Retail Update

November 17, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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.

November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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.

November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

November 13, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

"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

November 10, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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