Universal Furniture Offers Retailers New Incentive Program

Furniture World Magazine

Universal Furniture announced that they are offering their dealers the opportunity to participate in a new four-level program designed to provide a comprehensive approach to marketing the Universal line of casegoods, fabric and leather upholstery, occasional and accent pieces, and home entertainment options. Called Universal Home, dealers receive benefits at each level, can select their own level of participation, and can move to a higher level at any time. Bill Hall, vice president of sales and marketing for Universal stated, “This program gives our retailers, large and small alike, the support they need to grow their business and the necessary tools to strengthen their bottom line.” Benefits of the program are comprehensive and include a variety of industry-leading marketing tools, resources, and support. Retailers at the first three levels purchase a minimum number of bedroom, dining room, upholstery, or occasional groups, and can merchandise the product the way it best fits their store. They are not locked into a “gallery-type” design requirement. However, retailers involved in the uppermost level of Universal Home agree to devote at least 5,000 square feet of contiguous floor space for their product display. Hall notes, “The program is unique in the industry in that it is flexible and supports each retailer’s individual merchandising strategy.” He adds, “Universal has a complete package of home furnishings products and we offer our retailers all the support they need to succeed.” Universal began the program at the October 2005 Home Furnishings Market, and by December had more than 100 retailers participating.