NHFA’s 2001 Retailers of the Year— Giff Gates and Neil Goldberg To Be Honored In High Point

Furniture World Magazine

Dave Cavitt, president of Furniture Enterprises of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, and of the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), announced that the association’s 2001 Retailers of the Year are Giff Gates, president and CEO of Gates Home Furnishings, Grants Pass, Ore., and Neil Goldberg, president and CEO of Raymour & Flanigan Furniture, Inc., Liverpool, N.Y. Gates and Goldberg will be presented with their awards at the Furniture Industry Awards Gala at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., on April 19. Stuart Shevin, president of Standard Furniture Co., Birmingham, Ala., and past president of NHFA implemented the change from one to two categories for Retailer of the Year as one of his last duties as president last year. One award is given to a retailer that represents a company with $10 million or more in annual sales and one to a retailer representing a company with less than $10 million in annual sales. This new system better reflects the dynamics of the industry and gives the association a chance to honor retailers of all sizes. NHFA’s executive vice president, Steve DeHaan says, "Neil Goldberg runs an exceptional organization where the corporate philosophy is to train associates, management, and executives alike to best serve the customer. This in-depth training sets his company apart and contributes to the company’s success. The best word to describe Giff Gates is involved. His company and personal contributions have created an outstanding reputation of philanthropy. The association is proud to recognize and honor both men for their endeavors." NHFA’s Retailer of the Year Award is the highest in the retail home furnishings industry and recognizes the recipients’ outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to their communities, and their personal business achievements. Nominations for NHFA’s Retailers of the Year are solicited from every segment of the industry, including retailers, manufacturers, factory representatives, and the press. The selection committee is comprised of retailers, NHFA Sponsor manufacturers and suppliers, a principal of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association, and a member of the home furnishings press. Founded in 1919, the National Home Furnishings Association, headquartered in High Point, is a trade association servicing the specific needs of home furnishings retailers. NHFA provides essential information, government representation, professional education and training, and business and operation tools to its more than 3,000 members, which represent more than 10,000 stores nationwide.