WHFA Introduces The Home Furnishings Industry's First Uniform Program Sets Industry Standard

Furniture World Magazine

The Home Furnishings Retailers in the West can now purchase uniforms like mega-corporations such as Chevron, Walmart and Costco. The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) has concluded extensive research of approximately 900 Western retailers and determined that 52% of retailers purchase uniforms, 26% leased or rented uniforms and remaining 22% had no uniform needs. The industry wide demand for uniforms spurred WHFA into 6 months of negotiations with national uniform suppliers. The vendor selected to provide the Home Furnishings Industry's first uniform program is the Cintas Corporation, based in Cincinnati, OH. Cintas is the nations largest supplier of uniforms and custom apparel, and they supply other industry giants like Miller Brewing, NASCAR, Albertsons, Avis and the others listed. The new program, a first for the industry, will set the standard in the Home Furnishings Industry and allow the independent retailers to purchase or lease uniforms at the same prices as large corporations. Ronny Bensimon, President of WHFA and Dearden's in Los Angeles, CA stated, 'The need for this program was evident and we challenged our association's staff to create the first industry standard. This program will provide retailers with the tremendous savings opportunity, once reserved solely for the fortune 500 companies" The program research determined the most commonly utilized uniforms and apparel and those items were customized for the program. The apparel items included in the program are pants, long sleeve, short sleeve, denim and polo shirts, hats, and 2 types of jackets. Additional items will be added to the program as the demand requires. The Western Home Furnishings Association is now serving members in the 10 Western States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.