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

Wayfair to vendors: Hold off on tariff increases

1 week ago | hometextilestoday.com | Thomas Lester

Boston — In a letter to vendors, Niraj Shah, CEO and co-founder of digitally native home furnishings retailer Wayfair, urged patience and timing as it relates to any tariff-related price increases. The letter, sent on April 8 and obtained by HTT sister publication Furniture Today, highlighted Shah’s thoughts on how to navigate the landscape, impacted by the Trump administration’s tariff announcements this month.
Lovesac taps retail vet as 1st chief brand and marketing officer

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

STAMFORD, Conn. — Top 100 retailer Lovesac announced the appointment of Heidi Cooley as chief brand and marketing officer, effective April 23. Cooley will be the first to hold this position for Lovesac and will lead all aspects of marketing, e-commerce and brand strategy for the Stamford, Conn.-based retailer. She will report to Mary Fox, president, and serve on the company’s executive leadership team. “We are thrilled to welcome Heidi to the Lovesac family,” said Shawn Nelson, CEO of Lovesac.
Wayfair to vendors: Hold off on tariff increases

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

BOSTON — In a letter to vendors, Niraj Shah, CEO and co-founder of digitally native home furnishings retailer Wayfair, urged patience and timing as it relates to any tariff-related price increases. The letter, sent on April 8 and obtained by Furniture Today, highlighted Shah’s thoughts on how to navigate the landscape, impacted by the Trump administration’s tariff announcements this month.
National Ad Division asks Tempur to stop ‘disparaging’ Sleep Number social spots

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

NEW YORK — In a fast-track SWIFT challenge filed by Sleep Number Corp., the BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Somnigroup International discontinue advertising that “conveys disparaging messaging” about Sleep Number beds. Sleep Number challenged Tempur-Pedic‘s advertising, specifically several social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, asserting they conveyed a false and disparaging message about the quality and functionality of Sleep Number beds.
More than $8 billion in retail buying power gathering at NATM conference

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

IRVINE, Calif. — The National Alliance of Trade Merchants, which represents independent retailers across major and luxury appliances, consumer electronics and bedding, is hosting its 2025 NATM Vendor Conference at the Omni Frisco Hotel in Frisco, Texas, July 21-24. With a combined $8.7 billion in buying power, NATM’s 11 member retailers serve more than 72% of the U.S. consumer population across top metropolitan markets.
ScanBot tech gives Storis’ mobile system a boost

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

MT. ARLINGTON, N.J. — Home furnishings retail software solutions provider Storis now has mobile data capture on its NextGen Mobile POS system thanks to a partnership with ScanBot. Scanbot SDK specializes in barcode and document scanning for mobile apps and websites. Retailers use the Scanbot Barcode Scanner SDK for self-checkout, inventory management, clienteling and ordering processes.
What to do about tariffs? Here’s more retail thoughts

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

HIGH POINT — Retail thoughts about tariffs and potential tariffs on imported furniture run the gamut of opinions, depending on one’s sourcing strategies, value propositions and other considerations. And while it will likely remain a contentious subject, some say evaluating things with a level head is the correct choice to make. “For smaller businesses, agility will be critical,” said Sarah Pelton, a partner with Cambridge Retail Advisors.
HFA’s Williams: ‘Furniture depends on global supply chain’

2 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

CARMICHAEL, Calif. — In a statement provided to Furniture Today, Home Furnishings Assn. CEO Shannon Williams shared the organization’s stance that tariffs will hinder the greater furniture industry and American consumers. In her statement, Williams noted actions by Chinese and Vietnamese manufacturers to help offset some of the burden.
Eliot Tatelman retiring from Jordan’s; sons to continue as co-CEOs

3 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

TAUNTON, Mass. — Jordan’s Furniture, part of Top 100 Berkshire Hathaway’s furniture division, announced that President Eliot Tatelman is retiring from daily operations after several decades as the face of the brand. His sons, Josh Tatelman and Michael Tatelman, will continue as co-CEOs, the same role they have shared for the past five years, and will continue leading the company in expanded roles.
‘Made in America’ retailers see advantages in tariffs

3 weeks ago | furnituretoday.com | Thomas Lester

HIGH POINT — While many retailers are trying their best to figure out the best way to approach the potential price increases associated with tariffs, others have already found their way. For retailers who specialize in Made in America product, the ability to tell a tariff-free story became that much more appealing this week. “I’m not worried about tariffs. We have some Chinese and Vietnamese imports, but it’s a small part of the business.