Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2018 48 J ust the other day, I was out for my morning walk in the park when a young boy riding a motorized scooter passed me from behind. I had to laugh to myself as I remembered traveling across campus at Florida State on my skateboard, but it was powered manually, by me. I then remembered the first time I saw a young man in the airport riding what I later learned to be a motorized self-balancing scooter and thinking, "can't you just walk (or possibly run depending on your connection) like the rest of us?" Welcome to the world of convenience, ease and POWER! Can you remember the last time you actually rolled the windows down in your car or adjusted the seat manually? For that matter, do they even sell cars today with manual windows and seats? Take a look at your drapes while staying at the Venetian Hotel at PrimeTime — they are electric. We are surrounded by technology that utilizes power to make our lives easier and more efficient. The furniture industry has been a bit slower than some industries to incorporate power into its products, but it is here and growing at a rapid pace. Furniture Today stated in its 2018 Upholstery Path-To-Purchase Report that in the previous two years, stationary sofas accounted for 36% of consumer upholstery purchases, and stationary chairs represented 35% with motion chairs coming in at a staggering 30% and motion sofas at 20% . Those are huge increases for motion upholstery, and the addition of power is the driving factor. Remember the 2-position push back recliner that was revolutionary in furniture. Now Dad could watch TV and sleep in the comfort of his very own recliner! Next came motion sofas so now the entire family could relax while watching TV. Fast forward to today and here comes power. With the push of a button that "magic chair or sofa" reclines and you can stop it in any position you want. But wait, that's not all, now we have power headrests, lumbar support, docking stations and more. Our lives have changed, we now watch TV, work on the computer, control the thermostat, the alarm and more with the touch of a button. And it does not end in the living room for the furniture and bedding industry. Power beds are driving sales in the bedding department as power beds are no longer just for the elderly. We now watch TV, read, work on the computer and charge our electronic devices all from the comfort of our bedroom thanks to power bed bases. The addition of power to home furnishings products meets the demands of today's consumers. From promotional price points and up, manufacturers are adding functionality to their products through the use of power. While power products meet the wants and needs of today's consumer they also raise the average retail ticket resulting in increased margin and profitability for you. RO Bill Bazemore is the Vice President of Furniture for Nationwide Marketing Group. Call (770) 442-9726 or visit furniture@nationwidegroup.org. WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF POWER Furniture and bedding get electric and sales get amplified Bill Bazemore Furniture Trends

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