HIGH POINT, North Carolina – Approximately 49 Canadian furniture and furnishing resources with permanent showrooms here will open for the upcoming fall edition of the High Point Market, which open for its usual five-day run beginning Saturday, October 22.

This is expected to be the first furniture trade event to be held since the Government of Canada lifted all travel restriction imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organized by the High Point Market Authority (HPMA), it is believed to be the world's largest furniture industry trade event and includes an estimated 2,000 permanent showrooms spread throughout some 180 buildings in the community in the western reaches of North Carolina. Some 100 countries are thought to participate in the event, either as exhibitors or attendees.

Outside of the United States, Canada boasts the largest delegation of both exhibitors and attendees, who include both retailers, interior designers and other industry professionals.

According to the HPMA web site, the following Canadian furniture and home furnishings resources will be open for the market: 

Amalfi Home Furnishings: 300-310 S. Main St., #1001 Shuttle Stop: 9 (Green Line)

Amisco Industries: IHFC - D541, Design Center, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal) 

Bellini Modern Living: IHFC - H521, H520, Hamilton, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Bermex Group (Bermex, Bertanie, Dinec, Midi and Shermag Canada): 212 N. Wrenn St. Shuttle Stop: 25 (Red Line)

Bethel International: Commerce & Design - 4A, 4C, 4D, 4Q, Floor 4 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Brentwood Classics: Commerce & Design - 8I, 8K, Floor 8 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Canadel: National Furniture Mart - 102, Floor 1 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Celadon Art: Suites at Market Square - M-1000A, Mezzanine Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line) 

Colibri: 220 Elm - 332, Level 3 Shuttle Stop: 4 (Green Line)

Collection Tuff Avenue: IHFC – CC609, Commerce, Floor 6 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Daniel Design Studio: Suites at Market Square - G-7001, Ground Area: Salon Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Decor-Rest: Plaza Suites - 212, Floor 2 Shuttle Stop: 3 (Green Line)

District Eight: IHFC – IH102, InterHall Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Dorel Home/Dorel Living: Commerce & Design - 9A, 8N, Floor 9 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Durham Furniture: 220 Elm - 204, Level 2 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Edgewood Furniture: Centers of High Point: Hamilton – 135, Level 1 Shuttle Stop: 12 (Green Line)

Elran Furniture: Furniture Plaza - 505, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 3 (Green Line)

EQ3: 220 Elm – 400, Level 4 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Flair Enterprises: IHFC – W748, Wrenn, Floor 7 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

FlowDecor: IHFC – IH612, InterHall Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

G. Romano: IHFC – D508, Design Center, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Huppé: 220 Elm - 333, Level 3 Shuttle Stop: 4 (Green Line)

Kalora: 220 Elm - 400, Level 4 Shuttle Stop: 4 (Green Line)

Katari Impax: Suites At Market Square – G-4025 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Kristine Daniel Designs: Suites At Market Square – G-4002 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line) 

Legacy Leather by Campio: 224 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Shuttle Stop: 16 (Red Line)

LH Imports: 205 S. Main St. Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Luxe Decor Life: Commerce & Design – 5J Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Mazin Furniture Industries: 212 Jacobs Pl Shuttle Stop: 10 (Green Line)

Mercana Furniture and Décor: IHFC - C332, Commerce, Floor 3 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Mobican Furniture: IHFC – D523, Design Center, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Mobital: IHFC – H724, Hamilton, Floor 7 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Moe's Home Collection|: IHFC - C302, Commerce, Floor 3 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Monarch Specialties: Commerce & Design – 7A Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Mood Dekor: IHFC - H341, Hamilton, Floor 3 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

NCA Design: Commerce & Design – 6A Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Nuevo: IHFC - IH211, Commerce, Floor 1 Area: InterHall Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Outpost Original: Suites At Market Square – G5014 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Paarizaat Home: Plaza Suites – 1-727 Shuttle Stop: 9 (Green Line)

Palliser Furniture: 220 Elm - 400, Level 4 Shuttle Stop: 4 (Green Line)

Primo International: IHFC - M1100, Main, Floor 11 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

