Janet Carter ASID, author of Showroom Management, is a color, design and communications consultant based in Kohler, WI, and the author of the book, “The Showroom Management Manual.” She works with various manufacturers of interior building products and residential interior furnishings. Widely recognized for her product design expertise, Janet is a frequent speaker at national trade shows as well as local distributor and industry events.
OK! So you’ve enticed the customers to your showroom door. Now what? In a world where special effects define our media, and the computer is becoming ubiquitous in our everyday lives, showrooms need to compete on higher attention level. Add to this equation the stress and exhaustion that most of us live under, and you begin to understand why theatrics have to play a part in what we sell. The idea of a beautiful new kitchen, bathroom, new home, or addition just isn’t enough. You’ve got to WOW the consumer!
As a specialty floor covering retailer, the first thing you need to consider is whether your product selection is worth the trip that a customer must make to get to your showroom. Occasionally, a retailer will ask me, “Is there such a thing as having too much product?” Yes, I believe there is — especially when it’s just an assortment of dirty, damaged samples that you have lying around.