CARPE CONSUMER: Retailer Kris McCreery is using the Internet to become a thought leader

BlogNote: In his own words, Kris McCreery of Sacramento's McCreery's Home Furnishings explains how he plans to use the Internet to attract and satisfy consumers actively searching for merchants to help them attain their dreams for comfortable living.

With rising costs of fossil fuels, people will be spending a lot more time centered around the home. That means those Sunday drives are likely to be less common — at least until cars get more fuel efficient because I can't see gas prices decreasing anytime soon.

Realizing this, I think that smart furniture retailers should be embracing newer technologies (which the furniture industry seems for the most part to be reluctant to do) and delivering information and content directly to the consumer.

I feel ever so certain that the internet is this tool – and that's why I have made a strong push to make my company —McCreery's Home Furnishings — a thought leader when it comes to providing valuable content to consumers.

Our website (www.mccreerys.com) provides a product catalog which includes more than 10,000 items of home furnishings so people can shop and browse in the comfort of their own home.

With approximately 60%-plus furniture purchases first researched online, I think it makes perfect sense.

The Internet is an incredible tool to provide not only product information but also experience and expertise to our potential clients.

Many times I feel that our clients want a more vibrant and comfortable home-lifestyle, yet they aren't quite sure how to achieve it.

This is why we have also launched a chatty blog for our designers to introduce themselves, as well as provide information about design, trends, and new collections.

So far it has been received with great enthusiasm.

Persistence and resourcefulness is key, but let us not be as persistent as a fly would be against a glass window!

The way people search and acquire news and information is changing. It only makes sense for the industry to change with it, don't ya think?

Sure do, Kris. Thanks.