Casual News Now

16/01/2024

Editor-in-Chief Alex Milstein checked in with three major retailers who talked about how 2023 ended for them, if they sold through their inventory and what they think the new year might hold.

Last year, one of the most common problems for casual furniture retailers was an excess of inventory. Many bought their product for 2024 in September, …

15/01/2024

Since creating Taylor Creek in 1983, the Kapp family has enlarged the showroom and broadened the product mix of outdoor furnishings to include such selections as grills and hammocks, along with gifts, toys and Christmas items.

At Taylor Creek in Green Bay, Wisconsin, success has come from a willingness to change — over and over again. Mike Kapp, who co-owns the …

12/01/2024

With nearly 5,000 square feet of display space, Sunset West's new Atlanta showroom is more than 65% larger than its previous, temporary space at the inaugural Casual Market Atlanta. For the winter market, the company is spotlighting four collections.

For its second showing at the Atlanta Market, luxury outdoor furnishings manufacturer Sunset West will open a larger showroom located on the sixth floor of …

12/01/2024

Homecrest Outdoor Living has added Jackie Prevette to its network of residential sales representatives. The sales veteran has worked in the casual furniture industry for over 25 years, representing a variety of premium, high-quality manufacturers.

11/01/2024

In a move intended to support the needs of outdoor furnishings retailers and designers with a complete buying experience when it best suits the demands of their businesses, Andmore and ICFA are expanding the 2024 editions of Casual Market Atlanta with a significant new educational opportunity in July and the addition of temporary exhibits in September.

In a move intended to support the needs of outdoor furnishings retailers and designers with a complete buying experience when it best suits the demands …

11/01/2024

Chair King's new, 15,000-square-foot store in Sugar Land is part of the company’s continued growth throughout the state and country. The store is opening Jan. 12 with a ribbon cutting planned for Jan. 24.

Chair King Backyard Store is opening a new, 15,000-square-foot store in Sugar Land, Texas, as part of the company’s continued growth throughout the state and …

26/12/2023

Items such as soaps, candles, decorations and other gifts bring in more customers to Theinsville Patio PLace and Hardware and keep the floor fresh, says E.B. Gabor, who adds that the retailer also sets itself apart by going the extra mile for its customers to ensure they love shopping there.

If Thiensville Patio Place & Hardware in Thiensville, Wisconsin, has a theme, it’s about finding a way to take life a little easier. Decades ago, …

25/12/2023

Now is a great time to be planning your events calendar for next year, whether you are a retailer or a manufacturer. Editor-in-Chief Alex Milstein offers a few ideas to get you started.

For retailers and manufacturers alike, working closely with your community on events shouldn’t be an afterthought.  The people in a retailer’s community often make up …

24/12/2023

Zuo has moved from its previous showroom in Chicago to Atlanta. Focusing on outdoor furniture, the new space spans 5,500 square feet and will feature a collection of 250 outdoor furniture pieces.

Zuo has opened a new showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta. The showroom, focusing on outdoor furniture, spans 5,500 square feet and will feature a collection …

23/12/2023

Since Armen Living first entered the outdoor category in 2019, the contemporary furnishings brand has increased its overall outdoor sales to more than 15% of its business. It will be showing in a permanent space for the first time in Atlanta and has tripled its space in Las Vegas.

Contemporary furniture brand Armen Living will be showing in a brand-new outdoor showroom at AmericasMart Atlanta in January and will make its Casual Market Atlanta …

22/12/2023

Pavilion's new Southpoint collection of tables is offered in a range of sizes from petite squares to large communal tables. The cornerstone of the collection is a 10-foot-long banquet table.

Pavilion Furniture has introduced Southpoint, a brand-new outdoor table series designed to encourage connection, conversation and collaboration. Southpoint tables are offered in a wide …

21/12/2023

The outdoor category will have 16 showroom updates in time for the Atlanta Market in January 2024, providing a sneak peek into all casual offerings to be featured at the summer 2024 Casual Market Atlanta in July.

The casual and outdoor category at AmericasMart Atlanta will have 16 showroom updates in time for the Atlanta Market Jan. 16-22, 2024. The new and …

21/12/2023

Cronin's Porch and Patio Owner Judie Cronin says the retailer's assets are quality products, a friendly staff and good customer service. It tells its story via word of mouth, Google and Facebook. Find out more about what works for this savvy retailer.

For Judie and Tom Cronin, the value within their store — Cronin’s Porch & Patio in Fort Myers, Florida — is twofold: They offer a …

21/12/2023

Windward's new plant in Pennsylvania will serve its growing customer base in the Northern part of the country. With a new management team in place to take things to the next level, the manufacturer will maintain its footprint in Florida to serve the Southern states.

Windward Design Group has undergone significant change over the past few years — from doubling down on its people by fully staffing its Florida facility …

22/10/2023

Each of Lexington's new Tommy Bahama Outdoor collections has its own unique style and features a variety of different seating and dining options in bold performance fabrics. Also new in the Mozambique line is the company's Eclipse material, which is a synthetic teak that feels like real wood but doesn’t wear in the same way.

Outdoor is the fastest-growing category for Lexington Home Brands, and the company is releasing three diverse new collections at the fall market. Each collection has …

21/10/2023

Industry veteran Charles Emmons will lead sales efforts across the United States for Sunset West and will support the ongoing growth of the luxury outdoor furnishings manufacturer. He was previously executive vice president of sales and marketing with Windward Design group and had also been with Cast Classics.

