Furniture stores and home decor? Shop Ballard! See our gorgeous online catalog and live your dream interior Designs. Contemporary rugs, lighting and more
Abbyson's Milano incorporates the company's patented technology, the iTable mini, which offers music, charging and many additional functions.
HIGH POINT — Motion furniture faces inherent challenges in serving the e-commerce channel, particularly when it comes to direct shipment of goods to consumers. Those challenges relate both to the nature of the product itself — big, with heavy metal mechanisms — that create logistical issue with delivery.
As a result, some vendors are rethinking their approach to product development for motion and recliners. Take Abbyson, which established its business foundation in the e-commerce channel before expanding its approach to brick-and-mortar customers.
"The e-commerce shopper is focused on simple clean styling, whereas the brick-and-mortar shopper is looking for functionality and style," said Executive Vice President Rodd Rafieha. "Abbyson has developed two separate and unique line ups for both divisions of our brand that is very strong."
E-commerce is changing Flexsteel's motion and recliner product development approach.
"Considerations such as packaging weight and ease of assembly of motion furniture will continue to drive future development for both our Flexsteel and homestyles brands," said Jenni Jungers, director of product.
Franklin Corp. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Peyton Passons identified the logistics of shipping heavy recliner and motion furniture long-distances, as well as the high transportation cost and increased chance of damages, as a challenge.
"As our volume with our e-commerce partners has continued to grow, we have evaluated and increased our packaging standards to help mitigate the potential damage that could occur in transport," he said.
New Classic Home Furnishings Senior Vice President of Sales Scott Hill said standard motion furniture is a lot easier to sell online for brick-and-mortar stores and larger e-commerce players already accustomed to white-glove delivery out of their own warehouse.
"Their drivers know how heavy it is and how to get it into the home safely and efficiently," Hill said, adding that shipping online sales directly to consumers is a different story. "The biggest challenge for us with direct shipping is having product consumers can understand, handle and assemble themselves. We're meeting that challenge by working with our manufacturing partners to condense the size of the pieces and improve packaging to make sure it holds up during transport but keep the weight down to control costs."
He added that e-commerce's impact on product development "depends on the channel."
"If it's through a brick-and-mortar store doing its own delivery, I don't have to change anything," Hill said. "We're coming up with a different way to develop product for direct-shipping, such as RTA, modular pieces to ease the burden of the physical aspect of distribution while addressing the cost aspect of shipping. In the next couple of months, we'll have goods in place to work with direct shipment of recliners and motion sofas."
Scottie Johns, director of e-commerce at Southern Motion, also pointed out the channel-dependent differences of selling motion online.
"One of our biggest challenges is the logistics to deliver from B2C," he said. "Most manufacturers are not set up to stock, package or deliver to the end consumer the way retailers are accustomed to doing.
He added, "The weight and bulk of motion furniture is difficult to ship and deliver directly to the end consumer, so we really prefer working with our brick-and-mortar retail partners to sell, deliver and service these consumers."
That said, Southern is gearing some product toward direct shipping, with one such chair already in the works.
"We were in the process of developing parcel-service product when COVID-19 hit, and we're a couple months away from shipping that way," Johns said. "We'll offer it either way, LTL or parcel shipping through e-commerce directly to the consumer. We'll have a second chair we'll introduce this summer or fall. At some point we'll gauge an ROI and make a judgment on that path.
"With the growth of e-commerce we wanted to make sure we were developing product for that space," Johns continued. We want to see if we can lower the freight cost of delivery to the consumer direct, which makes the product more attractive online."
While online merchandising of motion is an area where Ashley concentrates now, the product itself has to match the channel as well.
"It's challenging to show and demonstrate features and benefits of some motion product online, but high quality video clips and 360-degree product viewing partially addresses that constraint," said Senior Vice President of Sales Al Matthews, adding, "Designing product to manage overall size plus engineering recliners to meet the direct to consumer carton length, width, and total weight limitations is an important step."
A modular approach
Manwah USA CEO Guy Ray agreed with others that motion's issue with the e-commerce channel has been with weight and size as well as transportation costs. He believes some pure-play e-commerce retailers try to sell cheaper goods to avoid those costs.
"These inferior goods don't give consumers the same experience which is confusing and unjust to the category," Ray said. "However, Manwah has been building our products in modular pieces, which creates what we call 'unlimited configurations with limited SKUs' giving our traditional retailers a distinct advantage in selling this category online."
Master Motion has always taken a modular approach to motion.
"We make all of our products completely modular, so every modular seat is connected together to make sofa, sectional, home theater, making e-commerce ordering and delivery much, easier with less damages from shipping, handling, and delivering," said CEO Michael Nanni. "We also completely box each individual modular piece allowing for shipping to the retailer or directly to the retail customer avoiding any shipping damages or the need to lift, carry and deliver a 200-plus-pound sofa or loveseat."
In addition to easier delivery to apartments and using elevators, the modular approach fits mobile lifestyles, he added.
"For a population that is now moving every one to three, three to five years, the modular configurations make is easy for the retail customer to design their own living space at home and move their furniture along with their lives and reset up their furniture in a different configuration at their new residence," Nanni said. "They could use their modular pieces to make a sofa and loveseat in one residence and using the same pieces make a sectional at their new residence."
Wayfair has launched an affordable new flagship brand, Hashtag Home, for style-savvy decor lovers and young homeowners.
The first collection spans more than 1,000 products for the living room, dining room, bedroom, garden and office, as well as a range of textiles and lighting.
As Wayfair's third flagship brand, Hashtag Home marries both contemporary and classic silhouettes, unified by a bold use of colour.
What can you expect? Mix-and-match patterns, modern sofas and chairs, contemporary dining sets, outdoor furniture, simple home office finds, striking wall art, home decor and much more.
SHOP NOW
'At Wayfair we're continuously striving to offer our customers unique homeware that lets their personalities shine through,' says Martin Reiter, Head of Europe at Wayfair. 'In Hashtag Home, we've created a bold, modern and affordable range that will help keep our customers' homes updated and on trend, regardless of size and budget.'
Hashtag Home is now available at Wayfair in the United Kingdom and Germany. Get a first-look below and shop the full Hashtag Home collection at wayfair.co.uk/hashtaghome.
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Olivia Heath Digital Editor, House Beautiful UK Olivia Heath is the Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK, uncovering tomorrow's biggest home trends all while delivering stylish room inspiration, small space solutions, easy garden ideas and house tours of the hottest properties on the market.
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*NEW!* The 25+ BEST New Products Coming to IKEA in 2020!
The July 4th weekend is just about upon us, and Wayfair is offering mega-deals on outdoors furniture, bedroom furniture, mattresses, bedding, outdoor play and more.
Save up to 60 percent on select outdoor furniture items.
Purington Circular Patio Sectional with Cushions, 64 percent off, is a modular design includes a 3 piece circular outdoor sectional. This set meshes the style of contemporary patio furniture with the versatility and function that makes outdoor wicker furniture so popular. This seating group modular design allows you to bring the group together for a conversational arrangement or spread out the seating for extra room at your next cookout. Seating up to 6 people, it's the perfect setting to host a party or lounge with the family. Normally, the price is $1,549. For the July 4 sale, you can get it for $559.99.
The Brisbane Wooden Storage Bench, slashed 62 percent, is now $242.99, normally $645.12. Crafted of solid acacia wood in a weather-resistant finish, this bench features a full back, track arms, and four straight square legs, while its base includes louvered panel sides.
Teardrop Patio Chair with Cushions is 23 percent off and listed for $399.99. Crafted from wicker, it stands atop four slim legs and features a seat that takes on an openwork silhouette.
Plummer Chair Hammock is perfect for setting up on patios, porches, or even indoors on a C-frame, this design encourages you to lounge with your latest book club read or simply kick back to relax and while away the hours. Price is $155.99.
The Kelton 10′ Market Umbrella is now $81.99 after 32 percent off. Spanning 10′ in diameter, the canopy is made from polyester fabric in a solid hue to resist weather and water as it shields you from the sun.
Caulksville Steel Free Standing Umbrella Base is on sale for $136.99 after a 38 percent sale. This piece is crafted of concrete and steel, so it delivers handy offering weight to help your umbrella keep put, while an understated silhouette makes it perfect for a variety of outdoor styles.
Outdoor play is having a 55 percent off sale.
Take 40 percent off the Kiddo 12″ x 19″ Bounce House with Water Slide and Air Blower. Now priced at $509.99, the Kiddo Castle is an inflatable water slide and bounce house combo which features a large bouncing area, basketball hoops, and water slides. This inflatable combo can accommodate up to 6 children at one time.
Normally $262.05, the Neat & Tidy Cottage is now listed at $214.99.
