INCONVENIENT TRUTHS: Lack of message cohesion, professionalism and congealed focus on consumers and more . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the inconvenient truths about the furniture industry:

·         Always misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity

·         Fair, tough czar needed

·         Innovate or evaporate

·         Fragmentation kills, breeds mediocrity

·         Manufacturers only want to sell to retailers

·         Retailers know little about consumers

·         Too much retail and manufacturing duplication

·         China forces race to the bottom

·         Advertising lacks practicality, incisiveness

·         Honesty and truth builds and sustains relationships

·         Fear of mutual collaboration

·         Most executives are marketing challenged

·         Consumers are smarter than industry

·         People distrust furniture advertising

·         Celebrity licensing usually fails

·         Retail "clearance centers" erode sales of running line goods

·         Smart differentiation succeeds

·         Comfort, design and living better outsells price

·         Too many egos not enough wisdom

·         Manufacturers caught with their plants down

·         Marketing is antiquated, self destructive, misleading

·         Trade show (Market) model inadequate

·         Trade publications are witting enablers, pander to advertisers

·         All that’s Green isn’t gold

·         True analysis missing in industry news

·         Best practices need greater awareness

·         Trade associations lack progressive punch

·         Conscientious retailers prefer to work showrooms into the evening instead of attending costly market entertainment

·         One all encompassing association needed for progress

·         Warring High Point showrooms diminish market cohesion

·         Industry recycles failed leaders: Screw up move up

·         Most market seminars are self-aggrandizing fluff

·         Retailers are undisciplined

·         Regional Las Vegas Market siphons precious marketing funds

•   Manufacturers mismanage, distrust sales representatives

·         More professionally certified retail designers needed

·         Off shore manufacturing killed brand equity

·         Real merchants are in touch with consumer dreams, wishes and aspirations

There are many more inconvenient truths. Please share them for the common good: ivan@insidefurniture.com