A product-focused vendor educational series for design consultants at Massachusetts based retailer Circle Furniture is planned for 2010, according to Communications Director, Sarah Cooney.
The multi-store retailer created the series to positively impact sales. “Our sales data consistently show an uptick when our design consultants are given the information and tools they need to best serve our customers,” says Cooney. “Knowing product features and benefits inside and out can make the sale.”
Kicking off the initiative this week is an Ultrasuede® upholstery training session for design consultants in all five of Circle’s Massachusetts’ locations. Helen Corio, director of sales and marketing, Toray Ultrasuede, America, Inc., discusses her company’s investment in EcoDesign™ technology to create a recycled material that is durable and good for the environment. “We are using 80 percent less energy and reducing carbon emissions by that amount to produce Ultrasuede® now,” says Corio. “We know that environmental impact is a factor for a growing number of consumers and it’s our job to get the word out.”
For Circle’s design consultants, who help customers select upholstery for custom orders, information about fabric construction, fabric care and tailoring capabilities is also reviewed.
Fabric training will precede the retailer’s annual upholstery sale, this month, and numerous trainings to cover additional product categories are scheduled for 2010.
[image #1: caption L to R: Sonja LeVangie, Renee Devlin, Circle Furniture, Acton, MA.; Helen Corio, Toray Ultrasuede; Cheryl Harrington, Circle Furniture]
[image #2: caption L to R: Betsey Johnson, Circle Furniture, Acton, MA; Helen Corio, Toray Ultrasuede; Alicia Cross, Circle Furniture]