The long-term partnership marks the first-of-its-kind in the furniture and mattress category for both teams, owned by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and aims to engage their fans by offering unique experiences, while leaning into the brands’ shared mission and commitment to positively impact their communities. As part of the partnership, awareness and funds will be raised to help children in the foster care system find a permanent home.

“We are thrilled to partner with these two iconic Detroit teams,” said Todd Garten, Chief Marketing Officer of DSG. “We love the passion of the fan base and see this as a tremendous opportunity to enhance the fan experience, while also making a significant impact in the local community. We are committed to working with local organizations and agencies to help find a permanent home for every child in Michigan.”

To kick off that commitment, Ashley DSG will be donating 124 beds to Detroit-area foster children through their “Hope to Dream” initiative, which works to ensure all children have access to a safe place to sleep at night.

To celebrate the game-changing news and the Tigers 124^th season this summer, Ashley will be giving away over $124,000 in furniture, mattresses, team merchandise, and fan experiences in July and August. As part of the giveaways, one sweepstakes winner will receive a $24,000 Ashley shopping spree and four (4) tickets to the Detroit Tigers game of their choice.

The brand will be holding a series of themed events in their 7 metro Detroit locations, including:

●     July 12: 124 FREE rides with Lyft to/from the Tigers’ home game at Comerica Park

●     July 13: Shop Detroit’s “Local Love Days” Presented by Ashley

●     July 27: First 124 guests at each Ashley Detroit location and the Windsor, ON location will receive a free branded Detroit Tigers x Ashley Stanley Tumbler

●     August 10: Detroit Tigers x Red Wings Alumni Meet & Greet

○     Dearborn store only

●     August 24: FREE Detroit Tigers + Red Wings Swag All Day

○     All Detroit stores: Westland, Woodhaven, Auburn Hills, Madison Heights, Novi, Dearborn, Sterling Heights, and Windsor, ON location

In addition, from July 1 to August 31, shoppers in the Detroit market can mention Ashley’s exclusive partnerships to receive 20% off their purchase*.

For additional details on the partnership and its corresponding events, please visit https://ashley-dsg.com/detroit.

* Minimum purchase of $1999 required to receive 20% off. Valid at participating Ashley locations only. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Exclusions apply. Ashley Exclusive products may be excluded from some discount & promotional offers, varies by store location. See store for details. Offer valid 7/1/2024-8/31/2024.

The post Ashley licensee named exclusive furniture, mattress partner to Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers appeared first on Home News Now.

HIGH POINT — New orders for residential furniture were up 22% in April compared to April 2023, marking 10 out of the last 11 months when orders have risen, according to the latest Furniture Insights report from Smith Leonard.

Shipments meanwhile, were up 2% from April 2023, a slight increase that indicates a bright spot in where business could be headed as they catch up with the increase in orders.

The monthly survey of residential manufacturers and distributors showed that orders rose to $2.2 billion, from $1.82 billion in April 2023. Some 75% of the survey participants said that orders rose in April compared to last year. The report went on to note that new orders were about flat compared to the $2.19 billion reported in March 2024.

April residential furniture shipments totaled $2.2 billion, up 2% from the $2.17 billion reported in April 2023, and up for about half the survey participants. By comparison, shipments were down 1% from the $2.24 billion reported in March 2024, the report said.

April backlogs totaled $2.7 billion, down 12% from $3 billion in April 2023, but up 2% from $2.64 billion from March.

Other highlights of the report are as follows:

+ Receivable levels were down 3% from April 2023, but about level with March, which the report said is materially in line with shipments for both periods.

+ Inventories were down 20% from April 2023 and about level with March, which it said is in line with prior periods and current operational levels.

+ The number of factory and warehouse workers was down 6% from April 2023 and down 2% from March.

+ Payroll expenses also were down 5% year-to-date through April from the same period in 2023, which the report said is consistent with the employee headcount.

The post April furniture orders rise 22% from April 2023 appeared first on Home News Now.

HIGH POINT — Upholstery manufacturer Man Wah USA is implementing a 3% increase on the FOB pricing of its products shipping starting July 8.

