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.
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…
Flying Colors: Luxury Retailer Shares Its Secrets
At a time when conventional wisdom in the furniture business holds that it is extremely difficult, if not nearly downright impossible, to produce and sell domestically made products at competitive…
Retail Road Trip: Phoenix
Lightform Lighting
Lightform Lighting stocks a unique mix of modern lighting fixtures from approximately 150 manufacturers. The Scottsdale showroom serves high-end residential and commercial…
How Home Furnishings Retailers Can Sell More Furniture
How to sell more furniture is actually pretty simple, but you may have been hiding your retail gold. I meet a lot of furniture retailers who have a valuable team of designers but they aren’t showing…
Elevate Your Sales Game With These Tips From the Retail Doctor
Good morning.” “Good afternoon.” “Good evening.” According to The Retail Doctor Bob Phibbs, this simple customer greeting is far more effective than the standard, “Can I help you?” Why?
At September…
How J. Banks' Joni Vanderslice Manages Interior Design and Retail Businesses
When it comes to interior design, Joni Vanderslice, President and Owner of J. Banks, does it all. She’s been at the helm of Hilton Head, SC-based J. Banks for more than 30 years, which covers…
Home Furnishings Association Names 22 Awards Finalists
The Home Furnishings Association (HFA) has announced 22 finalists for the association’s annual Retailer of the Year, Emerging Star and Trailblazer awards.
The finalists, who range from Top 100…