Latest News

  • High Point Market trend: Black and white
    At the spring High Point Market, outdoor buyers were treated to sophisticated looks in black and white. Here, we share some of our favorite uses of these stylish neutrals. Telescope CasualBlack-and-white pairings added a chic touch to the Telescope showroom, from this eye-catching take on animal print to black-and-white chaises in the company’s signature sling…
  • High Point Market exhibitors share strategies for handling tariffs
    The spring High Point Market marked the first trade show for the furniture industry since President Donald Trump announced (and paused some) tariffs on imported goods. And the T-word certainly felt like the elephant in the room during the show, which also marked a strong outdoor presence through new showrooms, products and companies getting into…
  • New showrooms, products expand outdoor influence at High Point Market
    The demand for outdoor furnishings continues to grow, as evidenced at the April High Point Market. The show — which primarily caters to interior designers and full-line retailers — had plenty for outdoor buyers to see with new products, showrooms and brands stepping into the casual category. Full-line furnishings and decor source Uttermost made its…
  • New outdoor products debuting at High Point Market
    Marketgoers attending the spring High Point Market will find a variety of high-design products made for outdoor living. Here’s a sneak preview of the casual products you can expect to see at market this week. Lagoon Furniture’s Magnolia is an inviting modular outdoor seating collection designed to bring comfort and versatility to patios, balconies and…
  • Uttermost debuts outdoor collection at High Point Market
    Uttermost is the latest indoor furnishings brand to break into the outdoor space, and they will show a complete collection of casual products at the spring High Point Market.  In business on the indoor side for nearly 50 years, the company has thrived on design-driven furniture that constantly changes to keep up with the times.…
  • WithIt announces WOW Award winners
    HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, announced the recipients of its 2025 WOW Awards. The 2025 WOW Award recipients are: Visionary Award: Carolyn Crowley, Myriad Software Leadership Award: Cheminne Taylor-Smith, Cheminne.com Future Leader Award: Ceci Flores, JB Hunt Final Mile Education Award: Jaye Anna Mize,…
  • Pelican Reef Group opens new High Point showroom, touts tariff-free inventory
    Pelican Reef Group will cut the ribbon on a new showroom during the spring High Point Market.  The showroom — located on the sixth floor of the International Home Furnishings Center Hamilton Wing, Suite H-621 — will house a range of outdoor products from Panama Jack Outdoor & Sunroom, Skyline Design and Rainbow Contract Outdoor. …
  • Andy Bernstein to receive WithIt President’s Award
    HIGH POINT, N.C. – WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industries, will present Andy Bernstein, the CEO and founder of FurnitureDealer.net, with the President’s Award on April 25 during the WOW Awards gala. The President’s Award is presented to a WithIt member who has made significant contributions to the building of…
  • Trivantage launches marine-focused seminar
    BURLINGTON, N.C. — Performance fabric and accessories maker Trivantage has launched a traveling seminar with a focus on marine fabrication called “Performance on Deck.” The one-day event provides access to exclusive knowledge on best practices from industry experts. Performance on Deck explores the evolving world of marine fabrication with presentations from leading suppliers on emerging…
  • High Point Market Authority launches Market-at-Market experience
    HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Market Authority is debuting Market-at-Market, the first pop-up of its kind featuring area businesses in the Center Stage area at spring market, April 26-28.  A hub for shopping, services and light bites, Market-at-Market serves as a convenience to guests of the trade show, as well as an  attraction between…
  • C.R. Plastics introduces 5 new high-design products to kick off the selling season
    C.R. Plastics has been busy cooking up new products that not only stand up to the elements but also have a new and improved look reflecting the company’s shift to high-design products. “We want to support our customer base as best we can to help them sell the brand and make the most of marketing…
  • Casual Market Atlanta adds to showroom lineup
    ATLANTA — Less than three months away from its July show, Casual Market Atlanta is gearing up with more than 120 permanent and temporary exhibitors, including new and relocated showrooms. In Americasmart Building 1, Woodline Shade will make its Casual Market Atlanta debut with a new showroom on Floor 3, and Les Jardins will relocate…
  • Casual retailers react to tariff threat
    As the uncertainty continues regarding tariffs on import goods enacted by President Donald Trump, casual retailers are mostly stuck in a wait-and-see pattern. “It’s very difficult doing any type of planning or strategizing,” said Brad Schweig, vice president of operations, Sunnyland Outdoor Living in Dallas. “With all of the constant changes and delays and chaos…
  • New ICFA executive director shares her vision for the organization
    As she settles into the role of executive director of the International Casual Furnishings Association, Siri Scott said she’s optimistic for what the future holds for the organization and the casual furniture industry. “There are a lot of things in the future that are exciting,” she said. “Covid did wonderful things for our industry in…
  • Casual retailers look to expand advertising co-op
    Earlier this year, Brad Schweig of Sunnyland Outdoor Living in Dallas had an idea to start an advertising co-op for independent retailers who don’t have the resources for splashy marketing campaigns. After a virtual discovery meeting in January, Schweig and several other retailers began moving forward on the idea, and the group is looking to…
  • City of Hope honoring Harold Hudson with lifetime achievement award
