Latest news with #furniture
Motor 1
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘It Works:' Woman Shares How to Find Out if Furniture Fits in Your Car—Before You Buy From Facebook Marketplace
A woman says ChatGPT is your best friend for finding out whether an online furniture find will fit in your ride. Earlier this week, Gabriella Caruso (@gabxcaruso) revealed how she incorporates artificial intelligence in her online shopping ventures. Her advice could save you the trouble of having to phone a friend with a pickup truck or rent something to haul your purchase in. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . As of this writing, Caruso's TikTok has accrued over 70,000 views. ChatGPT + Facebook Marketplace Online retail hubs like Facebook Marketplace can offer great secondhand deals. A pro tip is to set your location to areas where a lot of remodeling is going on, such as neighborhoods in the process of gentrification. But once you find that perfect office chair, you typically have to go pick it up. Even with measurements, it can be difficult to be absolutely certain it'll fit in your vehicle. Caruso says artificial intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT, offers a perfect solution. She claims that the popular AI software will tell you if that Herman Miller chair will fit in your brand new Suzuki Jimny . 'My most genius ChatGPT hack that I've never heard anyone talk about is when you're buying furniture on Facebook Marketplace,' Caruso says. 'Put the dimensions of the furniture, along with your car's make and model into ChatGPT.' She says that after a quick scan of available data pertaining to both the furniture and the specific vehicle, the AI 'will tell you whether it'll fit or not.' According to her, this method has saved her a lot of legwork trying to figure out if she needs a specialized vehicle to haul secondhand items she buys online. 'It works every single time,' she says. Best Vehicles for Hauling Furniture ChatGPT may offer a helpful solution to 'will it fit' woes, but there are some basic guidelines that can give you an idea of whether something will fit without resorting to AI. Certain vehicle types and styles simply fit things better. Obviously, pickup trucks are first on the list. Large SUVs come second, followed by smaller SUVs and crossovers. Taller vehicles also typically can fit larger items than their shorter counterparts. Similarly, hatchbacks and fastbacks are likely to fit more than many sedans. And a sedan that has a backseat you can lie down to make the passenger compartment and trunk a single space will logically fit more than one without this capability. If you're still not sure, you may want to ask ChatGPT . ChatGPT and Cars Car enthusiasts and average drivers alike are increasingly turning to ChatGPT for assistance. Yahoo reports that prospective buyers can use it to find the best automotive deals in their area with the program. The outlet recommends inputting a budget, car models, and necessary features in your query. You can also ask it to scan for any timely and pertinent incentives and rebates. And you can have it scan for dealerships within the vicinity of a specific area. Trending Now 'I Bet You Didn't Know This:' Woman Discovers This Little-Known Perk to Driving A Subaru. Then Her Order Comes in the Mail 'That's Not Normal:' Woman's 2014 Honda Civic Keeps Stalling at Red Lights. Then She Asks for Help Yahoo adds that you can use the AI to compare vehicles you're interested in and to find what the standard trade-in value of your vehicle might be. It also suggests using the software to consider finance rates. In a similar vein, USA Today reports that online car sellers like Edmunds and CarGurus have ChatGPT plugins. It assists potential customers with selecting vehicles that suit their needs. A Better Way Than Showing Up and Hoping for the Best Caruso's advice to use ChatGPT to see if something will fit in your car was met with widespread praise. 'I AUDIBLY GASPED AT HOW SMART THIS IS,' one wrote. Another laughingly compared her method to the way they pick up furniture, writing, 'This is so smart!! Personally, I just show up and hope for the best.' 'This is actually life changing advice thank you,' a third said. One person offered their own advice on getting furniture delivered in a pinch. 'If it doesn't fit, order an Uber XL to deliver it to you :) I've done this a few times!' Yet another said they tried it and it works. 'Dude I love doing this and I'm not even kidding it is so accurate,' they wrote. 'My desk fit in my man's car with ONE CENTIMETER TO SPARE. IT WAS SO CLOSE TO NOT FITTING.' Motor1 has reached out to Caruso via TikTok comment for further information. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Future Toyota Vehicles Could Be Partially Designed By AI Volkswagen Is Putting ChatGPT In Its Cars Yes, The Slate Truck Can Haul Plywood Sheets Man Arrested After Trying to Tow a Car Backwards on a Highway Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LZB Q1 Deep Dive: Retail Expansion and Supply Chain Initiatives Shape Outlook
