During the Vegas Market, PMP to Hold Seminar on “What to Expect When a Furniture Retailer Hires a Promotion Company”
Wednesday, February 1st, 10:30AM– Senior members of Profit Management Promotions will conduct a 45-minute seminar to give independent furniture retailers an inside look at the process and results of hiring a promotion company to run a high-impact sale at their store.
The members will present information based on an actual case study and will be followed by a 15-minute Q & A session.
In this no-holds barred seminar entitled, “The Secret’s Out! What to Expect When You Hire a Promotion Company,” retailers will witness the true story of a struggling independent furniture retailer who transformed their image in 2011 and redefined their future by hiring a promotional company to run a high-impact sale. They’ll get the inside scoop on the changes that promotional companies implement when they partner with an independent retailer to run an event. They will find out how the retailer in the actual case study produced high volume while maintaining their profit margin, and subsequently unlocked their true potential in their marketplace. By the end of this seminar, retailers will learn how to determine if they need to rebrand their image – and if so, just how to accomplish this.
All seminar attendees will receive an exclusive offer from PMP.
This event will be held in the Retailer Resource Center (RRC), Building C496, at the Las Vegas Furniture Market and is open to all Market Attendees. No registration necessary.
For additional information about this seminar, email ron@pmpsales.com.
Business at Bare Bones Furniture in Rutland, Vermont had slowed down to the point that owner Ken Harvey was faced with a harsh reality: He could not pay his bills or fill sold orders, and his vendors had him on credit hold. It was not always this way, however. When Ken opened his store in 2004, the landscape was set for success.
As Vermont’s second largest city, Rutland rests between two mountain ranges and attracts thousands of tourists for skiing, hiking, swimming and the beauty of the Autumn foliage. This area is so beautiful many Americans have purchased second homes here, and Bare Bones was happy to help them fill their homes with quality and comfortable furniture.
But with the decline of the economy over these past few years, Bare Bones customers were forced to let go of their vacation homes and cut down on the recreational activities they once enjoyed so frequently in Rutland. Ken clung to the hope that things would improve as he watched his sales volume plummet month by month.
When things seemed like they couldn’t get worse, Vermont was struck with the massive fury of Hurricane Irene, washing away the road ways and obliterating any last glimmer of hope for traffic to Ken’s store.
Ken felt like the final nail had been pounded into his coffin. But instead of closing his store, he called Profit Management Promotions (PMP), who responded with a visit right away.
Ron Cooper, Director of Sales and Marketing for PMP, arrived in Rutland to analyze the situation in which Ken had found himself. Although Ron could not remove persistent factors like the downed economy or the devastation caused by the hurricane, he offered Ken a solution that would increase sales volume, liquidate old merchandise and jump-start a new business strategy that would keep Bare Bones in business.
By partnering with PMP, Bare Bones was given a new shot at life. Their sales quadrupled during the eight-week promotion, they were able to pay their current bills as well as some of their past bills, they filled their sold orders and bought new merchandise, they were introduced to new advertising strategies that generate traffic, and their sales force learned more effective selling techniques. Although they continue to feel the impact of the recession, they expect the economy to improve in the year ahead, and they’ve restructured their business model now to prepare for the expected upturn in consumer spending.
Profit Management Promotions is one of the nation’s leading sales promotion firms serving the home furnishings industry. The company has a proven track record in conducting high-impact sales promotions that help furniture retailers raise capital or liquidate under-performing stores.
Established in 1985, Profit Management Promotions is headquartered in Doylestown, PA, and maintains regional offices in New York, New Jersey, California and North Carolina.
PMP has experienced considerable growth as a company this past year, and has been proactively adjusting to the changes by restructuring their internal operations as well as expanding their offices. PMP has moved their Corporate Headquarters to Doylestown, PA. The new office is conveniently located in the center of town at 423 N. Main Street.
It is an exciting time for PMP as a company, and we look forward to 2012 being the best year yet. We have implemented new efficient work flow strategies that enable us to better serve our clients and help them reach their goals successfully. PMP now has satellite offices in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and California. Jackie and Doyle, who work out of the Corporate Office in Pennsylvania, are settling in nicely to their new environment and are looking forward to serving PMP clients with the advantage of a bigger office space than before and the new internal structure of operations. Both Jackie and Doyle's roles have evolved to utilize their strengths and maximize their contributions to the company.
Jackie Peck joined PMP's team in March of 2010 as an Administrative Assistant. Jackie quickly adapted and began demonstrating her ability to contribute to the company's more significant areas of operation before she took a short maternity leave. After the birth of her daughter, Lilly, in June of 2011, Jackie returned to PMP and took on the chief role of bookkeeper. PMP is fortunate to have dedicated personnel like Jackie serving on our team of professionals.
