Strong sourcing underpins RW Collective’s market showing

The RW Collective introduced an expanded case goods assortment at this week’s High Point Market, unveiling a lineup of new designs distinguished by warm finishes, tactile materials and mixed media.

The introductions reflect the company’s broader effort to grow its case goods category, backed by enhanced sourcing capabilities and a more data-driven approach to product development.

“Today’s consumers want their homes to feel warmer and more inviting, creating spaces that offer comfort and a natural sense of calm,” said Christopher Rankin, executive vice president of product development at RW Collective. “Earthy tones and the textural qualities of natural materials like cane, bone and reclaimed woods speak to these desires and create a sense of authenticity in a space.”

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Among the notable new pieces was the Cohen sideboard, crafted in mango wood with a geometric pattern of handcrafted bone and wood inlay. The four-door case, designed by Rankin, features push-release doors for a clean, modern look.

Another standout was the Francis buffet, designed by Sharlene Boyle, which combines painted woven matting with sculptural hardware in deep blue and deep olive finishes.

Strong, stable sourcing

RW Collective’s case goods expansion coincides with strategic growth in its global manufacturing network. Much of the line is produced in Indonesia, where the company owns and operates a factory that allows for greater control over quality, capacity and materials.

“Indonesia seems to be one of the safest sourcing targets right now,” said Michael Carey, CEO of RW Collective. “India is still a little volatile.”

The company’s emphasis on solid-wood construction and natural materials remains central to its identity. “We don’t do a lot of veneers,” said Rebekah Osborn, COO. “So I think that is something that kind of sets us apart. We’ve got a really organic, reclaimed look, using a lot of natural resources.”

Osborn said the company’s vertically integrated model gives it flexibility to respond to supply-chain pressures and maintain stable pricing, a point she emphasized as a differentiator in a fluctuating global market.

“The price that they buy at market is the price they’ll buy unless something crazy happens in the world,” she said. “A lot of vendors are not offering that certainty right now, but that’s not acceptable to us. So if the price goes up, we’re going to move it to another country or our own facility. We have to mitigate.”

Carey added that this control extends to the way new products are vetted. “We’re just very conscientious from a retailer’s perspective,” he said. “If we question whether something will work, we’ll bring it into retail first and see what the feedback is on it — make tweaks and everything before we bring it to market.”

That testing approach, he noted, helps ensure the company brings only proven, well-received designs to High Point and beyond.

Data-driven design and product development

Osborn said the company’s product strategy is increasingly informed by sales data from its retail network and designer partners.

“We just look at these sell-through reports consistently and see what’s the sell-through rate on this design,” she said. “Did it sell in a specific finish over another? Obviously price is a huge factor right now, so we’re looking to see if something’s priced right. If it didn’t, do we need to change the material, the finish; what could we change about it that could make it more price-conscious?”

The ability to monitor retail performance in real time gives RW Collective a feedback loop it says many suppliers lack, allowing the design and merchandising teams to adjust assortments before presenting them to the trade.

This season’s introductions — spanning dining, occasional and bedroom — reflect that process. Several pieces, including the updated Adele dresser and expanded Alana and Colette collections, evolved directly from retailer input and consumer response.

Osborn said this iterative design model helps keep the line fresh without sacrificing commercial appeal. “We’re encouraged by the continued response to our case goods collections as we expand the category with design-forward pieces,” she said. “It’s exciting to grow the line in ways that speak to both retailers and designers.”

The RW Collective’s High Point showroom is located in the Profit Center at 156 Main St.