Furniture company La-Z-Boy (NYSE:LZB) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 3.1% year on year to $570.9 million. The company expects next quarter's revenue to be around $500 million, close to analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.92 per share was 1.1% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy LZB? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $570.9 million vs analyst estimates of $558.6 million (3.1% year-on-year growth, 2.2% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.92 vs analyst expectations of $0.93 (1.1% miss) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $500 million at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting Operating Margin: 5.2%, down from 9.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $1.56 billion La-Z-Boy's first quarter delivered sales growth amid a challenging consumer environment, with management highlighting the benefits of new store openings and acquisitions, particularly in the Retail segment. CEO Melinda Whittington credited the company's 'vertically integrated model and agile supply chain' for enabling continued growth despite persistent economic and industry volatility. Management noted that while company-owned store sales rose, same-store sales declined, reflecting broader consumer caution. The quarter's performance was further shaped by targeted pricing actions and swift operational responses to supply chain disruptions, including storm-related factory damage. CFO Taylor Luebke emphasized that improved sourcing and lower input costs helped offset tariff impacts and cost pressures. Looking forward, La-Z-Boy's outlook is anchored by ongoing expansion of its direct-to-consumer retail footprint and a multiyear project to redesign its distribution and home delivery network. Management anticipates that continued consumer uncertainty will weigh on near-term demand, particularly impacting the Joybird online channel, but expects long-term benefits from operational investments and a refreshed brand identity. Whittington described the upcoming distribution redesign as key to supporting growth, saying it will 'cut time out of the system and less miles on product as well.' The company remains focused on agility in responding to trade policy shifts and cost inflation while maintaining prudent investment in both new stores and supply chain capabilities. Management attributed the quarter's performance to retail network growth, improved supply chain execution, and targeted pricing actions to mitigate tariff and cost pressures. Retail network expansion: New store openings and acquisitions in the company-owned Retail segment drove growth, with 11 new stores and 7 acquisitions completed over the past year. Management emphasized that direct ownership allows La-Z-Boy to control the end-to-end consumer experience and collect valuable customer insights, supporting its Century Vision strategy. Supply chain agility: The company's predominantly U.S.-based manufacturing footprint and Mexican cut-and-sew facilities allowed it to minimize tariff exposure and maintain speed to market. Management cited its quick recovery from a storm-damaged Arkansas facility as evidence of operational resilience, with only a one-week production loss. Joybird channel divergence: While physical Joybird stores showed relative strength, online sales for this segment declined. Management attributed this to greater macroeconomic sensitivity among Joybird's younger, urban customer base and is adjusting store growth plans accordingly, with 3–4 new stores planned for the coming year. Margin management: Adjusted operating margins were supported by lower input costs and improved sourcing, but offset by higher fixed costs from new store openings and incremental tariff expenses. CFO Luebke noted that continued investment in distribution redesign is expected to provide further margin benefits over time. Brand strategy evolution: La-Z-Boy is set to launch a refreshed brand identity, with updated look and tone to increase relevance in digital channels. This is part of a broader effort to modernize the brand and reach new audiences, building on the success of its 'Long Live the Lazy' campaign. La-Z-Boy's outlook is shaped by a cautious consumer environment, continued investment in retail and supply chain, and efforts to manage industry-wide cost pressures. Distribution network overhaul: The multiyear redesign of La-Z-Boy's distribution and home delivery system is expected to drive efficiency gains, reduce warehouse overhead, and improve delivery times. Management believes this project is essential for reaching long-term double-digit wholesale margins and supporting a growing retail footprint. Tariff and trade policy management: The company is actively monitoring global trade developments and leveraging its U.S.