We are experiencing what feels like an unprecedented period of turmoil in the furniture business. Manufacturers are grappling with policy related supply chain challenges and sourcing limitations, domestic labor shortages, and a reeling logistics industry. Retailers are wading through the murky waters of a generational transition in buying power in the United States, as Generation X (and older millennials) slides into prime purchasing years and the Baby Boomers retire and downsize. The rise of e-commerce as a trade medium has brick-and-motor’s scrambling to retain business. Etc Etc Etc….

AND YET! Amidst all these challenges, a nimble domestic manufacturer, like Best, is consistently presented with opportunities to create NEW solutions to the dynamic demands of today’s furniture buyers. Combining market opportunity with trends and current tastes is where real power in furniture can be achieved…

The R&D department at Best has been prompted repeatedly in recent days for a comprehensive upholstered dining program. As import suppliers in that category have been continually hampered by the challenges mentioned above, retailers are increasingly struggling to provide mid-priced, special order capable dining chairs.

Simultaneously, the younger furniture buyer is less interested in the traditional dining suit, shunning a matching table, chairs, and side piece for a more eclectic presentation befitting not only the mixed-use, open-space living design in many modern homes, but also current style trends.

Overstock.com identifies five current trends in dining furniture, including textured neutral upholstery (hello Stonehaven Way), and utilizing bench seating instead of individual chairs.

Hayneedle suggests general eclecticism and mixing dining chairs as two primary dining trends.  

 At High Point market (which opens this coming weekend), Best will debut four new dining chairs, to add to the current five, to provide a truly complete suite of dining options. With nine chairs and two settees, all available in multiple leg finishes and over 700 fabrics (including Revolution and Opticlean stain resistant performance fabrics), Best will have a compelling offering.

Here are some sneak peaks of the new models…