Big Ticket Items Get Discovered Online

Returning from the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition Manna representatives reported that attendees were upbeat, but not ecstatic about an upturn in the economy.  The general optimism was generated by surveys that show more people browsed for products online than in stores, 92% compared to 84%

Nick Mansilla and Dave Tomaschko speaking with IRCE attendees

The ATG reported earlier this year that 30% of consumers use more than three channels of information to research and then purchase products.  For example, they get a catalog, use the company’s website, and consider product reviews. Other channels of information are news articles, Word of Mouth, and advertising.

This statistic also reflects the overwhelming concern among retailers which is integration of the customer experience, from online, catalogs and in-store experiences.  That experience we believe is continued until the product is in its final destination.  Manna representatives Nick Mansilla and David Tomaschko listened to these concerns from retailers.  The options are limited with parcel carriers who don’t handle big ticket items, and with electronics, there are other issues such as fragility and installation that typical delivery providers don’t offer.

Internet Retailer Shows Attendees Up 40% from last year

Another sign the economy is coming back was the 40% increase in IRCE attendee traffic. According to Mansilla and Tomaschko the show floor was busy with considerable interest in Manna Distribution’s high-speed, white-glove service options.  Manna’s national coverage and expertise in a variety of product lines, including electronics, appliances, and furniture gives retailers a one stop (pardon the pun) transportation option.  Email info@Manna.com.

Books Can Be Deceiving

These are cool ways to jazz up a wall. Combination optical illusion and space savers, this selection of bookcases found by Will Maak, co-founder and editor of Fashion Furniture is a blast to look at. Below are a couple of my favorites, check out the rest at the Fashion Furniture site.

Above is the Pyramid bookcase by Fitting

For a slightly different play on triangles, try this

This one is call make/shift designed by Peter Marigold. It’s interlocking pieces are cleverly made so you can create a different look by arranging each separate section together with the others.

Books afterall are square or rectangles, and this one below incorporates those shapes with an eye toward an urban skyline.

And it’s appropriately named, this Skyline Bookcase is the work of Italian designer Vincenzo De Cotiis

Furniture Through the Chimney This Year?

Dana French, respected researcher and writer from Furniture Today, releases the latest survey on furniture buying trends in the print edition of Furniture Today Magazine. In the exclusive survey done in collaboration with HGTV, one of the findings was how consumers look for quality when buying furniture. These home items are more often than not viewed as an investment with an eye toward longevity. More of the details of this survey at Furniture Today.

Consumers are becoming more comfortable with online purchases of furniture. U.S. Department of Commerce statistics and comScore show furniture and bedding’s 2008 online sales at about $4.6 billion or 3.5% of all e-commerce retail sales.

Shopping the world you’ll find the unique and eye-popping accents for your home. Here are a couple I found intriguing. Those Scandinavians sure have a way with design like this OPPO chair from Blastation.

Dazzle your guests, or make them dizzy with this coffee table that doubles as an optical illusion

Coffee table that & optical illusion all in one

http://www.opulentitems.com/

These above examples I picked up from the Furniture Store Blog

Here are a couple of excellent resources for great furniture values with high-speed, white-glove delivery by Manna.

Bassett Furniture

Advance Furniture