Mover Mike

FURNITURE Today is reporting that retailer Sofa Express and More has gone missing (including their web site).

Industry sources, who asked not to be identified, said the stores are no longer taking custom orders and have been told to sell just what’s in stock.

Sofa Express, a 41 store chain, is owned by Klaussner's.

(Klaussner)...was looking to recoup some of the millions of dollars in business that was wiped out by a number of large retail bankruptcies. Davis noted in 2002 that the closings of Heilig-Meyers, Homelife and Montgomery Ward had erased more than 1,500 stores and meant that Klaussner lost more than $100 million in annual wholesale business.

In addition Klaussner three times was a main creditor to Levitz when the chain filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Klaussner is hoping to brand its name by opening Klaussnerhome furnishings.

Klaussner officials have told Furniture Today that Klaussnerhome stores will carry only Klaussner product.

Klaussnerhome opened its first few stores this year and has plans to grow to as many as 100 stores by the end of 2009.

Furniture/Today has estimated that, as of last year, about 90% of the Sofa Express product was made or sourced by Klaussner.

Now here's my question for you readers: What part of this latest marketing program do you expect to be successful in the future?

Sofa Express and More Klaussner Heilig-Meyers Homelife Montgomery Ward Levitz

Update:

FURNITURE Today just announced:

Sofa Express and More is telling its employees that it will begin closing stores Tuesday, according to a store manager who asked not to be identified.