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.

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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. 

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WASHINGTON — Consumer confidence fell this month as consumer plans to buy homes and cars have stalled, while spending on some other big-ticket purchases including vacations continues to rise.

The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 100.4 in June down from 101.3 in May. Meanwhile, the Present Situation Index that is based on consumers’ assessments of current business and labor market conditions, rose to 141.5, up from 140.8 in May. The Expectations Index, which is based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, dropped to 73 in June, down from 74.9 in May. This is the fifth consecutive month it has been below a threshold of 80, which officials say signals a recession.

“Confidence pulled back in June, but remained in the same narrow range that’s held throughout the past two years, as strength in current labor market views continued to outweigh concerns about the future,” said Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, adding that “if material weaknesses in the labor market appear, confidence could weaken as the year progresses.”

Peterson noted that the decline in confidence between May and June was largely centered on consumers between 35 and 54, while there was an improvement in confidence for those below 35 and those 55 and older in June.

“No clear pattern emerged in terms of income groups,” Peterson added. “On a six-month moving average basis, confidence continued to be highest among the youngest under 35 and the wealthiest (earning more than $100,000) consumers.”

The latest survey showed that buying plans for big-ticket appliances and smartphones rose slightly while fewer planned to buy a PC or laptop computer. In addition, the share of consumers planning a vacation in the next six months continued to rise and remains above the level a year ago, with more consumers planning to vacation in the U.S. than overseas and more people planning to travel by car versus by plane. However, the survey noted that the share of consumers planning to go on vacation is about 10 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic.

While fewer indicated they are concerned about a recession, and average 12-month inflation expectations fell slightly from 5.4% to 5.3%, write-in responses from consumers showed that elevated prices, including those for food and groceries, continue to impact their views on the economy, followed by the labor market and political situation in the U.S.

However, the share of those believing that the 2024 election would impact the economy was low compared to write-in responses in June 2016 and slightly higher than during the same period in 2020.

Consumers also were positive about the stock market. For example, 48.4% expect stock prices to increase in the year ahead compared to 23.5% expecting a decrease and 28.1% expecting no change. In addition, the share of consumers expecting higher interest rates over the next 12 months fell to 52.6%, the lowest level since February.

Other highlights of the report were as follows:

Of their Present Situation, or assessment of business conditions:

+ 19.6% of consumers said business conditions were good, down from 20.8% in May.

+ 17.7% said business conditions were bad, down from 18.4% in May.

+ 38.1% of consumers said jobs were plentiful, up from 37% in May.

+ 14.1% of consumers said jobs were hard to get, down from 14.3% in May.

Of their expectations of short-term business conditions six months from now:

+ 12.5% of consumers expected business conditions to improve, down from 13.7% in May.

+ 16.7% expected business conditions to worsen, down from 16.9% in May.

Regarding the short-term labor market outlook:

+ 12.6% of consumers expected more jobs to be available, down from 13.1% in May.

+ 17.3% anticipated fewer jobs, down from 18.8% in May.

Of their short-term income prospects:

+ 15.2% of consumers expected their incomes to increase, down from 17.7% in May.

+ 11.7% expected their incomes to drop, up from 11.5%.

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WASHINGTON — Existing home sales fell 2.8% in May from May 2023 and fell .7% from April, according to figures released by the National Association of Retailers on Friday.

Sales of single-family homes, condominiums and co-ops totaled 4.11 million in May, down from 4.23 million in May 2023, rising in the Midwest, but falling in the Northeast, South and West. Sales fell from about 4.14 million in April, falling in the South, but remaining flat in the other three regions.

Single-family home sales totaled 3.71 million in May, down 2.1% from May 2023 and down .8% from 3.74 million in April. The median existing single-family home price was $424,500, up 5.78% from May 2023. Existing condominium and co-op sales totaled 400,000 in May, down 9.1% from 440,000 in May 2023 and unchanged from April. The median existing condominium price was $371,300 in May, up 5.1% from $353,300 in May 2023.

