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.
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…
American Lighting Association Free Retail Webinar Available On Demand
As part of the American Lighting Association's (ALA) continuing series of free webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor and prior ALA Conference keynote speaker, presented…
How a Designer Answered When a Retail Opportunity Knocked
Just outside of the south side of Chicago in the Beverly area, rests Willow Tree Design, a hybrid interior design/retail and window treatment shop that has gone through a number of changes. For the…
Is Your Retail Business Healthy?
In its 2020 State of the Industry Report, STORIS shares 20 actionable strategies to help your retail establishment flourish in its 20/20 Vision Plan. We’ve highlighted a few. For the rest of the…
LED Lighting Technology Offers Design, Efficiency Opportunities
What started as an opportunity in energy efficiency for manufacturing and commercial spaces in the mid ‘90s is not the same LED lighting technology we have today. The same energy efficiencies apply,…
Retail Strategies for Customer Retention
The relationship with your retail customer doesn’t end when the sale is made. It doesn’t start there either. Successful home furnishings and lighting retailers know a lot goes into making that…
3 Programs to Help Retailers Cultivate Loyal Customers
Did you know acquiring a new customer can cost five times as much as retaining an existing customer? And increasing customer retention by 5 percent can increase revenue by as much as 25 to 90 percent…
How Lighting Technology Advances Affect Consumer Health and Wellness
Lighting, often called the jewelry of the home, can transform the aesthetics of a space, but it also has a major impact on health and wellness. Research has shown color temperature can affect sleep…