Consumers talk, market listens
Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief -- Furniture Today, April 24, 2005
As soon as the dust settles from market, people ask me what was the hottest thing I saw while working the showrooms.
While there was an abundance of hot new products this market, I have to confess the hottest thing at market wasn't anything I saw. Rather, it was what I heard. And it was music to my ears.
I talked with a number of exhibitors who confirmed that they are basing more of their product introductions on heightened input from consumers.
American Drew got up close and personal with consumers in launching its Profiles collection of urban cottage and contemporary designs, which hit new opening price retail points for the company (bedrooms, for instance, at $1,399 to $1,599. The line targets new end-users, including empty nesters who are downsizing young consumers shopping for the Crate & Barrel look, and first-time homeowners.
For Sauder, the nation's leading manufacturer of flat-pack furniture, talking to consumers on the front end of product development allowed it to come to market with fewer SKUs. That saves money, and helps ensure the new products represent consumer needs and are more likely to sell through at retail.
Pulaski is another company that has discovered it pays to listen to the consumer. By so doing, the company determined it would make sense — and dollars — to bring back its Keepsakes brand. Pulaski also got invaluable insight on the kind of curio lighting consumers wanted.
Vaughan Furniture tapped into consumer research and discovered an untapped need for furniture for second bedrooms. The new Guest Quarters line is a response to that opportunity.
It's pretty clear to me that the more we listen to the consumer, the happier we all will be.
-
Consumers talk, market listens
Apr 25, 2005
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
