Thomasville To Open Company-Owned Prototype Store

Furniture World Magazine

On April 15, 2007, Thomasville Furniture Industries will open a 15,000 square-foot store in Woodbury, Minnesota. This is Thomasville’s third company-owned and operated store in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market, joining locations in Edina and Maple Grove. The new Woodbury Thomasville store has been designed and executed to Thomasville prototype specifications, offering a new standard in customer experience. According to President and CEO, Nancy Webster, the consumer is the inspiration for this new Thomasville store: “The Thomasville customer is a woman with an innate desire to express herself in her home. Thomasville is the home furnishings brand that can help her tell her story. This beautiful store has been concepted and built to speak to that desire.” The design principles directing the new prototype store are based soundly in consumer insights. Webster notes that “Thomasville proprietary research shows that consumers want to play and experiment with their homes, but to do so within defined limits and with assistance. Home must be a platform for new ideas. Our new prototype store is designed to help and inspire her.” Specific features and services of this freshly realized store include: DESIGN LAB: A resource center where consumers are invited to experiment and explore decorating options, complete with fabrics, trims, finish options, and library. Here Thomasville gives people the space and resources they need to play with new ideas for their homes. TECHNOLOGY MUST-HAVES: Immediate access to Thomasville.com in the Design Lab gives consumers instant interaction with the entire Thomasville assortment and the ability to try ideas on for size with draping and room planning tools. VISUAL AND PRODUCT ASSORTMENT: The store is keenly merchandised with an expansive array of quality-crafted product in a wide range of styles and price points. Store display is designed to foster consumer interaction and inspire ideas. ON-TREND FASHION STATEMENTS: Trend Boards flanking the entrance to the Design Lab change seasonally, demonstrating the often-overlooked connection between furniture and fashion. WHOLE-HOME RESOURCE: Thomasville branded lamps, accessories, top of bed, rugs and mattresses (co-brand with Simmons Beautyrest®) are also showcased throughout the store, underscoring Thomasville’s position as a whole home resource. DESIGN ASSISTANCE: Thomasville Concept Selling Program is designed to build relationships with customers, rather than support a more limited transactional mind-set. The sales team is schooled in design principles with a focus on assisting the customer with in-home consultations. The Woodbury prototype store affords Thomasville the opportunity to test marketing, merchandising and design concepts prior to national roll-out. According to Webster, “The Woodbury store represents our best thinking, but our work is not done. The consumer is constantly shifting and changing. Thomasville will always respond. Our company stores give us an incredible opportunity to predict and lead those changes.” About Thomasville Thomasville is recognized as an industry leader in distinctive product styling and superb craftsmanship. With more than 150 retail stores in its growing network, of which 16 are corporate-owned, Thomasville is dedicated to ensuring a truly great retail store experience where inspiring fashion and service exceeds the consumer's expectations. Thomasville is a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International. For more information about Thomasville, call 1-800-225-0265 or visit www.thomasville.com.