Hall of Fame names 5 inductees for 2026

HIGH POINT — Five influential industry leaders will be inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame on Oct. 18 during the fall High Point Market.

Joining the current 143 members of the Hall of Fame will be Kenneth Larson, founder, Slumberland Furniture; Mark Phillips, chairman and co-founder, Phillips Collection; Connie Post, CEO, Connie Post Affordable Design Solutions; Niraj S. Shah, CEO, co-founder and co-chairman, Wayfair; and J. Ralph Stump, founder and former CEO, Stump Financial Corp.

“Each inductee in this year’s class has impacted the industry with innovation, superior accomplishments and enduring excellence,” said Jeremy Hoff, board president of the Hall of Fame and CEO of Hooker Furnishings. “Each has been found worthy by their peers. In receiving the industry’s highest honor, each inspires us to greater achievement and higher personal standards.”

A seven-member selection committee chose this year’s inductees based on their contributions to the growth and development of the home furnishings industry in the U.S.

• Kenneth Larson, founder of Slumberland Furniture in Oakdale, Minn., is a pioneer of the small, dedicated sleep store which sells the difference that sleep can make. Founded in 1967, he grew the company by franchising the Slumberland brand to business owners in smaller communities, offering a 30-day sleep guarantee and known for their community engagement through good citizenship and generous stewardship. Larson strategically grew the omnichannel business into a whole-home furnishings chain with more than 120 stores across 12 Midwestern states. By purchasing and developing real estate, the family-owned company also is able to select its neighbors and to establish Slumberland Furniture stores as the anchor in key locations.
• Mark Phillips, chairman and co-founder of Phillips Collection, elevated accessories and home accents to organic works of art by creating bold designs that make “every piece a conversation.” Establishing the company in 1983, he sought inspiration found in nature that can be transformed into one-of-a-kind products. Phillips Collection showrooms reframe furnishings as architectural works of art and customers as collaborators in showing that the designs are a cultural expression. His network of artisans and production partners across Asia, Europe and South America are ever focused on the company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
• Connie Post, CEO of Connie Post Affordable Design Solutions, has been a design agent for introducing entertainment into home furnishings retailing for Top 100 retailers and wholesale showrooms. Stemming from her entry into the industry in visual merchandising, her work has focused on understanding female shoppers and elevating the guest experience through merchandising and accessorizing the spaces. Post started making store exteriors more prominent and inviting. Inside, her innovative design concepts and attractions – considered outrageous at the time – have included an inside roller-coaster and carousels. With an eye on affordable design and retailer profitability, she launched her own millwork operations for windows, doors and architectural elements needed for her projects.
• Niraj S. Shah, CEO, co-founder and co-chairman of Wayfair, changed how consumers buy home furnishings by making decorating cool and offering a viable online alternative, thus changing the face of retail sales. Founded in 2002 as CSN Stores, their digital platform democratized e-commerce sales for thousands of small and mid-sized manufacturers by providing national distribution for home furnishings, housewares and home improvement goods in North America and Europe. The company invested in product imagery and 3D visualization, which in turn changed consumer expectations of retail assortment, pricing, delivery and returns. Promotions on national television, streaming platforms and digital channels, made Wayfair a household name.
• Ralph Stump, founder and former president of Stump Financial Corp., created his advisory firm in 1972, becoming a financier for mergers and acquisitions and a leader of real estate transactions for manufacturing operations. As a pioneer in factoring and asset-based lending to emerging companies, he helped hundreds of companies navigate periods of expansion and profound change. Known for his core principles of hard work, financial expertise and integrity, Stump attended markets armed with industry knowledge and insights in order to provide good counsel to his clients and industry friends. His work spanned nearly five decades primarily focused on furniture, textiles and apparel, both domestically and in Asia.

The Hall of Fame is supported by these Pacesetter Sponsors of the 2026 Induction Celebration: Presenting Sponsor, Surya/Global Views/Mitchell Gold + Bob Mitchell; Welcoming Sponsor, Ashley Furniture Inds.; Cocktail Party Sponsor, Andmore; Inductee Video Sponsor, Surya/Global Views/Mitchell Gold + Bob Mitchell; Elevator Poster Sponsor, Loloi; Hall of Fame Tech Sponsor, La-Z-Boy Inc.; Trend Spotter Seminar Sponsor, Markor International Home Furnishings; Paul Broyhill Leaders Sponsor, Andmore. Platinum Sponsors are Hooker Furnishings, Broyhill Family Foundation, Raymour & Flanigan and Carpenter Company; Gold Sponsor, Gat Creek; and Silver Sponsor, High Point Market Authority.