The Saturday Special: Dallas honors 2 retailers for their good deeds

Dallas Market Center announced the two winners for TheNext Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities:

• A.Dodson’s, Suffolk, Va.
• Brookshire’s Food &Pharmacy, Tyler, Texas

The winners were selected from more than 50 retailers thatare involved in a variety of ways through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods.

“Congratulations to The Next Big Give winners,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, DallasMarket Center. “Both winners are great examples of how retailers can give back in big and smallways. Their work is truly inspiring.”

A. Dodson’s Owner Alison Dodson Anderson learned the spirit of giving directly from herparents. During her childhood, Alison’s father, a local dentist in her hometown, often exchangedhis services with patients who could only afford to pay him with a livestock chicken or free yardwork. Spurred by the pride and appreciation for her father’s generosity, Alison began givingback through her store immediately following its opening seven years ago. A. Dodson’s supportsnumerous causes including blood drives, toy and school supply drives, even donating $12,000to Taylor Bend YMCA to assist in building a new facility.

Even after giving back in a variety of ways, Alison wanted a means to focus her store’s givingefforts. Her search led to the development of The A. Dodson’s Round Up, a program allowingcustomers to round up the cost of each purchase to the nearest dollar and have the extra centsdonated to charity. A. Dodson’s publishes a poll on its Facebook page in order for customers tochoose the cause the Round Up funds will be donated to at the end of each month. Charitiescan easily apply by simply emailing their name, contact information, and confirmation of their501c3 status to roundup@adodsons.com. In 2011, A. Dodson’s gave more than $2,500 tovarious charity organizations. For more information on A. Dodson’s visit www.adodsons.com 

“This January we were able to donate hundreds of dollars to the Ovarian Cancer ResearchFund through The A. Dodson’s Round Up,” said Kim Glover, director of marketing, A. Dodson’s.“Through the program we are able to donate to charities near and dear to our hearts as well asexpose our customers to organizations that they in turn volunteer for. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Originally operating under the name “Brookshire Brothers,” Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy wasfounded in 1928 by Wood T. Brookshire in Tyler, Texas. Since its inception, Brookshire’s hasgrown to 150 stores spanning three states—Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Wood founded thecompany with a foremost concern for the well-being of others, which continues to influence thecompany today.Brookshire’s has been giving back to the communities in which it operates since its founding.

In2008, the Community Connections program was founded to enable Brookshire’s employees toassist with the causes important to each store’s local community. Employees form teams bystore or non-retail department and gather to volunteer an average of four times per year with thecause of their choice. Last year, Brookshire’s donated more than 28,000 documented volunteerhours and more than $1.5 million to various charitable causes.

One notable effort was its WorldWar II Heroes Flight in May 2011, in which Brookshire’s sent 33 World War II veterans toWashington, District of Columbia, all expenses paid, where they visited several war memorialsand the U.S. Capitol building. For more information on Brookshire’s visit www.brookshires.com.

“Giving back is an important part of our company culture and something we expect to continue,”said Sam Anderson, community involvement manager, Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy. “Webelieve it’s important to support the communities that support us. Being actively involved in theschools and other aspects of the community helps us to stay in touch with our customers and bebetter prepared to serve their wants and needs. But, most importantly, helping others is the rightthing to do.”

After receiving more than 50 applications, the entries were narrowed down to 10 finalists andthen two winners by a panel of industry experts and Dallas Market Center representatives. Thewinners will receive a complimentary trip to the March 22-25, 2012 Market in Dallas includinground-trip airfare and three nights hotel stay.

The Next Big Give winners were recognized on March 22 duringThe Inspired Event, a cocktail party benefiting charitable causes.For additional information on the contest visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contests/give oremail thenextbiggive@mcmcmail.com.

Sunday special: Retailers, architects team up again in London project

Regent Street Windows Project is an initiative of RIBA London and Regent Street, London W1. The project started in 2010 as part of the London Festival of Architecture and is now established as a stand-alone annual event. The Regent Street Windows Project: RIBA London runs from April 16 to May 6. For 2012, the retailer and architect pairings are:

• Banana Republic: Ushida Findlay Architects and Visitor Studio
• Ferrari: Feix & Merlin
• Bose: Zero Zero
• Reiss: De Matos Ryan
• Folli Follie: Egret West
• TM Lewin: Liddicoat & Goldhill
• Anthropologie: Gort Scott
• Moss Bros: Delvendahl Martin Architects
• Quiksilver: Bradley van der Straeten 

Here is a video of the 2011 project.

