Thomas Lester

Greensboro

Digital Managing Editor at Home Accents Today

Retail Editor, @FurnitureToday; @emoryandhenry alum, left-handed, #pun artist, decent #bassist, learning guitar, #RetailRecon. Be kind always, no matter.

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Articles

Rodrigues’ promotion next step in ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ Broad River partnership

1 day ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

FORT MILL, S.C. — While Top 100 retailer Broad River Retail promoted Manny Rodrigues to president and chief operating officer at the beginning of 2025, the roots of the move go back to late 2014. The Fort Mill, S.C.-based retailer, which owns and operates Ashley stores in the Carolinas and northern Georgia, with plans for stores in Washington state, was looking for somebody to take on its human resources and risk management roles.
DOC: Furniture sales in April up sharply again

1 day ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

WASHINGTON — For the second consecutive month, sales of furniture and home furnishings were up by more than 7% according to the Department of Commerce’s advance monthly estimates. The numbers are likely due to pulled forward demand, with consumers working to get ahead of tariff-based price increases. Reciprocal tariffs on most countries were announced on April 2 and subsequently lowered for all nations but China on April 9.
New vendors, new program in Circle Furniture's 1st Cape Cod store

2 days ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

ACTON, Mass. — While it took a bit longer than originally anticipated, owner Bob Richard believes the new Circle Furniture store on Cape Cod will be worth the wait. The store, located at 332 Iyannough Road in Hyannis, soft-opened this month and gives the Acton, Mass.-based retailer nine total showrooms and its first on Cape Cod. Richard told Furniture Today that opening in Hyannis is all about making it easier for Cape Cod residents to shop Circle.
New Ikea program rich with customer rewards

2 days ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Top 100 retailer Ikea U.S. launched its new rewards program for Ikea Family members on May 14, allowing them to earn points throughout the entire customer journey, from planning to shopping and purchasing. Points can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, including discounts on purchases, delivery savings and free meals at the Ikea Restaurant.
When and where will Havertys open store 3 in Houston?

2 days ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

ATLANTA — Top 100 retailer Havertys‘ third store in the greater Houston market is slated to open at Valley Ranch Town Center in the fall. Located at 22296 Market Place Drive in New Caney, Texas, the Atlanta-based retailer’s new 41,500-square-foot store will feature an open layout showcasing a wide variety of styles and values for every room in the home with professional and friendly sales associates and designers.
2 for 1: Washington retailer acquires friendly competitor, new home

3 days ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Seldens Designer Home Furnishings, a fixture in the Puget Sound area of Washington since 1940, will move its store here to the Schoenfeld Interiors space as part of an acquisition. The three-store retailer, which also has locations in Tacoma and Olympia, acquired Schoenfeld as part of a lease and inventory acquisition tied to Bob Schoenfeld’s retirementand marks the continuation of a shared legacy of design-focused retail in the Pacific Northwest.
Morris hopes to add to $3 million raised for cause

4 days ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

FAIRBORN, Ohio — Top 100 retailer Morris Furniture Co. is once again helping lead the charge for the annual Dayton Children’s Annual Gem City Jam golf outing. Over the years, the golf outing has raised more than $3 million for Dayton Children’s Hospital, and Morris Chairman Larry Klaben has been a supporter and advocate for the event and the cause for the last 18 years. This year’s event takes place on Aug. 4 at NCR Country Club.
Middle Tennessee retailer wrapping up 56-year run

1 week ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Family-owned retailer Quality Furniture Co. here is going out of business after 56 years and is conducting its final liquidation sale. Husband-and-wife owners Butch and Carolyne Jones have partnered with furniture promotional sales specialists Planned Furniture Promotions to handle the going-out-of-business sale events. Following the sale, the couple plans to retire after more than 20 years of devoted leadership.
Inventory levels, strategy vary by retailer during tariff pause

1 week ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

HIGH POINT — Since the beginning of the year, many retailers have made it a point to add inventory where it makes sense. The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is playing a role, but it’s not necessarily the biggest factor. Some retailers are getting deals, and some are making sure to load up on bestsellers while many are holding the line and buying similarly to normal. Jake Jabs, owner of Top 100 retailer American Furniture Warehouse, said stock is at much higher than usual levels.
LFL Group sees record Q1 revenue to kick off 2025

1 week ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

TORONTO — Leon’s Furniture Limited Group, which owns and operates retail brands Leon’s, The Brick and other brands in Canada, posted increases across the board in the first quarter of FY2025, including record quarter revenue. For the three months ended March 31, the Toronto-based retail group, which reports its earnings in Canadian dollars, totaled system-wide sales of C$696.1 million, an increase of 2.7% compared with C$677.7 million in the first quarter of 2024.