Spinner Swing Seat is 51 percent off and being offered for $38.99. This mat swing allows kids to safely ride into action for hours of entertainment. It features a spacious seat for a super comfy ride and two sturdy suspension points to keep the swing in place.
Plastic Belt Swing Seat with Chains is $29.99 during a 50 percent off sale. Extra thick, form-fitting material is ergonomically designed for kids and adults alike.
Take 21 percent off the Junior-4-To-Score In Line Board Game, now $142.99.
The Warm Cozy Privacy Bed Play Tent is 69 percent off and now listed for $43.99. Bed tent is easy to set-up on a bed or on a floor. Can be used on or off the bed. Great solution for kids and teenagers sharing a room with siblings, and students living in dorms.
Take up to 50 percent off outdoor cooking.
Blackstone 2-Burner Propane Griddle Grill is on sale for $129.99. Take the Blackstone 22′' Gas Tabletop 2 Burner Griddle anywhere outdoors for big and versatile meals. Equipped with two independently controlled heat zones. You'll have full control of the 339 sq. inch plate for simultaneous low and high heat cooking.
Take 21 percent off the 27″ Barrel Charcoal Grill with Smoker: griddle. For $109.99, Royal Gourmet Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker is perfect for family use and even when having a few friends over. It is also ideal when you just want a simple BBQ on the offset smoker.
Cuisinart Grilling Tool Set is now $37.99. The Grilling Tool Set, with 12 individual grill tools inside a recycled plastic case, is a simple and effective way to equip any grill-master for the season. Each tool is cut from durable stainless steel and set in robust wooden handles emblazoned with the Cuisinart brand.
Electric Smoker, for $159.99, has a heating element like an electric oven. On top of the heating element is a chip tray where you put wood chips for smoker flavor.
Cuisinart Professional Grilling Tool Set is now $26.99. The Grilling Tool Set turns any griller into a pro with high-quality, good looking tools. This set is constructed of durable stainless steel and rubber ergonomic grips.
Nonstick Copper Grill Mat is $14.99. Set includes 2 grill mats. Prevents flare-ups and dripping. Grilling and baking mats allow for more even cooking. Non-stick copper surface. Keeps grates clean. Retains grill marks. Dishwasher safe.
Top kitchen brands are up to 60 percent off.
The Cuisinart Advantage Nonstick 11 Piece Aluminum Cookware Set is 64 percent off and now just $99.95. Prepare virtually anything with the cookware set. An elegant metallic exterior that complements any kitchen décor lets cooks simmer, sauté, fry, boil and braise in style.
Take 68 percent off the Henckels Modernist 13 Piece Knife Block Set, normally $500, now just $159.99. Each knife in the Modernist 13 Piece Block Set features a bolster for sturdy, balanced cutting. Equally ergonomic and stylish, the lightweight, stainless steel handles have an easy-to-grip, sandblasted texture and a polished, logo-embossed stainless end cap that adds aesthetic appeal to your knife block.
The Ayesha Curry Home Collection 12 Piece Aluminum Non Stick Cookware Set is 50 percent off and now $122.99. Featuring saucepans in two convenient sizes, a covered Dutch oven, two skillets, and a covered saute pan.
Save 61 percent on Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set, normally $400, is listed at $159. Exclusively designed aluminum encapsulated base provides superior heat conductivity and even heat distribution to meet the demands of gourmet chefs everywhere.
There are plenty of other deals as well:
Bedroom furniture from $99.
Area rugs from $49.
Up to 40 percent off Beautyrest mattresses
Save 65 percent on living room seating
Wall Art is a 70 percent off
50 percent off storage solutions
60 percent off bedding
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
Yahoo Lifestyle is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
As the warmer weather looks like its here to stay we are eager to make the most of our outdoor spaces, and enjoy the sunshine.
Whether you have a garden, patio or a balcony, there are plenty of garden furniture items to suit every space.
So it is music to our ears to learn Argos has launched a sale on outdoor garden furniture.
While some may be looking to buy a complete table and chair set, others may want to go all out with a garden sofa to recline in over the summer.
For others a stylish wicker chair may be all they desire to decorate their balcony with so they can sit back and unwind with a cold beverage in hand after a long week at work.
But those who are looking to go that one step further may want to buy a gazebo for their garden, because - let's face it - no summer party is complete without one.
Whether you are looking for individual items or furniture sets to seat two to four people, Argos' sale has something to suit everyone's needs and budgets.
Wicker Garden Chair | £29.99 (Was £45)
The Home Wicker Garden Chair is made from all-weather wicker, which means you can leave your prop outdoors come rain or sunshine. Plus, it is stackable, which means you can easily pack away the item when you choose.
Komoe Steel Sofa Set | £319.99 ( Was £400)
The Komoe Steel Sofa Set is a sturdy design, which comes complete two armchairs, a two-seater sofa, as well a s a glass table top, all of which are made from a steel frame. The design seats four people, and has been hailed a "comfortable and stylish" piece of outdoor furniture.
Pascal 4 Seater Sofa Set | £399.99 (Was £600)
The Pascal set is the ideal four-piece for those wanting to enjoy alfresco dining or relax with a drink in hand. The set is made from a strong aluminium frame, and textured rattan detailing. The four-piece set includes two armchairs, a two-seater sofa, as well as a coffee table. It has cushions for your comfort and the cushion covers are removable, which makes for easy washing.
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Butterfly Garden Chair and Footstool | £127.99 (Was £160)
The Butterfly Garden Chair and Footstool is the ideal prop for any outdoor space, as you can sit back and put your feet up come any hour. The two-piece boasts handwoven criss-cross frame, while the chair features a butterfly back for your comfort, so it is no wonder 100% of customers recommend the item.
3m x 3m Sail Garden Gazebo | £182.99 (Was £275)
The gazebo is the ideal purchase for those looking to host a garden party, or just want to create a bit of shade on their patio or garden. This design, which measures just under three metres in height, and three metres wide, boasts a black polyester covering, as well as a sturdy black metal frame. Customers insist it is "easy to put up", and would highly recommend.
Wooden Bench to Bistro Set | £52.99 (Was £80)
This set is ideal for those with smaller outdoor spaces, as it can be folded down to fit flush against the wall. It is a great versatile buy, as it can be transformed into a table with two stalls, a two-seater bench, or chair with coffee table. It is a sturdy design as it is made from acacia wood, which has been FSC certified, and is weather resistant.
Pascal Sun Lounger | £166.49 (Was £250)
The Pascal Sun Lounger is the ultimate addition to your outdoor space, especially for those who want to relax in the garden. It boasts a sturdy aluminium frame, with textured rattan detail, and comes with thick polyester cushions for your comfort when lapping up the sun's rays. Plus it is water and stain resistant, and easy to assemble.
Jasmine 2 Seater Bistro Set | £79.99 (Was £120)
The Bistro set is the perfect purchase for those looking for a vintage-style furniture to complete their garden. The table and chairs are made from sturdy steel, and have a powder coating to protect against the elements. But the attention to detail is key, as the set is finished in a soft powder blue, plus the chairs have a romantic love heart design in the back.
Oreti 4 Seater Rattan Sofa | £299.99 (Was £375)
The Oreti sofa comes complete with two armchairs, a two seater sofa, as well as a table. The chairs backs are made from rattan, while the table has ben crafted from steel and feature a glass table top. The set also comes with seven padded cushions for your comfort.
Dave 2 Seater Lounger Set with Side Table | £319.99 (Was £480)
The Dave set is ideal for couples who want to stretch out and relax after a long day. This set comes complete with two rattan loungers, two footstools, as well as a side table. The chairs and foot rest have stain resistant cushions to ensure you are comfortable throughout your day.
Sustainable AGRICULTURE Towards FOOD Security : Ceo Talk By Dr Chua Kim Aik
There's a bright white coffee table speckled with black. There are cheerful "chubby stools" in every colour you can imagine. Blue dotted with pinks and blacks. Green with burgundy and white.
And then there's my favourite – a "balance table" made up of three different slabs: pink, green and white, a circular top resting on top of two squares. It looks different from every angle.
Terrazzo is made from concrete, but it's not exactly what you imagine when you think about concrete furniture. Concrete is grey. Utilitarian. Something to be hidden away. Terrazzo is a whole different arena.
"Put simply, it's coloured concrete and marble chips," says Michael Lesinskis with a laugh. He's the one-man-terrazzo-band behind new Melbourne-based design company Mortadello.
Lesinskis is a carpenter, and started out creating terrazzo for fun in his spare time. But he quickly realised the potential it had.
"Experimenting with different colours and oxides … and different finishes, I found out it was just a much more flexible building material structurally and aesthetically than I ever thought it could be."
