Brick-and-mortar stores aren’t going anywhere. At least, for now. Colleges and universities know this. That’s why they’re creating retail schools to train the next generation of merchants. Don’t have the time (or money) to go back to college? We’re bringing college to you! If you can still recall the days
The key is knowing what your customers want and need from you When you run a business like a furniture store, your job is to produce and sell value. It’s both as simple and as complicated as that. When I see businesses getting value wrong, I have a physical reaction
So your operation has grown to needing a forklift, or another forklift and you’re looking for a forklift for sale. Buying new may be out of your budget and it’s time to consider the used forklift market. But where do you start? If you are planning to buy a forklift,
…and other retail challenges In a two-year study in conjunction with the Home Furnishings Association, we asked furniture retailers to state their top challenges. The results support what I’ve heard from our performance group members as well as consulting clients, with just six challenges making up the majority (more than
If only the sofas, chairs and casegoods you sell could be packaged and shipped like other products you buy—safe and snug in packaging that protects it from the bumps, grinds and sharp objects of the world. Unfortunately, the packaging for furniture doesn’t always rival the luxurious protection of a smartphone,
Find out how restructuring could save you money. Nothing about this time of year—not the heat, nor your upcoming vacation nor next month’s Labor Day sale—brings to mind taxes. However, this might be the perfect time to talk about them. Indeed, this might be the perfect time to consider your
2018 may be several pages removed on the calendar, but it’s closer than you think. The fourth quarter is almost here, and your head is probably in go-go-go-for-the-holidays mode. That’s good—you’re supposed to make hay while the sun shines, right? But the risk is you’ll wake up one day soon,
We’re living longer, but that doesn’t mean you can put off planning for your store’s future Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced a paper called “Death in the United States, 2017.” While this might seem to be a morbidly unusual article, please bear with me because this
You can do just about anything at Sunnyland—even buy outdoor furniture if you like. When you think about it, David and Brad Schweig work hard to make their customers feel relaxed. As the owners of Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, the Schweigs long ago caught on to the trend that homeowners are
Is your small business’s approach to employee benefits stuck in the past? The workforce is evolving rapidly, and your employee benefits offerings need to keep pace if you expect to attract, engage and retain top employees. MetLife recently polled both employers and employees for their 15th annual Employee Benefit Trends
In a business where visual storytelling is everything, furniture retailers and manufacturers are increasingly turning to AI image generation to
As the political and economic landscape shifts in 2025, the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) draws close
In home furnishings retail, understanding and the ability to forecast seasonal trends is key to staying ahead in terms of
Harnessing the Power of AI and Transforming Your SEO, Marketing Strategies, and Retail Advertising In the rapidly evolving world of
Friday, October 24 – Monday, October 27, 2025 HFA Retailer Resource Center, 1st Floor, Plaza Suites The Home Furnishings Association
Smarter Media Strategies for Furniture Retailers In today’s crowded advertising landscape, every dollar counts—and standing out has never been harder. Are your media channels truly
Winning in the Age of AI for Retail SEO Retail SEO is evolving fast. With AI-driven search and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) reshaping how consumers
In today’s crowded advertising landscape, every dollar counts—and standing out has never been harder. Are your media channels truly delivering
Retail SEO is evolving fast. With AI-driven search and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) reshaping how consumers discover products, retailers must
