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Furniture World Articles by Bill Napier and Ed Tashjian

Read Point Counterpoint: The Future of Home Furnishings Retail

Published: 9/16/2023
Bill Napier and Ed Tashjian debate whether the furniture industry is headed for disaster. Bill sees the glass half empty; Ed is worried that it’s not big enough.

Read Point Counterpoint: Optimistic about 2021?

Published: 1/23/2021
Ed says that he's never been more positive. Bill issues dire warnings and advises retailers to batten down the hatches!

Read Point/Counterpoint: The New Normal?

Published: 6/6/2020
Ed says our industry will begin to recover from the Covid pandemic and there will be a new normal. Bill says NOPE!

Read Point/Counterpoint: Gross Margin Rescue

Published: 1/4/2020
Direct and indirect retail strategies for rescuing gross margins in 2020.

Read Point/ Counterpoint: Marketing Toolbox For Furnishings Retailers

Published: 7/10/2019
When money is tight, you have to out-think and outsmart rather than outspend your competition. Bill and Ed debate, and rank by effectiveness, retail marketing tools.

Read Point/CounterPoint: Industry Sales Reps

Published: 1/2/2019
Will traditional representatives even exist 10 years from now?

Read High Point Market Point/Counterpoint

Published: 9/22/2018
Ed Tashjian and Bill Napier duke it out over the future of the High Point Market.

Read Technology Point/Counterpoint

Published: 7/4/2018
Everybody is buzzing about VR/AR. Will the early adapters . . . the Amazons, Wayfairs and Frontgates eat your lunch?

Read Point/Counterpoint: The Times They Are a-Changin'?

Published: 3/23/2018
Bill says, follow the money to the Baby Boom generation. Ed says “The Times They Are a-Changin'”.

Read Point/Counterpoint: Do Manufacturing Brands Matter?

Published: 1/14/2018
Bill says, furniture brands don't matter anymore. Ed has a more nuanced view. Both say it's the Elephant in the room.

Read Unpacking Digital Marketing Hype

Published: 11/29/2017
Are unsubstantiated marketing promises and digital marketing fraud wasting your precious ad dollars?

Read Point/Counterpoint: What Keeps You Up At Night?

Published: 9/23/2017
Bill Napier and Ed Tashjian tell why they are deeply concerned about the future of US home furnishings retailers.

Read Point/Counterpoint: How Much Is Too Much Digital?

Published: 7/7/2017
Bill Napier thinks there is too much hype about digital-only retail marketing. Ed Tashjian takes a more nuanced view.

Read Point-Counterpoint: A Millennial Myth?

Published: 3/29/2017
Is this promising demographic target being over-hyped by marketers in the furniture industry?

Read Point-Counterpoint: Celebrity Licensing

Published: 12/28/2016
Is all the licensing of celebrity furniture lines in the home furnishing’s category worth the cost?

Read The Hiring Decision

Published: 11/29/2016
Should you hire employees or independent contractors for key positions in 2017.

Read Facebook: So What’s There To Like?

Published: 9/25/2012
The fallacy of Facebook as a brand strategy.