In retail home furnishings, many salespeople believe the key to closing more sales is knowing every detail about every product on the floor. Product knowledge matters — but it isn’t your greatest closing tool. Your listening skills are. The best sales professionals understand a simple truth: customers will tell you
Joining an established furniture retail sales team can feel daunting for a new associate. Walking into a showroom with seasoned professionals, well-defined processes, and performance expectations already in motion can be overwhelming. Without the right support, even talented hires may struggle to find their footing. A well-structured mentorship program bridges
In a price-driven retail environment, it’s easy to assume customers won’t spend beyond the lowest advertised price. In furniture retail, that assumption is often the greatest barrier to sales success. The difference between transactional and consultative selling determines whether a retailer competes on margin or competes on value. Two stories
The G.R.O.W. Sales Coaching Model Part 1 In speaking with hundreds of furniture retailers over the last two years, I have heard that everyone is experiencing economic challenges and feeling the same pain at different levels and in different parts of the business. Challenging times increase the need to look
In furniture retail, success hinges on a balance of time-tested strategies and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market. Effectively closing sales requires a deep understanding of customer behavior, strategic follow-up, and the right mix of technology and training. Rob Ball, owner of over 26 furniture store locations and
Closing a sale isn’t always a single interaction. Even with a thorough qualification, matching needs, masterful objection handling, and creating a sense of urgency with a customer, we often still hear, “I need to think about it.” What you do after hearing that dreaded phrase is what makes or breaks
Effective sales management is the driving force behind a high-performing sales team and a profitable business. It’s not just about setting targets—it’s about creating a structured, strategic approach that involves ownership, sales managers, salespeople, and support teams working in sync. From establishing clear goals and refining sales strategies to implementing
The home furnishings industry has been on a wild roller coaster ride over the last five years, with little sign of slowing down. From navigating the disruptions of a global pandemic to now facing potential import tariffs early in the year, retailers continue to adapt to a shifting landscape. Since
Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out how to drive more sales and profitability for your furniture store? As an owner or manager, you likely wear many hats daily, and keeping up with all the tasks needed to run the business successfully can feel impossible. While growing sales
So, here’s a question, True or False, from YOUR experience and perspective in either Direct Sales or Managing the Selling Process: “Successfully executing a selling process CONSISTENTLY is very challenging for me.” If your answer is TRUE, you are not alone! There are so many sales professionals who struggle to
The start of the new year brings important updates on trade policy that directly affect the home furnishings industry. As
The Home Furnishings Association (HFA) is aware that many retailers have been following the recent news regarding Costco’s tariff lawsuit,
Winning the hearts and loyalty of customers takes more than just offering attractive products or competitive pricing. It demands a
As we turn the page toward 2026, California employers, including home furnishings retailers, are once again preparing for a fresh
Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (6–3) that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the
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
Selling Like a “Million-Dollar Writer” What separates a good sales associate from a true million-dollar writer? It’s not luck, and it’s not just traffic.
