What the post-coronavirus workplace might look like

Thursday, 24 September, 2020

What will the post-Covid workplace look like? Steelcase is one of the largest manufacturers of office furniture — desks, chairs, storage products and office pods — and they have a lot of ideas.

They are partnering with MIT to better understand how air circulates in an office environment.

Hundreds respond to Newton giveaway of office furniture and supplies

Friday, 18 September, 2020

COVINGTON, Ga. — Commissioner-elect Alana Sanders and some area companies and nonprofits helped Newton County families by donating equipment needed to help students learn virtually from home.

The event featured a giveaway of office equipment and other items. Hundreds of residents took advantage Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Newton County Sheriff’s Office’s Westside Precinct.

Among the companies participating in the event was IKEA, which donated 50 desks and a variety of other office furniture and supplies for Newton County families. Students also received donated laptops, tablets and earbuds.

Vancouver spent more than $300K on office furniture during the pandemic’s early days

Thursday, 17 September, 2020

VANCOUVER — Staff working for the City of Vancouver spent more than $300,000 on office furniture between January and May, a period that coincided with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and dire warnings from Mayor Kennedy Stewart about the city’s finances.

The $316,800 worth of furniture was purchased as part of a $2.6 million renovation of parts of the second floor of city hall, spending that was approved in December in the city’s capital budget.

Herman Miller soars 34% as it rejoins dividend club

Thursday, 17 September, 2020

Shares of Herman Miller <MLHR.O> soared 34% on Thursday after the office chair seller posted blowout quarterly results and joined an expanding list of companies reinstating their dividends as they become more confident about recovering from the coronavirus.

Herman Miller late on Wednesday reported revenue and earnings far above analysts’ expectations, with sales from its retail segment surging 40% thanks to strong demand from people kitting out their home offices due to the pandemic.

Herman Miller Announces New Concept Stores

Thursday, 17 September, 2020

Herman Miller, the global design leader and recognized provider of furnishings and related technologies and services, announced it will expand its retail presence this fall with the unveiling of its first concept stores completely dedicated to high-performance task chairs and products that support the home office. Following a record-breaking summer with Herman Miller Retail—the retail arm of Herman Miller comprised of Herman Miller, Design Within Reach and HAY—reporting its strongest quarterly financial performance to date, the first stores are slated to open in late Fall 2020.

Strong retail performance powers Herman Miller’s first quarter fiscal 2021 results

Thursday, 17 September, 2020

ZEELAND — With some lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic weighing it down, Zeeland-based office furniture giant Herman Miller (NASDAQ: MLHR) still offered a better-than-expected earnings report late Wednesday.

The company saw a 6.6 percent drop in total revenue, totaling $626.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to $670.9 million at the same time last year. Still, the slight dip was not as bad as most analyst had forecast.

Home Office Lifestyle Trends Accelerated As Pandemic Spread

Wednesday, 16 September, 2020

NEW YORK— The home and small office furniture segment is going through a metamorphosis of sorts, one that has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. but that has its roots in consumer lifestyle transitions and professional workstyle transformations that have been progressing for a generation.

The excitement that has driven the home and small office segment over the past few months has been evident, and HOMEWORLD BUSINESS®ꪪ, in research including on and off the record interviews with retailers and vendors, has traced developments that identify how the COVID-19 crisis has acted as a catalyst that has propelled trends in the sector and that signal where developments may lead over the next few years.

Amazon Investing In Home Office Furniture Growth

Wednesday, 16 September, 2020

NEW YORK— Amazon is investing in its own furniture brands, making them a point of advantage when it comes to the promotion of mass-market furniture, and home office has become a critical part of that, especially recently.

Coresight Research pointed out that the company now identifies 111 own-brands that sell through its site. Of those, 33 have more than 100 available items, with Rivet, the company’s mid-century furnishings line being one. In fact, at 2,177 items on Amazon, Rivet comes in second in product portfolio terms after AmazonBasics, which offers 4,152 items, but before AmazonEssentials, which is focused on apparel and offers 2,092 items. AmazonBasics offers a range of products with furniture, including office furniture, represented.

La-Z-Boy completes Seattle stores acquisition

Wednesday, 16 September, 2020

MONROE, Mich. — La-Z-Boy Inc. has completed its previously announced asset acquisition of the Seattle business that operated six independently owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores, with approximately $30 million in annual retail volume in calendar 2019, and one warehouse.

Terms of the transaction, the result of the planned retirement of independent dealers, Chris and Lisa Washko, were not disclosed.

Office furniture shortages loom as Canadians stay home this fall

Monday, 14 September, 2020

Canadians should brace for a shortage of office furniture, such as desks and chairs, as people continue to study and work from home this fall.

Ikea Canada spokeswoman Kristin Newbigging says the company has seen an increase in demand for office furnishings and other gear needed for work-from-home setups.

This comes as a looming second wave of COVID-19 means many Canadians are not returning to the office or school just yet.

At the same time, she says the company is experiencing the impacts of overseas suppliers still being closed for business, making it hard to meet demand.