US furniture retailer Pier 1 Imports recalls thousands of swing chairs after injury to users
American furniture retailer Pier 1 Imports has recalled 276,000 outdoor swing chairs and stands following reports of injury to customers.
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the company sells furniture and other home goods through its 1,000 stores spread in the US and Canada. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), it received more than 100 reports that the swing chairs were either tripping over or falling from the stand. It said there were 27 reports that spoke of injuries to consumers, the Associated Press reported.
Get refund
At Pier 1, both chairs and stands are sold separately. The chairs carry the brand name Swingasan. The faulty items were sold between January 2010 to August 2015 and in different colours.
The CPSC advised customers to stop using the items and contact Pier 1 instead, for a free repair kit or a refund. The problem is reportedly associated with the stands, which go unstable when someone sits as the suspension hardware snips up, the CPSC said.
Meanwhile, Pier 1 will close a store at 3641 N. Freeway Blvd in Natomas by March, reports Business Journals.
“Pier 1 Imports continually reviews new and existing store locations to make sure we’re operating as efficiently as possible. Where necessary, based on that review, we make the strategic business decision to close certain locations on a case-by-case basis. We care about our shoppers in the Natomas area and have enjoyed serving them over the years,” company spokeswoman Melissa Simon said.
Huge sector growth
On the furniture sector outlook, a new report said growth in the US furniture industry is outpacing its economy thanks to strong performances in bedroom and dining room furnishing sales. With the housing market showing signs of improvement, higher discretionary spending will prevail in 2016 as well.
The observations came from Mike Hudgens, Southeast Regional Manager of CIT Commercial Services, in a market intelligence report named as “Furniture Industry Outlook: Growth in Sector Continues to Outpace U.S. Economy.”
“While the US economy has remained relatively flat the U.S. furniture markets have seen an uptick due in large part to new home sales and an increase in consumer spending as they look to furnish homes,” he said.
It noted that even if the US economy looks relatively flat, the furniture markets had an uptick due to new home sales and increased consumer spending on home furnishing.
“As a result, we expect the sector to improve the remainder of this year and anticipate another active year in 2016 particularly in the bedroom and dining room sectors,” Hudgens added in a press release.
