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.
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…
Bradington-Young Brings a Novel Approach to Custom Display
Ottomans, pillows and chairs, oh my! Today’s consumers are looking for their own style of home furnishings options in one of the more categories out there, but they aren’t always adept at visualizing…
Minimizing Environmental Impact With Eclectic Antique Furniture
With today’s consumer looking more toward the sustainability of the products they purchase, there is more to designing a luxury space than the beauty of the pieces. Clients want to know where their…
Are You Ready to Be Fired? 5 Tips for Your Business Succession Plan
Many years ago, I was having lunch with a business friend who was moving into the final stages of his career. I asked him, “So what are you focused on now?” He said something I will never forget. He…