Home News Now started market early, visiting some showrooms even as they were still getting set up. This continued though the end of market on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, allowing us a first-hand glimpse at some of the new product highlights in both case goods and upholstery. In typical fashion, what we saw was a glimpse at some of the trends that will hit retail floors starting in the fall in forms, finishes and fabrics. Below are some of the furniture highlights, spanning price points from the lower-middle to the upper end. Also included here are images of some of our long-time frien ..read more

If you didn’t have a good market — or didn’t come to market — you’re not doing enough to make your business better. We started hearing whispers early last week. “People are writing orders. They want it now.” Then it became a consistent refrain. This was a writing market. Across all price points. It continued through the waning hours this week. We won’t know for a while if the business gains were an aberration or a long-awaited change of course for our industry. We do know for certain that if you had a bad market, it’s time for a hard look in the mirror ..read more

At the April High Point Market, Home News Now stopped by the showroom of the upholstery manufacturer to get a read on business activity. In addition to showing us new product, Jay Carlson explained that while business is tough, retailers are looking to the future and the opportunities that lie ahead in their respective markets. He also talked about the company’s expanded footprint in Vietnam where it is building not only upholstery, but has also expanded its line with occasional furniture designed to tie in with its stationary and motion footprints. Carlson also explains how this benefits reta ..read more

Many want to purchase eco-friendly products but find they may be unaffordable HIGH POINT —  Anyone doubting the importance of sustainability in the furniture industry need look no further than our latest Consumer Insights Now research on buying plans for the first half of 2024. Not only are consumers aware of the importance of sustainability, they also prefer to buy sustainable products whenever they can. Some 57% of those surveyed said that they were interested in sustainable products, with 10% of those saying such practices are a big part of their lifestyle and 28% saying that they pref ..read more

HIGH POINT — With the new Eternal Flame sculpture at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame fully installed, now is the ideal time to honor someone with a commemorative brick in the Pathways of Honor that surround the unique High Point landmark. Each brick is etched with a custom message. The Pathways of Honor is formed by bricks etched with a custom message on the walkways surrounding the Wanek Family and Ashley Furniture Industries Eternal Flame. By buying a brick or two, families, friends and companies will help welcome guests to the commanding entrance of the industry’s new home, desti ..read more

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – On March 21, Furniture Mart USA (Furniture Mart) celebrated the opening of its new 30,000-square-foot Ashley showroom located at 7950 Wedgewood Lane N., Maple Grove, Minnesota.  The new store is owned and operated by Bill Hinks who owns 35 additional Ashley stores across the upper Midwest. The Maple Grove store will employ approximately 12 people.  “Ashley offers customers a wide variety of beautiful home furnishings at a great price. We are honored to add Maple Grove to our Twin Cities family of Ashley locations,” said Hinks, founde ..read more

PLANO, Texas — Acima Leasing, one of the nation’s leading providers of lease-to-own solutions and a business of Upbound Group Inc., signed an exclusive multiyear agreement with a leading Home News Now 125 home furnishings retailer, Levin Furniture & Mattress. Acima Leasing provides consumers with flexible shopping options to obtain access to furniture, mattresses and accessories without any long-term obligation. Acima Leasing is opening the door for credit-challenged customers of Levin Furniture & Mattress through a lease-purchase transaction. Millions of consumers in the United S ..read more

Although the number of permits rose slightly nationwide year over year, the number of housing starts and completions fell WASHINGTON — March building permits for residential construction rose slightly from the same period in 2023, while housing starts and completions were down for the same period. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier this week, the number of building permits issued rose 1.5% to 1,458.000, from 1,437,000 in March 2023. They were down 4.3% from the revised February rate of 1,523,000. The figures included single-family permits ..read more

New buying company attendance up 13.8% and number of international buyers up 4% HIGH POINT – Marking what High Point Market Authority officials described as the strongest spring market since Covid, attendance at the April market is estimated to be up 1% from last April, according to information presented at the HPMA’s board meeting Wednesday. Tammy Covington Nagem “We feel really good about where we are going there. We are starting to see that consistency between spring and fall markets,” said Tammy Covington Nagem, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, noti ..read more

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