This Platform’s April Furniture Sales Beat Black Friday Numbers—By a Lot

For furniture retailers, the widespread shutdowns caused by COVID-19 had initially proven disastrous. The first weeks of the pandemic saw the category suffer steep, double-digit declines as the ability to browse offline disappeared. But business didn't dry up entirely, as some of that displaced demand shifted online.

Now, new April data shows just how quickly shopping for furniture online has become the new normal. According to a press release from home furnishings–focused e-commerce platform Blueport Commerce, furniture retailers on the platform (which includes members of the Furniture Today Top 100) saw their online sales increase by an average of 306% over April 2019. In fact, total sales across the platform were 81% greater than what was observed last November, a busy sales period for the furniture industry which included Black Friday, but not Cyber Monday, in 2019.

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Just as total sales increased in April, so did the average order size for furniture retailers. The value of the average sale across the platform increased by 27% to $1,210. Top-selling categories included sofas, living room sets, and dining sets. That suggests these sales bumps weren't simply the result of customers rushing to furnish their new home offices, but a potentially more sustainable shift. Based on the evidence, it would seem that some furniture retailers have had enough time to adapt their sales and marketing strategies to fit a new, fully-online world.

"Turning to digital channels to reach their shoppers, furniture retailers amped up digital marketing and their social media presence," Blueport founder and CEO Carl Prindle tells AD PRO. "They deployed chat and video conferencing technologies to enable their salespeople to consult with shoppers. They also used their in-house delivery capabilities to tune delivery methods, ensuring safe deliveries and putting shoppers at ease."

Subsequently, a number of retailers generated enough online sales to keep pace with or at least close the gap on their pre-pandemic projections. "Retailers generated a meaningful portion of the brick-and-mortar revenue they had anticipated for April, despite all of their stores being closed," Prindle says. "Some retailers actually grew total sales relative to last April, when they had their stores open."

The data here is only a small snapshot of what's happening in the retail sector, and furniture retailers would obviously prefer to return to a world where they can also make sales in stores. But as brands have augmented their sales efforts and customers have adjusted their expectations, there's reason to believe that the furniture industry may make it through the pandemic more or less intact.

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Vastu Tips: How to place the furniture in your home

. Photo credit: Bulgac/ Getty Images

Every living and non-living object including the space in between has energy. That and the understanding of these energies in correlation to spaces and directions are an essential part of the ancient science of Vastu Shastra. Even the placement of furniture can play an important role in influencing the vibe of a home. These are some essential vastu tips that can help you organise your furniture in such a manner that you usher in positivity, prosperity and health.

Living Room

The man and the lady of the house should have their seating arrangement in the South-West corner facing East or North-East of the room. This will ensure stability and facilitate the flow of positive energy

Seating for guests should be in the North-West or South-East. In case this is tough, one can place the furniture in the North-East, so they face South, West or South-West. This helps the owner of the home to be in control of any situation

Keep North and East as empty as possible. Make South and West heavy by placing furniture there

Keep the television set in the North-East on a lightweight and attractive table or unit

Some people tend to keep the television set in every room. That should be avoided as it could bring about friction amongst family members

Bedroom

 The bed(s) should be in the South-West corner of the room

The wardrobes can be placed along the South or West walls. The doors of these wardrobes should open towards East or North

The air-conditioner, TV set, room-coolers, and other electrical gadgets can be placed in the South-East of the bedroom

The dressing table should be in the South or West and the mirror should be kept covered as much as possible. While sleeping, any reflection from the mirror should be avoided since it leads to poor health

Provision of a mezzanine in the bedroom is ideal, though one should ensure that the person sleeping in the bedroom should have a full view of the ceiling. A beam, loft or any such other structure should not be over the body of the person sleeping

A study or work-table can be kept in the North to the East part of the room

It isn't advisable to keep a television set in the bedroom

It is preferable to have one big bed with a single mattress. In the case of beds joined together, a single bedsheet should be spread to cover both the beds

Kitchen

The ideal place for storage of provisions, grains, and other things is in the North-West or South-West regions of the kitchen

Keep the dining table in the North-West so that people dining can face the East, which is good according to vastu

 These days, with modular kitchen and trolley systems, food grains are stored in cupboards above the kitchen platform or in the trolleys. In such cases, keep at least five types of grains in the North-West corner. This will ensure that there is no shortage of food in the house

The garbage bin should be kept in the North-West corner of the house. If it is kept in the kitchen, place it in the same direction. If that isn't possible, keep the garbage bin in any location other than North-East.

