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  July 2005 e-newsletter
Cover Story:
Success Comes Through The Window
With Exciting Windows! Steven Bursten is looking to conquer the final frontier.

What Steven Bursten has that is rare these days in the window coverings industry is 45 years of experience and the drive to keep at it. He is not someone winding down his career. In fact, Bursten has set quite a challenge for himself to overcome before hanging up his hat—he calls it the final frontier.
Design Solutions: All In One
Design Perspectives:
Lighting The Way.
The Big Picture:
Another Rare Treasure
Trends Tracking:
The Here And Now
Workroom Operations:
Streamline Your Office
>Managing For Money:
The Neiman Marcus Effect
Business Management:
The Power Of Confidence
Homeowners in the throes of remodeling are excellent candidates for new window treatments. Who are they? Scarborough Research, New York, NY, says they are in the 30s and 40s and they performed the most major home renovation projects during the past year.

According to Scarborough, homeowners in their 30s are 19 percent more likely than all homeowners to have remodeled their homes during the past year. One-third (33 percent) of homeowners in this age group completed remodeling projects and one-fifth (21 percent) of homeowners who remodeled during the past year are in this age bracket.

Homeowners in their 40s encompass the largest part of the remodeling market. These consumers represent 26 percent of remodeling projects, and are 14 percent more likely than all homeowners to have completed remodeling during the past year.

“These findings are significant because about half of homeowners are over the age of 50. The fact that the majority of remodeling projects are being conducted by those under the age of 50 means that homeowners are very attuned to the appreciation of their homes, and view it as a long-term investment they want to maintain,” said Alisa Joseph, vice president, advertiser marketing services, Scarborough Research.
 
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the CALHOOK Sample Management Products, a business that began in spring 1980 at the fabric company Marv Emerling managed. Emerling began the business with just two products, the original Calhook fixture for cord-hung sample books and Calhangers for displaying loose print and upholstery samples. Since then many other types of products and displays have been added, including estimating and design aids for the trade.

In 1997 the business was sold to Thompson Merchandising & Supply, Kent, WA, when Emerling retired. The business continues to serve the industry within its larger framework as CALHOOK-TMS
 
DON’T LET THE SUMMER GO TO WASTE
Summertime is vacation time. That’s good news if your customers left you their house keys the told you which rooms they want redecorated by the time they get back, but bad news if your customers are out of town and not stopping by your store to see what’s new.

Don’t let the summer go to waste. This can be the perfect time to turn around and take a good look at your business: Are there displays that need updating? How’s that sample library looking? Does your store present the image of your business you want customers to see?

This month, three articles will help you evaluate your business and how it looks to customers and offer tips for ensuring success.


SEE YOUR BUSINESS WITH NEW EYES
How you present your business to prospective customers is key to your success.

Your business image is like a symphony orchestra, writes Debbie Allen, no single instrument determines an orchestra’s success or failure. Likewise, the image you project is not based on a single business card, brochure or display, but on the total impression created by all these things and more.


NOTHING HAPPENS 'TIL SAMPLES GET SHOWN
Samples impact your livelihood in powerful ways. Every day interior fashions designers and retailers need quick, efficient access to fabric and wall covering samples to make sensible, salable selections for their clients or customers.

If this is true, asks Marv Emerling, then why is managing a sample library often treated as a minor nuisance or, even worse, overlooked? Maintaining an efficient, neat sample library is for a decorator’s own benefit.


CAPTURE CUSTOMER LOYALTY
All too often, small retailers lose sight of why shopping in neighborhood stores—whether they’re well established or just opened—can be so appealing to customers. GlobalShop, an annual retail design exposition produced by Shore-Varrone, Inc., reminds us that the look and feel of a store can add up to higher profits.

Small shops can become customer magnets by offering better service and a more enjoyable shopping experience, which can add up to satisfied customers, repeat business and higher profits.

Check out 10 tips for capturing customer loyalty.

Thanks for reading ©D&WC Newsletter 2005. All Rights Reserved.

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The Ultimate Designer's Workbook - This 3 ring binder is the most comprehensive Window Coverings Specification Manual available. Over 500 window treatments.

The Encyclopedia of Curtains The Complete Curtain Maker - A unique reference book bursting with inspirational full colour photographs and over 600 line diagrams.

The Curtain Recipes Book - fully illustrated book which shows charming colored sketches of curtain and blind designs on one page and clear illustrations that may be followed to create a curtain on the opposite page.

Compact Sketchbook of Blinds - This compact sketchbook displays every style of blinds imaginable, from rollers to Romans and from London to Austrian blinds.