  

Following the success of the Regent Street Windows Project, RIBA London is collaborating with the Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate and Shui On Development Limited to deliver a series of eye-catching architectural retail installations in Shanghai in as part of the UK Now festival, which celebrates British creative talent in China. The Shanghai windows project will partner 9 London architects with 9 prominent retailers to design and create eye-catching displays in the windows of the Shanghai Xintiandi and Xintiandi Style shopping center. The resulting displays will be on public display in September 2012.

Tangled up in blue

Here's a blog post to check out. It's from retailer ABC Home.

"From aqua to navy blue and all the way back to cerulean,blue is the color that we reach to time and time again for both designinspiration and spiritual and emotional healing. It’s the color of theocean and the sky, making it a constant in our lives. It’s the color ofpeace and calm, and of royal authority. So, whether you’re trying to adddepth into a small room, increase a sense of calm in your home, or even perhapsadd a youthful cheer into an otherwise dark space, blue is your color."

Continue reading at ABC Reveal, the ABC Home blog.

Nominate an excellent retailer

Nominations for the New York International Gift Fair-sponsored Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs) are being accepted through Friday, April 30, with 2012 Award winners scheduled to be announced in New York City, on Sunday, August 19, 6:30 -10:00PM, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. 

Applications and nomination forms are available online at www.nyigf.com/TheShow/AwardsPromotionsDisplays.aspx#REA. Presented by Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine, and sponsored by the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), the REAs recognize excellence in four retail categories including Gift Store Design/Redesign; Marketing Achievement; Visual Merchandising/Display; and Store Events, as well as for individual achievement (Rep of the Year and Industry Rising Star). 

As part of this very special evening, Gift For Life, the gift and home industry’s only charitable organization, also bestows its prestigious annual “Industry Achievement” Award.

For Target-istas: Partying with Sabrina Soto

"A Bullseye View" brings retailer Target to life. (Target's logo is a bulls-eye, get it?) The online magazine, or blog, is a behind-the-scenes look at the retailer's partnerships, initiatives, events and innovations. Here's a taste of a recent article:

"Last night, in a gorgeous apartment on the Upper West Side, Target threw a housewarming party for New York-newbie Sabrina Soto, HGTV host and Target Style Expert for Home.After packing up her bags in Bethesda, MD, Sabrina headed to the big city for a new place… and a new excuse for a flawless home makeover. Sabrina is usually busy making design miracles come true for homeowners on her hit HGTV show “The High/Low Project,” but this project was all about her.At the intimate rendezvous, we ignored the scrumptious-looking hors d’oeuvres and crisp cocktails to feast on décor instead. As expected, Sabrina’s apartment was pristine, stylish and completely covetable. "

Read more about Sabrina Soto and a NYC housewarming party at abullseyeview.com

Vendor offers a round-the-world trip for retailers, reps

GuildMaster, a wholesale of furniture and decorative accessories, www.guildmaster.comannounced a new "Amazing Race" promotion for retailers and sales reps. The trip includes stops in nine of the topglobal fashion capitals or $10,000 in cash.

For each $1,000 in product purchased by a retailer or sold by a sales representative, one entry is earned so that the chance to win increaseswith the value of the orders.

The contest ends on Friday, Nov. 19 when fivefinalists in each group will be pulled from the entries. The following week onBlack Friday, Nov. 25, one winner in each group will be drawn from the fivefinalists and GuildMaster CEO Steve Crowder will personally deliver the news tothe winning retailer and sales representative.

Each of the winners will receiveeither two tickets for a dream trip around the world or $10,000.The Top 25Global Fashion Capitals according to the Global Language Monitor are in thisorder:
London, New York,Paris, Milano, Los Angeles,Hong Kong, Barcelona, Singapore,Tokyo, Berlin, Sydney, Madrid, Rome, Shanghai, Monaco, Las Vegas,Melbourne, Moscow,Amsterdam, Buenos Aires,Bali, MexicoCity, Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai and Sao Paulo.

