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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.

Amazon Echo in black on table
(Photo: MEDION Pressestelle via Flickr)

Alexa and Cortana have teamed up. What It Means for Home Automation

It's rare to see tech giants consider or even willingly work together, and yet, here we are. Today The New York Times announced Amazon and Microsoft would be joining forces in the digital assistant…
Vancouver-ALA_conference
There's plenty to see — and even more to eat — in Vancouver. (Photo: tdlucas5000 via Flickr)

4 Vancouver Restaurants You Need to Try at the ALA Conference

The 2017 American Lighting Association Conference is less than two weeks away, and as attendees already know, Monday (September 12) is a free night. That means it'll be time to hit the town and…
Red phone with chord from Pexels.com
(Photo: Pexels)

6 Ways to Go Above and Beyond with Your Contact Page

One of the basic components of any retailer’s website is a contact page. A standard one should feature the store location, hours and an email address and phone number. But if you want your site to…
Angie wall sconce in brass and black from Hudson Valley Lighting's Mitzi Collection
These brass sconces provide both lighting and style.

Little Brass Sconces

Like a little black dress, brass never quite goes out of style. Even when it's not front and center, brass provides a classic look that goes with nearly any design style, so it makes sense that most…
Notepad and smart phone from Pexels.com
(Photo: Pexels)

4 Tips for Finding Instagram Hashtags

When it comes to posting on Instagram, you know it’s important to devote as much time as necessary to snapping and editing your photo or video to get it just right. Lighting, framing, filters and…
Tenton console with Gold Leaf finished legs and a marble top from Global Views
These consoles, like this one from Global Views, never compromise on style.

Small Space Console Tables

The August issue of Millennial Home focuses on small-space living for good reason: More and more people are downsizing. Millennials and young people in cities live in small apartments, and Baby…
Nicoles-Idea-Board-Las-Vegas-Market-Summer
These prints from Natural Curiosities caught Bowling's eye.

Video: #NicolesIdeaBoard: Las Vegas Summer Market

At every market, the Lighting & Decor editors love to pick out their favorite products and build their own Idea Boards. While at the summer Las Vegas Market, Editor-in-Chief Nicole Bowling found…
Linley-Paske-Laura-Pasqualone-LP2-Boutique-Agency
Linley Paske and Lauren Pasqualone: Social media ‘entertrainers’ and co-owners of the marketing firm LP2 Boutique Agency.

How to Make Live Broadcasts Work for Your Business

The reality series “Married at First Sight” follows three couples as they say “I do” the very first time they meet. Sound a little fast to you? Us too! Unfortunately, many businesses and brands use…
Woman-furniture-shopping
When you see a customer with their phone or tablet out in your showroom, don’t be afraid to approach them and tactfully strike up a conversation about their research. They took the time to come all the way to your store, after all. (Photo: lightpoet - stock.adobe.com)

How to Handle Showrooming

Showrooming has become a given in the retail business. You’ve all seen it: A customer walks into your store, looks at an item on your shelf, and takes out his or her phone to compare prices on Amazon…
Joybird-Top-Design-Trends-in-Every-State
What's trending in your state? (Photo: Joybird)

Top 3 Design Trends in Every State

The latest research on top design trends from Joybird surprised a lot of designers this week. The online furniture retailer's newest findings break down the top three most searched design trends by…
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