Have you been around the industry a while? I have, though not nearly as long as some of you. I thought it would be fun to take a little stroll down memory lane and review the past 20 years. Tell me whether I remember things the way you do. (more…)
When I started in the industry over 18 years ago, Sealy was the clear No. 1 when it came to brand. Serta and Simmons came in at a distant second. Fast forward to today and although I have not seen the latest aided and unaided brand surveys, I am guessing that Tempur-Pedic is No. 1 with Select Comfort making an appearance in the top five.
So who cares? We all do, don’t we? Brand is power. Those who have it enjoy the benefits of their investment, and those who don’t are trying to figure out how to compete in the “product for a price” commodity game. (more…)
With Thanksgiving in our rear view mirror and after attending the Seena Magowitz Foundation Golf Classic raising funds and awareness to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, I have had an opportunity to pause and think about this industry I am in. Here are three reasons why I think all of us in the furniture industry have reason to be grateful for our path in life: (more…)
So my parents, being the generous people they are, decided to take the entire family to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. If you have never been, I highly recommend it if you want to feel like a child again.
While I was there, I spent a lot of time with my jaw dropped open, just blown away with all of the creative things these guys do – everything from the rides, to the entertainment, to the integration of technology and even the logistics like how they move people in and out of large events. (more…)
I recently spent a week in England for the National Bedding Federation Conference (NBF) along with John Walsh, Director of Creative Services for Leggett and Platt, Inc.; and what a great week it was. I had the opportunity to say hello to some old friends, see some incredible product, and give a talk to the 450 people in attendance at their gala dinner.
At the conference they did something that we don’t do here in the U.S., which is to incorporate everybody in the industry into one big show. Component suppliers AND bedding producers were on hand to show the retailers their latest and greatest for 2010. We did see some greatness in the way of product – there is no doubt. My friend, Simon Spinks, makes a bed as good as any I have ever seen. He is doing some very creative things with the green concept by raising his own sheep, and growing and using hemp, a very renewable resource in the production of his beds. (more…)