Not so lazy days of summer
Think nothing is going on out there? Just waiting for the Fall markets? Think again!
With Wall Street and the Federal Reserve suggesting that the economy is improving, this may be your last chance to make strategic investments in marketing and online sales channels that can increase your company’s market share. Listen beyond the gloomy headlines and you’ll hear a buzz of online activity in the furnishings industries.
Companies busy making investments in online tools include some of our Leading Online Furniture Retailers. CSN Stores (www.csnstores.com) recently announced adoption of LiquidPixels’ dynamic imaging software. This new software gives CSN a more efficient way to manage graphics of its growing library of 1 million plus product images. “With LiquidPixels products, our team has cost-effective tools that will easily support our plans for an even more rapid expansion of our product lines,” states Eric Klose, vice president of marketing at CSN.Homelement (www.Homelement.com) has just launched the new specialty store www.BedroomSetDirect.com. The new site functionality includes bestsellers, featured items, daily specials and user-friendly search. Improvement Direct (www.ImprovementDirect.com) is busy making strategic alliances. It announced just last week it is joining forces with www.EcountersDirect.com to expand their combined service reach. Improvement Direct is strategizing ways to attract new customers from Home Depot’s now defunct Expo chain. The company has even been busy testing online payment methods and reports it has increased revenue per visitor by 33% and average order value by 38%.
Other specialty furniture retailers who’ve announced they are expanding or launching new websites include Nikkoshops and Rocky Mountain Cabin Décor Inc. Nikkoshops is leveraging social media such as Twitter and Facebook to promote its $5,000 furnishings giveaway. It has also launched a second online store (www.PadStyle.com). Rocky Mountain Cabin Décor, Inc. has redesigned its e-commerce site (www.RockyMountainDecor.com) including enhanced navigation and an expanded product line. To kick off the re-launch, Rocky Mountain ran a sweepstakes promoting a free cabin makeover.
Furniture retailers aren’t the only ones making digital waves. The New York Gift Fair has announced its added three new features to www.NYIGF.com. Buyers attending the summer 2009 market can now build customized exhibitor lists; view exhibitor show specials and access new product information and images. In addition, Wholesale Furniture Brokers (www.GoWFB.com) has announced more options for shoppers to help online sales. GoWFB now hosts a new article page featuring adult and kids furniture shopping and style guides; staff reviews highlighting their favorite dining, living room and bedroom sets; new shopping pages including best sellers, new arrivals and American-made furniture; and a furniture contest to promote interactivity with customers.
What new online initiatives has your organization launched this summer? I’d love to hear about them and share them with our readers.
