Retail Education
Home furnishings and lighting retailers face many challenges in this ever-changing economy. From new consumer expectations to online competition, today's retailers work hard to ensure their customers have access to on-trend products and great customer service. In this section, you'll find all things retailing — news, features, analysis and tools — needed to make your retail business a success.
Balancing Bricks and Clicks in Home Furnishings Retail
There was a time when a shadow called e-commerce loomed large over brick-and-mortar home furnishings retailers. As it grew in size and power, launching a website that would capture and engage…
May Think Tank Series Focuses on Brand Messaging, Communication
Whether just starting out or a veteran in your design or home furnishings business, the brand message you convey to your customers/clients changes often. Take the time we’re living through now. Are…
Universal Furniture Virtual Market Recordings Available
In light of the postponement of High Point Market, Universal Furniture hosted a Virtual Market for its retail and design customers, April 22-27.
As part of the Virtual Market, on April 24, Universal…
How Small Businesses Can Protect Customer Data
For a business of any size, customer data is an especially critical asset, offering insights into consumer preferences that can guide business owners on everything from their marketing messaging to…
High-End Home Furnishings Inventory Leads to Big Profits
Despite the near weekly headlines about store closings across the country, Andy Bernstein, Founder of FurnitureDealer.net, is convinced that “we’ve passed the mid-point of the so-called retail…
Adding Layers: How Carole Marcotte Mixes the Old and New at The Shops at 1700
In the heart of Raleigh, NC, there’s an iconic Mid-Century building that was once a drive-through cleaners. That was transformed into a home furnishings and gift retailer several years ago after Form…
Design Kollective Helps Retailers Tackle E-commerce
Home furnishings is a category where brick-and-mortar retailers still have a competitive edge, as many consumers still want to see and feel their furniture before opening their wallets. However, that…
IMC Announces Free Business-Building Webinars for Buyers, Exhibitors
As part of its ongoing support of the design and retail community during the COVID-19 crisis, International Market Centers (IMC) is presenting a series of free webinars for gift, home and apparel…
Making a Lasting Impression With Thoughtful Customer Appreciation
This past Christmas, while visiting my Millennial kids in New York, my daughter needed a pen. I grabbed a favorite pen out of my bag and handed it to her. Her reaction: “Mom, this pen is amazing! Can…
Smart Home Technology and a Healthy Lifestyle
Smart home technology can offer end users the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Whether the technology is exhibited in furniture, lighting or anywhere else in the home, when a person is more…