    HIGH POINT, N.C. — Summer Classics’ Harold Hudson has been named a 2025 recipient of City of Hope’s lifetime achievement award.   Current vice president and former president of Summer Classics Private Label and a longtime ICFA board member and former chair, Hudson has been a consistent force behind the home furnishings industry’s contributions to…
  • Summerset Grills introduces Quest Grill
    Luxury outdoor grill maker Summerset Grills recently launched the Quest Grill as part of its newly revamped lineup. The Quest Grill is crafted with 304 stainless steel, 18,000 BTU U-tube burners and 13,000 BTU angled infrared back burner. It comes equipped with heat zone separators, a drop-in griddle plate and a rotisserie kit with a…
  • LebaTex introduces new outdoor-safe faux leathers
    NEW YORK — Textile maker LebaTex has announced a new faux leather line that includes more than 100 colors and textures. The range is composed of polyurethane, vinyl and silicone fabrics that can be used in both indoor and outdoor commercial and residential settings. All 101 faux leathers have undergone rigorous testing of 100K–500K double rubs…
  • Andmore partners with Future Snoops for trend gallery
    HIGH POINT, N.C. — Andmore again partners with Future Snoops (formerly known as Fashion Snoops) for a consumer-focused autumn/winter trend seminar and trend gallery at the upcoming High Point Market. “Future Snoops’ expertise in trend curation and forward-thinking design aligns perfectly with Andmore’s mission to provide a comprehensive, engaging and inspiring experience for buyers,” said Jon Pertchik,…
  • WithIt launches internship initiative, announces conference keynote
    HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt (Women in the Home Furnishings Industry), the professional organization dedicated to supporting and mentoring women in the home and furnishings industry, announced the launch of its new Internship Initiative, as well as the keynote speaker for its summer conference.  WithIt’s Internship Initiative aims to bridge the gap between students seeking valuable industry…
  • Berlin Gardens acquires Windward Design Group
    BERLIN, Ohio — Outdoor furniture manufacturer Berlin Gardens has acquired Windward Design Group Inc., a family-owned outdoor furniture company based in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  This strategic acquisition will enable Berlin Gardens to expand its product offerings and enhance its market presence in the outdoor furniture industry. “We are thrilled to welcome Windward into the Berlin Gardens…
  • How will tariffs impact the casual industry?
    The casual industry, like so many across the United States, has been on a roller-coaster ride of uncertainty since President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs last week on imported goods from a wide swath of the globe. Global stock markets responded with the largest decline since the Covid-19 market crash in 2020. And yesterday, Trump…
  • Former Telescope Casual rep Bob Swan dies
    Former manufacturer’s rep Robert (Bob) Lee Swan died on March 27 in Sarasota, Florida. He was 88. After serving in the United States Marine Corp. from 1956 to 1958, Swan went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi in 1970. Swan was a rep for Telescope Casual Furniture…
  • Sunbrella talks new designs, partnerships and Hurricane Helene relief
    When a brand like Sunbrella sees continued strength in the outdoor category, that’s usually a good sign.  Suzie Roberts, vice president and general manager of furnishings, says that while so much of the world is changing, the desire to create distinctive and inviting outdoor living spaces remains strong among both consumers and designers.  “We are…
  • Meridian expanding outdoor collections at High Point Market
    NEW YORK — Meridian Furniture is expanding its growing portfolio of outdoor offerings with new seating collections and concrete table options making their debut at the spring High Point Market.  “With renewed interest in the brutalist architecture movement, more designers than ever appreciate the durable functionality and indoor-outdoor qualities of concrete tables,” said Michael Rosilio,…
  • Trivantage launches Batyline sling fabric collection
    BURLINGTON, N.C. — Performance fabric maker Trivantage has introduced two distinct offerings to the Batyline sling fabric collection by Serge Ferrari. Batyline Elios and Batyline Eden are designed for fabricating long-lasting sling chairs and outdoor furniture, having dimensional stability, outstanding strength and durability in any climate. Both collections are made from a blend of PVC,…
  • Tuuci debuts new designs at Salone del Mobile
    MIAMI — Tuuci is unveiling four new designs — the Canyon Crue collection, Meritage dining table, Lulu day lounge and the Ocean Master MAX Bolero parasol — at Salone del Mobile in Milan this week. The Canyon Crue collection features a sculptural look with an X-frame, punctuated with a signature crown bolt and stainless-steel cuffs, while the Meritage dining table boasts hand-finished…
  • Fairness? Step away from the Kool Aid
    In recent days, I’ve heard a number of my industry colleagues speak in favor of tariffs. Whether it’s in the interest of fairness or of a resurgence in manufacturing that hearkens back to days past, it’s been argued that maybe there’s a logic to all of this. I beg to differ. First, a historical perspective.…
  • GTRSuite continues to innovate its Sales Intelligence platform
    A few years ago, tech company GTRSuite expanded beyond its original mission of helping retailers “capture customer intention” with store locators that manufacturers can put on their website to direct customers shopping online to their nearest brick-and-mortar retailer. It developed the Lead Prediction Engine, a geo-location tool that allows retailers and manufacturers to see where…
  • Striking a balance: How Backyard Living meets customer needs
    For Patrick Connor, co-owner of Backyard Living in Ridgewood, New Jersey, the biggest challenge has been customers who want it. Right now. “Really, as an independent retailer, we struggle to keep enough stock to quick-fill orders,” he said. “We recently upsized our warehouse, and we are opening a second retail location, both of which will…