Skandinavia Contemporary Interiors in Austin, Texas, reopened for business on Memorial Day. Unlike other retailers that were forced to close during the coronavirus outbreak, however, Skandinavia’s owners had been planning their reopening for two years. Shawn and Erika Olsen closed their store on Shoal Creek Boulevard in March, a couple
When demonstrations turned destructive in downtown Denver last week, Howard Lorton Furniture & Design stood in harm’s way. “We have been vandalized. We’re wounded but we’re still open,” the 93-year-old business reported on its website. Its Facebook messaging was equally positive. “While we have been vandalized, we will be open
After 68 years as a single-store business, Sheely’s Furniture and Appliance is expanding its footprint. The Home Furnishings Association member in North Lima, Ohio, will open a second store in September in Aurora, about 30 miles outside Cleveland. The new location is part of the company’s strategic initiative for growth
The plan was for Simon’s Furniture, Mattresses & Appliances to implement the web-based communications tool Greenboard in May to see how it helped unify a sometimes disjointed sales process. The coronavirus changed that. In March, with most of his staff furloughed and only himself, his father and an operations manager
Your furniture store isn’t the only operation about to reopen soon. Your manufacturers are gearing up as well. In the latest Home Furnishings Association Live Webinar, financial analysts Wayne and David McMahon from the accounting firm PerformNow told retailers that now is the time to reevaluate whom they do business
Since halting normal operations March 19, “We’ve been trying to think outside the box a little bit,” Rob Decker, sales manager for Outdoor Elegance Patio Design Center in LaVerne, Calif., says. “We can’t afford to close down with no end date in sight.” That means doing whatever business can be
For Alex Wright, the hardest part of social distancing is not visiting his grandparents, Cedric and Ruth Wright. Cedric and Ruth were third-generation owners of Wright’s Furniture and Flooring in Dieterich, Ill., before retiring and passing the business to sons Tom and John. Alex is Tom’s son. Wright’s was celebrating
Their store may have to close any day, but George and Christina Mason are trying to keep up with business today. They are selling freezers and mattresses like never before – and they’ve been in business for 18 years. The Masons run Prestige Home Furnishings in Dayton, Ohio, whose inventory
Jim Nicholson was already a Baltimore Ravens fan, but he’s got an even greater rooting interest in one of the NFL team’s biggest stars. If Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Judon signs a new contract with the Ravens, Nicholson’s Gladhill Furniture in Middletown, Md., may get to keep a very good
Johnny Janosik World of Furniture & Mattresses calls it “The Experience.” It’s what separates the Top 100 retailer from the online-only competition. And elicits this testimonial from a satisfied customer: “I honestly can’t imagine furnishing this house without Johnny Janosik and everything they’ve offered us.” That’s Stephanie Weeg. She and
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Joe Cudall, Partner and Senior Consultant with LeadShift offers you the building blocks to help create a solid leadership team
Since we’re all sophisticated individuals running our businesses benevolently and by the numbers, I’m sure you have a robust and
August is not a typically busy month for federal policymakers. However, this August has laid the groundwork for potentially significant
Congress and the Trump administration are preparing another Covid-19 relief package. The Home Furnishings Association’s Washington representative, Chris Andresen, and government relations liaison Doug Clark
Everyone is trying to figure out what the “new normal” will look like when your stores reopen. What will recovery look like to you and
