Cinde W. Ingram: Casually Speaking Hi, this is Cinde Ingram and I'm the Editor in Chief of Casual Living and Garden Decor. Each week I hope to use this blog space to stay in touch with our readers. I want to know what you think about new products, markets, the retail climate and, most of all, Casual Living. Let me know what's going on. Check out my latest below. en-us http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086.html?nid=3883 Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use October 14, 2009 http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/930049093.html?nid=3883 Important changes are underway in the casual industry as we embark on our big show in Chicago. As you can see, The Chair King bought controlling interest in Furniture Concepts to reopen six Fortunoff Backyard Stores in the Tri-State area. Big competitors Macy's and Harrow's also will be shopping… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/2000048000.html?nid=3883 With the outdoor entertaining and grilling season still going strong, I want to share these comments I received from Bruce Bjorkman, Traeger Pellet Grills’ marketing director, in response to Donna Myers’ latest grill column. He makes a strong case for pellet grills and why women grill cu… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1500046150.html?nid=3883 We hope customers are spending some of their money in your stores as they spend more time at home in summer. Here's what our Research Director Dana French has to say about how the trend may improve your business: “This summer, ‘Staycations’ are the hot new rage,” accordin… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1430045543.html?nid=3883 The casual season is upon us. Wish it were more beautiful on the economic side. What I'm hearing is outdoors living areas continue to attract attention from folks who are tired of the gloom and doom indoors. Are your customers responding like that? Where do you see opportunities to emerg… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/520044052.html?nid=3883 While consumers are watching their wallets closely, many are finding increased value in entertaining outdoors at home. Some are even investing in products to help bring friends and neighbors together to share drinks, activities and burgers (or other grilled foods) in a relaxed at… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/950043895.html?nid=3883 Thursday is the deadline for you to submit photos of your store to be considered for one of our annual Merchandising Awards. Don't let it slip past. We've received a few photos from retailers to compete in our new first-time entry category, and a few from those who entered previously.&nb… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/390042639.html?nid=3883 At last week's HPB Expo in Reno, Nev., Team Grill launched its line of barbecue grills branded with logos and colors of popular college sports teams. It took six years to develop, but had perfect timing for its introduction, given the ongoing NCAA tournament. Carolina blue, featured on … http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/460041846.html?nid=3883 Quality licensed design brings added value to independent retailers. That's the view of one experienced licensing director, who eagerly awaits the results of a research survey now in the field. Have you taken the time to share your view of licensed product and its value or lack of value to y… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/990041099.html?nid=3883 Casual Living’s eWeekly newsletter gained nearly 450 subscribers from the end of January through mid-February. (Click here to sign up for our free eletter.) For those of you who signed up in quick response to my latest column, “Adapt to Survive,” I appreciate your willingness to… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/90040009.html?nid=3883 How's your business these days? We need you to share your story. Given today's challenging economy, what is your business doing differently this year? What are you planning to do? Have you downsized your workforce or taken a new approach to bill collections? Maybe you’ve added a pr… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/240037824.html?nid=3883 In the spirit of holiday cheer, Pacific Casual CEO Dale Boles asked me to pass along to the casual industry his thoughts on Art Thompson’s recent retirement from his long-time leadership role at Laneventure. For those who are new to the industry, Boles’ experience includes serving as a … http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1950035795.html?nid=3883 Given growing concerns about credit, inventory levels and Wall Street, retailers and manufacturers face challenges ahead. Furniture analyst Jerry Epperson predicts an uptick in business, starting in the second half of 2009 and continuing with significant improvements in 2010. Casual furniture rep… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1130035513.html?nid=3883 Retail buyers and designers shopped the High Point Market with determination in the midst of high inventory levels from a year-long stalled economycombined with volatile currency and stock market reports. “We haven’t had many lookers; it’s been buyers,” said Rebecca P… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/380034438.html?nid=3883 What do you think about the casual furnishings industry being in the business of selling romance, promise and possibilities? If you saw Furniture/Today Editor in Chief Ray Allegrezza's column last week (click here), you know that was his impression when he returned to the Casual Market in Chicago… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/860033086.html?nid=3883 As the weather cools and autumn makes its seasonal entrance, the casual furniture industry will gather again Monday through Thursday at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. New casual furniture showrooms have been added on the Mart’s 15th floor since the July casual furniture premarket. Other per… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1160024916.html?nid=3883 Outdoor designs add bright spots at High Point Market Designs once reserved for indoor use appeared with new outdoor capabilities at the High Point Market. “A natural extension” was the way manufacturers described their directions outward. “Our customer doesn’t just li… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/530022453.html?nid=3883 The International Casual Furnishings Association’s huge board of directors met for the first time last week in Las Vegas. This time, we’re hoping what happened in Vegas will not stay in Vegas. As an industry, we’re anxious to hear decisions were made and direction was set toward r… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1530016953.html?nid=3883 We’re looking ahead toward 2008 and know that you are, too. How can Casual Living help you move your business forward? Tell us what you think. Your ideas are important to us as we plan our editorial coverage. Please, take 5-7 minutes to complete this survey so we can focus more tight… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1820016582.html?nid=3883 This is a thought-provoking letter I received from Todd Brewer, president/CEO of Hoigaard’s, a casual furniture retail specialist based in St. Louis Park, Minn. He’s among the retailers who are questioning how manufacturers’ online policies against showing photographs and prices ma… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/1300013130.html?nid=3883 What’s new? That’s the question retail buyers ask at any trade show. Many of you attended recent premarkets in Chicago or Ontario, Calif., so you’ve had a glimpse of what will be introduced at next month’s Casual Furniture and Accessories Market. Others may have trav… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/630011263.html?nid=3883 It's report card time. As I write this, my son is taking end-of-grade tests. By the time you read it, we will have his report card in hand and know how well or poorly he fared in sixth grade. How do you measure your store's success? Do you know what grades your customers give you — or pot… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/120010212.html?nid=3883 When I start getting calls from major consumer media like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Reader's Digest, I know spring has finally arrived. Editors at those organizations are paying attention to our relatively small industry and trying to figure out what's behind all the exc… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/650009065.html?nid=3883 Maybe it's just the change of seasons as we move toward the promise of warmer days ahead. Advertisements for performance fabrics entice consumers to move outdoors and make a statement. You may notice more ads from outdoor furniture, lighting, pool, spa, grill and even drapery manufacturers a… http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/690009069.html?nid=3883 ...Read More http://www.casualliving.com/blog/860000086/post/660007066.html?nid=3883 Ice dripped from treetops as I drove toward the office this morning. Although roads were only wet, not ice-slick, yesterday's freezing rain provided another reminder winter isn't finished with us yet. Associate Editor Courtney Mueller, freshly returned from the unusually cold Dallas Marke…