The increase is meant to help retailers control retail price points and prevent overpricing on products during a period of rising freight rates.

“We believe that this increase will help ensure that sales are not impacted, while also addressing the challenges posed by increased freight factors,” company director Gabriele Natale told dealers in a June 28 letter obtained by Home News Now.

Natale further explained that the increase aims to address current freight rates of up to $9,000 per container shipped from Asia to the West Coast and as high as $10,000 to the East Coast.

“The contracts are not being honored so we end up tending to go and buy outside the contracts,” Natale said. “It is very expensive.”

He added that the company is eating some of these costs to help keep the increase in the low single digits. It is similar to Ashley’s 3% increase on all products except domestic case goods and bedding, which takes effect July 15 on all new orders.

At Man Wah, a 3% increase on a $350 starting priced leather motion sofa with basic function would raise the cost by just over $10. On a $600 sofa with better leathers and expanded function, it would raise the cost by about $18.

“So instead of putting out a surcharge for people we are managing freight for, we put out a 3% price increase which is a very modest increase,” Natale said.

The container pricing situation has resulted because of issues ranging from ships being diverted around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks in the Red Sea, to port congestion in Singapore, not to mention a flurry of shipments of consumer electronics and solar panels in May to avoid additional China tariffs.

But Natale noted that the current demand in the marketplace does not support the return of higher container rates, which industry officials say are three times or more what they were earlier this year.

“There is not enough demand to justify these prices,” Natale said. “There is plenty of capacity out there, and that should tell us that we will see freight rates leveling out soon. That is the general consensus. Now the shippers and steamship lines will try hard to pretend that is not the case, but eventually it is going to level off.”

Natale said the increase also runs counter to surcharges that the company implemented for about three years during the pandemic. This was largely in line with what other importers were doing during this period to address high freight rates, some of which exceeded $20,000 per container.

But some industry resources have said that surcharges — often shown at the bottom of an invoice — were unpopular with retailers who wanted to know the actual cost of landed product. Thus some industry resources say they are looking to avoid surcharges this time around.

“Us not putting out a surcharge is a defensive move because we need to protect the business that we have and possibly expand it,” Natale said, adding of the 3% increase, “This is a very small upcharge. We don’t want to change retail price points.”

The post Man Wah USA to implement 3% price increase effective July 8 appeared first on Home News Now.

The new store is owned and operated by 3G Ventures, who own two additional Ashley stores in the surrounding region. This is the second Ashley Outlet in the state of Idaho. The Twin Falls Store will employ approximately 25 people.  

“We are thrilled to bring the number one furniture store brand in North America closer to our customers here in Twin Falls and surrounding areas,” said Jared Goody, general manager of 3G Ventures. “We look forward to offering a wide variety of home furnishings and mattresses to this market at exceptional values as well as providing the best customer service in the industry. Our Ashley family is incredibly excited to share this beautiful store with our guests in the area.” 

Ashley Outlet is a new store concept focusing on guest convenience and providing comfortable and quality products. With hundreds of home furnishing products, many of them being ‘grab and go’ so guests can take it home the same day, Ashley Outlet provides an easy shopping experience from start to finish.     

The new Ashley Outlet showroom design features products by category including motion and stationary upholstery, dining, bedroom, outdoor, home office, mattress and accessories. This layout makes the store easy to navigate and help customers quickly find what they are looking for. 

Ashley Outlet hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Follow Ashley Pocatello Twin Falls on Facebook and @ashley.idaho on Instagram to stay up to date with products, promotions, and events. 

The post 3G Ventures opens new Ashley store in Twin Falls, Idaho appeared first on Home News Now.

According to the Bloomberg report Conn’s (NASDAQ:CONN) is readying a potential bankruptcy filing as the company faces sales declines and struggles to integrate a rival chain.

Sources close to the retailer also told Home News Now that said Conn’s has been looking for both operational and financial help from several advisors, including the Berkeley Research Group and Houlihan Lokey Inc.

Late last month, Home News Now’s Tom Russell, reported that the Nasdaq Stock Market has given specialty furniture, bedding and home goods and appliances retailer Conn’s Inc. 60 days to submit a plan to regain compliance with a rule related to the timely filing of its quarterly reports.