Buying from Mortadello is a collaborative process. Lesinskis doesn't keep stock on hand – each piece is unique and custom made. There are a couple of set designs for tables and stools, but customers choose the concrete and chip colours. You can also work with him on something bigger, made to your specifications.
For example, one recent client had a Singer sewing machine that had been handed down through three generations of her family.
"The existing marble benchtop for it was a little bit damaged and she wanted a terrazzo benchtop to replace it, which I thought was really cool," says Lesinskis. "I guess that's a case in point of the variety and how personal something could be for someone."
Lesinskis also makes custom dinnerware and refurbishes kitchens with terrazzo benchtops and splashbacks, but he's open to all kinds of ideas.
"Pretty much your imagination is the limit," he says.
Indicative pricing ranges from $350 for a serving platter to $750 for a stool, $1300 for a side table and $3650 for the Balance Table.
LONDON - Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:12 am | ב' תמוז תש"פ
With the easing of the lockdown in Belgium and the shuls opening in the second week of June, local bachurim – unable to travel abroad to learn in their regular yeshivos – were most keen to resume learning in a yeshivah setting.
With U.K. yeshivos still closed to foreign bachurim, three Antwerp talmidim of Gateshead Yeshivah approached Rav Eliezer Geldzahler, Rav of Berdichev Beis Hamedrash, to help realize their dream.
Rav Geldzahler, a great-grandson of Rav Eliyahu Dessler, zt"l, wholeheartedly and generously encouraged the idea and together with these three bachurim embarked on the project.
In under one week, with phenomenal siyatta diShamaya, a large old mansion set in huge grounds on the edge of the frum neighborhood was transformed from an abandoned dusty mayoral residence to a yeshivah.
Scores of bachurim, cleaners, electricians and plumbers worked almost round the clock to clear the building, paint, install lighting and plumbing, and bring in furniture both for beis medrash and dormitory facilities. They were all ably directed by Mr. Boruch Lissauer, who went nights without sleep to ensure they start as quickly as possible.
Simultaneously, chavrusos of Antwerp boys made arrangements to join with over 15 boys from the U.K. and some from as far as the U.S.A.
The kvias mezuzah took place last Tuesday followed by passionate divrei pesichah from Harav Aharon Schiff, shlita, encouraging the boys as they have been blessed to resume learning in a yeshivah setting without distractions. By Thursday there were about 60 bachurim learning, with over 30 sleeping on the premises.
Physical facilities are still very basic but the hasmadah and obvious joy of being back in yeshivah reverberates from the beis medrash.
A small staff of high-caliber meishivim are learning together with the bachurim, including Rav Geldzahler who is leading the chaburah. The bachurim are preparing for the weekly shiur klali of Harav Avrohom Gurwicz, Rosh Yeshivah of Gateshead Yeshivah, with his marei mekomos, and listening to it together on speakers in the yeshivah.
Of course, the bachurim look forward to the reopening of their regular yeshivos, but in the meantime they are blessed to have this setting to continue to shteig.
As a fourth-generation farmer, Matthew Moore is comfortable with acts of God. "Whether it's bugs or the weather, I know I can't always control the steering wheel," he says. "You've got to react fast."
So when his non-agricultural venture--Urban Plough Furniture, a Phoenix-based manufacturing company with $2.2 million in revenue--lost 80 percent of its business in March, Moore pursued alternative tracks to keep his workers employed while assisting the community. Working with a local physician Moore transformed his facility into a source for intubation boxes--devices that protect health-care workers inserting tubes into patients' airways. Amidst the chaos he also seized the opportunity to begin refocusing Urban Plough around the single product closest to his heart, a desk that he believes the pandemic era has made newly compelling.
Moore is an unconventional entrepreneur. In addition to farming 350 acres of vegetables, he is an artist whose agriculture-themed videos and installations have appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the produce sections of some Albertson's supermarkets. Eager to create something with practical as well as aesthetic appeal, he launched Urban Plough in 2016 to design custom furniture and interiors. His consuming interest was offices. Specifically, "I had a bug up my ass about sit-stand desks," says Moore. "They all look the same, and they're ugly."
But restaurants and hotels presented greater opportunity to compete on leading-edge design. So that's where Moore focused. Hospitality, of course, became one of Covid's earliest victims. "We were chugging along," he says. "And then I was looking at a cliff."
The boxing challenge
Moore was casting around for work that felt meaningful and would keep his business open when a friend introduced him to Benjamin Reeser, a local emergency room physician. During intubations Reeser and his colleagues had been covering Covid patients with plastic trash bags, the best means available to protect themselves from viral particles. In an online forum Reeser read about a Taiwanese physician who had designed an intubation box in the form of an acrylic cube placed over a patient's head with holes through which a physician could perform the procedure.
Reeser got hold of the plans and approached Moore. Together they modified the design to make the boxes wider and more stable. A team from Urban Plough began working up prototypes--five in one week--before settling on the final product. "When we tried it in the hospital, we said, this is a no-brainer," Reeser says. "This gives us a lot less anxiety."
Reeser intended to make just two or three boxes for hospitals where he worked. But word spread, and requests came in from all over the region. Moore offered to mass-produce the boxes. The direct-to-consumer mattress company Tuft & Needle, which is based in Phoenix, signed on as well. Reeser set up a GoFundMe account, raising almost $50,000 to fund production and shipping.
Shipping, in fact, turned out to be the biggest problem. "You couldn't ship this in a box or it would get destroyed," Moore says. "So we had to figure out how to flat pack it." That meant modifying the design further, making it simple enough that physicians could reassemble the boxes on their kitchen tables. Selling direct to doctors was critical, Reeser says, in order to sidestep the bureaucracy that slows down hospital procurement.
The boxes also needed to be cheap. Urban Plough eventually developed a model it could offer for $150 and has sold about 350. Doctors have ordered from as far away as South Korea.
For two months the boxes kept Moore's workshop operating from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Moore and Reeser also made specs for the product freely available online. Another 30 to 40 businesses have used those patterns to produce and distribute their own boxes. "You wouldn't expect someone to do all this work pro bono, but Matt did," Reeser says. "His response was amazing and encouraged me to keep going with it."
Orders slowed a few weeks ago, but Reeser--who is seeing triple the number of Covid patients he attended during lockdown--anticipates an uptick as things reopen. "Especially out here in Arizona we are not looking too good," he says.
The perfect desk
When he's not fulfilling box orders, Moore has been pondering post-pandemic office design. The prospect of co-workers separated by plexiglass barriers made the artist in him shudder. Inspired by the intubation boxes, he designed a protective screen for desks, made from plastic with a tessellated surface, that looks something like a geodesic dome but is open on one side. Buyers can submit the exact dimensions of their desk and choose between a U-shape and a semicircle, which Moore says provide a little more protection than standard partitions. The shields, available in the next few weeks, cost $20 to $30 before shipping.
Of course many people are expected to work from home permanently, and that excites Moore most. Even as he churned out interiors for restaurants and hotel lobbies he dreamed of designing a sit-stand desk with rich wood and gentle lines, and that didn't have the stark metal legs and dangling wires that make most models look like something in a machine shop. Over three years he developed a model, patenting an actuated lift system hidden from view that changes the height from 28 to 48 inches at the press of a button. He has incorporated early versions into commercial interiors.
Moore believes that the work-from-home revolution will create a new market for good-looking, comfortable home-office furniture. He plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign next month to increase production and pivot to a 90 percent direct-to-consumer model focused on the desks, which currently sell for $1,300 on his website. And at a time of mass unemployment, here is his value-add: "Buying a desk employs an individual for a week, including health insurance and benefits."
This Company Is Taking On IKEA With Furniture That Doesn't Need Tools
Belgian designer and artist Lionel Jadot is currently presenting a new series of furniture at Antwerp's Everyday Gallery. Titled "Game of Thrones," Jadot's unconventional home pieces were inspired by the famed fantasy drama series on HBO. The various types of seating, or what the artist describes as "thrones," found in the collection is made of unique elements including readymades or recycled objects that he collected over the years.
"Call it found art or trash art, the creative centipede Lionel Jadot is the international avant-garde artist in this genre par excellence. We are therefore very proud to be able to present his first ever gallery exhibition in Belgium," said Boris Devis, owner of Everyday Gallery.
Jadot's show at Everyday Gallery is his first-ever exhibition, displaying an eclectic set of furniture that reflects his anti-conformist and free-spirited approach to design. Highlighted pieces include an arch table lamp with a porcelain base, a chair made using VHS tapes and a wooden bench with cushioned panels of different sizes.
Check out the "Game of Thrones" furniture collection by Lionel Jadot in the slideshow above and visit Everyday Gallery's website to learn more. The exhibition is on view until August 16.
Elsewhere in design, Pake tapped Elbo Glass for a Grateful Dead-inspired zip bag capsule.
