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Clark comes to the organization with 37 years of industry experience, including 11 and a half years as a managing partner with youth furniture specialist My Home Furnishings. Also serving as executive director of the AHFA’s Solution Partners and Specialized Carriers divisions he initially will work with AHFA Vice President of Membership Mike Padjen, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Contributor Nick Byers says it was evident in High Point that upper-end upholstery vendors are gearing up for what they believe will be a favorable 2025 in terms of a resurgence in business. He notes that the star of the show was luxury stationary upholstery, with manufacturers finally stepping out again with creative takes on color, shape and style.

Home News Now spoke with a number of executives at the recent High Point Market to find out where they see business headed based on feedback to introductions as well as broader macroeconomic trends. Most said they were pleased overall with reaction to their introductions and they noted that retailers seem ready and willing to bring new product onto their floors.

Contributor Brian Carroll reports that more than 100 additional documents have been added to the docket since FRG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy just before the election. The company's difficulties include a little under $2 billion in reported debt, he says. Read on to learn more about the restructuring plan.

Smith will transition to executive chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2025. At that time, Steven G. Burdette, currently president, will succeed Smith as CEO and will retain the role of president and serve as a member of the board of directors. Smith began his career with Havertys as a manager trainee in 1973 in Columbia, South Carolina. Burdette, who was appointed president in 2021, began his career with Havertys as a manager trainee in Tampa, Florida, in 1983.

Editor-at-Large Ray Allegrezza spotlights Elif Cohn, who was born and raised in Turkey and grew up in the fabric business with her family owning a successful fabric mill there. In 2008, she created Carnation Home, which has established itself as a reputable fabric source, and Cohn has become an excellent intermediary between Turkish manufacturers and U.S. suppliers.

Here we present Week 4 of Consumer Insights Now, sponsored by Bread Pay and PayTomorrow. In this latest round of research, we provide timely data on consumers' mattress-buying plans in the second half of 2024. A key finding is that 25% plan to purchase a new mattress, with a queen being the most popular among 45% of those surveyed, followed by a king at 30% and a full at 12%.

Upholstery manufacturer Best Home Furnishings is partnering with outdoor lifestyle brand Field & Stream on a new licensed collection to debut at the October High Point Market. The mix of living room furniture includes 25 pieces of stationary and motion upholstery available in 70 fabrics and four leathers. It is Best Home Furnishings’ first major license and also is one example of how Field & Stream is extending its brand beyond its core print and digital publications.

Editor-at-Large Ray Allegrezza presents an idea to the industry: How about we help out those left homeless by hurricanes Helene and Milton in a way that Jim McIngvale, also known as Mattress Mack, owner of Gallery Furniture in Houston, has often done, by providing temporary shelters for those in desperate need. Do you have a store, a distribution center or something similar that could be used in this way?

Half of shoppers surveyed in our exclusive Consumer Insights Now research said they plan to put some purchases on hold because of inflation and higher prices. Lower income households and younger shoppers are the most impacted by inflation and price increases.