To identify the favorite cities, GuildMaster’s Facebook fans (www.facebook.com/guildmasterfurniture)are asked to Tell Us Your Dream City bytelling why and by posting photos of the cities on the company’s Facebookpage.

During the course of the contest, GuildMaster will highlight the topglobal fashion capitals, along with ongoing posts revealing the top dealers andreps. The winning destinations willbe based on the response from GuildMaster’s Facebook fans.

Facebook and web special, only for retailers

Coyuchi is hosting a Facebook/Twitter giveaway for a chance to win a Striped Wool Blanket that was recently featured in Country living. From now until Sunday, Sept. 17, say why you love Coyuchi products on the Coyuchi wall - www.facebook.com/CoyuchiHome  or Twitter page, http://twitter.com/coyuchi  to be entered to win the blanket, valued at $180.

Keep current with the world of interior design, by joining TLS with Newest Creations Seen First on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#%21/TLSbyDesign) and FaceBook. (https://www.facebook.com/tlsbydesign)

"Like" Diane James Home on Facebook and all fans will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree (with free shipping!) on www.DianeJamesHome.com. 

An end of summer promotion from Calypso Studios Inc. offers a $45 (retail value) necklace for any customer who writes a $250 order or more. Select one color from the company's new 24-inch-long chain Feather necklaces. Choose tin (2511), copper (2510) or gold (2509). Ends Sept. 30, new orders only. Must write in notes which necklace you are selecting as giveaway. www.calypsostudiosinc.com

Webinar for retailers this Friday

press release

The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA), whose mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry, ensuring its long term health and viability, has announced a new educational benefit for its members: "First Friday" webinars. The monthly webinars will feature industry veterans and experts speaking to a variety of industry-relevant issues and content.

The inaugural "First Friday" will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011, at 12:00 PM EST. Betsy Harrington, Senior Vice President of Sales at Woodstock Chimes, and John Keiser, CEO of OneCoast and GHTA board member, will present "How to Conduct Effective Business Reviews Between Sales Agencies and Vendors." The content covered in the webinar includes the importance of doing a monthly review, components of a monthly review, and what sales agencies and vendors can do to contribute to the review. This webinar will be offered to non-GHTA members this month only at no additional cost.

"This new membership benefit allows companies to start and continue significant conversations regarding relevant topics to our industry," says Cindy Henry, Executive Vice President of Wellspring and GHTA board member. "One of the greatest benefits of GHTA membership is the opportunity the Association provides to network and talk with other industry participants, sharing knowledge and best practices. This benefit provides an excellent platform for this type of interaction."

"First Friday" webinars are designed to enhance GHTA membership by offering a platform to share content and concepts relevant to the gift and home industry, as well as share thoughtful and meaningful discussion. "First Friday" is named for many of the industry's retail communities, which offer special events and opportunities on the first Friday of the month.

May's "First Friday" will address issues related to doing business in China. The presentation, "China – A 'State of the State' and Implications for the Industry," will be led by David Moses, with Next Step Strategies, Inc., Rick Contino, President of Midwest-CBK, and George Kacic, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ganz.


To learn more about the Gift and Home Trade Association, its membership opportunities and programs, visit www.giftandhome.org.

About the Gift and Home Trade Association
GHTA is the gift and home industry's non-profit professional trade association comprised of vendors, sales agencies, retailers and industry affiliates work together to improve relationships. The GHTA's mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. The GHTA can be reached by email at info@giftandhome.org. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.

New Retailer Members Can Receive $150 Discount

Press Release


Throughout the month of April, (HFIA) Home Furnishings Independents Association will offer a $150 discount to retailers who register as new members of the organization.


Mary Frye, president of HFIA, will welcome prospective and current members to the association’s booth in the atrium of the Furniture Plaza building, 210 South Main Street, High Point, NC, during the High Point Market. Frye will be available to answer questions and provide details regarding the organization’s many benefits Saturday, April 2 through Thursday, April 7.


HFIA offers a comprehensive range of business services dedicated to providing solutions to meet retail back office needs. Acting as an extension of store staff, HFIA manages the behind the scenes store services that allow owners to focus on their top priority, customers.