Even though non-essential businesses are beginning to reopen after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, tons of online retailers are still offering sales.
If you need your weekend shopping fix, we've got you covered. Below is a roundup of just some of the retailers currently holding online sales and deals this weekend.
And for those of you looking for last-minute Father's Day gifts, here is a roundup of where you can buy gift cards to send via email.
Adidas
The sportswear retailer currently has deals up to 30% off on sneakers, clothing and accessories with promo code "STRIPES" at checkout.
Adidas has relaunched its popular packs of three face masks for $16. (Under Armour also has a face mask marketed toward athletes, but it sold out quickly.)
Amazon
Apple's 10.2-inch, 32GB iPad is still discounted 24%. You can also find Apple's smart keyboard discounted by 38%.
Another hot deal is Apple's latest watch, the Series 5, which is on sale for 20% off.
You can also find the Amazon's Fire TV Recast, which is a DVR that lets you watch and record over-the-air TV with the Fire TV or Echo Show, on sale for $149.99, discounted 35%.
Anthropologie
For a limited time, get 25% off all sale clothing, shoes and accessories.
Look close enough and you can find some clothes for under $10, such as this Adele bell-sleeved T-shirt that was originally $58.
Best Buy
Apple's high-end 9th Generation Macbook Pro is discounted by $1,100.
Fanatics
The sports apparel retailer is having a site-wide sale with discounts up to 65% off using promo code "RIVER" at checkout to receive the discount.
Fanatics also has discounted select versions of their NFL face coverings by 25%. You can find all other styles here.
JCPenney
You can save 30% if you spend $75 or more on select items when you use promo code "SAVENOW4″ at checkout through Sunday.
You can save 40% when you spend $750 or more on select furniture and mattresses when you use promo code "HOME40″ at checkout.
JCPenney is also currently holding its biggest jewelry sale of the season where you can find fine and fashion jewelry for up to 70% off.
Kohl's
For starters, you can find "super markdowns" up to 80% off as part of a clearance sale.
Then there is the baby and kids sale through Sunday. Some great deals include this folding scooter for $28.99, or the Little Tikes Shop 'n Learn Smart Checkout for 50% off at $84.99.
Looking to do some baking? The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is down to $299.99, compared to its original price of $379.99.
Le Creuset
The premium cookware brand's colorful six piece signature set is down to $750, compared to $1,015 normally.
If you're a Disney fan, this five-piece Mickey Mouse set is on sale for $300 instead of $420.
You can browse the entire catalog here.
Lulu's
The women's online retailer has sale items for up to 70% off.
Need red, white and blue summer clothing for Independence Day 2020? You can find plenty here.
Macy's
Macy's is offering an extra 30% off on select items when you use promo code "FRIEND" at checkout.
One hot deal is this Bella non-stick panini press sandwich maker that's now $14.99, a whopping 70% off from $49.99 originally.
You also can find select men's cologne for 15% off.
Nike
You can find items on sale for up to 40% off, including sneakers, hoodies, shorts and other sportswear. Shop the entire sale here.
Reebok
There are a ton of shoes on sale as part of the "Dads and Grads" sale. Use promo code "DADGRAD" to get 30% off.
Sun & Ski Sports
Bike sales are booming, and outdoor sports outlet Sun and Ski Sports is still having its 40% off sale on select bike items.
Talbots
The women's clothing retailer is currently holding its Red Hanger Sale through July 12.
The popular sale happens only twice a year, with huge discounts of up to 40% off from already marked down prices.
Wayfair
Wayfair has outdoor deals up to 65% off on select patio furniture and decor, and you can also find living room seating, bedroom, kitchen and office furniture for up to 70% off.
The home goods giant is also holding a "Pet Essentials" sale with items up to 50% off.
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I am Pavitra Uikey, a 35-year-old migrant worker working in Bangalore, India's financial hub. When the coronavirus scare engulfed our country in the middle of March, we had a foreboding that people like us, who work in the informal sector, would be worst hit.
I'm a carpenter in a furniture workshop. In early March, my employer said that the government might announce a lockdown soon. A stone's throw from the workshop is the giant Mysore factory that employs hundreds of migrants. Every day, I watched dozens of them leaving to go home to their villages.
That was the wise thing to do. A lockdown would deprive us of our wages, and with little or no savings, we would be stranded without food or the means to get home. Our landlord might forcibly evict us if we failed to pay the rent.
I decided that my wife, Pushplata, who is expecting our first baby, and I should return to our village, Silgi, in Mandla district in Madhya Pradesh province.
I booked train tickets for 29 March. The plan was to travel by train to Nagpur in Maharashtra province, then by bus to Silgi. Even in normal times, the journey is arduous. There are no direct buses. From Nagpur, you travel four hours to Seoni district and then change buses to reach Mandla, a bumpy ride of another four hours. Little did I know that the journey back to our village would be a grievous test of our endurance.
The government sealed the country at midnight on 24 March and suspended public transport, and our fears started to come true!
As the weeks passed, our savings dried up. I fretted as my wife's delivery date inched nearer. How could I pay the hospital costs in an expensive city like Bangalore?
Our plight was the same as that of 100 million other migrants in urban hubs left without work in the lockdown. By mid-April, many were starving and they set out for their homes on foot. These journeys were often more than 1,000 kilometres long.
This sorry spectacle flooded television screens as people perished on their way home. By 18 May, over 130 migrants had died on the road. Many had fallen asleep on road dividers or train tracks, exhausted, and were run over by vehicles or trains.
When the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced that he would transfer 1,000 rupees (about £10.45) to every migrant worker's bank account, I kept checking my bank balance repeatedly. That gives you an idea of our circumstances.
DALLAS — Dallas Market Center has set comprehensive health measures for its summer edition of Total Home & Gift Market, Aug. 19-25.
To help buyers, the marketplace will feature new and expanding showrooms, hundreds of temporary exhibitors and inspiring displays inside a large and socially distant marketplace.
"Economic recovery is underway and being powered by retailers eager to re-stock and get back to business with renewed purpose," said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of DMC. "We are mindful of two important missions this summer: to support the retail rebound and to offer careful health measures. On both counts Dallas represents a safe, wide-open, supportive marketplace ready to serve customers this summer."
New safety guidelines are outlined on the front page of the DMC website and include wearing masks and social distancing, as well as operational changes such as deep cleaning and no gatherings as well as limited food options such as individually packaged and to-go food service from multiple outlets.
Also, DMC offers open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers.
Recognizing the need for inspiration and education at a distance, the market will present digital programming before and during the show. Videos, email content, and social media posts will provide product previews and business intelligence from Dallas Market Center and industry thought leaders. While at the show, interactive displays will feature new product insights and business intelligence on demand.
Several exhibitors will debut in Dallas or cut the ribbon on expanded spaces. Among those celebrating expanded showrooms are Elegant Furniture & Lighting, WTC 10080;, The Royal Standard, TM 2020-1032; and Cohasset Gift and Garden, moving and expanding into TM 2232.
New showrooms include family-owned rug producer Unique Loom, located in IHDC 1D112, and Curated, presented by Paul Michael and represented by In-Detail, debuting in WTC 615. Curated features high-design home furnishings including hand-crafted furniture as well as one-of-a kind art, decorative accessories and.
Other new showrooms include: Crown Linen Designs, WTC 205; Katie Loxton, WTC 205 A; Kitras Art Glass, TM 2442; Gaucho Sheep & Leather, WTC 6272; and Sparkles Rhinestones, TM 1767.
Inside The Gallery at the Interior Home + Design Center, a 32,000-square-foot showroom of 18 different home décor, home accents, furniture and lighting lines, new resources include Stanton Gray, Boxcar House, Eloise World Studio, and Paul Montgomery plus an expanded Legend of Asia.
The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market will present hundreds of new and returning exhibitors, in Trade Mart 1, WTC 11, WTC 12 and Market Hall.
Setting Up Digital Office Hours for Distance Learning
Stark contemporary lines and traditional textures, local materials, top-of-the-line amenities and eclectic modernist furniture come together seamlessly in this charming Marrakesh villa. Built in 2019 as one of a small development of nine villas in the Bab Atlas area on the northern edge of the city, the home's agent, Alex Peto, highlights its "unparalleled quality of construction."
Mr. Peto added that so many villas in the area were built 10 to 20 years ago and need to be completely redone, while this home is fully equipped with everything today's buyers expect—styled to contemporary tastes. "Huge windows everywhere flood the house with natural light. This is not the way villas were built 10 to 20 years ago. They traditionally had small windows to keep heat in or out, depending on the time of year."
Stats
The 17,136-square-foot home has seven bedrooms and nine full bathrooms, and sits on 2.5 acres of land.
