The National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) announced that it launched a new national marketing program and consumer web portal, HomeFurnishings.com, during the High Point Spring Market. For retailers that could not attend the April Market, NHFA will offer informative web seminars on Tuesdays and Thursdays to show how HomeFurnishings.com can increase their retail traffic by using three key elements: a national advertising and promotion program, a furniture industry consumer web portal and a certified retailer program.
“The introduction of our HomeFurnishings.com program was very well received at the High Point Market, in fact 100% of those retailers who attended our presentations at Market and had the responsibility for their store’s web strategy gave us commitments,” stated NHFA chairman, Doug Kays. “All of our retailers that did review the program were very enthusiastic about its comprehensive structure and design and could see it as a valuable resource in helping them build a relationship with new customers while increasing their sales.”
He also commented that retailers particularly liked the promotional power of the national advertising program combined with the personalized and informative web portal where the consumer can go to get inspired and research their home furnishings needs. From the main web portal, the consumer can then click through to the closest participating retailer’s customized micro site and learn more about their chosen certified retailer and how he can help them meet their needs. The loop is closed when the consumer clicks through to the retailer’s store website or visits the store to make a purchase.
Dave Masin, vice president of sales and marketing for Masins in Seattle, commented that “For a small investment in HomeFurnishings.com our exposure will be exponentially better than any other medium including web banners and Google ad words. Plus it’s really easy to use.” He went on to say that he thinks “HomeFurnishings.com will increase the visibility of not only their website but also their store and it will help to educate their clientele to know exactly what they are searching for.”
The NHFA HomeFurnishings.com national promotional program, consumer web portal and Certified HomeFurnishngs.com Retailer program will prelaunch in October 2009 with the national promotional program kicking off in the first quarter of 2010.
“The number of commitments and the favorable feedback that we received at Market confirmed our research that the industry is evolving and needs a program like this to continue to communicate with today’s consumer,” stated Steve DeHaan, NHFA executive vice president. He also noted that the manufacturers, importers and suppliers that have previewed the program expressed a strong interest as well.
Webinars will be conducted on Tuesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 2 pm Eastern Time. To attend a webinar please contact Dianne Therry at dtherry@HomeFurnishings.com or call 1-800-888-9590 ext 6126 to reserve a date and receive login instructions.
National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest 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.