-centric supply chain to mitigate new tariffs. Targeted, nominal pricing actions and inventory strategies are in place to offset cost impacts, but management remains cautious about potential effects on consumer demand. Retail expansion and brand refresh: Continued investment in new company-owned stores and the upcoming brand identity update are central to management's growth strategy. The ability to control the in-store experience and adapt marketing for digital audiences is seen as key to gaining share in a fragmented market, though higher fixed costs and cautious consumers may present near-term challenges. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the pace and effectiveness of La-Z-Boy's distribution network redesign, (2) ongoing performance of new and acquired company-owned stores, and (3) the impact of the brand refresh on customer engagement and sales trends. Additionally, developments in tariff policy and the trajectory of consumer demand will be pivotal in assessing the company's execution against its Century Vision strategy. La-Z-Boy currently trades at $38.19, down from $38.79 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Dump shop rescues items to kit out homes for struggling families: 'It means everything'
By Kira Carrington , Local Democracy Reporter JBL Environmental managing director Chloe Abernethy, left, and operations manager Jabian Takarua help to run The Dump Shop's Unwanted Goods Project. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Kira Carrington Staff at The Dump Shop in Blenheim have been flat out, connecting households in need with furniture and appliances that were destined for the dump. JBL Environmental Ltd has been running the Unwanted Goods Project since it was contracted by Marlborough District Council to take over the shop formerly known as the Blenheim Re-use Centre on Wither Road, in July 2024. The aim is to divert usable items from waste for their many customers across Marlborough ‒ both those looking for a bargain, and those in urgent need of furniture, appliances and other basic household items. Managing director Chloe Abernethy said they had never found themselves short on donations. "There's a really positive engagement with the community, they've been so supportive of us," Abernethy said. "When we went for this contract, our biggest goal was to just try and divert as much as possible [from landfill] and get it back out to the community. "We try to not reject anything from anyone. We try to take as much as possible." Items for sale at The Dump Shop. Staff select some to go towards the Unwanted Goods Project. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Kira Carrington The service was particularly handy for people who did not have a truck or trailer to drop off or pick up items, she said. The service was free of charge. JBL operations manager Jabian Takarua said the project worked with organisations such as Women's Refuge, Work and Income, and Christchurch City Mission, sometimes kitting out families with a whole household's worth of items. "It's an awesome feeling," Takarua said. "When you can grab this resource from seniors that would otherwise have to throw it in the rubbish ... going to a family that's got nothing from the Hawke's Bay floods the other year, and coming down here trying to survive ... it means everything. "One man's trash, another man's treasure." The project provides second-hand household items to those who need them. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Kira Carrington Gateway Housing Trust, which managed 16 transitional homes in Blenheim, worked with the project to secure household items for families leaving the service and moving into permanent homes. The trust's housing navigators Karyn and Carmel (who did not give their last names for privacy reasons) said they could not praise the project enough. "Most of our families ... they don't have a thing [when they leave], because all our units are fully furnished," Karyn said. "So when they go to move [out], they have nothing." Families in the Gateway Housing Trust's transitional housing may receive household items from the Unwanted Goods Project when they move out. Photo: Local Democracy Reporting/ Kira Carrington With eight families currently in the process of moving out, the trust reached out to The Dump Shop for help, and the team was able to spend last weekend organising furniture and household goods for the trust. They then put together starter kits to give to Gateway's families, made up of plates, pots, pans, sheets, pillow slips, and towels. "I think JBL do an amazing job for our community and for our people," Carmel said. Along with the Unwanted Goods Project, The Dump Shop's initiatives to divert waste included soft plastic recycling, a pallet recovery scheme, and even repurposing a tomato farm's coconut peat mulch. They planned to do even more community outreach and launch more projects, such as a construction and demolition waste recovery scheme. "We've always said if we got kicked out of a job because there was no waste, then that would be a great day," Abernethy said. "We've done our job." Collection and delivery forms were available by searching for the Unwanted Goods Project on the Marlborough District Council website. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Found a "Nap Couch" That's Comfier Than My Bed—And It's Pet-Friendly Too!
