Pali unveils 'Euro-fashion' RTA groups

Las Vegas— Pali has introduced two nursery furniture collections that are a dramatic departure from what U.S. buyers are used to seeing from the Italy-based manufacturer.

The collections, Flower and Sole, have a whimsical appearance, with bright colors and optional appliqués that attach to the case pieces. The Flower group is available in two colorways, light blue/yellow and white/black. The blue/yellow group is sold with bird and flower appliqués. The Sole group is a combination of yellow and bright green, and is sold with sun, cloud and house appliqués.

Kevin Walker, vice president of sales for Pali North America, was among the contingent that launched the lines at the All Baby and Child Expo here last month. He said the groups, which he described as "Euro-fashion," have been on the market in Italy, France, Austria and Germany for about 18 months.

The lines have been successful there, and Walker said Pali decided to test the U.S. waters.

Walker said the groups are produced in Italy and made of medium-density fiberboard. Pali is selling the line ready-to-assemble, a first for the manufacturer, which also helps keep prices down. For example, the armoire in the two groups will retail between $449 and $499, compared with Pali's standard solid beech or birch armoires, which retail for more than $1,000.

The other pieces in the Flower and Sole groups are a crib, cradle and a combination changer/four-drawer chest.

Pali decided to make the groups because they wanted to shake things up a bit, Walker said. "We noticed things were starting to look the same," he said. "We don't think it will become our core. We just want retailers to see what happens."

Denise Bayrum, a buyer for Sacramento, Calif.-based retailer Goore's, was pleased with what she saw. "I love the black and white," she said. "I like the lines. It's very European."

Walker said the collections, which were featured at the front of Pali's showroom here, had drawn a good response. He said buyers from the New York area preferred the black-and-white version of Flower, and people from the West and South liked the Sole group. Buyers from the Midwest seemed more cautious, he said.

Walker acknowledged the new groups weren't for everyone, but Pali was still willing to take a chance in the United States. "It's going to make us different," he said.

Pali's Sole, left, and Flower groups are being sold ready to assemble, a first for the Italian manufacturer.