The NAR said that total housing inventory at the end of May was 1.28 million units, up 18.5% from the 1.08 million registered a year ago and up 6.7% from 1.20 million in April. Unsold inventory is at a 3.7-month supply based on the current sales pace. This is up from 3.1 months in May 2023 and 3.5 months in April.

“Eventually more inventory will help boost home sales and tame home price gains in the upcoming months,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.”

Higher inventory levels also should have a positive impact on home prices, particularly for those first-time buyers wanting to buy an existing home. But home prices continue to rise despite the rising inventory levels. For example, the median existing home price for all housing types in May was $419,300, which was up 5.8% from $396,500 a year ago, with all four regions posting price increases. It also was the highest price recorded by the NAR.

While bolstering the assets of existing homeowners, it also has presented a challenge for first time homebuyers, many of whom don’t either have the down payment necessary to afford a more expensive home or who can’t afford a mortgage based on current interest rate levels.

Or they lose out to all-cash buyers in the market. All-cash sales represented some 28% of transactions in May, which was up 25% from May 2023 and unchanged from April.

The NAR said that individual investors or second-home buyers that make up many cash sales, bought 16% of the homes in May, up 15% from May 2023 and unchanged from April. Meanwhile, first-time buyers were responsible for 31% of sales, up from 28% in May 2023 but down from 33% in April.

“Home prices reaching new highs are creating a wider divide between those owning properties and those who wish to be first-time buyers,” Yun noted, adding that the mortgage payment for a typical home today is more than double that of homes purchased before 2020. “Still, first-time buyers in the market understand the long-term benefits of owning.”

By region the activity was as follows:

+ In the Northeast, existing home sales totaled 480,000, down 4% from May 2023 but unchanged from April. The median sales price in the region was $479,200, up 9.2% from May 2023.

+ In the Midwest, existing home sales totaled 1 million, up 1% from May 2023 and unchanged from April. The median sales price was $317,100, up 6.4% from May 2023.

+ In the South, existing home sales totaled 1.87 million, down 5.1% from May 2023 and down 1.6% from April. The median sales price in the region was $374,300, up 3.6% from May 2023.

+ In the West, existing home sales totaled 760,000 in May, down 1.3% from May 2023 and unchanged from April. The median sales price in the region was $632,900, up 5.5% from May 2023.

Other highlights from the report were as follows:

+ Properties remained on the market for about 24 days in May, up from 18 days in May 2023 but down from 26 days in April.

+ Distressed sales, including foreclosures and short sales, represented 2% of sales in May, unchanged from May 2023 and from April.

+ Citing Freddie Mac, the NAR said that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.87% as of June 20, down from 6.95% the week before, but up from 6.67% a year ago.

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DALLAS — Upholstery manufacturer American Leather, known for its innovation and superior product engineering, has evolved to include a design program for retailers. The Shop-in-Shop concept highlights design and lifestyle elements of its motion and stationary lines. The concept debuted in 2023 and currently has five locations in operation with another 10 in the works.

“The Shop-in-Shop concept is where American Leather’s unique story unfolds, and consumers are met with the true brand personality within a retail store,” said Ashley Fothergill, creative director for American Leather. “The vignettes are customizable and span up to 2,000 square feet to provide retailers with options that work best within their space.” He continued, “Shop-in-Shop can also be thought of as a service American Leather provides to make custom product design easy.”

The Shop-in-Shop footprint also features a design center, filled with top-quality leather and fabric options that customers can touch and feel, as well as arm and leg customization options to showcase the endless possibilities of the brand. For the finishing touch, customers can choose between a wide range of metal and wood finishes.

Aside from the Shop-in-Shop design center, customers can customize pieces for their own homes by using the draping tool on American Leather’s website to see a 3D rendering. Users can shop by fabric, color, patterns and more to create and visualize their dream piece. Once customers have chosen a combination, they can print out the spec sheet and use the online locator to be directed to the nearest dealer.

