In the home furnishings industry, retailers and manufacturers are navigating a landscape defined by tightening margins, shifting consumer expectations, and a fiercely competitive labor market. While many leaders pursue growth through assortment strategy, supply‑chain efficiency, or digital investment, one of the most powerful—and often underestimated—drivers of profitability is closer to
If you thought of the title of this article as a question, your first answer might be “Products that sold with the least amount of markdowns.” You could be right, but that’s only a small part of the answer. It’s not just about selling products with low markdowns. There is
Why Data-Driven Sourcing Is Becoming Non-Negotiable On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced sweeping new import tariffs that immediately reshaped cost structures across industries, including home furnishings. Companies recalculated landed costs, revisited pricing strategies, and reassessed sourcing exposure almost overnight. Less than a year later, on February 20, 2026, the
“The 90-day tariff extension isn’t a finish line—it’s the starting block for your next profit strategy.” The trade landscape just gave the home furnishings industry a brief reprieve. President Trump has signed an order extending the current China tariff pause for another 90 days, pushing the timeline into the fall.
Shaving cost per asset while maximizing revenue is a top priority for home furnishings retailers today. To help achieve this, 3D content creation can be a game‑changer, enhancing virtually every stage of your product program to drive stronger bottom‑line results. Here’s why: 1. Dramatically Reduce Cost Per Asset Traditional photography—studio
In today’s competitive retail environment, managing operational costs is more than just a best practice—it’s a survival strategy. For furniture retailers, many overhead costs are visible and easy to track: rent, payroll, and inventory. But one area often escapes close scrutiny: credit card processing merchant fees. These merchant fees, quietly
Retailers often think the next boost in their business will come from finding the next amazing line of merchandise or discovering a new marketing tool. Sometimes, they believe it will happen because they hire a killer salesperson or hope new businesses will fill vacancies around them, bringing traffic. The problem
Differentiation is key in today’s competitive home furnishings market. Furniture retailers increasingly turn to private labeling and exclusive product partnerships with manufacturers as strategic tools to stand out, build brand equity, and improve margins. For store owners, general managers, and buyers alike, the opportunity to offer something your competitors can’t
In today’s dynamic economic landscape, furniture companies must continuously evaluate their retail expenses to enhance profitability and ensure robust cash flow. While increasing sales is vital, optimizing all types of costs can significantly impact your bottom line. Let’s consider how the types of costs affect your business and the challenges
Effective cash flow management is a critical component of financial stability, serving as a financial safeguard, enabling businesses to endure economic turbulence and uncertainty. However, furniture retailers may frequently face specific financial challenges in challenging circumstances, including high inventory levels and slow turnover, seasonal sales fluctuations, and rising supply chain
In 2025, the Home Furnishings Association continued to be a unified voice for furniture retailers, advocating for policies that protect
Access to credit plays a crucial role in the home furnishings retail industry, empowering millions of American families to make
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a significant portion of the administration’s previous tariff measures, marking an important moment
You already know this feeling: sales are strong, customers are walking in, and yet somehow your bank account tells a
Recent developments regarding tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have raised important questions for home furnishings
Chasing volume is no longer enough in retail today. Sustainable profitability comes from disciplined, high-impact decisions about assortment, floor space, inventory, and capital allocation.
Coaching That Closes: How to Develop High-Performing Sales Associates Great sales teams aren’t built by chance, they’re coached with intention. In today’s furniture retail
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Sales Management Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in navigating family business