RT Dressings: Suites at Market Square - M-6042, Mezzanine Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Rustique: Centers of High Point: Centennial - 102, Floor 1 Shuttle Stop: 12 (Green Line)

Sealy Sofa Convertibles: Plaza Suites – 410 Shuttle Stop: 9 (Green Line)

South Shore Furniture: Commerce & Design – 6N Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Streamline Art: IHFC - W248, Wrenn, Floor 2 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Sunpan: Showplace - 1200, 1650, Floor 1 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

The Table Factory: 401 W. English Rd. Shuttle Stop: 27 (Red Line)

Trend Connect: Radio Building – S-805 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

Trica: IHFC – D515, Design Center, Floor 5 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

Vertuu Design: IHFC – C365, Commerce, Floor 3 Shuttle Stop: 1 (Transportation Terminal)

West Bros. Furniture: 220 Elm – 301 Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

ST. JACOB’S, Ontario – Storey Home Furniture was named the Best Home Furniture Store in Canada for 2021 at the Proud of My Home Achievement Awards at the co-operatively owned group’s recent 2022 Homecoming event in Toronto.

Home Furniture is one of the banners operated by Home Hardware Stores, this country’s largest network of independently owned and operated hardware stores and building supply centres, with some 1,100 locations from coast-to-coast.

“We are honoured to be awarded with the Proud of My Home Achievement Award for Best Home Furniture in Canada,” Marnie Kelly, who owns the store – which is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – along with husband Sam Cuglietta, said in a statement.

“Since joining Storey Home Furniture in 2002 as an employee, I knew I wanted to own it one day with its relaxed, authentic vibe. Being a family-owned company, it always felt more like visiting with friends than actual work,” she continued, adding, “In 2017, my husband and co-owner, Sam Cuglietta, and I bought the store, making our dream a reality. We proudly work every day to build on the legacy of trust that Storey Home Furniture has always been known for.”

In announcing the award, the dealer-owned co-operative noted when the couple took over Storey Home Furniture, they set out a five-year growth plan centered around their core line up of Canadian furniture manufacturers, revitalization of the store itself and to modernize the systems and processes to best serve their customers.

“Despite setbacks and the pandemic, the Storey Home team were able to reach all their goals. They continue to dedicate themselves to reaching even higher standards for customer-service and business excellence,” the organization said.

Home Hardware, it continued, is a brand that stands for a strong sense of community. Storey Home Furniture incorporates that in everything they do. Kelly and Cuglietta know how much their neighbours matter and strive to be good community partners in Sault Ste. Marie by hiring local and sponsoring various programs for children like Lunches for Learning.

“It’s important to us to give back and support the community that has continuously supported us. We would not have been able win this award if it weren’t for our amazing community,” Kelly said.

Storey Home Furniture succeeds Stratford Home Furniture, owned by Jim and Leslie Fierling, who won the award last year.

Storey Home Furniture was one of 18 stores recognized with a Proud of My Home Achievement Award across the country. Award recipients must demonstrate excellence in merchandising, interior and exterior brand representation, community involvement, growth and financial performance, implementation of innovations and technology, staff performance and retention, customer service experience, and participation in dealer network initiatives.

“The Proud of My Home Achievement Award recognizes Storey Home Furniture’s commitment and dedication to putting their customers first,” said Kevin Macnab, president and chief executive officer of Home Hardware Stores, the parent company of Home Furniture.

TORONTO – Home appliance giant Whirlpool Canada has launched an app to help those suffering from autism and other neurological issues carry out everyday chores. The program was developed in collaboration with Magnusmode, a social enterprise specializing in helping autistic and neurodiverse people live normal lives through the use of technology.

The white goods specialist has launched ten new Home Care digital guides – called ‘Card Decks’ – in Magnusmode’s app, MagnusCards. October is also Autism Acceptance Month in Canada.