Carrie Cox, director of brand experience for American Leather, works closely with each retailer partner to design custom Shop-in-Shop vignettes that will appeal to the regional customers’ aesthetic and style preferences. Cox thoughtfully selects the materials that work best in those markets, whether that is showcasing popular bison leather in Colorado or colorful yet durable fabrics in Florida.

One indicator of success is modern furniture retailer Cantoni, which recently rebranded its store in Dallas featuring an American Leather Shop-in-Shop experience and sales increased by 50%. The American Leather x Cantoni partnership is a long-standing one with American Leather being featured throughout the luxury chain. “What is different about how we have approached this particular collaboration was that we were looking to create an environment that houses a more complete array of our products, beyond motion, with examples of our stationary and conversational pieces,” Fothergill said. He added, “The assortment reflects all that American Leather is capable of but in a way that beautifully balances our brand’s DNA with the contemporary aesthetic Cantoni is renowned for.” 

Two additional Cantoni locations in Houston and Atlanta are in progress with the goal of completion before the end of 2024. Other Shop-in-Shop concepts are planned for other locations across the U.S. including in Atlanta, New York, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, Seattle and Dallas.

“I think the success we have seen has come about via thinking outside the box a little and we credit Cantoni for allowing us to do so. We removed SKUs from the floor giving the product more space to breathe and more room for the client to interact with the product. We have developed vignettes that help to provide the client with a sense of how American Leather would work in their home.”

Fothergill added, “These projects harness the partnerships that have long been the backbone of the American Leather business, with retailers and American Leather sharing both the experience and the ‘lift’ but in a way that reflects the strengths of each.”

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STARKVILLE,  Miss. — Miskelly Furniture is headed to Northern Mississippi to open its newest store here on Highway 12 early in August.

The store is set for a soft opening in mid-July with a grand opening set for Aug. 1. When opened, this will represent Miskelly’s seventh location, the retailer said.

According to CEO Oscar Miskelly, the retailer will open a 40,000-square-foot facility in what had formerly been a grocery store previously developed by former Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt.

Starkville, also home of the iconic Mississippi State University, also appealed to the retailer, for a host of reasons, Miskelly told Home News Now. “We’ve always been a fan of college towns, and I especially like the young energy these towns bring. Also, Starkville, being a college town, gives us a wonderful opportunity to introduce young people to our brand and gives us a great pool of resources when it comes to hiring,” Miskelly added.

And while a college town has more than its share of upsides, Miskelly said the entire Starkville area is experiencing strong and sustained growth. 

He explained that Japan-based tire titan, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing, made a recent initial $300 million investment in the area, establishing an operational headquarters in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park in Starkville that houses several business functions, including administrative, human resources, information management and planning.

Earlier, Steel Dynamics Inc. announced the selection of Columbus, a short drive from Starkville, for the company’s previously announced greenfield state-of-the-art, recycled aluminum flat rolled mill. 

The combination of an energetic and upbeat college town surrounded and supported by a steadily growing economy made the Starkville location too good to pass up, Miskelly said.

“The Starkville location, which will feature 37,000 square feet of selling space, is about two hours from Jackson, and we’re going to deliver out of the Jackson distribution center. We’ll run up there with next-day delivery, and we will be able to service those customers better than they have ever been serviced,” Miskelly said.

While the product assortments will closely mirror those of the existing store (top brands include Ashley, Vintage and International Furniture Direct in case goods; Ashley, Franklin and Homestretch in upholstery; and Tempur-Pedic, Miskelly’s brand, Diamond, and Sealy in bedding), Miskelly said, “We will have some price points and products that will appeal to college students, including mattresses and futons.”

This week, the company has already set up billboards in Starkville announcing the new store and says it will do “lots of promoting” the first two weeks to celebrate its seventh location and is also working on a host of promotions for Labor Day.

“We are confident that Starkville is the right location for the products and price points we offer and will also provide us with top-line growth,” Miskelly said.

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WASHINGTON — May housing completions rose slightly in May from May of last year, but contracted in areas that included the issuing of building permits and housing starts.

