WHFA Announces 2001 Western Retailer-Of-The-Year

Furniture World Magazine

The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) has named Howard Haimsohn of Lawrance Contemporary, a San Diego-based home furnishings retailer, as recipient of the 2001 Western Retailer-of-the-Year-Award. This is the highest honor that WHFA can bestow upon a member of the 2,500-store association, representing retailers from the 10 Western States including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The award will be presented during the special Gala Presentation and Cowboy Ball on May 22nd during the 41st Annual WHFA Managerial Conference and Tradeshow being held May 20-22, 2001 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The prestigious Western Retailer-of-the-Year Award is given each year to a home furnishings retailer who is exemplary in merchandising, advertising, store design and all business practices; demonstrates service to their community and has a commitment to support the betterment of the home furnishings industry and industry related activities. Howard Haimsohn was nominated by a fellow retailer and was selected by a committee of his peers because of his dedication and exceptional efforts toward "working together"; within his own business, in the local and regional community, within the West and now working together on the national level. As he prepares to take the helm as President of the National Home Furnishings Association Board of Directors, Howard can look back on his experiences selling bottled water door-to-door and at a rent-a-car service desk as his entry into the world of sales. "I learned I got a charge out of convincing someone of the benefits of the product and ‘closing the sale" tells Howard. His first full time position in home furnishings was in the warehouse of his grandfather’s "Modern Furniture Company" and he quickly learned, with sore muscles as good indicators; that his talents lay in sales. He spent the first few years working up through the ranks, learning and honing his skills and soon became the accessories buyer. A few years later he took over all buying, and in 1986 became President of now, Lawrance Contemporary. The name change came about in 1980 as a response to update their image and fill an empty niche in the San Diego area. The new name Lawrance, is actually Howard’s middle name with an ad agency typo. Howards success has come from hard work and working together within the industry. His father Ed Haimsohn demonstrated to Howard how important it was to be connected to and throughout the industry. While Ed was WHFA President in 1982, Howard was President of the San Diego Home Furnishings Assn. Howard went on to serve as WHFA President in 1991 and continues to serve on the WHFA Board as Past President Advisory Council. Howard also currently serves on the NHFA Board as President Elect. It was with Ed Haimsohn’s contacts throughout the industry and Howard’s salesmanship that brought together, now 20 member strong, Contemporary Design Group (CDG). This group of high end contemporary home furnishings retailers came together to save money on advertising circulars and has developed into the largest group of its kind in the USA, doing more than $100 million in that category. "I think building and belonging to retailer collaborations like CDG and attending conferences, is a vital part of an independents’ ability to survive and thrive. Retailers of home furnishings need to understand that by working together and partnering with other retailers and manufacturers, we will create a stronger industry", states Howard. Howard concludes,"I love the business I am in. It is truly a people business. With our youngest son going off to college in the fall, I hope to spend more quality time with my wife Julie and maybe do some fly fishing and snow skiing. I don’t know if I will be in retail for the rest of my life, but this industry has been a great part of my life for the last 25 years". The following criteria were used to determine the 2000 Western Retailer of the Year: 1) Implements innovative merchandising techniques; 2) Shows creativeness and imagination in designing media and print material and promotional events; 3) Perpetuates the growth of the home furnishings industry through support of industry related institutions and associations. 4) Active in service to community and/or civic organizations. 5) Maintains a clean and well-designed store interior and exterior with effective exterior signage. 6) Presents a clean, organized and safe warehouse environment with outstanding delivery service. 7) Exhibits professional business ethics and adheres to truth in advertising laws. 8) And, believes quality employees are the foundation of a successful business, and motivates them to exhibit exceptional customer service. WHFA, the largest affiliate of the National Home Furnishings Association, provides programs, services and networking opportunities that improve business opportunities and management practices of western home furnishings retailers.