MagnusCards is a life skills library providing step-by-step instructions and visual cues for everyday tasks and experiences with collectible Card Decks. Using proven educational methods, every Card Deck is carefully crafted as a how-to guide for day-to-day tasks like brushing teeth, taking public transit, going grocery shopping, personal care, and much more. Whirlpool’s new Card Decks will be the first in the program’s Home Care category.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Whirlpool brand to provide Home Care Card Decks for autistic and neurodiverse Canadians,” Nadia Hamilton, founder and president of Magnusmode, said in a statement. “Having support for daily living activities removes barriers to independence in the home, and empowers people to care for their personal space, their family, and themselves.”

As the pandemic exacerbated the need for virtual care for home-based skills, Magnusmode and Whirlpool worked to develop the Home Care Card Decks which break down and simplify kitchen and laundry tasks. The Card Decks cover practical life skills such as loading the dishwasher, how to store and organize food in the refrigerator, washing clothes in a washer, how to read laundry symbols, and more.

“MagnusCards provide the opportunity to show people that you can cook on the stove or do laundry, and do it successfully,” said Kathy, parent of a Magnusmode app user. “The collaboration between the Whirlpool brand and MagnusCards has made me feel that my daughter Rachel will be able to manage, she will have a good life and she will be able to do things because she can learn them.”

According to the Canadian Medical Association and National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System, between 1% and 2% of the Canadian population are on the autism spectrum, meaning these 10 Home Care Card Decks could provide the tools for hundreds of thousands of Canadians to live with greater independence.

“Whirlpool brand is committed to helping families thrive,” according to Janice Ryder, Whirlpool Canada’s senior manager of brand experience. “As the exclusive homecare sponsor of Magnusmode in Canada, we see this partnership as a natural fit for the brand, putting our brand purpose into action to serve Canadians better.”

MagnusCards by Magnusmode is available to download for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit whirlpool.ca/magnusmode.

MONTREAL – BrainBox AI, a pioneer in autonomous artificial intelligence for the commercial real estate sector, has installed its technology in 214 stores operated by Sleep Country Canada Holdings (SCC), this country’s largest specialty sleep retailer, which represents close to 80% of its total footprint and 1.1 million square feet of retail space.

The agreement with BrainBox AI aligns with Sleep Country’s goal to be net zero by 2040, laid out in its inaugural ESG report released earlier this year.

In a statement, BrainBox AI said its technology is well-suited to help multi-site retailers like Sleep Country with their environmental goals using predictive and self-adapting autonomous AI to optimize the largest energy hogs in buildings – HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. The rapidly deployed technology produces significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon footprint, while increasing occupant comfort and HVAC equipment service life.

“We are thrilled to partner with BrainBox AI in our efforts to become net zero by 2040 and, more broadly, play our part in battling our planet’s climate crisis,” SCC president and chief executive officer Stewart Schaefer said. “Sleep Country is committed to making a positive impact on both our customers, partners and the world through our corporate ESG initiatives, and the implementation of this ground-breaking AI technology will help us achieve our near and long-term sustainability goals.”

Preceding the rollout across Sleep Country’s real estate portfolio, BrainBox AI completed a four-store pilot project, designed to explore the energy and GHG emission reductions the technology could offer the retailer. With the pilot covering approximately 20,000 square feet of store space and rooftop unit-based HVAC systems, Sleep Country saw an annualized 15% reduction in electricity use from its HVAC equipment, a 19% reduction in HVAC gas consumption, and a 15 tCO2 reduction in carbon equivalency.

The replication of these results across the 214 locations will provide Sleep Country with significant utility savings and a yearly CO2 emissions equivalent to the emissions of close to four million kilometres driven by the average car.

“At BrainBox AI, we are passionate about working to make buildings smarter, greener, and more efficient. The opportunity to install our technology throughout the retail footprint of one of Canada’s top multi-site retailers is truly exciting for our team,” said BrainBox AI chief technology officer and co-founder Jean-Simon Venne.

“As a Canadian company ourselves, helping reduce the carbon footprint in our home market is important to us. But climate change is a global issue, and we look forward to working with major brands around the world to help them achieve their environmental and energy goals,” he added.

BrainBox AI’s solution empowers commercial and retail space owners to dramatically reduce their buildings’ energy spend and carbon emissions, moving them closer to achieving their net-zero carbon goals.