Adapt to survive

Casually Speaking

Cinde W. Ingram -- Casual Living, 2/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Given ongoing economic challenges and changing consumer shopping habits, what is your business doing differently?

Have you downsized? Maybe you've added a promotional line to attract customers, who are spending more time searching the Internet before they ever enter your store. Or perhaps you're adding a design center to attract the affluent shopper who may have become disenchanted after seeing discounts on what were once premium-priced brands.

In addition to the extended economic malaise, there's a new generation of shoppers for whom the old rules don't apply. In this technological time, we can expect the consumer mindset never to be the same as it was before this downturn.

Our company is adapting to today's business conditions. Jeff DeBalko was named president of Reed Business Information's Business Media Division. As RBI's first Chief Internet Officer, DeBalko oversees Web products for the company's market-leading brands. Many of you have come to rely on Casual Living's eWeekly newsletter and our up-to-date Web site for industry-related news. We have more than 14,000 eWeekly subscribers, and thousands of others visit our Web site.

Those of you reading this issue are among the 10,000 key business decision-makers who subscribe to our print product. About 85% of our subscribers represent different buying channels including casual furniture stores, traditional furniture stores, interior designers, mass merchants, garden centers, pool/spa and hearth/patio retailers. More than 7,500 of our magazine readers do not subscribe to our free eWeekly newsletter. If you fall within that number, you need to catch up with the changing times. The good news is: It's easy.

Here's the link to subscribe to the newsletter /newsletter/subscribe.

In this age of instant communication, more of our news content and industry updates will be placed exclusively on our Web site and sent out in our eWeekly newsletters. We are taking the online leadership position, which allows you to interact with others in the industry daily.

By utilizing the advantages of today's technology, you can share your insight and knowledge about this business through one of our ever-changing blogs. Take the time to get more involved electronically and let your voice be heard.