Orlando market signals positive change

Palm Springs Rattan adds veteran rep

-- Casual Living, 9/4/2009 8:44:00 AM

Palm Springs Rattan & Garden Classics was pleased with the turnout at the Orlando Furniture & Accessory Market, held at the end of August.

Tami Newton, Palm Spring Rattan’s director of sales, reported its written sales were boosted by doubling its booth space, introducing nine collections and releasing 28 new fabrics. Overall sales were up 8% for the month of August.

“We are definitely seeing an economic trend change,” Newton said. “The mood is positive – with many people talking about their showrooms being busier.”

 In retail showrooms, she added, salespeople say they often overhear consumers talking about purchasing homes. “We are definitely looking forward to the remaining markets in 2009 – Chicago in September and High Point in October,” Newton said.

Palm Springs Rattan & Garden Classics also has added new sales reps, including industry veteran Jack Glynn in Indiana and Wisconsin.

“We are excited to have the talent of someone who is friends with so many people in our industry,” Newton said. “We have confidence that Jack will be able to increase the dealer base in Indiana and Wisconsin as well as be an excellent representative of our company culture.

“We have high expectations from our representatives, partly because of our retail background and understanding of how a rep’s performance directly affects the bottom line of both the manufacturer and dealer,” Newton said. “Education, and a familiar comfort with our line by the retail sales team, is a vital key to our success. We are confident that when our top professional representative visits each location on a regular basis to not only refresh the veteran employees but also to spend extra time with the new salespeople – our catalog will be the first one they go to with a customer.”