On the Record with Furniture Today

Decoding the online marketplace opportunity

Furniture Today Editor in Chief Bill McLoughlin is joined by Sam Vlessing, founder and CEO of technology startup Bear Ogilvy, who uncorks the opportunity that manufacturers and retailers have to utilize major e-commerce platforms to compete on an even playing field with today’s e-commerce giants. Sponsored By Storis

Turning the tables. FT’s Editor in Chief in the hot seat

Furniture Today’s Senior Retail Editor Clint Engel turns the table on Editor in Chief  Bill McLoughlin, grilling the long-time retail editor on his career, the changing retail environment and why furniture stores have avoided the consolidations that have impacted so many other industries. Sponsored By Storis

Want to know what motivates first-time furniture shoppers?

Furniture Today Editor in Chief Bill McLoughlin sits down with a focus group of Millennial and Gen Z consumers to uncover their furniture shopping preferences. Do reviews really matter?  Where do they look for information prior to purchase? Would they rather rent or buy? How high is high priced? Tune in to find out. Sponsored by STORIS

Furniture merchandising hacks from an elite showroom designer

Hallie Pippas, showroom designer at Furnitureland South and formerly at Houston’s Gallery Furniture is a veteran merchandiser and student of retail. Sitting down with Furniture Today Editor in Chief Bill McLoughlin, Pippas shares the tricks of the trade as well as key insights she’s uncovered shopping other retail formats.

Unpacking the tariff tussle

Furniture Today editors Bill McLoughlin, Thomas Russell, and Powell Slaughter discuss the recent imposition of 25% tariffs on a wide range of Chinese furniture, accessories and components; sharing insights gleaned from discussions with a wide range of industry insiders. Are price increases in the offing? What’s the outlook for emerging source countries? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Not just about the mattress;it’s the way you sleep’

Miskelly Furniture’s Alan Vonder Haar shares how he got his nickname, Dr. V, and shares his passion for teaching RSAs how to “sell the why” and teaching customers how to get a better night’s sleep.

‘Not just the boss’s son,’ Jesse Lubin on life, work and balance

ElRan’s third-generation Jesse Lubin shares insights about growing up in a family business, what he’s learned along the way and his hopes to grow the business for another 50 years. “Find a hole, fill a need, make it happen.”

‘I’m a keen observer of consumers’

In the Chair this week, Lori Gonzalez of Twin Star Home talks about her years of using consumer insights and a consumer-centric strategy — “You can’t just understand what consumers use and buy, but you must understand why” — and bringing that to her latest role as CEO of Twin Star Home.

Lessons from a furniture lifer

Jamie Collins, executive vice president at Homelegance grew up in High Point, cut his teeth at Bassett, learned life lessons at Thomasville and has found fulfillment in the hustle and bustle of importer Homelegance. So what’s the secret to success in the furniture business? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Christopher Guy Harrison remembers, plans and envisions CG’s path

Christopher Guy Harrison sits down with Editor in Chief Bill McLoughlin to reflect on his design roots, plans for CG’s future, and the joy and satisfaction he gets from bringing his vision of creating “jewelry for the home” to life.