RETAILOBSERVER.COM MARCH 2015
4
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com
Designer for life,
Elle's View As I See It
T
his month we are heading to the Architectural Digest Home Design
Show in New York. A world of design inspiration awaits us with a
showing of the latest in furniture, accessories, lighting, art, and kitchen, bath,
and building product trends. Everything you could ever want or need for your
customers' upcoming design projects.
Don't do design? Well, as a former designer, may I humbly say you are
missing out on the opportunity to bring in new business without lifting a
finger? Also, providing design services allows your business to move from
just selling products to selling an investment in a lifestyle, bringing something
truly unique to each customer—what the French describe as a certain "Je ne
sais quoi".
Stores like Ethan Allen call their sales reps "design professionals", host
design workshops and offer referral incentives to affiliate designers. West
Elm's Design Lab provides complimentary home stylist services and
installation services starting at $129— including TV wall mounts. And it's not
just the national chains cashing in on the "design for life" bandwagon either.
Independents like Wolf's Furniture and Baer's Furniture offer free design
services and a virtual design center with helpful how-to articles on their
websites.
Make sure you are satisfying the discerning tastes of today's consumer
with what they want and need for their next design project by working with
a local designer or decorator.
Already working with a standout designer? Encourage them to enter the
2015 NKBA Design Competition. Award winners garner national press,
industry recognition and cash prizes (only NKBA members are eligible).
GOT THAT "JE NE
SAIS QUOI" ?
MARCH 2015, VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3
CELEBRATING OUR 26
TH
YEAR
AS THE RETAIL OBSERVER
PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
E LIANA BARRIGA
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
MOE LASTFOGEL
ART DIRECTOR
TERRY PRICE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PAT KELLY
PAUL MAC DONALD
PATRICK MALONEY
JOHN TSCHOHL
E LLY VALAS
LIBBY WAGNER
RALPH E. WOLFF
DAVE WORKMAN
DEADLINE FOR MAY 2015 ISSUE:
APRIL 1, 2015
THE RETAIL OBSERVER
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