Dining Room

The kitchen should be in the South-East and the dining room, in the North-West. The practice of placing a dining table near the kitchen that is in the East of South-East or in the South is not ideal

A square or rectangular wooden dining table is the best

It is better if one faces the East or North while eating food

Do not keep the dining table in the centre of the house or in the kitchen

While eating, do not sit beneath a beam or loft.

Do not keep a television set in front of the dining table. Avoid watching anything while eating

Study Room and Study Table

The study room can be in the West, North-West, West of South-West.

These days, in many houses, a study table is small and attached to a wall. The presence of a wall isn't good. A protruding cupboard from the wall (and the adjoining study table) produces energy fields that exert pressure on a child's concentration while studying. This kind of arrangement should be totally avoided

Let there be an open space in front of the study table. This helps in concentrating better

Arrange the furniture in such a way that while studying, the child is facing the East or North

The table can be placed near a wall, but ensure there isn't any protruding cupboard from the wall

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High-Tech Furniture for Your Home Office

While you may have not given much thought to a home office before a few months ago, the idea is probably more dominant in your mind of late.

New desk technology will not only add an air of professionalism to that extra room in your house, but it should give you a more efficient and energizing work routine.

A few of our top table picks below.

iMovr Lander

There's been no shortage of studies in recent history that show 1) how terrible sitting all day can be for someone's long-term health and 2) how beneficial regular, moderate movement can be for health and happiness. The iMovr embraced these concepts for the Lander—a variable-height desk that makes it simple to sit or stand with the touch of a switch. Featuring whisper-quiet motors, 360 pounds of lifting capacity and hundreds of size-and-color combinations, the Lander can be made to match nearly any home office environment.

The real beauty (and brains) of the Lander comes from its Bluetooth-enabled height control paddle. Users can set exact height preferences—and movement goals—via the accompanying iMovr app. Tapping on the paddle will move the desk to your preset height preference, and the screen-equipped device will also give users visual cues as to when they should start standing, based on fitness goals.

The intuitiveness of the iMovr doesn't stop there, however. Users can also upgrade to include the SteadyType feature—a built-in swivel that moves the keyboard to a negative 30-degree angle for an ergonomically pleasing typing experience.

The iMovr Lander is available in a wide variety of sizes and colors and ranges from $1,049 to $3,748 depending on features.

NordicTrack Treadmill Desk

The NordicTrack Treadmill Desk is exactly what it sounds like—a perfect blending of workspace and walking. The Treadmill desk features an oversized work surface, a USB charging station and integrated tablet holder, and, of course, a treadmill, capable of speeds from zero to 6 miles per hour. Brilliantly, the work surface includes a built-in desktop display to easily control all the treadmill's major functions.

The desk-meets-cardio-device is also integrated with NordicTrack's iFit technology, allowing users to easily view all their stats and track fitness goals in an accompanying app.

The NordicTrack Treadmill Desk is available for $1,499.

AltWork Station

The AltWork Station is a transforming desk setup that allows users to endlessly change their work environment to suit the task at hand. AltWork owners have access to a wide array of arrangements: the standing configuration is ideal for presentations—or a healthy workday routine—and the classic sitting configuration may be more suited for writing. Meanwhile, AltWork recommends their fully reclined position (zero gravity) as a solid fit for focused work.

With easily adjustable monitor height, desk height, desk angle, headrest, chair back position and more, the AltWork can be completely optimized to your specific body shape and ergonomic needs, while built-in desktop remote allows you to simply run the desk through its full sequence of set-ups, from fully reclined to standing.

