Melinda Whittington on housing market
From The 20 - Lessons in Leadership with Melinda Whittington · · Mark Schumacher
“We know that what drives our industry is housing and that's been tough for a number of years. But we do believe that we'll see an industry that gets back to growth particularly as eventually when an economy gets stronger, housing gets stronger, mortgages get more reasonable or frankly just replacement cycles.”
On , Melinda Whittington, President, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman at LA-Z-BOY INC, spoke about housing market during The 20 - Lessons in Leadership with Melinda Whittington on Mark Schumacher.
About Melinda Whittington
Melinda Whittington, president, CEO, and board chair of La-Z-Boy, appeared on two episodes of the podcast "The 20" in April 2026. She discussed the company's strategy of investing in both physical stores and digital experiences, describing it as an omnichannel approach. Whittington noted that while the industry was once focused on digital growth, La-Z-Boy's Joybird brand, originally an online business, now has physical stores, and the company's La-Z-Boy stores are improving their digital experience. She stated that the company plans to expand its store network from approximately 370 to 450 locations, citing data and analytics as the basis for that decision. Whittington also addressed the cyclical nature of the furniture industry, saying that while housing market challenges have affected the sector, she believes the industry will return to growth as the economy strengthens and housing improves. She emphasized that La-Z-Boy manages its finances prudently with a strong balance sheet and is careful about debt, while continuing to invest for the future. Additionally, she advocated for diversity of thought and demographic representation in business, noting that the majority of furniture purchase decisions are made by women.