In last week’s HFA Live webinar, furniture retailers heard a sobering report about the industry’s new (read: sluggish) supply chain. A pair of supply and logistics experts told viewers the current delays won’t improve for another seven to eight months. But in the same breath, Riaz Husein and Garrett Bowman offered strategies retailers can enact
The pandemic has flattened many retailers, but not furniture retailers. Like many furniture retailers across the country, Home Furnishings Association member Howard Gerchikov of European Furniture Imports in Tampa is doing a booming business these days. Like many furniture retailers, he could be doing even better if he had product
Furniture retailers are enjoying a spike in sales since they reopened stores last summer. But there’s a price for that success: Those record sales are exposing weaknesses on many businesses’ supply chain and logistics operations. Specifically, retailers are seeing room for improvement with their inventory management, distribution and warehousing, and
A shortage of truck drivers is one of the long-term supply-chain problems impacting the furniture industry. And it’s why the Home Furnishings Association supports a proposed pilot program aimed at bringing younger drivers into the profession. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration recently announced plans to study the feasibility of
It’s been a busy week on the tariff front, and this is HFA’s third advocacy update for home furnishings retailers
Profits don’t improve by accident. It improves when leadership can clearly see how marketing, eCommerce, product performance, and operations influence
A recent court order could make it easier for importers to recover certain IEEPA tariff payments. On March 27, 2026,
Furniture shopping has evolved into a fluid, hybrid experience. Today’s consumers move seamlessly between online browsing and in-store visits, gathering
Effective April 6, 2026, the Trump Administration has modified the existing Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper products
AI & Retail Transformation: Your Roadmap to Smart Adoption The technology landscape for home furnishings retailers is evolving fast. For furniture retailers, simply adopting
AI is no longer just powering search bars and chatbots. New agentic AI experiences are changing how shoppers discover, evaluate, and buy products online. For
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Technology Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in using technology and AI