“We’re not able to sell furniture on your floor,” notes Frye, “but we offer personalized business services to make sure you can.”


Member services include discounted bank card processing, consumer financing, low-cost freight programs, competitively-priced business insurance, on-line furniture sales training and sales aids.

“In nearly forty years spent as an independent furniture retailer, we have been members of many organizations and associations,” states Louis S. Casey, CEO and President, Casey's Furniture, Inc., Temple, Texas. “The one we appreciate the most is HFIA.  Teamwork is vital to our business, and as a member of HFIA we have even more teammates working on our behalf.  Check out the benefits, join HFIA, and put their team to work for you.”

To print an application or for more information about HFIA, visit the association’s website at www.hfia.com.

Dallas Market Honors 2 Retailers For Giving Back

Dallas Market Center named two winners for The Next Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers who give back in their communities: Brown, Houston, and Tea & Magnolias, Tulsa, Okla. The winners were selected from more than 50 retailers that are involved in a variety of ways through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods. 

Both retailers offer significant support to worthy organizations and communities. We thank them for their good work and hope their stories will inspire other retailers to do the same,”said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. 

Brown, located in Houston, is owned by Jill Brown. The home furnishings retailer put its entire 2010 advertising budget towards two events benefiting uniquely different organizations: Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Yellowstone Academy, a Houston-area college preparatory school. Jill Brown felt that it was more important to put funds towards the needs she saw in her community rather than towards promoting her business through advertising. 

Spurred by a belief in American ingenuity and hard work, Brown hosted FM 2490 in October 2010, which raised awareness for the FFA. Brown’s party Chandeliers and Champagne, benefiting Yellowstone Academy, included a live auction that raised close to $30,000 for the school. Yellowstone received 100 percent of the proceeds. 

Tea & Magnolias is a gift and accessories retailer located in Tulsa, Okla. Owned by Susan Ponville, the store extends its generosity far beyond its immediate community to the Amazon jungles of Peru. Inspired by her past work as a missionary in Peru, Ponville sells jewelry and purses in the store made by Peruvian women with all of the proceeds going back to help the women support their families.
Also, in order to help the Tulsa community, each Christmas Tea & Magnolias hosts a Christmas Home Tour, giving all the proceeds to Pathways Adult Learning Center, a local school for special needs adults. The store also sells crosses that are handmade by a group of special needs adults in order to fund the group’s activities. 

After receiving more than 50 applications, the entries were narrowed down to 10 finalists and then two winners by a panel of industry experts and Dallas Market Center representatives. The winners will receive a complimentary trip to the March 24-27, 2011 Market in Dallas including round-trip airfare and three nights hotel stay. While at Market, The Next Big Give winners will be recognized on Thursday, March 24 during The Inspired Event, a cocktail party including raffles benefiting charitable causes. 

For additional information on the contest visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/give.

A new marketing tool for indepdendent retailers

press release

February 21, 2011, Pittsburgh, PA -- SnapRetail, a company that makes it easy for independent retailers to use email, Facebook and Twitter to market products and increase sales, has unveiled new enhancements to its TrafficBuilder product. SnapRetail’sTrafficBuilder is a virtually automatic marketing system that gives independent retailers all of the materials needed to create compelling marketing communications in minutes, with branded content from leading vendors including Vera Bradley, Mud Pie, Yankee Candle, Midwest-CBK, Evergreen and more.

“We listen carefully to our customers,” said SnapRetail CEO Ted Teele. “The enhancements we have announced today came directly from our retailers’ suggestions and continue to help us shape TrafficBuilder into a product that will most help them in marketing their stores.” TrafficBuilder was launched in November of 2010.

“It’s the little things in SnapRetail’s TrafficBuilder that make the product so great,” said Kym Priest, owner of St. John’s Gift Shop in Springfield, Mo. “I love the ability it gives me to post every single campaign to Facebook with just a click of the mouse or the ease of finding vendor images within my content library. And, what's even better is that the features keep rolling out. Every time I log into TrafficBuilder there's something new that's making marketing my store easier and faster.”