The number of building permits issued totaled 1,386,000, down 9.5% from 1,532,000 in May last year and 3.8% below the revised April rate of 1,444,000. Meanwhile, housing starts totaled 1,277,000, 19.3% below 1,583,000 in May 2023 and 5.5% below the revised April estimate of 1,352,000.

Housing completions rose 1% to 1,514,000, up 1% from the May 2023 rate of 1,499,000 but 8.4% below the revised April estimate of 1,652,000.

Single-family building permits continue to represent the largest number of units, with 949,000 building permits issued in May, 2.9% below the revised April estimate of 977,000. Single-family housing starts totaled 982,000 in May, 5.2% below the revised April estimate of 1,036,000, and single-family housing completions totaled 1,027,000 in May, 8.5% below the revised April rate of 1,122,000.

The figures provide the industry a glimpse into an area of the economy that drives furniture sales. However, much of new home construction is also dependent on the sale of existing homes, which also have been down in recent months.

By region, the activity was as follows for the month of May compared to May last year and May to April of this year:

+ In the Northeast, there were 118,000 permits issued, down 25.3% from the 158,000 issued in May 2023 and down 22.4% from the 152,000 issued in April. There were 77,000 units started, down 19.8% from the 96,000 started in May 2023 and down 2.5% from the 79,000 started in April. There were 84,000 units completed, down 28.2% from the 117,000 completed in May 2023 and down 46.2% from the 156,000 completed in April.

+ In the Midwest, there were 180,000 residential building permits issued, down 7.2% from the 194,000 issued in May 2023, and up 8.4% from the 166,000 issued in April. There were 149,000 units started, down 43.1% from the 262,000 started in May 2023 and down 19% from the 184,000 started in April. There were 215,000 units competed, down 10.8% from 194,000 in May 2023 and down 4.9% from the 226,000 completed in April.

+ In the South, there were 773,000 permits issued, down 6.6% from the 828,000 issued in both May 2023 and April. There were 733,000 units started, down 16.1% from the 874,000 started in May 2023 and down 8.5% from 801,000 started in April. There were 836,000 completed, down 2.7% from the 859,000 completed in May 2023 and down 8.7% from the 916,000 completed in April.

+ In the West, there were 315,000 permits issued, down 10.5% from the 353,000 issued in May 2023 and up 7.1% from the 294,000 issued in April. There were 318,000 started in May, down 9.4% from the 351,000 started in May 2023 and up 10.4% from the 288,000 started in April. There were 379,000 units completed, up 15.2% from the 329,000 completed in May 2023 and up 7.1% from the 354,000 completed in April.

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Bed Quarter, a company founded 27 years ago, has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Sudair Industrial Area, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and operates more than 40 mattress stores in the region. As part of the agreement, it will manufacture and distribute the Eclipse brand in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and expand into North Africa in partnership with BIA.

“The Bed Quarter executive team is comprised of very experienced mattress producers in the region, some of whom we worked with years ago, so we are excited about what they will be able to do to expand the Eclipse brand in the region,” said Stuart Carlitz, founder of BIA. “They are not only great manufacturers, but also great retailers with a strong direct-to-consumer business. They have a keen understanding of the mattress shopper in the region and can really use that knowledge to help retailers in other countries benefit from flooring Eclipse products in their showrooms.”

“Eclipse is an outstanding brand that embodies the best of American design and manufacturing, something that many customers and retailers in our region are looking for today,” said Abdul Salam Al Mazro of MAZ Holding Group. “We are so happy to add the exciting Eclipse brand, which has more than 100 Years of history and legacy. Its special patented spinal zone technology, approved by COCSA to our existing branded line of bedding retail business, will strengthen our position in the region.”

“I am so happy to be working with Stuart and his team once again, added Arun Sharma, chief executive officer of MAZ Holding Group.. “There is a lot of opportunity for us to grow sales in this area with our Bed Quarter retail stores.”

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Leading the charge for the retailer’s heart-healthy initiatives is Andrew Koenig, chief executive officer of City Furniture, alongside his wife Deana. As chairs of the 2024 Broward Heart Ball, they have been at the forefront of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating well, exercising, and monitoring blood pressure.