EvoDesk Pro

Described as the "Lamborghini of standing desks" by Entrepreneur magazine, the infinitely customizable EvoDesk Pro combines quality materials, stylish design and intelligent functions to create a powerful productivity platform. Each of the four-towered sit/stand desks—built custom to order—features 50/50 weight distribution front to back, a powerful high-strength steel tubing subframe and four-power electric-lifting columns, meaning whatever you place on this desktop will hold, and lift, securely and confidently.

And the EvoDesk Pro offers formidable brains to match all that brawn, with more than a 100 different customizable additions available for your specific desk.

In addition to the standard, simple-to-use height-adjustment panel in each Evo Desk Pro, users opt for add-ons, including built-in wireless desktop charging, ergonomic under-desk keyboard platforms, up to eight outlets and four USB charging ports, one to three monitor arms, an incredibly stylish CPU mount, and built-in speakers by high-end audio manufacturer Harman Kardon, among other features.

Visit evodesk.com/evodesk-pro to begin building your custom Evo Desk via their 3D modeling tool.

My Smart Office Setup: Making Work Easy

Online Furniture Sales Up 306% in April Exceeding Black Friday Velocity by 81%

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blueport Commerce, the leading omnichannel platform for big-ticket retail, today announced a dramatic increase in online furniture sales since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

For the month of April 2020, furniture retailers running websites on the Blueport platform increased online sales an average of 306% vs. the same period last year.

Notably, April online sales across the platform were 81% higher than November 2019 - historically the furniture industry's peak "Black Friday" selling period.

Some retailers on the platform generated online sales exceeding combined online and store sales for the same period last year.

Across the platform, average order size increased 27% to $1,210 with Sectional Sofas, Living Room Sets, Sofas, and Dining Sets the top-selling items.

This growth significantly outpaces overall YoY ecommerce growth of 25% reported by Adobe Analytics. Retailers report strong interest in the home category as shoppers look to make the most of prolonged stays at home.

Retailers on the Blueport platform deployed innovative digital strategies to counter the impact of store closures, emphasizing digital marketing, social media, video consultations with sales representatives, and contactless delivery options to attract and serve homebound customers.

Planning to apply these learnings beyond the current crisis, retailers are accelerating omnichannel efforts to keep pace with shoppers whose adoption of online shopping has spiked.

Says Carl Prindle, Blueport's CEO & Founder, "Retailers on our platform have shown remarkable resiliency and creativity in the face of this crisis, adjusting their marketing, redeploying their sales teams and fully utilizing the features of their Blueport websites to reach their shoppers during a challenging time."

About Blueport Commerce

Blueport Commerce is the leading omnichannel platform for big ticket retail. Brick-and-mortar retailers build best-in-class omnichannel websites on Blueport's Cloud platform, providing better shopping experiences for their customers and driving sales online and in their stores. To learn more visit www.blueport.com.

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24 Furniture Pieces That'll Transform Your Outdoor Space Into a Relaxing Oasis

As the weather starts to get warmer, but we're still hanging out at home, we have one thing on our minds: getting some more sun. Whether you have a patio, backyard, or even a small balcony, you can make the most of your outdoor space with some new furntiure pieces. To help you find the best options out there, we turned to Wayfair. The online retailer carries everything you could ever dream of, including chic and affordable outdoor furniture finds.

Ahead, you can shop our 24 favorite picks for every type of space. From loungers for next to the pool to chic dining sets for small spaces and even some seriously cool hammocks, be prepared to love them all. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to snag your favorite and start soaking up that vitamin D. Take a look.

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The Gap Partners With Licensing Giant IMG to Link Its Brands to Furniture Baby Equipment

Seeking to branch out and use its highly recognizable brands to sell products in other categories than clothing, The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GPS) said in a press release today that it's inking a partnership with major licensing company IMG. The licensing will focus on a few of The Gap's most popular brands at first, pairing them up with various non-apparel products that match the brand "personality" the company has created for each label.

IMG, or International Management Group, is a company specializing not only in licensing, but also in marketing and media. Founded in 1960 and owned since 2014 as the subsidiary of entertainment agency WME, it operates in approximately 30 countries around the world. The company represents celebrity athletes, sports leagues, and fashion houses. It's also the owner of the Miss Universe Organization.