More: Pair of Moroccan Resort Villas Head to Auction
Amenities
This home's amenities are a perfect balance of traditional features and modern conveniences. The spa has a traditional stone hammam, or Turkish bath, as well as a massage room. The wellness facilities also include a gym and an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Three terraces provide extensive indoor/outdoor living options, including a large, well-furnished covered patio perfect for long evenings of entertaining. Mr. Peto noted that life can be lived largely outdoors at least six months of the year in Morocco. Beautiful landscaped gardens are maintained by a sprinkler system and feature a private well.
Inside, the home is equipped with underfloor heating for cold Moroccan winters, and those who work from home will benefit from both a library and an office. Entertainment options include a home cinema, as well as a 443-square-foot basement-level games room with a bar and pool table.
Neighborhood Notes
Located in the popular Bab Atlas neighborhood of Marrakech city, the villa is only 15 minutes from the bustling city center. While it's within the city bounds, Bab Atlas benefits from also being in the heart of the Palmeraie, a 54 square mile oasis of several hundred thousand palm trees at the city's northern edge, with views of the iconic Atlas Mountains to the north. "You can pop into the hustle and bustle of the city and be back in 15 minutes to the tranquility and open spaces that the Palmeraie offers," Mr. Peto said. He mentioned as well that the area is home to notable residents, such as the Emir of Qatar.
From Penta: Tip-Toeing Back Into Travel
As well as being an area of astounding natural beauty, the sought-after neighborhood is also known for its world class museums—including Museum Palmeraie and High Atlas—and its luxury resorts and attractions, such as the Palmeraie Rotana Resort and Nikki Beach Hotel, as well as the PalmGolf Marrakech Golf Club.
The villa itself is right next door to the five-star Tigmiza hotel and spa, perfect for strolling over for dinner and a drink, Mr. Peto suggested.
Agent: Alex Peto, Kensington Luxury Properties, affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate
View the original listing.
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My First Colonic Irrigation Hydrotherapy: Hayley Pearce
This is a sponsored article on behalf of Folio London.
Imagine waking up and looking out of your windows to views stretching out over the River Thames. Sounds pretty special, right? But if you're already thinking riverside renting is beyond your reach, you may be pleasantly surprised by the latest phase of apartments at Royal Albert Wharf.
Recently launched through Folio London, this brand spanking new set of one, two and three bedroom apartments are pure waterside wonderful. Let's take a moment to talk about this location. The award-winning development sits right on the banks of the Thames in east London's Royal Docks, with most apartments commanding unbeatable views over the water.
Merging river panoramas with residential green spaces, Royal Albert Wharf offers a London home that feels worlds away from the hectic bustle, yet still maintains kickass connections into the city. Located a mere five minutes' walk from Gallions Reach DLR station (Zone 3), you can zip to Canary Wharf in 20 minutes or meet your pals in the City in less than half an hour. Wherever you're going, you'll always have the chance to "drive" the DLR from that elusive front seat (grow up? Us? Never!).
Inside the apartments, the slick story continues. Open plan living, enormous windows and a private balcony ensure you're never too far from those impressive views. But when you can tear yourself away, it's to soak up treats like a beautiful kitchen with high spec appliances, spacious modern bathrooms and double bedrooms with plenty of storage.
They've thought of everything at Folio London, and one of their signature perks is almost too good to be true — free furniture. That's right, if you're not already kitted out they'll do the hard work and make sure you have a sophisticated selection of lovely furniture waiting for you on move-in day. We're talking Winfield corner sofas, dining tables and chairs, Layton media units, fitted wardrobes and the all-important comfy bed to collapse into at the end of the day. IKEA who?
To make life even easier, you don't have to worry about ridiculous admin fees either. As a private rental company, Folio London don't charge any tenancy fees or sneak in hidden extras — what you see really is what you get. It's a direct relationship with no third parties, so if you need to get in touch? The team are just a phone call away.
Once you're settled, it's time to explore your new east London neighbourhood. A network of pedestrian pathways means there are opportunities galore for waterside wanders, but Royal Albert Wharf also offers a growing number of places to eat and drink (Galyons Bar and Kitchen is literally on your doorstep), plus a gym, fencing club, arts hub and retail park all within easy reach. Ideal for culture hungry, as well as just plain hungry, Londoners.
Folio's one, two and three-bedroom rental apartments at Royal Albert Wharf start at £1,300pcm. Click here to view the current collection of homes at Royal Albert Wharf, along with a portfolio of developments based all over London.
A cowhide or sheepskin is a sort of sequins and tiara for your interior - neutral but lively!
eather itself is one of the world's most versatile materials, popping up everywhere from fashion, to interiors, to book binding. It's used to enclose, wrap, protect, carry.
It has all sorts of extraordinary finishes and applications. It was even used when the Clarence Hotel nightclub was redesigned by architect Ross Cahill O'Brien for U2 to provide fire protection and a very sensual finish to the touch on handrails and steelwork.
The interior design world has always loved a good cowhide. It's the maverick of the leather world, with no two the same. Back in 1927, when Swiss architect Le Corbusier collaborated with two furniture designers to design the 'LC4', a chaise longue to you and me, the cowhide on the 'relaxing machine' made quite the stir. As for sheepskin, the Swedes have a tradition of gifting them to line the cots of their newborns, but it was in the 1970s that sheepskin last parachuted into chic interiors, thanks to erotic sci-fi movie Barbarella - and a host of lookalike sheepskin sofas began to appear.
The Irish sheepskin is stepping into the limelight at the moment. Its long luxuriant fleece makes a good counterpoint to the clean lines - and sharp edges - of our ash or oak furniture and the simple styles of the Irish cottage style where they're seen draped over stools, or softening up chairs and floors.
Whether a skin or a hide is good or bad depends to a large extent on the standard of animal husbandry it received which means Ireland has the edge. The same rules seem to apply to hides as to meats - the better the quality of life of the animal, the better the end product.
"The quality of a hide is based on its thickness and appearance," says Derek McCarthy of Irish Hide Designs, who describes himself as 'almost a professor of hides' after decades in the business. "You can also tell if it was well fed, if it's been outdoors in the wind, the rain. It'll have a lovely sheen, it's brighter and more vital looking - it's from a healthy animal. Store-fed cattle, bred indoors, will have rub marks and bald patches and their skins aren't as vibrant. I'd say 99pc of Irish cattle are bred outdoors and so you see it in their hides."
Cheaper hides are likely to have been factory farmed, and can look identical. Take note, bargain hunters.
As for sheepskins, Derek likes to use organic sheep as they have 'unpolluted' skins, though diet has a big role to play here too. "You can tell if a sheep has been fed too much turnip by his yellow wool."
Derek's company goes back five generations to 1810 when it was first established in Cork as a hide, skin, feather and wool merchants. Each generation of McCarthy has re-invented or tweaked the company to survive - in the early part of the 20th Century, world wars and recession hit the business hard and the family fought to survive. Then there was another market shift four or five years ago, Derek tells me. Up to then, he would visit small butchers around the country to select hides or skins but many of those have disappeared. Now he has a single source in Athy where the specific quality and type of hides he likes to work with are put by.
Two years ago, he made the decision to add value to the skins and hides he traded and set up Irish Hide Designs, using skins from cattle or sheep bred along the Wild Atlantic Way, the only guaranteed Irish ones on the market. You can choose cowhide rugs from, say, Donegal or West Kerry cows, or sheepskins that have been finely cropped or left long and shaggy.
He also offers a range of furniture, anything from cushions to yoga mats - Derek handpicks the fleece for these - or shaggy-legged pouffes. Even leather aprons that are made with the help of Limerick saddler, Trevor Russell. Just the sort of thing for Father's Day.
Sunday Indo Business
Hidden Minecraft Base that's only 1.5 Blocks Tall!
Need a new writing desk, outdoor furniture set, or bed frame? Then get ready, because Wayfair, everyone's favorite online retailer for all things home and apartment, is having a huge clearance sale this weekend. From Saturday, June 13 at 9am EST to Tuesday, June 16 at 9am EST you can save up to 70% on clearance furniture items.
Some noticeable highlights from the sale:
Bed & Headboard Clearance Up to 50% Off
Mattress Clearance Up to 60% Off
Outdoor Furniture Clearance Up to 60% Off
Kitchen Clearance Up to 60% Off
Wall Art Clearance Up to 70% Off
Area Rug Clearance Up to 60% Off
Wayfair is all about stylish and functional pieces for your home that serve a purpose and look good while doing it, so you don't have to sacrifice one or the other. They've got everything from indoor and outdoor furniture for every room to wall art and décor and bathroom essentials.
This sale is going to be huge, we're talking up to 70% off everything on their site including entertainment units, outdoor furniture, bedding and bath, pet essentials and kitchen equipment.