Doyle Seibert has been with PMP since January of 2003. She began as a freelance graphic designer, providing customized high-impact ads for PMP's clients. In 2004, Doyle joined the team full time as the all-inclusive field support from the Corporate Office. In 2009, Doyle focused her responsibilities on Advertising Coordination for PMP's clients' promotions. This past year, Doyle has trained the individual PMP Managers to handle the Advertising Coordination for their respective promotions, and she has moved her efforts toward public relations and marketing of the company. Doyle continues to coordinate the start-up period of PMP's promotions, and she is a key factor in the success rate of all PMP's promotions.
Profit Management Promotions (PMP) is one of the nation's leading sales promotion firms serving the home furnishings industry. Established in 1985, the company has a proven track record in conducting high-impact sales promotions that help national furniture retailers raise capital or liquidate under-performing stores. PMP also delivers a full range of consulting and marketing services designed to help furniture retailers optimize profitability and capitalize on strategic growth opportunities.
Learn more by visiting us at www.pmpsales.com
Contemporary Furniture is making a comeback. Will your store make a comeback too?
It’s challenging enough to stay on top of the trends, but many contemporary furniture dealers are faced with the strenuous difficulties this economy is offering the retail industry on top of everything else.
Since 9/11, people have been spending more time in their homes, prodding them to transform their domiciles into a family hideaway or sanctuary. This trend has given rise to the importance of more luscious fabrics, warm soft colors and aesthetically pleasing home furnishings. Americans are finding the quality they desire in contemporary furniture stores today.
PMP can help you make sure they buy from you.
Visit our website to watch a video about the services we provide www.pmpsales.com
If you are attending the October Furniture Market in High Point, NC this year, you do not want to miss this seminar entitled: "The Secret's Out! What to Expect When You Hire a Promotion Company."
Presented by senior members of Profit Management Promotions, this no-holds barred seminar provides an inside look at an actual case study of a struggling independent furniture retailer who transformed their image in 2011 and redefined their future by hiring a promotional company to run a high-impact sale. You'll learn how to determine if you need to rebrand your image - and if so, just how to accomplish it. You'll get the inside scoop on the changes that promotional companies implement when they partner with an independent retailer to run an event. Find out how this retailer produced high volume while maintaining a better profit margin than before the promotion, and subsequently unlocked their true potential in the marketplace.
No registration necessary! Visit mymarket.zerista.com/event to add it to your planner for MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 at 1PM.
Visit www.pmpsales.com to learn more about the services a promotional company can offer you.
Furniture Promotion Possibilities Tip #10: When Disasters Hit, Opportunities Exist
By Ron Cooper
Director of Sales and Marketing
Profit Management Promotions
Everyone remembers Hurricane Irene and all the damage it caused slamming into the East coast about 2 weeks ago causing power outages, water levels to rise, businesses shutting down and many, many homeowners getting flooded out of their homes. It was a horrible time for many people and I’m sure everyone reading this probably knows a few people who were greatly affected by this disaster.
Now, go back to 1992 and think about the destruction that Hurricane Andrew produced in South Florida? But remember, with “every disaster comes an opportunity”. Several furniture stores started to advertise in Florida that they had furniture ready for quick delivery. It was a “gold rush” time for anyone in the furniture business back then and could be today. Many consumers that were affected by Irene will also be needing new furniture, carpet, etc. Many insurance companies will be writing checks to consumers on the spot to re-purchase these items. For those not getting a check upfront, offer some financing to help their cash flow which will also help yours. How can today’s retailers get the attention of the consumers in your area that were affected?
Opportunities: NOW is the time to get your message out to your customers that you can help them replace lost furniture and carpet but you can’t whisper the message! Run a promotion announcing you have product to offer them that is affordable and that’s available for quick delivery. You’ve got to strike now while it’s on everyone’s mind. If you don’t promote today, I’m sure a big box store will come up with a creative campaign and take all those potential clients from your store – simply because you didn’t express your message correctly or timely.
Today’s take-away: It’s time to think out of the box and seek out new opportunities, drive around to see what areas were most affected by the floods, speak to promotion companies who can partner with you by running a high impact event that just might give you the shot in the arm you need going into the fall season!
About Ron Cooper & Profit Management Promotions (PMP): Ron Cooper is director of sales and marketing for Profit Management Promotions – one of the nation’s leading sales promotion firms serving the home furnishings industry. Established in 1985, the company is headquartered in Jamison, Pennsylvania, and maintains regional offices in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. Visit their web site at www.pmpsales.com
Ron Cooper
Director of Sales & Marketing
845-826-0054