In that article, Russell noted that, on June 11, the company notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it was unable to file a timely 10-Q financial report for its fiscal first quarter ended April 30. The company said the delay was because it had been unable to complete disclosures related to possible amendments to, or the refinancing of its revolving credit facility that were required to be included in its 10-Q.

Last year, in an effort to grow storefronts and increase volume, Conn’s acquired 120-yer-old W. S. Badcock LLC from Franchise Group LLC.  Despite that move, Conn’s has faced 48-months of losses.

At press time, Conn’s shares, which fell 77% this year, took another nosedive and is currently trading at $0.6576.

The post Will Conn’s soon file for bankruptcy protection? appeared first on Home News Now.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A division of Asian furniture manufacturer Green River Group has purchased full line furniture resource Hillsdale Furniture, a move that gives the company a new chance at success in the U.S. marketplace.

Company Senior Vice President John Elting announced to dealers on Monday that Mellow River, a division of the manufacturer has finalized the acquisition and that the company’s name is being changed to HH2 Home, a nod to its beginnings as Hillsdale House more than 30 years ago. The company also has named Angela Hsu as its new chief executive officer, a position held by Brian Hendricks for the past five and a half years.

Hsu is the daughter of Steve Hsu, a top executive at Green River Group and the son of founder Omori Hsu. Angela Hsu is also executive vice president of Green River Group according to her LinkedIn profile.

“This will bring us so much more opportunity as we will not only be able to continue the businesses in which we excel, but potentially enjoy efficiencies created by vertically integrating into their manufacturing network, which includes everything from lumber and kitchen cabinets to bathroom vanities and mid-priced and high-end case goods,” Elting said. “ The best news is that much of our core team will remain intact, and we will be able to return some of our valuable employees who are already off to seek new opportunities.”

The announcement ends weeks of speculation about the future of Hillsdale Furniture, which industry officials speculated had closed its doors in recent weeks. In late May, Hillsdale announced to local government officials in Vietnam that it was closing its Vietnam office, “due to the difficult business situation of the parent company, leading to the inability to maintain the management and operation of the representative office in Vietnam.”

In his July 1 letter to dealers, Elting added that members of the HH2 team recently were able to meet with Angela Hsu and her team, which includes Sandy Hu, the company’s new chief financial officer, as they were able to communicate a new vision for the company moving forward.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we are excited to move forward,” said Elting, who added that the company “recently experienced a firestorm of unfortunate circumstances that led to a choice — liquidate or look for an acquisition. Obviously we looked for an acquisition.”

Elting also said that with the transition to new ownership, its systems, retailer IDs, item numbers and product descriptions will remain in place.

The post Breaking News: Hillsdale Furniture acquired by division of Asian manufacturer Green River Group appeared first on Home News Now.

“As the key buying destination for outdoor furnishings, Universal is excited to be a part of Casual Market,” said President Sean O’Connor. “It provides us with the opportunity to gain exposure to new potential customers.”

Universal will showcase multiple designs from its Coastal Living Outdoor collection, which includes dining and lounging furnishings in multiple weather-resistant materials such as powder coated aluminum, grade-A teak, cast concrete and all-weather wicker.

The new Saratoga Collection, introduced at spring High Point Market will be featured in the space. This modern Adirondack-inspired collection features outdoor seating, lounging, and dining furniture characterized by its angled seat back and classic wide planking. Crafted from solid teak (with a warm weathered-teak finish) and cast aluminum, accented with cast concrete details, each piece exudes a sense of rustic elegance and simplicity.

The antimicrobial foam cushions in the Coastal Living Outdoor collection can be customized with one of more than 500 fabrics, including both Sunbrella brand fabrics and InsideOut performance fabrics. And customers can opt for COM upholstery to tailor their pieces to specific preferences.

The post Universal Furniture to debut at Casual Market Atlanta appeared first on Home News Now.

Continuing this year’s event theme of “WIN,” the retail co-op will present a gangbuster cluster of education sessions, vendor trainings, exhibitor arrays and social activities, all laser-focused on helping independent store owners win their marketplace.

