Covering the major casual furniture and gift/accessories markets including reviews, news, awards and events. en-us http://www.casualliving.com/community/Market+News/47513.html?nid=3870 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:17:07 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6700236.html?nid=3870 A three-night entertainment lineup headlined by singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw is on tap for the High Point Market, which begins Oct. 17. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:45:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6698922.html?nid=3870 The casual furnishings industry honored its leading retailers at the 50th annual Apollo Awards, held at Chicago’s Union Station on Wednesday night during the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:16:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6698920.html?nid=3870 Casual furniture retailers’ positive attitudes continued as the Casual Market came to an end Thursday in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Comments repeated that the market was much stronger than expected, especially in light of this year’s tough economic climate and a prolonged rainy start to the selling season. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:08:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6698480.html?nid=3870 Winners of the 2009 Design Excellence Awards were named last week during a ceremony in the Merchandise Mart’s 7th floor Market Suites. Immediately following the presentation, complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served on the Mart’s 8th floor at a Market Welcome Party, hosted by Casual Living magazine and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:19:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6698438.html?nid=3870 The Chicago Casual Market mood is overwhelmingly positive and optimistic, although some say more cautious than in previous peak times. Retailers appeared willing to try new vendors and arrived needing inventory for their stores. Some manufacturers said they had showroom visits from retailers who had never stopped in before. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:02:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6675534.html?nid=3870 Casual Living magazine once again is hosting video tours of seven distinctive showrooms at www.casualliving.com. The videos were filmed during the International Casual Furnishings Association’s Preview Show in July at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:17:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6674269.html?nid=3870 Buyers inundated the Atlanta market last month with a set agenda and a discriminating eye for new products. Vendors repeatedly said existing customers kept scheduled appointments, but only wanted to purchase new merchandise. Buyers showed little interest in products of seasons past, reasoning they could not lure consumers into stores with previously seen merchandise. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6674271.html?nid=3870 The Casual Preview Show met or exceeded expectations, although attendance appeared lower than in recent years. “Awesome” was how one casual furniture manufacturer who exhibits in both Chicago and Atlanta described the Preview Show. “Surprisingly upbeat” was a description that repeated in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart as retail buyers kept appointments, unexpected buye... Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6670646.html?nid=3870 The 2009 International Casual Furnishings Preview Show last week met or exceeded expectations of most manufacturers asked. Retail buyers kept their appointments and department store buyers were scouting the category so although attendance appeared lower than in recent years, the mood was surprisingly upbeat. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:07:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6670632.html?nid=3870 At the Atlanta Market last week, the mood was upbeat and cautiously optimistic. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:01:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6670628.html?nid=3870 The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market returns to The Merchandise Mart in Chicago Sept. 21-24, offering the most complete collection of furniture, trends and accessories for outdoor living. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:53:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6670618.html?nid=3870 Proven as a key international trade show for a third consecutive year, MAISON&OBJET outdoor_indoor will again bring all the comfort of home into the open air at its Sept. 4-8 showing at Paris Nord Villepinte. An all-new show design and the presence of the cream of the crop in design are expected. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:33:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6668152.html?nid=3870 The International Casual Furnishings Association named the following retailers as finalists for the 50th annual Apollo Awards, which recognizes excellence in the sales, marketing and customer service. The ICFA board of directors will select the two winners by secret ballot. Finalists will be honored and winners announced at a gala awards banquet Sept. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6667905.html?nid=3870 Bucking the economic downturn, Jensen Leisure Furniture is positioning itself for the coming recovery by opening two new permanent showrooms. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:05:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6660515.html?nid=3870 Contract buyers and designers were not disappointed by the array of new choices at last month's Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas. Although lesser attendance numbers followed the lean pattern of recent trade shows, buyers were described as serious by a number of vendors. "The people who are at this show are quality," Ron Katz, national sales and marketing director of Pavilion Furniture/Sunbu... Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6660534.html?nid=3870 If you have it, they will come ... well, maybe they will and maybe they won't. I am speaking of the recent announcement of the Casual Furniture Industry's show schedule for the next few years. I was very surprised to read that the schedule includes the September show plus the July premarket. The very strong rumor, if I remember correctly, at last year's show was that we would finally decide on ... Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6660365.html?nid=3870 Dallas Market Center will again present a spectacular 4,200-sq.-ft., nine-room home furnished and decorated for the holidays during its Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 24-30. Tue, 26 May 2009 07:47:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6660363.html?nid=3870 Deco Breeze, manufacturer of decorative floor and table top fans, adds four new designs to its Figurine Fan Collection: Palm Tree, Pig, Pineapple and Elephant. The new designs will debut at the July 2009 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The functional concept behind the collection that launched early January was developed as a means to make the fan a more giftable item by using icons that are endearing, collectible and fun. Tue, 26 May 2009 07:43:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6659078.html?nid=3870 Contract buyers and designers were not disappointed by the array of new choices at last week’s Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas. Although lesser attendance numbers followed the lean pattern of recent trade shows, buyers were described as serious by a number of vendors. Mon, 18 May 2009 12:23:00 PST http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6657322.html?nid=3870 Paul Ippolito joined Season’s Leisure, Inc. as general sales manager of Pool Patio & More, effective May 11. Fri, 08 May 2009 16:26:00 PST