If you think about it, a furniture retail store should be among the most successful businesses out there. Every one needs furniture. But only a few furniture stores succeed, while most flounder, so what makes a furniture store successful?
While there is no single formula that applies to all furniture businesses equally, some rules do apply apply, such as offering value and outstanding customer service.
To offer value, you have to know and understand the community in which you set up your store. You have to understand their needs, desires and aspirations. That understanding should guide and inform your merchandising, advertising and pricing.
To offer value, you also need to understand the product you are selling. Value never goes out of style whether times are tough or whether there is a boom.
An outstanding customer service is also part of offering value. What customers experience in your store counts for as much as what they buy. Hire people who reflect your values, and treat them with the same respect you want them to extend to the customer.
