HIGH POINT, N.C. – The International Casual Furnishings Association announces the finalists for the 2025 Apollo Awards. The program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments plus a commitment to customer service and dedication to professional development for their staff. The finalists are recognized as exceptional…
Like it or not, social media has become an intrinsic part of our culture. And the brands that embrace this reality have learned that the medium can be a valuable tool in reaching potential customers, staying engaged in their communities and sharing the stories behind their businesses. For our Best in Casual Awards, sponsored by…
In an increasingly competitive and volatile marketplace, three casual companies have joined forces to amplify their supply chain and buying power. GatherCraft, Kingston Casual and Summerset Casual have united to form United Supplier Alliance. “Our products all complement each other, so it has been a win-win,” said Tony Rodriguez, president and CEO, Summerset Casual. “It allows…
What do the brands Crocs, Michelin and Sleep Number have in common? They all focus on one product — shoes, tires and beds, in this case — and are well-known names among consumers. In the casual world, Pasticallo is aiming to become the name known for automated smart umbrellas. And it has been on a…
PELHAM, Ala. — Summer Classics and Gabby parent company Gabriella White has expanded its executive leadership team with five new appointments. Jim Hardy has been promoted to chief sales and marketing officer. In his expanded role, Hardy will oversee wholesale, retail, contract sales, marketing, merchandising and e-commerce. James Ashley has joined the organization as vice president of wholesale…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Workroom and upholstery supplier Trivantage will host a new educational event called The Makers Meet, which is designed to celebrate the skill, creativity and community that drive workrooms and upholstery shops. The Makers Meet will take place at Sunbrella headquarters in Burlington, North Carolina, on Aug. 14-15. Attendees will enjoy a day-and-a-half…
ATLANTA — Casual Market Atlanta will host special programming and events for interior designers during Elevate Outdoor — A Designer Experience on July 17. The program will feature showroom tours, panel discussions and networking opportunities for the design trade, designed to immerse them in the outdoor furnishings category. “Designers are increasingly driving decisions in the…
Over the past decade or so, the value of the casual category has soared. And with that growing demand for outdoor products, full-line furniture companies and retailers have made significant investments in growing their casual offerings. For our Best in Casual Awards, presented in partnership with the International Casual Furnishings Association and Andmore, and sponsored…
Special orders have traditionally accounted for a large portion of business in the outdoor industry. Although special orders have slowed for some retailers, Group Bayport is betting big on customized products with a new e-commerce platform called PatioHQ. The company owns Covers For All, a custom furniture cover business, as well as NorthCape, which offers…
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Performance textile maker Serge Ferrari Group has introduced its Batyline Eden Life fabric, designed for use in outdoor furniture and marine applications. The latest edition to Serge Ferrari’s Batyline collection, Eden Life features a core yarn made from 100% recycled polyester and a 50% recycled acrylic outer layer. This construction allows…
ARCADIA, Wis. — Ashley Furniture will bring its Outdoor by Ashley line to Casual Market Atlanta for the first time this July. The company will unveil a 9,000-square-foot showroom in AmericasMart Building 1, 8-706. The new showroom will showcase Ashley’s outdoor furniture collections, including a wide assortment of bistro and dining sets, sectionals and seating…
LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Market has announced its lineup of seminars, networking opportunities and entertainment events for the summer edition of the show, July 27-31, at World Market Center. The event lineup includes: Reps Are Local Too Meet UpSaturday, July 26 | 8-10 a.m.Local reps and retailers gather to build relationships and share…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority invites influential and emerging interior designers to apply for the 2026 Style Spotters team. Now through June 30, applications are open for five new design voices to join the official trade show organizer’s program. The 2026 team will consist entirely of first-time Style Spotters who will…
We all know that today’s outdoor rooms are a far cry from the patios of yesteryear. With luxurious furnishings, fully equipped outdoor kitchens, sparkling pools and all the finishing touches that make a space a room, exterior design projects pack just as much style and functionality as their indoor counterparts. For our Best in Casual…
ATLANTA — The summer 2025 edition of the Atlanta Market magazine is now available in print and online, delivering an early look at the resources and programming ahead at Atlanta Market, July 15-21, and Casual Market Atlanta, July 15-17, at AmericasMart Atlanta. Spanning more than 250 pages, the semiannual publication features trend forecasts for strategic…
