Canadian furniture brand Cozey has launched a new modular outdoor seating collection designed to seamlessly adapt to multiple spaces and occasions. The Shinuk modular outdoor seating collection features four components — an armless seat, a corner seat, an ottoman and a coffee table — that can be arranged in a variety of layouts. A universal…
Few would argue the importance of customer service, particularly in today’s competitive retail market. But when we think about customer service, the interactions that happen before a sale can be just as important if not more than those that occur once a purchase is made. According to a 2025 Microsoft survey, 74% of consumers have…
Lane Venture cut the ribbon on its 4,750-square-foot flagship gallery at Furnitureland South in Jamestown, North Carolina, on Monday, and Casual News Now stopped by to see the new space. Located at the opening of Eco-link, the bridge that connects the store’s outdoor section to the Design Center, the brand is a focal point, with…
GRANVILLE, N.Y. — Telescope Casual Furniture has entered a new partnership with Promoboxx, a retail marketing platform that connects national brands with independent retailers through seamless, brand-approved local marketing. Through Promoboxx, Telescope Casual retailers can access and publish professionally designed, brand-approved social media campaigns directly to their local social channels. This allows Telescope to extend…
MINNEAPOLIS — Furniture and accessories maker Blue Dot has launched a new collection of furnishings that includes a number of outdoor occasional designs. Among the intros, Blu Dot has rolled out its Small Talk outdoor occasional table collection in two sizes. The tables feature a monolithic design with a soft, organic silhouette. They are constructed…
O’FALLON, Mo. — Luxury grill and outdoor kitchen maker True Caliber has introduced a newly enhanced version of its Signature Rockwell freestanding grill. Designed by architect David Rockwell, the freestanding 360-degree, walk-around grill was created to mimic the communal experience of gathering around a picnic table. The grill is offered in a Crimson finish and…
Dedon has introduced a new modular lounging collection, called MDear, which was designed by Sebastian Herkner. MDear features five organic-shaped pieces that can stand alone or join together for larger seating arrangements. Drawing its name from the word “endear,” MDear continues an ongoing collaboration between Herkner and Dedon that includes two previous collections, MBrace and…
CRITTENDEN, Ky. — As home renovation season ramps up, outdoor heating and kitchen company Napoleon said it is seeing an uptick in homeowners requesting exterior fire features and kitchen setups. “Fireplaces continue to be a centerpiece of modern home design — not just a source of heat, but a focal point that elevates any room,”…
With the Supreme Court expected to rule on the Trump Administration’s tariffs possibly as soon as Friday, the furniture industry anxiously awaits clarity on what the duties will be going forward for imports. At last week’s International Casual Furnishings Association’s Elevate Conference, Chris Andresen, senior vice president at lobbying firm Dutko Government Relations, said the…
At a time when tariffs are creating an uncertain economy and price increases have become the norm, American Fire Products has found a way to reduce prices across its product catalog — some by up to 40%. The move comes almost a year after the company rebranded from American Fireglass to American Fire Products, a…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — California-based furnishings maker Armen Living has made the investment in a permanent presence in High Point with the purchase of a building on Wrenn Street. The company, which produces outdoor furniture under its own brand as well as recently acquired Uwharrie Outdoor Living, will begin renovating the property’s two attached buildings…
JAMESTOWN, N.C. — Lane Venture will unveil a 4,750-square-foot flagship gallery at Furnitureland South with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. The gallery opening follows a three-year brand refresh for Lane Venture after its purchase by Bassett Furniture and showcases the company’s renewed brand through an immersive retail environment. Every element reflects…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Grammy Award-winning Kool & The Gang will perform at the High Point Market’s Sunday evening concert on April 26 at Center Stage. With early hits like “Jungle Boogie” and “Summer Madness,” Kool & The Gang has produced recognizable tunes like “Get Down On It” and “Celebration.” Among its many awards and recognitions, the…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) has announced its 2026 academic scholarships, including the addition of a new Sustainability Scholarship for students in partnership with the International Sleep Products Association. The new Sustainability Scholarship adds on to the more than $25,000 in academic scholarships the nonprofit awards each year. Those…
This week, the casual industry gathered in New Orleans for the annual ICFA Elevate Conference. Amid educational sessions and exploring the Big Easy, attendees enjoyed mixing and mingling at the opening night cocktail party and dinner, as well as on a jazz-tinged riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River.