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Growing up, my family had regular movie nights and watch parties for every sport you can think of. I will personally pick a rom-com over a football game any day, but regardless of what was on, there was always more than enough room on the couch for the four of us and all our friends when we were hosting. Now that I live in a much smaller space in New York City, I'll admit I miss having the space for a massive couch. I have found products that work beautifully in my tiny Manhattan apartment, like my three-piece 7th Avenue sectional and magical Transformer Table, but I still yearn for the day when I can comfortably get together with more than three people for a movie night in my own space. That dream is already a reality for my sister, Brittany, and her husband, Caleb, who just bought and began renovating a house in St. Louis, Missouri. Their 800-square-foot open-concept living area was begging for furniture, and knowing that I would be staying with them over the holidays for the foreseeable future, I happily jumped at the chance to recruit them as testers for Sundays Get Together sectional.$5990.00 at Sundays Get Together sectional comes in various sizes and configurations, from a two-piece love seat to a six-piece, U-shaped sectional. All configurations are available in two seat depths: standard 25" or large 32". Depending on which style you select, the price ranges from $3,300 to $9,400. The brand also offers six different fabric options that vary in color, material, and feel. Brittany and Caleb were looking for a large sectional to match their 10 x 14 Ruggable rug (which they're obsessed with), and the 4-piece Get Together sectional in the ottoman configuration, size large, was the perfect fit. At 129" x 91", it leaves about 20" of the rug exposed on all sides. And spoiler alert: the sectional is a hit, and I won Sister Of The Year. But don't take my word for it. Ahead, Brittany discusses her experience sharing the Get Together with her husband Caleb, their dog Winnie, and many friends and family members (myself included!). Sundays offers free delivery and assembly for all orders in the U.S. and Canada. White glove delivery is an additional cost for many furniture brands, so this is definitely something to consider if you're debating between Sundays and its competitors. Once Brittany and I decided on the right size and configuration for their space, the order for the sectional was placed on October 1, and the estimated arrival time was November 6 to 21. It arrived within the window as promised on November 19. The four pieces of the sectional were delivered all at once, and it only took the movers around 10 to 15 minutes to assemble with two people. One thing to note: the covers were already on the sectional during delivery, so they did collect some dirt during shipping, which was a bit disappointing. Thankfully, the fabric can be spot cleaned and is also machine washable, but we actually ended up swapping out the original cream linen covers for one of the chenille options because the linen was harder to maintain with a dark-haired dog (more on that below). Although the sectional was assembled upon delivery, Brittany, Caleb, and I have all had experience with disassembling and reassembling it since then. Once, the week of my sister's wedding, when we had the original cream linen covers drycleaned, and a second time when the new chenille fabric covers arrived. The assembly process is relatively easy, especially if you have two people. Having a second person to help guide the metal connectors on the sectional bases into place speeds up the process significantly. The frame covers are lined with velcro, which makes them a breeze to attach and remove. However, the most challenging part of assembly is getting the large base cushions into their slip covers. The week of my sister's wedding, my mom and I practically sumo wrestled the cushions back into their dry-cleaned covers. After lots of trial and error, we discovered that folding them in half was the easiest way to fit them into the covers. This, too, is a much faster process if you have a partner. The back cushions and pillows, however, are very easy to fit into their covers. After some practice, Caleb and Brittany can now put all the covers back on in five to ten minutes. My sister estimates that she and Caleb spend an average of two to three hours per day on their Get Together sectional. Personally, I call B.S., since my sister loves a nap. She even admitted to me that she "once slept on it for two naps and a night's sleep in a row" and asked me not to quote her on that (Sorry, Britt!). I've also spent an ungodly amount of time on this sectional with her, our family of eight (five humans, three dogs), and by myself over the last several months. For these reasons, I decided to break our reviews into several categories based on the scenario you would find yourself enjoying this sectional in: alone, with company, and of course, asleep. Although Brittany and Caleb chose the 4-piece sectional with hosting in mind, most days they are lounging alone or with their dog Winnie, so there is more than enough space to sprawl out. "This sectional