The NHFA announced that retailers who are interested in increasing the number of shoppers in their stores or want to know more about the NHFA's HomeFurnishings.com national marketing program can attend one of three seminars at the September Las Vegas Market in showroom B1008.
The program includes a national advertising and promotion program, a consumer web portal and a certified retailer program. “It’s not too late to learn about this innovative program, how it is designed to capture the consumer’s attention and to boost sales for home furnishings stores throughout the U.S. and Canada,” stated Steve DeHaan, executive vice president of the non-profit NHFA. “Our web initiative will take consumers from the initial step of determining what they need to furnish their homes to the Certified HomeFurnishings.com Retailer’s customized microsite where they can find the products that they want and the level of service they expect. Our consumer web portal, HomeFurnishings.com, is on target to soft launch in October followed by a national online sweepstakes promotion to initially attract consumers to the site and then the national media launch in January of 2010.”
The informational seminars are scheduled for Monday, September 14 from 1-2 p.m. and Tuesday, September 15 from 9-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Retailers attending the seminars will be fully briefed on strategies to drive more consumers to their stores to increase their sales followed by a question and answer period.
NHFA chairman, Doug Kays, said, “Our research shows that consumers begin their shopping process online, deciding what they want and where to get it before they leave home. Our goal is to influence consumers to view home furnishings as a necessary part of their lives and spur business for the whole industry.” Net revenues from the website will be used to directly promote home furnishings to the consumer in a nationwide ad campaign focused on directing consumers to HomeFurnishings.com and to retailers designated as Certified Retailers under the program.
Although reservations are not required, space is limited. Seating can be assured at a preferred time by contacting Dianne Therry at NHFA, (800) 888-9590, ext 6126 or dtherry@nhfa.org to register in advance.
National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2500 business entities representing over 9,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries. NHFA’s mission and vision encompass the association’s commitment to helping home furnishings retailers operate highly profitable businesses that provide an exceptional level of service to the consumers who buy their furniture. The mission of National Home Furnishings Association is to provide its members with the information, education, products and services they need to remain successful. NHFA’s vision is to excel as the definitive resource for information and leadership for home furnishings retailers.