The G.R.O.W. Sales Coaching Model Part 2 There is nothing more valuable to ANY business than its people. And yet, so many owners and leaders look right past this crucial asset, focusing on what they consider as more pressing issues, revenue growth, and the many ‘fires’ that crop up during
As the furniture industry evolves and competition increases, we must ensure our sales associates and managers are consistently trained to meet customer needs and deliver great experiences. Today’s customers are more informed, digitally connected, value-driven, and experience-focused than ever before. At the same time, retail teams are navigating staffing challenges,
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
Most furniture retailers are sitting on a goldmine and don’t even realize it. If you have a list of customer email addresses and cell phone numbers from past purchases, deliveries, financing applications, or loyalty programs, you already own one of the most powerful digital marketing tools available today. The mistake
Search engine optimization remains one of the most influential parts of digital marketing today. Organic search continues to drive a significant portion of website traffic across industries, often outperforming social media and many paid channels over time. For furnishings retailers, search visibility directly affects how brands are discovered, researched, and
Ever wonder why so many shoppers visit your website, browse sofas or mattresses, and then leave without making a purchase? That’s where retargeting campaigns come in – a powerful digital marketing strategy that gives you a second chance to convert those interested visitors into paying customers. In fact, retargeting is
Inventory management plays a big role in customer satisfaction. Inventory management should be designed to monitor product availability, but thanks to advanced technology, it can do so much more than that. Inventory management can tell you when to reorder products, help fulfill orders faster, identify what’s selling fast, and so
Today, customers are not just comparing prices, they are comparing experiences. Especially in furniture and mattress retail, where purchases are emotional, personal, and often long-term, shoppers remember how you made them feel far more than what they paid. Independent merchants have a major advantage. You can deliver a buying experience
Many retail buying journeys begin online through research, browsing, comparison, or early product discovery. Shoppers expect digital guidance before they ever enter a store. They look for clarity, inspiration, and confidence in every interaction. A website often influences a purchase more than any single conversation on the sales floor. A
The retail customer experience is the shopper’s overall impression of your store and is not just about selling products. It’s also about creating brand experience and positive feelings in your customers. When it comes to merchandising, retailers mainly focus on in-stock positions and sales floor layouts in regard to decision-making.
On September 1, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), requesting input
In the recruitment and executive search world, we often hear requests for the “Purple Squirrel,” that so-called mythical candidate who
What if the biggest threat to revenue isn’t the customer who walks away? What if it’s the customer who stays?
Finding and retaining quality employees continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing organizations today. Hiring managers, HR
HFA proudly congratulates its CEO, Peter Theran, on being named one of The Home Furnishings 500 most influential people in
New research from Elevate puts the Gen X woman at the center of the furniture story. Surveying 1,210 Gen X shoppers at every stage of
Men and women often bring different priorities to their jobs, and the companies that understand those differences build stronger teams, deeper loyalty, and better business
MEMBER-ONLY DISCUSSION: Merchandising Connect with fellow HFA member retailers to exchange insights, challenges, and successes in merchandising. Share ideas for