Here are some of our favorite pieces from notable sections of this sale, as well as the estimated discount for this weekend. Take note and get your pocketbooks ready, everything starts 9am EDT on Saturday.
Heffington Casual Dinette 7-Piece Wood Dining Set
KITCHEN & DINING FURNITURE — UP TO 55% OFF
Getting a full kitchen dining set for more than half off is beyond a steal. A matching dining room set is the perfect place for your next family gathering or dinner party after the quarantine restrictions lift. We're big fans of the Heffington 7-piece furniture set pictured below. The traditional set is made of sturdy alder wood with a classic design and crossback dining chairs built to last. The chairs feature a comfortable polyurethane cover that's easy to clean and durable enough to withstand wear and tear. This set seats six people comfortably, a perfect addition to your dining room.
During this weekend's WayFair sale, save up to 55% on clearance kitchen and dining room furniture.
Cleghorn Reclining Chaise Lounge (Set of 2)
OUTDOOR FURNITURE — UP TO 60% OFF
These chaise loungers are the perfect piece of furniture to spend all those long weekend summer afternoons in, reading, listening to a great podcast or just getting some sun in. These are in the Outdoor Furniture category, which will be up to 60% off this weekend, a major discount worth jumping on. They've got whicker seat backs and acacia wood frames that are sturdy and will weather numerous summers in your backyard easily. They've also got convenient pull-out side trays that can hold your ice-cold beverage or reading material while you take a dip to cool off.
Crook Oriental Burnt Orange Area Rug
AREA RUGS — UP TO 60% OFF
Area rugs add so much to a space through giving it warmth, design and adding a statement pop of color that can tie a whole space together. This oriental rug from World Menagerie is perfect for a monotone living room that needs a boost, or an office that's craving some life. This particular rug is available in sizes ranging from 2'3″ x 3'9″ all the way up to 9′ x 12′ to cover an entire room. The traditionally-inspired design exemplifies elegance and a sophisticated eye and is made to be used indoors.
Charlotte Adjustable 71″ Task/Reading Floor Lamp
TABLE AND FLOOR LAMPS — UP TO 55% OFF
Lighting is key, right? This adjustable floor lamp has a great design that'll fit in most rooms looking for a lighting accent and decorative piece at the same time. It's from Kelly Clarkson's home goods collection, and comes with the option to adjust the height to your preference. At maximum height it stands 71″ tall, and the dome shade over the bulb is adjustable as well. The slender steel body will fit anywhere and won't take up too much space in your living room or office, and features a rotary socket switch.
MARTINSVILLE, Va., June 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hooker Furniture Corporation (NASDAQ-GS: HOFT) today reported its preliminary financial results for its fiscal 2021 first quarter.
"COVID-19 had a material impact on our financial performance in the fiscal 2021 first quarter and on the market valuations, discount rates and other inputs used in our intangibles valuation analysis," said Paul B. Toms, Jr. Chairman and CEO. "Consequently and despite having completed a similar intangible asset valuation during our fiscal 2020 fourth quarter, we determined that another intangible asset valuation was appropriate given our performance and changing market dynamics. Given the effort and complexity involved in this project, we need additional time to complete this analysis," he concluded.
The Company's preliminary unaudited financial results do not include any impairment charges on its intangibles assets as of the end of its fiscal 2021 first quarter. Due to the complexity of the impairment analysis resulting from economic uncertainty of COVID-19, the Company is still in the process of finalizing its impairment assessment, including the design and operation of internal controls, so actual results may differ materially from the preliminary unaudited results provided herein. The Company expects to complete the impairment analysis and finalize the amount of the impairment charges, if any, in connection with the filing of the Company's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 3, 2020, which is currently expected to be filed on or before the extended due date of July 27, 2020. The Company is relying on Release No. 34-88465 (the "Order") issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 25, 2020, pursuant to Section 36 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act), which provides conditional relief to public companies unable to timely comply with their filing obligations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impairment charges, if any, will not affect the Company's cash position, but would adversely impact operating loss, net loss, loss per share on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations, total comprehensive loss on the statement of comprehensive loss, and deferred income taxes, intangible assets and retained earnings on the condensed consolidated statement of financial position. The Company does not plan to update this press release when its impairment analysis is completed, but instead intends to reflect final results in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q expected to be filed with the SEC on or before the extended due date of July 27, 2020.
Preliminary Results
The unaudited preliminary financial results for the fiscal 2021 first quarter represent the most current information available to the Company and are based on calculations or figures prepared internally and they have not been reviewed or audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The Company's actual results may differ materially from these preliminary financial results due to the completion of its financial closing procedures, including its intangible asset valuation, final adjustments, and other developments that may arise between the date of this announcement and when results for the fiscal 2021 first quarter are finalized and reported in its Form 10-Q.
The Company reported consolidated net sales of $104.6 million and a preliminary net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.09 per share, for its fiscal 2021 first quarter that began February 3 and ended May 3, 2020.
Net sales decreased 22.8%, or $30.9 million, compared to $135.5 million in last year's first quarter. Preliminary net earnings decreased $3.1 million, compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.17 per share a year ago.
Gross profit decreased $6.9 million from $25.5 million, or 18.8% of net sales in the prior year first quarter to $18.7 million, or 17.8% of net sales in the most recent first quarter.
The double-digit sales decline and the Company's first quarterly operating and net income losses in over a decade were driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic shutdown and stay-at-home orders throughout the U.S. from mid-March to early May. Also contributing to the quarterly loss and operating margin reduction was the temporary shutdown of production at five of Hooker's six domestic upholstery plants in Virginia and North Carolina, which resulted in unabsorbed fixed costs and operating inefficiencies.
For the quarter, preliminary operating margins decreased to a loss of $1.1 million or -1.1% of net sales, compared to an operating income of $2.9 million or 2.1% of net sales in the prior year first quarter, due to lower net sales, and unabsorbed costs and operating expenses in the Home Meridian segment and Domestic Upholstery segment.
"The COVID-19 crisis drove the most significant downturn in our business in over 50 years," said Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. "However, the disruption has not been as severe as we initially projected. We are proud of how our team responded and weathered the storm during this unparalleled time of challenge. Based on the uptick in orders and retail sales we've seen in recent weeks as stores and the economy reopen, we are cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind us and that business will steadily improve through the summer and fall."
After beginning the current fiscal year on an upturn with a 8.3% year-over-year increase in consolidated incoming orders in February, orders plummeted over 70% year-over-year in March and approximately 65% in April, Toms said. He added that cancellations of stock orders by large customers and deferred orders from retailers who closed their stores during the shutdown partially drove the steep declines. Orders declined significantly during the first few weeks of May but then recovered resulting in about a 7% overall reduction for the full month compared to the prior year. June orders have continued this positive trend. "What we've seen recently is that orders are actually at a higher rate than a year ago," Toms said. "Retailers in some regions of the country have positive reports about their business the last few weeks, including strong Memorial Day holiday weekend sales. We believe there are several positive factors in play such as pent-up demand, more focus on home environments and less competition for discretionary consumer spending from travel, eating out and other activities."
In addition, Hooker's domestic upholstery manufacturing facilities for Bradington-Young, Sam Moore and Shenandoah began ramping up production in early May and "are currently operating at approximately three-fourths capacity on a consolidated basis, which is a significant increase over the fiscal 2021 first quarter, which will improve efficiencies and cost absorption," Toms said.
Reflecting on the Company's response to the international health and economic crisis, Toms believes that "The Company performed extremely well in a very difficult environment. First and foremost, we are grateful that none of our 1,000 employees, at any location, have tested positive for the virus to date. That's quite an accomplishment, and a testament to the diligence with which Human Resources implemented best-practice safety protocols at all locations. Our employees also followed best practices at home and work, and adapted to working remotely while staying productive, positive and engaged. We believe we responded with appropriate mitigation measures to reduce operating expenses and preserve cash with difficult but necessary decisions such as furloughing approximately 600 manufacturing, warehouse and administrative employees; closing five of six upholstery manufacturing facilities for the month of April, temporarily reducing officer and manager salaries and Board of Directors' fees and delaying all non-critical capital spending. Unfortunately, we had to reduce our workforce by 35 employees but were able to keep 97% of our U.S. employees on board."
The Company's ongoing strategy to sell through multiple distribution channels "proved itself during the crisis," Toms said. While most traditional furniture retailers were closed for two months, "Other channels such as e-commerce, hospitality and clubs flourished and provided a source of revenues."
Segment Reporting: Hooker Branded
Net sales for the Hooker Branded segment decreased $12.4 million, or 31.4% in the fiscal 2021 first quarter, driven by COVID-19 related reduced demand. Because the majority of traditional furniture stores and small or regional chains closed during the economic shutdown and comprise the most significant share of the segment's distribution base, incoming order rates dropped dramatically during the quarter. Despite the sales decline, the segment's low-fixed-cost and high-variable-cost model enabled it to maintain a 29.5% gross margin and a 4.9% operating income margin during the quarter.
