Category: Blog article

Dallas Market Center announced that January’s edition of Lightovation, its twice annual residential lighting trade event, is moving from Jan. 7-10 to March 23-26.

The summer edition of Lightovation will take place in its original June 23-26 spot. Additionally, the January 6-12 Total Home & Gift Market and other previously scheduled January trade events at Dallas Market Center will continue.

The March edition of Lightovation will take place together with the spring edition of Total Home & Gift Market to allow for full exploration of DMC’s campus and buying opportunities in home décor and other categories.

“This decision was not an easy one but the right one for lighting retailers located across North America, Canada, Central America, and beyond,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “For eight months we have held successful events serving buyers, and we are confident in our ability to continue to stage safe and inspiring shows. However, by shifting to March we will better serve global customers able to travel more easily. We look forward to seeing everyone in person in the spring.”

The new Lightovation dates were determined after consultation with lighting exhibitors and evaluation of travel restrictions recently enacted in

HIGH POINT – First Tuesday’s steering committee has announced additional dates of March 2-3.

After January and February editions, First Tuesday was going to take the following month off in support of High Point Premarket’s original schedule, but Premarket’s postponement until April opened the door for the event to take place in March.

“With all the announced changes of Market dates, First Tuesday will continue to be an option as well as a solution for retailers and vendors to conduct business in a personalized, safe, and market-ready environment showcasing new product introductions,” said Kevin Castellani, a committee member for First Tuesday. “Announcing this new March date only reinforces the committee’s commitment to responding to the industry needs and current market conditions.”

While January and February dates have already been announced and established, committee members believe the addition of March new addition to First Tuesday’s schedule reinforces the need for opening showrooms in High Point during the year; and that ongoing pandemic concerns and government restrictions are changing furniture-industry buying behavior and creating uncertainty in the traditional markets.

With more than 100 showrooms being open every month in High Point, the goal of First Tuesday is to give the industry a

Al Bulak, president, CEO and co-founder of home décor, wall art, lighting and furniture supplier IMAX Worldwide Home, is retiring, the company announced.

In 1984, Al and Berrin Bulak began importing various copper pots and containers from their homeland of Turkey. Establishing relationships with global manufacturers and artisans, the company soon expanded to include a variety of accessories, lighting, accent furniture and wall décor. In those early days, the couple personally handled all aspects of business operations, from sourcing overseas – hand-selecting products to sell to retailers in the U.S. – to setting up trade show booths, to photographing each product on film and processing the images in a darkroom.

“I will be retiring from my position as the CEO/President after 37 years. It has been an amazing adventure running this company, starting from nothing to one of the top home décor companies in our industry,” Al Bulak said. “I am humbled to have the confidence of hundreds of dedicated and creative people that have given me the opportunity to be their leader. I could not have achieved all of this without the support and tireless work of Berrin Bulak. She has always been the backbone and the

ELK Group International announced it has appointed Michael Van Derlofske to the newly created position of vice president of sales – retail business development.

In this position, Van Derlofske will oversee the planned expansion of e-commerce for the Nesquehoning, Pa.-based home furnishings group, which includes strategic planning and execution, business development and market share growth for this channel. He reports to CEO David Pamer.

“The ecommerce world is growing and changing so quickly, and the addition of Michael to our team is part of a larger investment in this channel for our future growth,” said Pamer. “Michael will be responsible for keeping us abreast of forward-looking industry trends, technology and digital advancements and marketplace alternative options, all with the goal of positioning ELK as a preferred supplier to our customers, retailers and interior designers.”

Additionally, he will work closely with the lighting showroom channel to dovetail its objectives and priorities with the overall growth strategy for ELK. Lighting is the heritage and core of the company, and it remains central to the company’s retail driven growth strategy over the next several years. Van Derlofske joins ELK from Quoizel Lighting where he held leadership positions in sales management

STOCKHOLM – If you have a current or past copy of the Ikea catalog, it might be a good idea to hang on to it. Inter Ikea Systems, the worldwide Ikea franchisor, is ending the Ikea catalog, both the print and digital versions. Past versions of the catalog are likely to become collector’s items.

“For both customers and co-workers, the Ikea catalog is a publication that brings a lot of emotions, memories and joy. For 70 years it has been one of our most unique and iconic products, which has inspired billions of people across the world,” said Konrad Grüüss, Inter Ikea Systems managing director.

“Turning the page with our beloved catalog is in fact a natural process since media consumption and customer behaviors have changed. In order to reach and interact with people, we will keep inspiring with our home furnishing solutions in new ways.”

Grüss said the company has become more digital and accessible and since customer behavior and media consumption has changed, the Ikea catalog has been less necessary.

The first catalog, distributed in 1951, featured

Home Accents Today’s Retail Stars list recognizes independent brick-and-mortar retailers of home accents – including furniture stores, home accessories boutique stores and interior design showrooms – that merchandise creatively, have a positive presence in their local communities and stand out from the competition.

View the complete list here.

To nominate a retailer for our 2021 list, email Thomas Lester at tlester@homeaccentstoday.com.

Mary Barnett’s

Norfolk, Va.

1 store

Estimated 2019 total sales: Less than $1 million

marybarnetts.com

Home accent and furniture specialist, founded in 1945. Key suppliers include Uttermost and ELK Home for accent furniture; ELK Home for decorative accessories; East Enterprises for lamps/lighting; Paragon for wall décor; C&F Enterprises for soft goods. Attends Atlanta Market and High Point Market. Visual merchandising scheme is kept fresh and changes by season. Takes special orders and still wraps gifts for customers. Best retail idea has been staying involved in the community through holiday open houses, fashion nights and book readings.

In their own words

What sets you apart from others in your market?

We are here to serve our customers. We can work with them to find an item in a catalog and still take special orders. We even still wrap