Foremost Group, the parent of outdoor brand Veranda Classics, has been a company that keeps quiet and lets the brands speak for themselves. Jim Sica, executive vice president of Foremost Inc., says the company flies under the radar and is larger than most people think. “We’re a multi-hundred-million-dollar business involved with furniture on all kinds…
The International Casual Furnishings Association announced this week the establishment of the ICFA Memorial Scholarship Fund honoring Victoria Echols. Echols, who was a beloved member of the casual industry, died unexpectedly in March 2025. “Victoria believed deeply in lifting others up, in sharing knowledge freely and in making space for the next generation to dream…
BALDWIN PARK, Calif. — Shade manufacturer Treasure Garden has appointed casual industry veteran Christy Peterson to the role of national sales manager. Peterson will oversee the company’s retail sales teams across the United States and Canada, managing the market presence for Treasure Garden and its Shademaker and Jardinico brands in the retail sector. Beyond sales…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority’s Sunday keynote address at market will explore the connection between science, wellness and design. “Creating Health-based Design: Beauty, Neuroaesthetics and Biophilia,” will be presented in partnership with Science in Design at 3 p.m. April 26 in the High Point Theatre. An immersive keynote presentation will spotlight…
Performance fabric maker Sunbrella has announced the appointment of several members of its team to new leadership roles within the organization. Andrew Bernard has been promoted to vice president of product development for the performance fabric brand. Bernard previously was vice president and general manager of shade and marine. In his new role, Bernard will…
OW Lee has been a staple in the outdoor industry for over 70 years, and one major reason is the company’s resilience in the face of challenges. Leisa McCollister, vice president of marketing, says inventory management is a significant challenge given the breadth of options the company offers and that their lead times are often…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority is planning to relocate its headquarters to 115 S. Hamilton St. in 2027. Construction is set to begin soon on the new building, which will be owned and operated by Hamilton Global LLC and situated between the Universal Furniture and Violino showrooms, one block north of…
Outdoor furnishings brand Holly Hunt has relaunched the iconic Capricorn collection, originally designed in 1952 by Vladimir Kagan. Chris Eitel, design director at the Vladimir Kagan Design Group, has reimagined the collection with a modern take that honors the original design. The 10-piece, wire-framed collection was designed with sweeping curves and tensile lines to evoke…
LAS VEGAS — Andmore reported a strong winter Las Vegas Market, noting good order-writing and an increase in new buyers. According to Andmore, which operates Las Vegas Market, the winter edition of the show attracted a mix of new and returning buyers from across the U.S. and around the globe, with notable growth in first-time…
SUWANEE, Ga. — Casual furnishings maker NorthCape is consolidating operations to parent company Group Bayport’s headquarters in Georgia. The consolidation will take effect Feb. 1, and NorthCape’s Illinois facility will cease operations. “This consolidation of operations in Georgia’s new state-of-the-art facility will bring further operational efficiencies and significantly augment our ability to leverage Group Bayport’s…
LAS VEGAS — Tropitone reported a strong showing at the winter Las Vegas Market this week, with new collections and a showroom redesign drawing attendees during the event. Tropitone revamped its showroom with an “Outdoor Moments, Inspired by You” theme showcasing a variety of collections, styles, categories, finishes and fabric options, with a layout designed…
MANASSAS, Va. — Kingsley Bate is introducing two new collections for spring 2026: Biscayne, a modern upholstered-mesh collection designed for everyday outdoor living, and Cortona, a pair of architectural teak dining tables for outdoor entertaining spaces. Biscayne captures the relaxed elegance of its namesake bay with mesh sling upholstery over quick-drying reticulated foam, delivering lasting…
A new report from global consumer technology firm Havas CX suggests that customers are slightly more likely to abandon a brand because of a bad experience than higher prices. The X Index Report, which surveyed more than 59,000 consumers across eight countries, found that 59% of respondents said they abandoned a brand after a single…
When someone mentions AI, you may think of ChatGPT and other programs that allow you to simply ask questions and get answers. But AI can be used for so much more in the business world. This is the vision of AiPril Assist, a new customer experience platform designed specifically for the home furnishings industry that…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority kicks off online registration for spring market (April 25–29), offering its custom travel concierge service with discount codes for hotels and flights to registered market attendees. “The travel team at High Point Market is really underrated as far as finding lodging and flights,” said Amber Guyton, an Atlanta-based…
Canadian furniture brand Cozey has launched a new modular outdoor seating collection designed to seamlessly adapt to multiple spaces and occasions. The Shinuk modular outdoor seating collection features four components — an armless seat, a corner seat, an ottoman and a coffee table — that can be arranged in a variety of layouts. A universal…