During the quarter, the Spring High Point Furniture Market originally scheduled for late April was cancelled, and High Point showrooms were closed. Despite that, Hooker Casegoods has been able to sell new collections, originally set for spring introductions, through a "virtual showroom" presentation on a password-protected area of the Company's website. "Before the showroom closed, we prioritized upscale, environmental and detailed photography of four new collections that are already in production," said Jeremy Hoff, president of Hooker Legacy Brands. "We have done very well selling through the first cuttings via this online presentation to our retail customers, which is very encouraging. Our next step is to produce a 360-degree-style video tour of the collections in our showroom this month."
Segment Reporting: Home Meridian
Net sales of $57.7 million in the Home Meridian (HMI) segment decreased $10.0 million, or 14.7% in the fiscal 2021 first quarter versus the prior year quarter. Despite a sales decline, HMI's gross profit improved in absolute terms and as a percentage of net sales, as the issues negatively impacting the segment in the prior year, including excess tariff and quality-related chargebacks, are mostly resolved. Although Home Meridian reported a preliminary operating loss of $2.4 million, it improved from a $5.0 million operating loss from prior year first quarter.
"While the global economic slowdown from COVID-19 significantly reduced Q1 orders, sales and profits, the HMI bottom-line improvement over prior-year results is attributable to the segment's fundamental turnaround strategy," said Doug Townsend, co-president of HMI. "Some of the indicators of improvement include: First quarter product and quality allowances were 21% below the prior year; contribution margin, as a percent of net sales, improved 350 basis points over last year, and fixed expenses were $1.5 million below last year. These are all areas of concentrated management focus, among many others," Townsend said.
"While the economic impact of the coronavirus will continue to impact us in the next quarter and likely the balance of the year, we are encouraged that April and May results were much better than we forecasted at the beginning of the crisis. Specifically, our e-commerce business has significantly outperformed all expectations, and accounted for 35% of our total sales in the quarter. Additionally, business with several of our Mega and Mass accounts has held up much better than originally projected. We're cautiously optimistic that the worst of the retail slowdown is behind us, and we're starting to see stronger demand for shipments as we move into the summer."
Segment Reporting: Domestic Upholstery
Net sales decreased $8.5 million or 33.7% in the fiscal first quarter in the Domestic Upholstery Segment as incoming orders fell 40%. During the month of April, manufacturing plants at Bradington-Young and Shenandoah, were temporarily closed for most of April, while Sam Moore operated at about 50% capacity. Employees returned to the factories and production re-started the week of May 4, and currently the segment is operating at approximately three-fourths capacity. Sales declines and operating inefficiencies from the temporary shutdown resulted in significantly decreased gross margins and an operating loss and we expect some negative impacts to gross margins and operating income as we ramp production up to meet increasing demand during the fiscal 2021 second quarter.
Segment Reporting: All Other
All Other net sales stayed essentially flat and reported an operating income of $386,000 due to continued solid performance at H Contract, which achieved a 16% increase in incoming orders and 68% higher backlog compared to the prior year first quarter.
Cash, Debt and Inventory
Despite disappointing operating results, the Company generated $18.9 million in cash from operations, received $673,000 life insurance proceeds, and finished the quarter with $51.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $15.2 million compared to the balance at fiscal 2020 year-end. The Company also paid $2.2 million in principal and interest on its term loans and $1.9 million in cash dividends to the shareholders. To address the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented measures to reduce operating expenses and preserve cash. Additionally, the Company had access to $25.6 million in cash surrender value of Company-owned life insurance policies. "Along with an aggregate $25.7 million available under our existing revolver to fund working capital, we are confident in our financial condition, and believe we have financial resources to weather the continued expected short-to-mid-term impacts of COVID-19," said Paul Huckfeldt, CFO. The Company has $28.2 million in acquisition-related debt. Consolidated inventories stood at $82.1 million, compared to $92.8 million at the end of last year's fourth quarter on February 2, 2020.
Outlook
"While we have limited visibility of how the economic and health crisis may fluctuate in the coming months, and still face headwinds of significant levels of unemployment, our business is improving, and we are in a better position than we expected just two months ago to be at this time," said Toms. "We believe the Company remains in exceptional financial condition with a strong balance sheet. We are grateful for the adaptability and resilience of our employees, and look forward to bringing our administrative and management team members back into the offices when the states say we can, and when we feel it is safe based on the status of COVID-19 in the communities around our corporate locations. We expect the second quarter to be significantly better than the first. Barring a second wave of infections, we expect business each quarter to improve as we go through the year. We're confident we will emerge from this crisis a stronger company."
Dividends
On June 2, 2020, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share, payable on June 30, 2020, to shareholders of record at June 16, 2020.
Conference Call Details
Hooker Furniture will present its fiscal 2021 first quarter financial results via teleconference and live internet web cast on Friday morning, June 12, 2020 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. Due to increased conference call volume noted by service providers, the Company encourages call participants to dial in at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call. The dial-in number for domestic callers is 877.665.2466 and the number for international callers is 678.894.3031. The conference ID number is 1548679. The call will be simultaneously web cast and archived for replay on the Company's web site at www.hookerfurniture.com in the Investor Relations section.
Hooker Furniture Corporation, in its 97th year of business, is a designer, marketer and importer of casegoods (wooden and metal furniture), leather furniture and fabric-upholstered furniture for the residential, hospitality and contract markets. The Company also domestically manufactures premium residential custom leather and custom fabric-upholstered furniture. It is ranked among the nation's largest publicly traded furniture sources, based on 2019 shipments to U.S. retailers, according to a 2020 survey by a leading trade publication. Major casegoods product categories include home entertainment, home office, accent, dining, and bedroom furniture in the upper-medium price points sold under the Hooker Furniture brand. Hooker's residential upholstered seating product lines include Bradington-Young, a specialist in upscale motion and stationary leather furniture, Sam Moore Furniture, a specialist in upscale occasional chairs, settees, sofas and sectional seating with an emphasis on cover-to-frame customization, Hooker Upholstery, imported upholstered furniture targeted at the upper-medium price-range and Shenandoah Furniture, an upscale upholstered furniture company specializing in private label sectionals, modulars, sofas, chairs, ottomans, benches, beds and dining chairs in the upper-medium price points for lifestyle specialty retailers. The H Contract product line supplies upholstered seating and casegoods to upscale senior living facilities. The Home Meridian division addresses more moderate price points and channels of distribution not currently served by other Hooker Furniture divisions or brands. Home Meridian's brands include Accentrics Home, home furnishings centered around an eclectic mix of unique pieces and materials that offer a fresh take on home fashion, Pulaski Furniture, casegoods covering the complete design spectrum in a wide range of bedroom, dining room, accent and display cabinets at medium price points, Samuel Lawrence Furniture, value-conscious offerings in bedroom, dining room, home office and youth furnishings, Prime Resources, value-conscious imported leather upholstered furniture, Samuel Lawrence Hospitality, a designer and supplier of hotel furnishings and HMidea, a 2019 start-up that provides better-quality, ready-to-assemble furniture to mass marketers and e-commerce customers. Hooker Furniture Corporation's corporate offices and upholstery manufacturing facilities are located in Virginia and North Carolina, with showrooms in High Point, N.C. and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company operates eight distribution centers in North Carolina, Virginia, California and Vietnam. Please visit our websites hookerfurniture.com, bradington-young.com, sammoore.com, hcontractfurniture.com, homemeridian.com, pulaskifurniture.com, accentricshome.com and slh-co.com.
