Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2014 24 continued from page 20 ELMIRA STOVE WORKS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Vintage-Inspired Brand Goes "Current" with New Website: More Features, More Interactive, More Responsive Elmira Stove Works, the leading manufacturer of 1850's and 1950's vintage-inspired appliances, is pleased to announce the launch of its completely redesigned website. The new website incorporates cutting edge features and functionality designed to enhance the Elmira online experience. "This is an exciting development for Elmira, for our customers and for future customers," said Brian Hendrick, vice-president of Elmira Stove Works. "The new site will engage, entertain and inform visitors much better than we have in the past and, we believe, much better than any other appliance manufacturer. It allows us to showcase our brand through a clean, easily-navigated site, making the research and purchase process more accessible, more relaxed and more enjoyable for our customers." A unique and very useful feature is the "Design Centers", where visitors can build not just virtual appliances, but a complete virtual kitchen. In the "Create Your Dream Kitchen" applications, visitors choose one of three colors of kitchen cabinets, then build a full suite of appliances to complete their dream kitchen. They choose the models, colors, trims and options that best suit their needs and tastes. The application installs the appliances in the cabinets chosen… and prices them out for the customer! Visitors can share their Dream Kitchen via email, Facebook and other social media. In addition to "Create Your Own Kitchen", an Image Gallery allows visitors to see how other customers have incorporated Elmira appliances into their own kitchens. A convenient one-stop "Customer Service Center" includes integrated access to contacts for product information, service and repair; plus catalogs, price lists, specifications and manuals. All the information consumers might need before, during or after a purchase is consolidated into one area. The "Newsroom" quickly connects writers, editors, bloggers to information, including: media releases and downloadable images / key features information. Users can also find updates on new products and developments through the Elmira blog and "What's New" links. Additional new website features include Google Translate, offering the text content of the site in over 70 languages; as well as a social media dashboard, providing links to Elmira's blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Houzz accounts. The site was built with responsive design, so visitors will have a smooth, seamless experience regardless of the browser or device. For more information on Elmira Stove Works, please visit www. elmirastoveworks.com. REMODELING MARKET CONTINUES TO SHOW GROWTH NARI Reports Continued Uptick in the Value of Home Remodeling Projects The National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI ) third-quarter Remodeling Business Pulse (RBP) data of current and future remodeling business conditions continues to soar. Quarter-over- quarter increases are evident in nearly all sub-components measuring remodeling activity. Entering into the holiday season, which has been a slower season in recent years, remodelers are reporting the highest overall rating on business conditions at 6.41, up from 6.31 reported during the second quarter. This rating has steadily increased in the six quarters NARI has been tracking. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ] continued on page 28

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