Mr. Jeff Baron

GLG News^SM Analyses by Jeff Baron

GLG News is now G+ Insights

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Duty Calls - A Good Night's Sleep (2 of 2)

June 26, 2011

Analysis of:From China, an end run around U.S. tariffs | www.washingtonpost.com

Few issues have been as divisive to the American furniture industry as wood bedroom anti-dumping duties; pitting manufacturer against retailer.Early last decade, a group of American wood bedroom furniture manufacturers petitioned the United States Department of Commerce to impose tariffs on Chinese imports. They claimed their competitors were “dumping” products at unreasonably low prices; disrupting the market, damaging domestic suppliers and costing American workers their jobs.Part two of two.

Duty Calls - A Good Night's Sleep (1 of 2)

June 26, 2011

Analysis of:From China, an end run around U.S. tariffs | www.washingtonpost.com

Few issues have been as divisive to the American furniture industry as wood bedroom anti-dumping duties; pitting manufacturer against retailer.Early in the last decade, a group of American wood bedroom furniture manufacturers petitioned the United States Department of Commerce to impose tariffs on Chinese imports. They claimed their competitors were “dumping” products at unreasonably low prices; disrupting the market, damaging domestic suppliers and costing American workers their jobs.

Furniture & Home Furnishings Profits to Soar???

February 1, 2011

Analysis of:Quarterly Profit Soars for Tempur-Pedic | www.kentucky.com

While Tempur-Pedic International isn't a pure "furniture" play (they make branded bedding), the company's recently released Q4 results demonstrate the impact of cost-cutting on the bottom line when sales begin to recover.

IKEA - Swedish Meatballs in Beijing - Part II

October 25, 2010

Analysis of:Ikea Plans to Add $300 Million to Mall Developer's Investment in China - Bloomberg | www.bloomberg.com

In July 2009, I wrote an analysis of Bloomberg’s article “Ikea Plans to Open Second Beijing Store on Demand; Seeks Site”. That analysis and a link to the article are at:https://councils.glgroup.com/news/Analyses.mvc/Details/41283.Little more than a year later comes IKEA’s announcement of an increase to $1.5 billion in the real estate funds budgeted for building shopping centers in China.

Swedish Meatballs in Beijing !

July 12, 2009

Analysis of:Ikea Plans to Open Second Beijing Store on Demand | www.bloomberg.com

Following announcements that red tape and bureaucracy may delay or kill expansion plans in some countries, the world's top furniture retailer clearly sees great opportunities in China.  With 21% of its purchases made in China (top sourcing country for the chain), an insignificant part of sales made there (perhaps less than 2%) and exploding consumer demand for housing and related furnishings...how can IKEA possibly miss? In a tough economic environment, IKEA continues expansion and continues sales growth (although there are no same store comparisons easily available...so perhaps growing mostly through new-store openings).  Their format makes every visitor a customer on the very first visit because it is impossible not to find something to buy (even if it is only a plate of meatballs or a Coke).  The company sells nearly $1.5 billion of food annually!