The group’s return engagement at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center runs Aug. 25-28, and members can save $200 on a three-night package including hotel and two event badges by registering by this Friday, July 5.

Highlights of the Convention will include:

• A sports-themed Sunday night All-Star Welcome Reception
• The annual Dealer of the Year and Hall of Fame presentations
• A Women in Business “Bunco Night”
• A cocktail reception for the 40-something Young Professionals group
• A Furniture Technology Source Town Hall lunch
• Dedicated presentations by AVB’s marketing, service and HR wings featuring special
  guest presenters
• There also will be state-of-the-industry updates by AVB’s CEO Jim Ristow and the executive leadership team; limited-quantity show specials at the bi-annual Stampede and an expansive EXPO show floor featuring the latest and greatest merchandise across the appliance and home furnishings spectrums.

Attendees can keep on top of Convention 2024 by visiting AVBevents.com and using the event hashtag #WIN24 on Facebook and Instagram.

The post BrandSource gears up for national convention in August appeared first on Home News Now.

“Broad River Retail extends its sincerest congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable academic achievements,” said Manny Rodrigues, Broad River Retail chief operating officer said. “In these individuals, we’ve seen an unwavering dedication to academic excellence. We wish them every success as they continue their journey towards what is undoubtedly a bright future.”

The Founders Scholarship Fund winners are:
+ Amahri Boykin​
+ Mark Deulley
+ Denasia Dixon
+ Emelyne Henderson
+ Kaiya McDonald
+ Tamya Ormond
+ Claire Phillips
+ Vincent Sayles​
+ Jenna Webb

Scholarships were granted across five tiered levels (bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond) with amounts reaching up to $15,000 per year, split evenly between two semesters. Funds may be utilized for academic-related expenses including tuition, books, fees, and school-approved housing.

“It brings us great joy to present these scholarships to such remarkable individuals,” said Charlie Malouf, president and chief executive officer of Broad River Retail. “Education can transform lives in profound ways. The Founders Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 as a gesture of appreciation from our co-founders and demonstrates Broad River Retail’s dedication to furnishings life’s best memories for our Memory Makers and their families by helping to offset the cost of higher education.”

Senior Financial Analyst and parent of one of this year’s scholarship recipients, Allie Webb, initially learned of the scholarship from the CEO’s 2023 podcast interview with the winners. When information 2024 became available, Webb forwarded the application to her daughter, Jenna.

“We were beyond thrilled and relieved when Jenna won. Her cost of attendance after merit scholarships at The College of Charleston is still between $33,000 to 40,000 a year, so the full amount will be applied to her tuition and will help significantly as she finishes her bachelor’s degree in environmental geosciences,” Webb said.

Allie Webb, a Senior Financial Analyst and parent of one of this year’s scholarship recipients, discovered the scholarship through the company’s podcast, Stories from the River. When the 2024 details were released, Webb eagerly passed the information to
her daughter, Jenna.

“We were beyond thrilled and relieved when Jenna won,” said Webb. “The scholarship will help significantly as she finishes her bachelor’s degree in environmental geosciences.”

Nineteen candidates were considered for the Founders Scholarship Fund awards for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. Candidates completed an application and responded to writing prompts, including an essay titled “Life’s Best Memories.”

“The Founders Scholarship Fund is one of the many ways we can live out our purpose of furnishing life’s best memories,” said Director of Memory Maker Experience, Heather Greenwood. “It is an honor to support our Memory Makers and their children as they create their own best memories. Broad River is proud to help the recipients make their dreams a reality.”

Broad River Retail created the Founders Scholarship Fund in 2018 to help offer academic opportunities to Memory Makers and their families. To date, the fund has awarded over $250,000 to 31 recipients. This initiative aims to assist aspiring students in pursuit of higher
education without the weight of financial constraints.

The post Broad River Retail awards $65K in scholarships through Founders Scholarship Fund appeared first on Home News Now.

In light of three phone calls I received recently, I would like to challenge that statement. In fact, based on the calls I got, I’m thinking terrible things come in threes. And, for sure, no good deed goes unpunished.

