Jan. 2010 furniture orders up

January 2010 new furniture orders were positive again compared to January 2009, according to Smith Leonard's most recent Furniture Insights survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
While not quite as positive as the November and December results, orders still were in positive territory, showing a four percent increase over January 2009.
This four percent increase follows a 12 percent increase in December, a 10 percent increase in November and a flat October, in year-over-year comparisons. The study found January results negatively impacted by bad weather, and expect February results also to be affected.
Some 59 percent of survey participants reported increased orders, down slightly from 62 percent in December.
Shipments in January were six percent higher than January 2009, following a three percent increase in December. While shipments were down 24 percent in January 2009 versus January 2008, December’s increase in shipments was the first since June 2006.
Shipments in January were 10 percent lower than December 2009, somewhat normal in the January to December comparisons, according to the study. Approximately 62 percent of survey participants reported increased shipments in January, up from about 50 percent in December.

Dynasty, Melrose Place and Barcelona

It had all the makings of a catty nighttime soap opera, see “Mies van der Rohe Furniture Designs causes legal catfight” but ended rather anti climactically.
Knoll Inc. and Alphaville Design Inc., settled their dispute relating to Knoll's registered Barcelona trademark. Knoll had alleged that certain products sold by Alphaville Design infringed the Knoll trademarks, while Alphaville Design claimed that the trademarks were invalid. To resolve the dispute, Alphaville Design Inc. acknowledged the validity of, and Knoll's rights to, the above-referenced trademarks, and in return Knoll granted them the right to sell similar furniture products for a limited period of time. In connection with the settlement, the parties have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Diversify, diversify, diversify!

Technology is shaping how we live and what we buy. A savvy furnituremaker in Oregon, Substrata, sells a gorgeous line of custom wooden cases and docking stations for the iPad, iPhone and other personal electronic devices. The cases are made from exotic woods such as, Zebrawood, Maple, Fir, Walnut, Padauk and Wenge.

The tech accessories as well as other products create a nice revenue stream when consumers are hesitant to invest thousands in a custom piece of furniture. A $100 to $150 custom case for their newest toy is easier to swallow. iWant one!

Ugly furniture