Coaster Fine Furniture: Furniture World News: Coaster Fine Furniture Launches Fixed-Rate Container Program for Dealers

Coaster Fine Furniture has introduced a new container program in partnership with Pinnacle Logistics, aimed at providing dealers with fixed-rate shipping options and greater predictability in freight costs. The initiative is designed to assist dealers located outside Coaster's distribution center regions, with a particular focus on supporting smaller independent retailers. The program allows access to multiple container carriers across various global locations at competitive, fixed rates. It is intended to offer a stable alternative to spot-market freight negotiations, which can fluctuate significantly between order placement and shipment. "Coaster is addressing inflationary pricing by offering container-direct business to dealers who typically don't have the resources or infrastructure to manage it themselves," said Mindy Leitwein, national accounts manager at Coaster. "We've partnered with Pinnacle Logistics to support dealers who have never purchased via container previously or don't have the in-house logistics expertise necessary to negotiate fixed contracts that will guarantee them stable freight rates." The program features a year-long contract that locks in freight pricing, helping dealers manage their margins and plan inventory without the uncertainty of shifting transportation costs. "During a time of major upheaval at the ports, there's a lot we cannot control, but this new program allows us to control the most critical variable in direct shipments because it gives us more container inventory to choose from," Leitwein said. "When you bid on the spot market to arrange your own freight forwarder, your rate can change from the time you place your order with a factory to the time it ships. One day it could be $3,000 and the next, $8,000. Unfortunately, you never know exactly what your freight costs are unless you are big enough to negotiate a fixed contract." The program also offers operational efficiencies by allowing product consolidation from a single factory. Dealers can mix product categories-such as dining and bedroom-and include various styles and finishes within a single container. This reduces per-item freight costs and minimizes excess inventory of single SKUs. Under the Pinnacle Logistics agreement, Coaster dealers receive an all-inclusive rate, which includes applicable fees and tariffs. About Coaster Fine Furniture Coaster Fine Furniture is a second-generation company that has become a leading North American furniture distributor. Today, Coaster has five branches, and two U.S. distribution centers and employs over 400 people. The company offers a diverse and stylish section of casual and formal living room, dining room, bedroom, home office and accent décor. Coaster products can be found through an extensive dealer network and through leading online retailers. For more information, visit www.coasterfurniture.com.