is huge and better for lounging than our bed," Brittany says. "Lying on the sectional portion in the corner is the best spot, and Caleb and I argue over who gets to sit there." I can attest that I have seen said argument and also try to claim this spot whenever I'm in town. The last few times I've visited Brittany and Caleb, it's been a full house, and this sectional was up for the task. Thanks to the extra-deep seats, five people (and three dogs!) can comfortably lounge on this couch. Last Christmas, my mom, dad, Caleb, Brittany, and I spent the majority of the day binge-watching No Good Deed, and we were all incredibly cozy and content. Brittany has declared this "literally the best nap couch," and I don't think there is anyone more qualified to make that claim than she is. "Every time you lie on it, it puts you right to sleep," she adds. "We've both slept on it overnight multiple times, sometimes preferring it over our king bed." As a frequent napper myself, I enthusiastically agree, and would go so far as to say I've had the best nap of my life on this sectional. Like many sofas on the market today, Sundays LiveLife fabrics are stain-resistant and moisture-repellant, which is a blessing for anyone who has ever spilled something on the couch. As a dog mom, I'm not proud to say that my pup had a little accident on Brittany and Caleb's sofa, but thankfully, it was truly repelled off the fabric, and I could clean the mess up in seconds. Most spills can be soaked up with a paper towel, but for tougher stains, the brand recommends washing with mild soap and water. "I use different products for spot cleaning depending on the type of stain, but fabric cleaner or a Tide pen is my go-to," Brittany says. The covers are also machine washable. Sundays recommends using cold water on a delicate cycle, then hanging them to dry, since a dryer could damage the covers. However, the machine washing process might not be convenient for you, depending on the size of your sectional. "The covers are so large that it takes several loads to wash them, and laying them out to dry takes up a lot of square footage," Brittany says. "Plus, it's hard to find a perfectly clean spot for them to dry, especially in a home with a pet, so we ended up sending the cream linen covers to the dry cleaner." Although the fabric is safe for dry cleaning, this was a more expensive option due to the size and quantity of the covers. Brittany's more affordable solution is to wash specific covers after a spill or stain instead of doing a full wash of the covers. After about eight months of living with the Get Together sectional, Brittany says the couch has remained "very comfortable" for the whole time and there has been "no sagging whatsoever." While taking the photos for this article, she actually did a sag test: "I jumped on the couch and took a picture five seconds after, and it was like nothing happened." Although Brittany and Caleb did have a hard time keeping the original cream linen covers pristine due to their dark-haired dog, the new fabric they received in April has been a game-changer for their lifestyle. "The fabric is absolutely stunning," Brittany says. "It has a slight shimmer to it in the sunlight and gives cozy, homey vibes." She also adds that she never sees any dog hair on the sectional—"His hair is practically invisible!"—and when she does occasionally lint roll or vacuum the covers, the dog hair doesn't get stuck in the fabric like it did with the linen, which makes it a great choice for pet owners. So far, there hasn't been a stain that can't be tackled with simple spot-cleaning, and Brittany says the covers still look brand new.$5990.00 at As mentioned, if I had the space, I would one thousand percent buy this sectional, and Brittany and Caleb wholeheartedly agree. "When researching the couch for our first home, our overall goal was comfort and lounging," Brittany says. "Our previous couch was cheap and extremely uncomfortable to sit on, and especially to lie on. As someone who loves napping, it was an extremely difficult time for me. This couch absolutely surpassed what we were hoping for and is the ultimate nap couch. It is better than a bed. But even better than that, it looks beautiful. It does not look frumpy or too large, and we hardly ever have to fluff the cushions. Absolutely recommend."$500.00 at at at at at at Follow on and . You Might Also Like 15 Home Bar Gifts Every Cocktail Enthusiast Will Appreciate 32 Low Light Indoor Plants That Can Survive in the Darkest Corners of Your Home These Are the 50 Best Paint Colors for Your Living Room
Washington Post
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Washington Post
Miss Pixie's, a D.C. antique market fixture, set to close this year
For nearly three decades, Pixie Windsor has kept her eyes peeled across the D.C. region. Windsor, better known as Miss Pixie and by her namesake vintage shop at various locations throughout Northwest Washington since 1997, has seen a lot. Residents have become more glamorous and sophisticated, she says. Younger people in particular are more savvy and attuned to the furniture, furnishings and other well-loved goods they're shopping for when they walk through her door.
