Yesteryear Introduces Wicker Futon Frame Groups

According to Don Walker, President of Yesteryear Wicker, the recent introduction of wicker futon frames and their accessory items is having great success. "They are not only being sold in the areas we expected, like Florida and other beach resort areas, but they are selling inland as well," Walker said. The company is offering two groupings, one in traditional white and the other in a unique brown antique washed finish. "This brown wash finish conjures up images of a bygone era," he said. As far as Walker knows he is the only importer selling wicker futon frames with coordinating arm chair, rocker, coffee table and end table. Since this new introduction has been so well received, he plans to add new futon groups in the future, in addition to their current collection of six wicker daybeds. Yesteryear Wicker is the largest distributor of wicker daybeds in the country.

Phoenix Intro Puts Monticello Oak Into Autumn Sales Cycle

Monticello, N.Y. Leading futon retailers will begin showcasing the Monticello Oak Futon Collection, the futon industry's high-quality oak furniture line, in retail showrooms this summer as a result of the 58 year-old manufacturer's successful futon introduction at the Futon Association International's Phoenix Expo in May.

Monticello Oak introduced five new futon frames and matching accent pieces at the Expo, and experienced an "extraordinary response" to the line-up. Monticello Oak Vice President and GM, Martin Tratt, said production capacity, labor and manufacturing equipment were increased substantially as a result of the Phoenix market. "Key retailers visited our Expo space and provided us with the feedback and the orders we hoped for," he said. "We are eager to begin the oak competition in earnest this summer. We've geared up and we're ready to go. We're also innovative design-wise, and all our products are priced aggressively." Stuart A. Glasser of The Glasser Group, who is responsible for sales and marketing of the Monticello Oak Collection, said, "The nation's leading retailers responded vigorously to the new futon styles. New leather, new wrought iron, and a new whitewash finish, for example, were very big in Phoenix. Buyers recognize Monticello Oak falls within the mainstream; this is popular, high-volume furniture."

Patented Innovations

"Customers really loved the innovative futons with patented wall hugging benefits, the quality and detail of manufacture, and features like the bed stabilizers, the ease of assembly benefits, the gallery point of sale and advertising materials. Customers bought, and they bought big. Our futon pricing is very sharp," he noted. "Exactly what I've been searching for," one veteran futon retailer told Monticello Oak executives. "You definitely did your homework. You clearly listened to us."

The Monticello Oak Futon Collection is manufactured by Budoff Classic Furniture. In 1939, the corporation began manufacturing fine oak furniture for residences, schools, businesses, and leading resorts. The company's Monticello Oak Collection was designed by international designer Steven Sanfilippo. Each futon collection includes oak frame, love seat, chair, coffee table, and end tables. All are built entirely from solid white oak, an easily harvested and replenishable North American resource.

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