Retail Update   

Tell us what's selling, and what's not, in home accents -- for Retail Update's annual What's In/What's Out list, to published in January. Send your thoughts on the subject to: susan.dickenson@reedbusiness.com. Names of contributors will be kept confidential.

In this month's issue, three husband-and-wife home furnishings retailers share their stories... for better or worse. Read about Hodgepodge, Clarksville, Tenn., owned by Paige and Darren King; Customs House, Telluride, Colo., owned by Ted and Lynn Wilson; and Common Folk, Bellevue, Wash., owned by Kathryn and Eric Straub. A detail from the Straubs' store is this month's cover photo, by photographer Joe Albert.

Jamestown, N.C. -- Furnitureland South is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month. Founded in 1969 by Darrell Harris, the retailer has grown from a one-man operation to 1.3 million square feet of showroom space, a climate-controlled distribution center and a sales force of more than 150. In honor of its 40th year, the company is offering special discounts during November and December, and holding a dining table giveaway. Customers can register in the store or on-line at www.furniturelandsouth.com

Clawson, Mich. - Leon & Lu...Read More

"The recession is over — sort of," was the response of most analysts to October's gross domestic product report, which indicated the economy expanded during the July–September period. A few days later the news was also better than expected for manufacturing, construction and housing contracts, further hinting that we could be headed into recovery mode. But we're not there yet. Lending remains tight, consumers are more cautious than ever, stimulus programs are winding down, and indicators point to a flat holiday spending season. It's not great, but it's not horrible, either. 

At the beginning of October, the National Retail Federation forecast that holiday sales would fall 1% this year to $437.6 billion, which is less than the country's 10-year average holiday season growth of 3.39%, but not as bad as last year's 3.4% drop in holiday retai...Read More

Yes, that’s Thompson Lange of Homescapes Carmel in the photo at right looking more than a little out of sorts, but fortunately his expression has nothing to do with sales numbers. Thompson, who is as passionate about running as he is about retailing, was asked to pose for California muralist John Cerney’s commission to paint new mile markers for next year’s 25th anniversary of the Big Sur International Marathon.

Thompson has the honor of “being” Mile Marker #1 which depic...Read More

New York, N.Y. -- Karl Lagerfeld's EGO Selection for Rosenthal is among the products showcased at Rosenthal USA's new pop-up store in the Grand Concourse of The Shops at the Plaza. President Glenn De Stefano said the shop provides an opportunity to express Rosenthal's artistry and make it accessible and available to those who understand and appreciate it. Considered a pioneer in contemporary porcelain, stemware, tabletop and home accessories, the 130-year-old brand has collaborated in the past with designers, architects and artists such as Walter Gropius, Timo Sarpaneva, Raymond Loewy, Salvador Dalì, Jasper Morrison, Paul Wunderlich and Patricia Urquiola. Of his collaboratio...Read More

In this month's issue, three retailers use antiques and vintage treasures to enhance displays, product mix and store brand. Read about Red Barn Mercantile, in Old Town Alexandria, Va., Perch Home in Maplewood, N.J., and Vintage Villas, Scottsdale, Ariz.
...Read More

In the Oct. 12 issue of The New Yorker, there's a fascinating article about people who use patterns and cycle theories to predict such things as economic trends, stock market fluctuations, even periods of social unrest (wars). The article, The Secret Cycle, by Nick Paumgarten pays special attention to a man by the name of Martin Armstrong. 

Years ago, Armstrong studied the timing of the financial panics that occurred between 1683 and 1907, did some fancy math and found that on average there had been a panic every 8.6 years, which equals 3,141 days, which equals...Read More

If you're at the High Point Market this week, check out the new Homefurnishings.com site in the Retailer Resource Center on the first floor of Plaza Suites. When I first heard about it, I couldn't help but think that the features and functions sounded very similar to Homeyet.com, the initiative launched in September by Las Vegas World Market Center as part of its "Is it Home Yet?" advertising campaign:

• Both sites have put a lot of time and talent into building editorial content, design tips and planning tools to entice shoppers, home decorators and stylish nesters to peruse their Web pages.

• Over the next couple of years, WMC and NHFA are spending in the seven...Read More

TONIGHT'S PREVIEW RECEPTION for Washington, D.C.'s CharityWorks GreenHouse is SOLD OUT and, after watching the Washington Post's video with chief designer Barry Dixon it's no wonder. The custom-built craftsman-style house at 1310 Calder Road in McLean, Virginia, showcasing stylish sustainable living, efficient building design and innovative technology, is a beauty --inside and out. I'm proud to have a very special interest in the project: my daughter, Sophie Pyle, on...Read More