Sunset West, a division of Ho**er Furnishings, has named Charles Emmons vice president of sales. Emmons will lead sales efforts across the United States and …

20/10/2023

Two students from the Savannah College of Art and Design were named this year’s winners of the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship. The students — Drew Hart and Sebastian Solloa — were awarded a two-night stay in Atlanta during the inaugural Casual Market Atlanta in July.

Two students from the Savannah College of Art and Design were named this year’s winners of the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship. The students — Drew …

20/10/2023

With more and more full-line furniture manufacturers getting into the casual category, the High Point Market has gained new importance as a place to see outdoor products. But these products are no longer just for outdoor. Trends point toward using these pieces both inside and outside the home.

16/10/2023

Outdura's new sales team leader Amy Smith was previously senior sales manager, business development specialist and sales executive at Outward Inc., Culp and Vision Fabrics. In her new role, she will manage key customer relations, with a focus on casual furniture manufacturers.

Sattler Outdura, a division of The Sattler Group, Austria, has named Amy Smith regional sales manager for the Casual Furniture division. Smith joins Outdura with …

15/10/2023

Each of Lexington's 3 new Tommy Bahama Outdoor collections has its own unique style and features a variety of different seating and dining options in bold performance fabrics. Also new in the Mozambique line is the company's Eclipse material, which is a synthetic teak that feels like real wood but doesn’t wear in the same way.

Outdoor is the fastest-growing category for Lexington Home Brands, and the company is releasing three diverse new collections at the fall market. Each collection has …

15/10/2023

Although she's facing more competition than she has in the past, Sunshine Furniture Owner Gail Williams says sales are usually good. She sticks with the manufacturers that have proven to be winners. But she emphasizes the need for inventory control and always being ready for a slowdown.

Gail Williams has come a long way from the time when she changed from working in a furniture store for someone else to buying a …

14/10/2023

Summer Classics will be showing new collections at market, along with new products from sister company Gabby. The two are also hosting daily events in their shared showroom.

Outdoor manufacturer Summer Classics is showcasing four new collections at the fall High Point Market. They feature a sling and reticulated foam sectional, NDura Resin …

14/10/2023

Although the focus in High Point is more on indoor products, there will still be plenty of notable outdoor pieces on display. Look for a focus on function, lots of natural materials, hand-craftsmanship, simple elegance, plush cushioning and mixed materials.

Inspired by the twisting vines of California wine country, Woven’s Glen Ellen lounge chair embraces life alfresco year-round. The line is handmade from skin-on rattan, …

13/10/2023

Although outdoor products have dropped in priority for consumers, 15% of shoppers in the survey still plan to buy outdoor items in the second half of this year. Big-box stores take 39% of the market share across all generations, with national chains coming in second. Check out more takeaways from our exclusive research.

New and exclusive research from our Consumer Insights Now survey polled nearly 2,000 people to find out their buying habits for the second half of …

03/10/2023

Casual News Now checked in with Lloyd Flanders to see how things have changed over the past two years, why it refreshed its brand and where the company is headed now that some form of normalcy may return to the outdoor industry next year.

For many businesses, the effects of a change in key leadership may not be apparent for a few years. That’s true for Lloyd Flanders, as …

02/10/2023

Mosiac Design Designm a 25-year-old firm that specializes in design for older adults, has furnished thousands of senior living buildings, blending function with elegant casual living for seniors to age in place on their own terms. President Lisa Cini is a published author and well-known nationally recognized expert on senior living design.

Each day at Mosaic Design Studio in Columbus, Ohio, President Lisa Cini keeps two things in mind: We’re all getting older. We need to think …

30/09/2023

September is the second month of consecutive declines in consumer confidence, which the Conference Board said was partly due to ongoing consumer concerns about current interest rates and the current political environment.

Survey reflects concerns about inflation and current political situation WASHINGTON — Consumer confidence fell again in September, the second month of consecutive declines, which the …

29/09/2023

A one-time payment of $9 million from the state of NC to the HPMA will support infrastructure improvements and beautification in a 13-block area downtown. The improvements will be implemented over a two-year period, including substantial infrastructure updates within the Market District, transportation terminal upgrades, an integrated safety and security plan and street-level lighting.

The High Point Market Authority announced that it is slated to receive a one-time investment of $9 million from the state of North Carolina that aims to bolster infrastructure and beautification within the city of High Point’s 13-block downtown Market District. The budget appropriation that has be...

28/09/2023

Sunset West will launch three new collections at the fall High Point Market that include a mixed-material group featuring teak and resin wicker, a cushionless rope seating group and new accent pieces designed to add interest to any space, indoors or out.

Luxury outdoor furnishings manufacturer Sunset West will launch three new collections at the fall High Point Market. Introductions include a mixed-material group featuring teak and …

26/09/2023

Editor-at-Large Ray Allegrezza examines what AI may mean for the home furnishings sector and comes up with a basic list of areas that are now being enhanced or will be enhanced by the technology. He predicts that most all areas will be touched, from design ideation and prototyping to manufacturing, marketing and customer interaction.

Last week, Wendy Buzzard, a successful independent rep and a member of IHFRA’s Executive Committee, pointed out that as artificial intelligence continues to play a …