ATLANTA — The Farm Mechanic Furniture & Structures will launch its first line of outdoor furniture at Casual Market Atlanta in July. The collection touts a sculptural look made from sustainable materials such as FSC-certified and thermally modified wood, which is engineered for easy assembly, durability and minimal environmental impact. The Farm Mechanic’s outdoor collection…
LOS ANGELES — More than 440 home furnishings industry professionals helped raise nearly $900,000 for City of Hope during the annual West Coast Golf, Tennis and Pickleball Tournament. Held on June 9 in Coto de Caza, California, the event honored Harold Hudson, vice president of business development at Summer Classics and Gabby, as well as…
It can be easy to get discouraged by news about possible tariffs or talk of a looming recession, but speaking with others in the casual industry, it appears there is opportunity around every corner. Susan Kiley, co-owner of Bay Breeze Patio in Miramar Beach, Florida, says she sees a lot of opportunities for U.S. manufacturers…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Entries are now being accepted for the 2025 Design Excellence Awards, the premier design recognition for home furnishings and accessories produced for outdoor living. The competition is open to all companies exhibiting at the 2025 Casual Market Atlanta, as well as outdoor fabric suppliers, who are not required to be exhibitors.…
July is quickly approaching, and with it comes two major markets for the outdoor industry — Casual Market Atlanta, July 15-17, and the Las Vegas Market, July 27-31. Casual News Now will publish product previews for each show in the week prior to the event. To submit new or trending casual products, email Alex Milstein…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Shade solution company Trivantage is now offering Infinity Canopy components. The slide-on wire canopies allow for quick adjustments as consumers’ needs and tastes change. “These corrosion-resistant components are made to match, resulting in a polished, professional-looking finished product that will serve your customers well for years to come,” said Keith Purves, business…
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association is calling on industry members to support the bipartisan Energy Choice Act introduced in the U.S. House (H.R. 3699) and Senate (S. 1945). The federal bill would prohibit state and local governments from banning energy services based on the type or source of energy — such as natural gas,…
Over the past week, the tariff situation in the United States has shifted pretty dramatically. First, the United States Court of International Trade ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on April 2 to impose reciprocal tariffs on imports from most countries. But just as everyone relying on…
The outdoor industry has had a few tough years, but savvy casual retailers have found creative and strategic ways to not only survive, but also thrive. Gasper Home & Garden in Richboro, Pennsylvania, is an example, as the company’s outdoor furniture sales were up 22.1% year over year last year, according to Eli Hymer, general…
ATLANTA — Global e-commerce company Group Bayport has launched a new online venture focused on outdoor furnishings called PatioHQ. The site offers a curated selection of patio furniture, shade products and more, along with a custom cushion program for consumers to use with existing furnishings. Cushions are made in America and delivered within 14 days. …
LAS VEGAS — Andmore has announced three celebrity interior designers and television personalities who will bring design trends to life through vignettes, social content and events as part of the (A) List at the upcoming summer Las Vegas Market. The summer 2025 Las Vegas Market ( A ) List influencers are: Anne-Marie Barton Barton brings a…
Heading into the 2025 outdoor selling season, which typically peaks between March and Memorial Day, casual retailers weren’t sure what to expect. While 2024 ended with inflation finally beginning to abate and optimism that the economy would improve, the threat of tariffs hung in the air as President Donald Trump took the oath of office…
SYRACUSE, Ind. — As part of its 35th anniversary celebration, recycled plastic furniture maker Polywood is introducing a new premium lumber product called Polywood Select. Polywood Select features two proprietary advancements: Microcell technology provides enhanced resistance to moisture over the company’s Heritage lumber. And the GenuineGrain finish offers a highly detailed texture enhanced with TrueTone…
While housing and rental markets have been on the decline, consumers are interested in improving their current homes, including their outdoor spaces. That’s according to the Summer Home & Outdoor Trends 2025 report from consumer review and information site Yelp. Yelp’s data revealed a significant surge in home improvement project requests in 2024 over the…
At this week’s Interwoven textile fair in High Point, the talk seemed to focus on two major “T” words: tariffs and texture. While the latter gave marketgoers a healthy dose of tactile style, the former had some expressing fears, others capitalizing on opportunity, and the show itself seeming a bit slower than usual. “People aren’t…
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The International Casual Furnishings Association announces the finalists for the 2025 Apollo Awards. The program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments plus a commitment to customer service and dedication to professional development for their staff. The finalists are recognized as exceptional…