Major Addition: Customizable Photo Albums

One of the most exciting new enhancements to the system is the release of customizable photo albums. Retailers love the vendor-created photo albums that are a popular feature of TrafficBuilder, but many asked for the ability to create their own albums. This new feature allows retailers to drag-and-drop product images into an album, create custom captions, and send to their customers via email, Facebook, and Twitter.

“The online albums are a great way to let customers see what new products the retailer is stocking in their store. And, it even gives customers the ability to reserve a product right from within the album. This means retailers will be able to create buzz, track demand for products, and let their customers reserve products all online – without the cost or time of maintaining a full commerce website,” explained Teele.

Additional updates to the system include the addition of new seasonal templates, expanded reporting capabilities, and an enhanced text editor to help retailers create more attractive marketing messages. Retailers can take a 30 day test drive of the software to quickly build great marketing to their customers and to experience the new features by clicking here.

About SnapRetail

SnapRetail makes it easy for independent retailers to market products, increase sales and compete with larger retailers. The Pittsburgh-based company provides the industry’s only digital marketing & content aggregation system designed to improve the unique marketing and selling needs of independent retailers. The company created TrafficBuilder, a virtually automatic marketing system that gives independent retailers all of the materials needed to create compelling marketing materials in minutes. More information is available on www.snapretail.com and SnapRetail’s Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/snapretail.

Saturday special: holiday deals and offers

Free shipping from Royal Copenhagen on all orders in December.

Two's Company's Cupcakes and Cartwheels division has Bandz in stock and ready to ship.

Diane James Home offers free UPS ground shipping on online orders placed through Dec. 15, 2010.

Suzanne Rheinstein appears at Juliska's flagship store (465 Canal St., Stamford, Conn.) on Dec. 10, 2010.

World Shoppe offers 25% off its fair-trade rings from Pakistan.

Meet author Lee Lowenfish ("The Imperfect Diamond") at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse in Manhattan on Dec. 8 and receive a free Mensch baseball with purchase of a Bergino ball.

Saturday special: emails

Here are examples of four Thanksgiving- and holiday-themed emails from home furnishings retailers.

Williams Company Store

Kirkland's

Crescent Moon

local home + gifts

Register for New Orleans conference

Monday, October 25 is the last date to get the special room rate at the Ritz Carlton hotel for the Gift and Home Trade Association conference in New Orleans. The conference runs Nov. 18 to 20. See the program and registration details here.

Earlier this month, Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced it will be a beneficiary of the charity golf tournament to be held at English Turn in New Orleans on Thursday, November 18, during the 8^th annual Gift and Home Trade Association conference.

This year’s GHTA conference, Jazz Up Your Business in the Big Easy, will be held from November 18-20 at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans and will feature several keynote speeches, breakout sessions, workshops, and a special presentation by NFL legend Archie Manning. 

“We invite everyone to enjoy golf in the Big Easy while helping our industry’s leading charity,” said Diane Carnevale Jones, executive director.  “We encourage everyone—no matter what skill level—to come out and have fun for a great cause.”  Proceeds from the GHTA Golf Outing will be split equally between Gift For Life and GHTA.

“We are honored to work with GHTA and to be the beneficiary from this event,” said Jenny Hammons, chair of the Gift For Life board.  “GHTA’s continuing commitment to the industry and supporting social causes are deeply appreciated.”  

The Gift and Home Trade Association is the gift and home industry’s only non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies, industry affiliates and retailers work together to improve the industry.  GHTA's mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA hosts an annual conference and distributes monthly newsletters to inform and educate its members.

The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports an increased incidence of HIV infections in the United States in 2008.  Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs.  

Call for entries in retail display contest

Press release 

Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle in home décor, gifts, holiday and candles, announces a call for entries in its fourth annual “Design Style Sparkle” in-store retail holiday display contest for independent retailers.

      Independent retailers are invited to submit up to two photos of their holiday displays, a 150-word description and if possible, impact in terms of increased traffic, sales and customer feedback. Criteria for judging include creativity and impact. Prizes include Midwest-CBK product credits and award plaques, and will be presented for first, second and third places.

      “Now in our fourth year of hosting this popular retail awards program, Midwest-CBK is sponsoring the 2010 ‘Design Style Sparkle’ contest to celebrate, recognize and share the creative display ideas that are helping to drive traffic and sales for independent retail business,” says Frederic Contino, president of Midwest-CBK.

