SEHFA presents awards for outstanding service
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 15, 2003
Sandestin, Fla. — The Southeastern Home Furnishings Assn. presented its outstanding service awards during its annual convention here.
Michael Gilchrist of Gilchrist Bros. Furniture, Graysville, Ala., was honored posthumously as Retailer of the Year for 2003. Accepting the award were his wife, Suzette, and daughters, Krystal and Destin.
Steve Tipton of the Simmons Co. accepted the President's Award on behalf of his company.
J&J Furniture, Mobile, Ala., was recognized as the Most Improved Store. J&J and Liz Jones each received the 2003 Good Guy award by the Alabama Home Furnishings Representatives Assn., given to the retailer making the most significant contributions to the reps association during the year. Frances Berryman, Tempo lighting representative, was named Traveler of the Year.
New officers also were elected at the convention. Jason Rudd, Rudd Furniture, Dothan, Ala., is president, succeeding Don Perkins, T.H. Perkins Furniture, Brookhaven, Miss., who moves to chairman.
Other officers are Michael Beach, Mike Beach Furniture Showrooms, La Place, La., first vice president and 2004 convention chairman; Billy Braden, Braden Furniture, Trussville, Ala., second vice president; Ralph Holley, Holley's Home Furnishings, Alexander City, Ala., third vice president; Gil Isbell, Isbell and Hallmark Furniture, Gadsden, Ala., treasurer; and Wendell Sawyer, Sawyer Furniture Co., Pritchard, Ala., National Home Furnishings Assn. liaison.
Kurt Ling, vice president of Simmons, spoke to conference attendees on "Making More Money by Doing What Really Matters for Customers," focusing on increasing profits through innovation. He emphasized that retailers need to study both the emotional and the rational reasons consumers patronize their businesses.
Industry analyst Jerry Epperson told why some stores succeed and others don't. He said store appearance is crucial to success.
"You should ask yourself what your floor likes like," he said. "Have you put off maintenance? Your store is a significant part of your advertising and your store's visual presence is your biggest investment."
He also noted that children's furniture is an opportunity for sales growth and grandparents are the most likely candidates for buying expensive home furnishings for youngsters.
The SEHFA serves retailers in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Florida panhandle.