Certain statements made in this release, other than those based on historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our reasonable judgment with respect to future events and typically can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could" or "anticipates," or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: (1) The effect and consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or future pandemics on a wide range of matters including U.S. and local economies; our business operations and continuity; the health and productivity of our employees; the impact on our supply chain, the retail environment and our customer base; the possible impairment of our intangible assets as a result of adverse economic or other market conditions; (2) general economic or business conditions, both domestically and internationally, and instability in the financial and credit markets, including their potential impact on our (i) sales and operating costs and access to financing or (ii) customers and suppliers and their ability to obtain financing or generate the cash necessary to conduct their respective businesses; (3) adverse political acts or developments in, or affecting, the international markets from which we import products, including duties or tariffs imposed on those products by foreign governments or the U.S. government, such as the current U.S. administration imposing a 25% tariff on certain goods imported into the United States from China, including almost all furniture and furniture components manufactured in China, with the potential for additional or increased tariffs in the future; (4) sourcing transitions away from China, including the lack of adequate manufacturing capacity and skilled labor and longer lead times, due to competition and increased demand for resources in those countries; (5) risks associated with our reliance on offshore sourcing and the cost of imported goods, including fluctuation in the prices of purchased finished goods, ocean freight costs and warehousing costs and the risk that a disruption in our offshore suppliers could adversely affect our ability to timely fill customer orders; (6) changes in U.S. and foreign government regulations and in the political, social and economic climates of the countries from which we source our products; (7) disruptions involving our vendors or the transportation and handling industries, particularly those affecting imported products from Vietnam and China, including customs issues, labor stoppages, strikes or slowdowns and the availability of shipping containers and cargo ships; (8) difficulties in forecasting demand for our imported products; (9) risks associated with product defects, including higher than expected costs associated with product quality and safety, and regulatory compliance costs related to the sale of consumer products and costs related to defective or non-compliant products, including product liability claims and costs to recall defective products; (10) disruptions and damage (including due to weather) affecting our Virginia, North Carolina or California warehouses, our Virginia or North Carolina administrative facilities or our representative offices or warehouses in Vietnam and China; (11) risks associated with domestic manufacturing operations, including fluctuations in capacity utilization and the prices and availability of key raw materials, as well as changes in transportation, warehousing and domestic labor costs, availability of skilled labor, and environmental compliance and remediation costs; (12) the risks specifically related to the concentrations of a material part of our sales and accounts receivable in only a few customers; (13) our inability to collect amounts owed to us or significant delays in collecting such amounts; (14) the interruption, inadequacy, security breaches or integration failure of our information systems or information technology infrastructure, related service providers or the internet or other related issues including unauthorized disclosures of confidential information or inadequate levels of cyber-insurance or risks not covered by cyber insurance; (15) achieving and managing growth and change, and the risks associated with new business lines, acquisitions, restructurings, strategic alliances and international operations; (16) higher than expected employee medical and workers' compensation costs that may increase the cost of our high-deductible healthcare and workers compensation plans; (17) product liability claims; (18) risks related to our other defined benefit plans; (19) the possible impairment of our long-lived assets, which can result in reduced earnings and net worth; (20) capital requirements and costs, including the servicing of our floating-rate term loans; (21) risks associated with distribution through third-party retailers, such as non-binding dealership arrangements; (22) the cost and difficulty of marketing and selling our products in foreign markets; (23) changes in domestic and international monetary policies and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affecting the price of our imported products and raw materials; (24) the cyclical nature of the furniture industry, which is particularly sensitive to changes in consumer confidence, the amount of consumers' income available for discretionary purchases, and the availability and terms of consumer credit; (25) price competition in the furniture industry; (26) competition from non-traditional outlets, such as internet and catalog retailers; (27) changes in consumer preferences, including increased demand for lower-quality, lower-priced furniture due to, among other things, fluctuating consumer confidence, amounts of discretionary income available for furniture purchases and the availability of consumer credit; and (28) other risks and uncertainties described under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2020. Any forward-looking statement that we make speaks only as of the date of that statement, and we undertake no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise and you should not expect us to do so.
Table IHOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended May 3, May 5, 2020 * 2019 Net sales $ 104,597 $135,518 Cost of sales 85,944 110,001 Gross profit 18,653 25,517 Selling and administrative expenses 19,177 22,016 Intangible asset amortization 596 596 Operating (loss)/income (1,120) 2,905 Other expense, net (42) (62)Interest expense, net 197 341 (Loss)/income before income taxes (1,359) 2,502 Income tax (benefit)/expense (282) 515 Net (loss)/income $ (1,077) $1,987 (Loss)/earnings per share: Basic $ (0.09) $0.17 Diluted $ (0.09) $0.17 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 11,798 11,769 Diluted 11,798 11,805 Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.16 $0.15 *PRELIMINARY; SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BASED ON IMPAIRMENT TESTING AND FINAL CLOSING PROCEDURES
Table II HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME (In thousands) (Unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended May 3, May 5, 2020 * 2019 Net (Loss)/Income$ (1,077) $1,987 Other comprehensive income (loss): Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain 84 37 Income tax effect on amortization (20) (9) Adjustments to net periodic benefit cost 64 28 Total Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income$ (1,013) $2,015 *PRELIMINARY; SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BASED ON IMPAIRMENT TESTING AND FINAL CLOSING PROCEDURES
Table IIIHOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands) As of May 3, February 2, 2020 * 2020 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 51,240 $36,031 Trade accounts receivable, net 63,852 87,653 Inventories 82,050 92,813 Income tax recoverable 1,615 751 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,545 4,719 Total current assets 204,302 221,967 Property, plant and equipment, net 29,256 29,907 Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 25,603 24,888 Deferred taxes 2,320 2,880 Operating leases right-of-use assets 37,786 39,512 Intangible assets, net 32,775 33,371 Goodwill 40,058 40,058 Other assets 1,113 1,125 Total non-current assets 168,911 171,741 Total assets $ 373,213 $393,708 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Current portion of term loans $ 28,170 $5,834 Trade accounts payable 13,396 25,493 Accrued salaries, wages and benefits 3,271 4,933 Customer deposits 4,024 3,351 Current portion of lease liabilities 6,162 6,307 Other accrued expenses 2,480 4,211 Total current liabilities 57,503 50,129 Long term debt - 24,282 Deferred compensation 11,310 11,382 Lease liabilities 32,581 33,794 Total long-term liabilities 43,891 69,458 Total liabilities 101,394 119,587 Shareholders' equity Common stock, no par value, 20,000 shares authorized, 11,871 and 11,838 shares issued and outstanding on each date 52,187 51,582 Retained earnings 220,281 223,252 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (649) (713)Total shareholders' equity 271,819 274,121 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 373,213 $393,708 *PRELIMINARY; SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BASED ON IMPAIRMENT TESTING AND FINAL CLOSING PROCEDURES
Table IVHOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended May 3, May 5, 2020 * 2019 Operating Activities: Net (loss)/income$ (1,077) $1,987 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,685 1,716 Gain on disposal of assets - (274)Deferred income tax expense 540 2,344 Non-cash restricted stock and performance awards 605 463 (Benefit from)/provision for doubtful accounts and sales allowances (328) 862 Gain on life insurance policies (571) (555)Changes in assets and liabilities Trade accounts receivable 24,129 33,451 Inventories 10,763 (5,561)Income tax recoverable (864) - Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,468) (3,186)Trade accounts payable (12,149) (8,165)Accrued salaries, wages and benefits (1,661) (3,266)Accrued income taxes - (1,867)Customer deposits 673 3,117 Operating lease liabilities 367 (167)Other accrued expenses (1,731) (664)Deferred compensation 12 51 Net cash provided by operating activities 18,925 20,286 Investing Activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (381) (1,527)Proceeds received on notes receivable - 1,449 Proceeds received on life insurance policies 673 - Premiums paid on life insurance policies (162) (157)Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 130 (235) Financing Activities: Payments for long-term debt (1,952) (1,464)Cash dividends paid (1,894) (1,768)Cash used in financing activities (3,846) (3,232) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 15,209 16,819 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year 36,031 11,435 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year$ 51,240 $28,254 Supplemental schedule of cash flow information: Interest paid, net$ 240 $329 Income taxes paid, net 43 38 Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities: Increase in property and equipment through accrued purchases$ 51 $743 Decrease in lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets (3) - *PRELIMINARY; SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BASED ON IMPAIRMENT TESTING AND FINAL CLOSING PROCEDURES
Table V HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NET SALES AND OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME BY SEGMENT (In thousands) Unaudited Thirteen Weeks Ended May 3, May 5, 2020 * 2019 % Net % Net Net Sales Sales Sales Hooker Branded $ 27,162 26.0%$39,600 29.2% Home Meridian 57,665 55.1% 67,630 49.9% Domestic Upholstery 16,783 16.0% 25,324 18.7% All Other 2,987 2.9% 2,964 2.2% Consolidated $ 104,597 100.0%$135,518 100% Operating (loss)/income Hooker Branded $ 1,333 4.9%$5,177 13.1% Home Meridian (2,411)-4.2% (4,993)-7.4% Domestic Upholstery (429)-2.6% 2,292 9.1% All Other 387 13.0% 429 14.5% Consolidated $ (1,120)-1.1%$2,905 2.1% *PRELIMINARY; SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL REVISION BASED ON IMPAIRMENT TESTING AND FINAL CLOSING PROCEDURES
Prior-Year amounts have been restated to reflect a change in the Company's reportable segments.
For more information, contact:Paul B. Toms Jr.Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerPhone: (276) 632-2133, or
Paul A. Huckfeldt, Senior Vice President, Finance & Accounting & Chief Financial OfficerPhone: (276) 666-3949