Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2016 52 Outdoor furniture continues to grow in popularity. People are spending more time than ever entertaining friends and family on their decks, patios and lawns. Today, many people want the same level of quality in their outdoor casual furniture as they might have in their living room. Upgraded style and quality have many consumers justifying the use of outdoor pieces inside their homes. Fabrics have gone high end and high tech in color, design and durability. Versatility is also quite popular. Tables with built-in heaters or fire tables are plentiful. They add elegance and warmth to your patio collection. Now you can stay outside longer even when the weather cools in the evening and still be cozy and warm. Other outdoor pieces of furniture have added versatility to the collection. Some feature built-in storage capabilities while others have folding or drop-down leaves. Smaller furniture has developed into a category of its own. No, we're not talking about youth furniture, just items that take up less space. Without a doubt, living areas are getting smaller. This certainly holds true for inner-city apartment dwellers. This is one of the foundations of IKEA's popularity with consumers (along with price). Big bulky pieces of furniture no longer have the level of appeal that they once held. Eco-friendly furniture is growing in popularity. People today want to be more considerate to the environment than ever before. Sustainability (not being harmful to the environment) is on their minds when they shop for furniture. You can determine if a product falls into this green category by looking for its certification. FSC- certified, for example, means that the wood used comes from a managed forest that is continually replenished. Some products are made from recycled materials. Another popular trend is furniture made from reclaimed wood. This is not only an eco-friendly product but one with an interesting story to tell and probably quite stylish. Sales tip: Don't overlook the value of higher quality furniture and its importance. Cheaply made products are tossed into landfills more often than better goods that last much longer. Something to keep in mind and pass onto your sales staff. Sit/stand desks & work stations are new and wildly popular. Health conscious consumers are opting for the ability to stand as well as sit while working. Standing while you work is believed to improve posture, increase energy, tone muscles, burn more calories and more. Consumers are into it. They're wildly advertised on TV and you should carry some. You'll even pick up impulse purchases from the people who come in to buy a new sofa. Chad Fischer Furniture Trends RO Chad Fischer, General Manager of Mattress Division of MEGA Group USA RO HOME FURNISHINGS TRENDS

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