Image source: The Gap, Inc.

The Gap says it will use IMG's services to set up licensing connecting its brands to furniture, home décor, baby equipment, and baby care. At this point, the companies are still working out the details of specifically which types of products will be licensed to carry Gap-related labeling.

The press release states that IMG is primarily interested in Janie and Jack, Gap, and Banana Republic branding at this point. The Gap summarized the characteristics it associates with each brand, noting that IMG will focus on "Gap for casual, optimistic American style" along with "Janie and Jack's modern twist on classics for kids and babies; and Banana Republic's iconic, modern style designed for a life with no boundaries."

The move represents a major shift toward what The Gap calls "omnichannel opportunity," diversifying the products carrying the company's branding to potentially profit from markets outside the apparel sector.

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Chattanooga-based Smart Furniture marks 20 years with a focus on what's next

For the past two decades, Smart Furniture has made and burnished its name in both the residential and office categories – indeed, the Chattanooga-based company has clients from Austin, Texas, to New York City and points between.

But as Smart Furniture marks its 20th anniversary at the same time the COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions worldwide to work from their homes, furniture for the office and home are closer than ever to being one and the same.

"We've definitely seen an increase in [orders of] office chairs and desks," says Chris Wilson, the company's CEO. "People want their home business spaces to be comfortable.

Smart Furniture marks 20 years View 7 Photos

"Working from home is a trend we've seen happening pretty aggressively in the last 10 years. Now that people are being forced to do it, and seeing it can work, I think it's a trend that will continue," he says.

Another trend Wilson's eyeing as he scopes out Smart Furniture's next 20 years is a shift from an open concept to one that's more of a hybrid.

"Some people do really well in a coffee-shop environment," he says, "and some people want privacy, to be really focused.

"We're trying to find that balance. People have different styles; it's more about working with them than us coming in with a specific style," he says.

Chattanooga native Stephen Culp launched Smart Furniture while studying law at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. The business focused initially on modular shelving, then shifted more to retail over the next 15 years.

Smart Furniture's showroom is a fixture on Chattanooga's Southside, and the company recently expanded its reach and breadth by combining with Chicago-based Office Designs.

"We had very similar models in terms of having a primarily online presence but a store, as well," says Wilson, who's in his second stretch with Smart Furniture and in his third year as its chief executive. He added that Smart Furniture is retaining the Office Designs brand.

"[Smart Furniture] has always done office and residential," he says, "but the new brand gives us a stronger presence in the office market."

Wilson says he returned to Smart Furniture for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the company's ethos.

"Putting customers first," he says. "What's smart about Smart Furniture is that, whether it's a space you work or live in, the theme is understanding customer needs.

"We have designers on staff who understand what [a given client] is trying to do, and we make it work for them," Wilson says.

The design component was key for Bellhops, a Chattanooga-based business whose executive team decided last summer not just to buy new furniture, but to change its approach entirely. Britton Ware, IT manager at Bellhops, says Smart devised a design ideally suited to the 6,000-square-foot space in which the business set up its call center.

"The design was great, and included with the purchase," he says. "Now everyone has their own space, with boundaries; we invested in a lot of new chairs, too, so we have a lot less back pain going on."

River City Company has more than a decade's worth of that kind of experience with Smart Furniture, says President and CEO Kim White.

"We think of Smart Furniture as more of a partner than a vendor," she says. "We like doing business locally, and they've been great – not just for us, but for Chattanooga. [Smart Furniture] has a commitment to the city and a great Chattanooga story."

Wilson, whose company has also undertaken projects at the United Way of Chattanooga and the Edney Innovation Center, among others, says that "Chattanooga's story" is one he never expected to involve him.

"When I went away to college, I didn't think I'd come back," he says. "There wasn't a ton going on here in 2008. But I did come back, and I've seen the city explode in a way I couldn't have imagined.

"Over the last five years, Chattanooga has been doing something cool, and we've been able to be a part of that. A lot of cities are replicating the Chattanooga Innovation District model, so it's really a fun time to be here and have the whole country looking at Chattanooga and what it's doing," Wilson says.

Lion House Joinery 2014 year in the workshop