Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Retailer Roundtable

While in Las Vegas, Mike Landfair participated in the Retailer Roundtable hosted by Home Accents Today.  On the panel beside Mike were Christi Tullis, Ambiance Interiors, Suwanee, Ga.;  Maria Benson, Nyla Simone Home, Tempe Ariz.; Brad Clifford, Bravado Home, Portland, Ore.; and Dann Foley, Dann Foley Design, Palm Springs, Calif.  It was a group that realizes about 34% of total sales in home accents and most average about $100 per square foot in total sales, although Mike did not reveal that number.

Some of the sales mix was surprising.  Several retailers were complementing their home decor sales with gourmet food, apparel, jewelry and handbags as a way to increase traffic to their stores. 

Two trends were evident.  Print advertising had taken a back seat to social media marketing with one retailer hiring a social media coach.  None of the retailers on the panel had an online store. 

Dan Foley echoed the message of this blog to interior designers for years:
"I absolutely cannot imagine a retailer or designer operating today without a website.
Bev & Mike
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