      The deadline for contest entries is December 13, 2010. All digital photo entries and descriptions should be emailed to your local Midwest-CBK account manager, or directly to contest@mwcbk.com. To find your local Midwest-CBK account manager, please call 800-394-4225.

      Winners will be announced on Saturday, January 15, 2011, during Midwest-CBK’s “Design Style Sparkle” party in the company’s Atlanta showroom located in Building 1, Suite 16A7. Photos of the award winners will be on display in major Midwest-CBK showrooms during the winter markets.

The 3/50 Project on Tour in Midwest

Great Lakes Tour October 6-15, 2010
Locations: Appleton WI, Rockford IL, Sycamore IL, Long Grove IL, Bourbonnais IL, Carmel IN, Warsaw IN
This tour schedule has been finalized. As specific details become available,
they'll be posted under the Events tab above.

Great Plains Tour 
Mid-November 2010
Locations: Newport AR, Waldron AR, Leavenworth KS, Atchison KS, Broken Bow NE
This tour schedule has been finalized. As specific details become available,
they'll be posted under the Events tab above.

See the 3/50 Project Facebook page for more details.


Read more about The 3/50 Project on its website.

Saturday special: marketing with Foursquare

Hubspot interviews restaurateur Joe Sorge of AJ Bombers about a marketing event he ran through Foursquare, the social media application. Read more.

Watch an interview with Joe Sorge.

Mashable wrote last year why Foursquare could be the next Twitter.

Learn more about Foursquare at the company's website. 

A Facebook guide for small business marketing

Wiley Publishing, Inc. is releasing a brand new series of books to help users get more out of it: The Facebook Guides.


"THE FACEBOOK GUIDE TO SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING" offers small and local business ideas on how to attract customers through Facebook. It guides readers through creating a business profile, presenting information in the most appealing and useful way possible, and taking advantage of all of Facebook's marketing features. Packed with insider tips and proven best practices, this book will help any small business harness the worldwide marketing potential of Facebook. It will be available December 2010.

Other titles in the series are "THE FACEBOOK GUIDE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50 (ISBN: 9780470875179; November 2010)" and  THE FACEBOOK GUIDE FOR PARENTS (ISBN: 9780470875193; January 2011).

HFIA, UFA announce partnership

press release

HFIA and UFA Put Finishing Touches on Partnership

Dallas, TX and Spofford, NH for immediate release: The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) and the Unfurnished Furniture Association (UFA) proudly announce a new partnership that will bring many benefits to both associations’ members.

In the new partnership, UFA members can join HFIA at a discounted rate as branch members. All branch members will have access to the HFIA benefits such as bank card processing, consumer finance, email marketing, freight discounts, gift cards, insurance, lighting supplies, office supply discounts, online furniture sales training, promotional tools, retail operating software, room planning kits and warehouse supplies.

“HFIA is the voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals,” said HFIA President Mary Frye. “It offers business tools and solutions to help members operate more efficiently and, in return, more profitably.”

“Further, HFIA has a long history of helping its members save money, streamline operations and stay better informed about the industry,” said Frye. “We are looking forward to meeting many new members through our alliance with UFA.”

UFA is a not-for-profit membership trade organization representing over 600 retailers, manufacturers and sales organizations in their unique market niche. UFA supports their industry brand “Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way®” with a consumer oriented web site www.realwoodfurniture.org and through a retailer certification program which licenses qualifying member retailers and manufacturers to use the “Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way®” logo. The organization advocates education and awareness to promote the unique qualities and availability of Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way® to consumers across North America. These goals are also accomplished through UFA’s annual trade shows which give retailers and manufacturers opportunities to come together and exchange ideas and information. In addition UFA publishes a bi-monthly industry email newsletter.

“This is a great opportunity for UFA members” said UFA Executive Director Fred Moriarty. “UFA’s focus is on our trade shows and promotion of the ‘Real Wood Furniture Finished Your Way®’ brand. This partnership with HFIA will now allow UFA members to also have access to quality programs that will help them improve their operations while realizing meaningful cost savings in the process.”

BoConcept expands in San Francisco

Danish design leader BoConcept has opened a second San Francisco store, this one in Pacific Heights.

Read more at SFGate.com