“City Furniture’s commitment to fighting heart disease is embedded in our DNA,” Andrew Koenig said. “For over seven years, our fundraising efforts have empowered communities to take action and embrace heart-healthy living. Together with the AHA, our associates, and customers, we will continue to champion heart health and make a positive impact on our community.”

City Furniture’s efforts to support the AHA included inviting associates and customers to join them in raising crucial funds and awareness for heart health. As part of this campaign, the company encouraged customers to “Test Rest” a mattress in any of its showrooms. For each test, City donated to the AHA and rewarded customers with a gift card.

Expanding its reach across Florida, from Miami to Vero Beach and into Southwest and Central Florida, City’s initiatives have made and continue to make a significant impact:

+ Distributed heart-healthy food resources to 150,000 individuals at Mobile School Pantry and the Miami Dade College Pantry.

+ Shared “Healthy Starts at Home” resources with 12,000 individuals.

+ Provided 177 infant CPR Kits, 90 blood pressure monitors and 50 New Mom Kits (includes both infant CPR kits and blood pressure monitors) for expecting families and high risk mothers.

+ Donated 23 life-saving CPR and First Aid Anywhere Kits to United Way Houses, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, and the Girls Scouts of Tropical Florida.

+ Donated 30 individual CPR Anytime kits and a stiped for an AED to the Girls Scouts of Tropical Florida

“City Furniture is committed to promoting heart health, supporting initiatives, and making a positive impact right here in South Florida,” said Marisol Garcia, executive director for the American Heart Association’s Greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale market. “We are grateful for the teams unwavering support through lifesaving donations and awareness campaigns. Together we are striving to create a healthier tomorrow.”

Additionally, City partnered with Florida Panthers and AHA to host a “Heart Dash” event at Amerant Bank Arena, promoting CPR training and heart health. During the event, local youth hockey players participated in a Heart Dash, showcasing their commitment to heart health awareness through physical activity on the ice. City also donated a CPR kit to the Panthers IceDen equipping young athletes with essential CPR skills to potentially save lives in cardiac emergencies.

All of these initiatives are part of CITY Furniture’s 5% Giving Pledge, which dedicates a minimum of five percent of net profits annually to building stronger communities.

Celebrating 100 years of saving lives nationwide, the AHA unites communities to honor those touched by heart disease and raise awareness and funds for a world without heart disease. CITY’s partnership and Mr. Koenig’s involvement with the AHA honors City’s founder, Kevin Koenig, who lost his life to heart disease, and benefits the local community through awareness around heart health education.

To learn more about City’s “Test Rest” initiative and its support of the AHA through City’s 5% Giving Pledge, visit: https://www.cityfurniture.com/company/city-cares

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In this newly created role, Dixon will set strategic direction and oversee the execution of all marketing, brand and communications initiatives for nobilia North America. Globally, Nobilia is the world’s largest manufacturer of European kitchen furniture for residential, multi-family and commercial spaces, with a presence in over 90 countries.

She will be responsible for creating brand positioning for Nobilia’s North America’s product and retail portfolio, developing and executing strategies that drive brand awareness and affinity across trade and consumer audiences and delivering cohesive brand communication and experience through all channels. Dixon will build a team of marketing and communication professionals and foster strategic partnerships to support Nobilia’s growth objectives and establish a strong presence in the North American market.

Dixon will report directly to Mikael Åkerberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Nobilia North America, and will be part of the leadership team.

“Cheryl’s breadth of experience and expertise are invaluable as we grow our presence in North America,” Åkerberg said. “Her creative and strategic approach to brand development and industry knowledge will help us to connect with our customers more effectively than ever before.”

Dixon brings more than 30 years of experience as a brand marketing and communications executive for iconic global brands across diverse industries including design, CPG, retail, luxury and lifestyle, including leadership roles at Coty, Grohe NA, CHANEL, Pepsi Cola North America and Ernst & Young. She is also an adjunct professor in the M.S., Strategic Communication program at Columbia University.

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