Furniture Market Growth
Furniture Industry Leaders Drive International Expansion, Digital Commerce, and Sustainable Growth
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Key Points
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David Rosenblatt previously served as CEO of DoubleClick, overseeing its $3.1 billion sale to Google, and later became Google’s president of global display advertising.
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Rosenblatt also serves on the boards of IAC and Etsy and holds degrees from Yale and Stanford, adding substantial technology and corporate-governance experience to his role at 1stDibs.
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St. Peter Woolen Mill is one of only five certified organic wool-processing mills in the United States, underscoring the rarity of its certification and production model.
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Before joining Ekornes, Peter Bjerregaard held leadership roles at ECCO and Bang & Olufsen, experience that helped shape his approach to expanding premium Scandinavian brands in the United States.
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Larsen’s career began in retail sales at WG&R Furniture before he moved into marketing and vendor-relations roles at BrandSource and AVB Marketing, giving him frontline and program-development experience before joining FTS Direct.
Five furniture industry leaders are reshaping their companies through bold expansion, technology, and sustainability. Furniture Today profiles executives driving growth in luxury e-commerce, international markets, organic manufacturing, and retail networks. Dennis Hendriks is scaling Eichholtz from two U.S. locations to 10. David Rosenblatt built 1stDibs into a global marketplace and took it public in 2021. Patricia Johnson tripled St. Peter Woolen Mill's organic wool processing. Peter Bjerregaard made the U.S. Stressless's largest export market. Each leader brings deep experience from prior roles at major companies.
Their strategies reflect two contrasting approaches to growth. Some, like Rosenblatt at 1stDibs, leverage digital platforms to scale with minimal capital. Others, including Hendriks and Bjerregaard, invest heavily in domestic warehouses, showrooms, and manufacturing to serve premium customers. All five prioritize building trust through reliable inventory, quality products, and clear business models.
From Tech CEO to Luxury Marketplace Leader
David Rosenblatt brought Silicon Valley discipline to high-end furniture selling. He was CEO of DoubleClick, overseeing its $3.1 billion sale to Google in 2007–2008, then became Google's president of global display advertising. Furniture Today reports he joined 1stDibs as CEO in 2011 and transformed it into a global e-commerce platform for luxury goods. The company went public on NASDAQ in June 2021.
Rosenblatt's résumé extends beyond technology. He sits on the boards of IAC and Etsy, holds degrees from Yale and Stanford, and applies advertising and governance expertise to 1stDibs. His playbook: monetize high-margin digital transactions rather than hold physical inventory. This capital-light model lets 1stDibs scale globally without the warehouse costs that burden brick-and-mortar rivals.
Dutch Luxury Brand Builds U.S. Manufacturing and Showrooms
Eichholtz, a Netherlands-based luxury furnishings company, entered the U.S. market in 2019 with a flagship 21,500-square-foot showroom in High Point, North Carolina. Dennis Hendriks, managing director for the Americas, leads the expansion. Furniture Today states Hendriks established U.S. headquarters, opened a Miami store, and built domestic supply chains. The company now operates a 150,000-square-foot distribution warehouse in Greensboro, stocking 1,500 styles with over 80% ready for quick shipment.
Hendriks plans to grow Eichholtz's U.S. locations from two to 10, betting that designers want inventory on hand. "Designers like our designs and love the fact that we always have everything in stock, which helps them to complete their projects faster," he said. This strategy contradicts the digital-first model. Eichholtz invests capital in showrooms and warehouses to guarantee availability and build relationships with high-end interior designers.
Stressless Recliner Expands Distribution and Manufacturing
Peter Bjerregaard leads Stressless and IMG North America at Ekornes Inc., a premium Scandinavian brand. Since 2004, he has expanded U.S. distribution so aggressively that the country is now Stressless's largest export market worldwide. Furniture Today notes his prior leadership roles at ECCO and Bang & Olufsen, European premium brands, shaped his approach to building the recliner brand's domestic presence.
Bjerregaard's playbook mirrors Hendriks': establish distribution networks, create a branded retail program, and add domestic manufacturing. By localizing supply chains rather than relying on imports, both executives insulate their brands from trade friction and appeal to designers and consumers who value quick delivery and local support.
Organic Wool Mill Grows While Staying Family-Owned
St. Peter Woolen Mill, founded in 1867 and family-owned since 1912, operates one of only five certified organic wool-processing mills in the United States. Patricia Johnson, the fourth-generation leader, has tripled the mill's wholesale processing capacity to meet surging demand. Furniture Today highlights her commitment to sustainability as a core family value, even as she scales production for commercial customers seeking organic fibers.
Johnson's mill survived the 1998 F-3 tornado that destroyed much of the building and the mid-twentieth-century synthetic polyester boom that threatened traditional wool. By pivoting toward certified organic products, the mill tapped a niche market: sheep ranchers and bedding makers who demand verifiable eco-friendly supply chains. This sustainability focus attracts customers willing to pay premium prices for natural, chemical-free materials.
Independent Retailer Network Gains New Tools
Larsen leads FTS Direct, a buying group and vendor network for independent home furnishings retailers. His background spans frontline retail sales at WG&R Furniture, marketing leadership at BrandSource and AVB Marketing, and vendor-relations roles that taught him how independent stores compete against large direct-to-consumer conglomerates.
FTS Direct focuses on member and vendor value through tailored merchandising, finance, and marketing programs. By pooling buying power and sharing resources, Larsen helps smaller retailers survive and grow. His strategy contrasts with the digital-first and capital-intensive approaches of his peers. Instead, he builds collaborative networks that leverage collective scale.
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