Here’s why: I got calls from three different reps (each representing different factories) who said they had lines that they cultivated, grew and continued to grow, taken from them as house accounts.

And as someone who has worked with the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association for the past five years, this news, sadly, is becoming more and more commonplace, especially as the economy struggles and business for relatively high-ticket, often-postponable items like ours remains challenged.

Sadly, in the wake of economic downturns, the plight of independent sales representatives often goes unnoticed or worse, swept under the rug. These individuals, who tirelessly build relationships and accounts, are now facing a harsh reality: having their hard-earned accounts taken away by the very factories they represent. This practice not only undermines the efforts of these reps but also highlights a fundamental injustice in the business world.

Independent sales representatives who do it right play a vital role in the economy. They serve as a strong and reliable bridge between manufacturers and consumers, leveraging their expertise, networks and dedication to drive sales and promote products.

Many of these reps invest significant time and resources in nurturing client relationships, understanding market dynamics, providing marketing intelligence and advocating for the brands they represent.

However, amidst economic turbulence, some factories certainly appear to be utilizing drastic measures to cut costs and maintain profitability. One such measure is the termination or reassignment of accounts from independent reps to in-house sales teams or larger distributors. While this may seem like a strategic move from the factory’s perspective, it’s a devastating blow to the independent reps who rely on these accounts for their livelihood.

The decision to strip away accounts from independent reps is not just about reallocating resources; it’s a betrayal of trust and a disregard for the value these reps bring to the table. These individuals often serve as the face of the brand in their respective territories, offering personalized service, localized expertise and a deep understanding of customer needs. By severing ties with independent reps, factories risk alienating loyal customers and sacrificing the competitive edge that these reps provide.

Furthermore, and equally as dangerous, this practice perpetuates a power imbalance in the business ecosystem. Independent sales reps operate with limited bargaining power compared to large corporations. They lack the resources and leverage to challenge unilateral decisions made by factories. As a result, they find themselves at the mercy of these factories, vulnerable to sudden changes that threaten their livelihoods.

Moreover, the repercussions extend beyond the economic realm. For many independent reps, their work is not just a job but a passion. They take pride in building long-term relationships, supporting local businesses and contributing to the success of the brands they represent. The abrupt loss of accounts not only impacts their financial stability but also takes an emotional toll, shaking their confidence and sense of purpose.

In light of these challenges, and in light of what appears to be an uptick in this power imbalance, I think it is time for factories guilty of this practice to rethink their approach to managing independent sales reps, especially during times of economic hardship. Rather than viewing them as expendable assets, factories should recognize the value of these reps as strategic partners in driving sales and fostering brand loyalty.

Moreover, a more equitable and transparent relationship between factories and independent reps is essential. This includes providing clear communication, fair compensation and opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth. By fostering a culture of respect and reciprocity, factories can harness the full potential of independent reps and navigate economic challenges more effectively.

I know for a fact that many independent reps are out there every day representing their respective factories based just on goodwill, a verbal agreement and a handshake. From where I sit, factories that suddenly decide that profitable accounts cultivated by their reps should suddenly become house accounts, send a message that integrity takes a back seat to bottom-line results.

In the spirit of balance, I will also say that not every rep has or brings an A-game on to the field. As with any group, you will have overachievers, achievers, just-enoughs and, yes, some who should really find another line of work that they might be better suited for.

But to penalize a rep who has built up a line and consistently hit his or her numbers is just wrong.

In conclusion, the practice of taking away accounts from productive, engaged and successful independent sales reps amidst economic hardship is not just unfair; it’s short-sighted, counterproductive and destroys trust, not just between the rep and the factory, but within the industry as well.

My message to the factories is this: If you’ve developed a team of successful, loyal and productive independent reps, my hat is off to you.  If you’ve hired reps who are not meeting your expectations, find reps who will. And if you are punishing successful reps by bringing their accounts in house, there is probably something that needs fixing in your house.

It undermines the contributions of these reps, perpetuates inequality in the business landscape and erodes trust within the industry. To build a more resilient and inclusive economy, we must recognize and respect the invaluable role played by independent sales reps and ensure that they are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve.

The post In defense of the independent sales rep appeared first on Home News Now.