Casually Speaking
Cinde W. Ingram: Casually Speaking
Hi, this is Cinde W. Ingram and I'm the Editor in Chief of Casual Living and Garden Decor. Each week I hope to use this blog space to stay in touch with our readers. I want to know what you think about new products, markets, the retail climate and, most of all, Casual Living. Let me know what's going on. Check out my latest below.
Stores with winning looks turn on outdoor living vibe
The saying "it takes a village" applies far beyond child rearing. The notion that "it takes a team" goes way past sports logic.As we were judging our 13th annual Merchandising Awards for this month's issue, I was grateful for all of the submissions that arrived from stores as far apart as Washington and Florida. I was thankful for the panel of judges who helped me to narrow our... Read More
Comments (0)Sun or Shade?
National BBQ Month officially kicks off the grilling season this month. Most of us know by now the barbecue season extends year-round for many grill owners across America. Are you hosting grill-related events at your store to draw attention to and capitalize on the annual event?Even if you're not selling grills, have you personally invited friends over to share a meal hot off your own grill at hom... Read More
Comments (0)Spring Reawakens
You can expect to see wish books and catalogs of outdoor furnishings fill up mailboxes when the warmer days of spring draw closer.Target's Patio Look Book arrived at my desk today with the words "Happy Outside" plastered across the front cover. Those crisp white words contrast with the bright red umbrella, which provides shade for a stylish young woman lounging on a neutral cushioned cha... Read More
Comments (1)Catch the fever
Spring fever is in the air. Those of us who slogged through snow and ice - or even a record-setting blizzard - last month are eager for the warmer days ahead.I hope to see many of you this month at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo in Orlando, Fla. Whether or not you plan to attend the Expo, our Hot Product and Outdoor Style features inside this issue preview a sampling of the latest grills and ga... Read More
Comments (1)Take time to talk
If you don't study the changing needs of your customers, they'll get to the future before you do and leave you behind.This business philosophy was acted out a couple of years ago in the award-winning, black-and-white silent movie, "The Artist." Watching that movie last night provided a great example of how even the most talented people can get left behind in a rapidly changing world. In... Read More
Comments (0)Dare to go for the green
Great leaders don't tell you what to do; they show you how it's done. This message on Facebook accompanied a photo of a rooster crossing a stream on a log with a group of hens watching as they lined up and waited on the edge of a riverbank.The image reminded me of an article I wrote for this issue. I asked people whose companies recently won Manufacturer Leadership awards to respond to a few quest... Read More
Comments (0)Making green progress
Kermit the Frog's famous refrain, "It isn't easy being green," is still repeated by plenty of outdoor leisure businesses marketing products with environmental benefits. They are finding that following the Federal Trade Commission's Green Guidelines may not be as simple as it first appears.Last month, the FTC updated its Green Guides to offer more clarity to sellers of packaged goods stam... Read More
Comments (1)Closet cleaning
As the crisp cool days of autumn replace the sticky record-hot summer, it's time to clean out closets to make room for winter weather clothes and shoes.If you're like me, you have accumulated way too much stuff over the years that you hang onto because it's emotionally connected to wonderful memories. It still fits and it's only slightly faded. It's difficult to face the truth that I haven't worn... Read More
Comments (0)Changing Seasons
Over the past few weeks, we've survived a record-breaking heat wave as well as drought, wild fires, hurricanes and West Nile virus. Considering this year's casual furniture season started strong in most parts of the country, turned off at times and finished facing scorching hot weather, the casual furnishings industry is returning to Chicago's Merchandise Mart fully reminded of the challenges we h... Read More
Comments (0)Gold-medal designs
Anyone who attended last month's Preview Show in Chicago, International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta or this month's Las Vegas Market were able to see a sampling of the new products that will be presented next month at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market.Orders being made through the end of the year will influence what consumers can consider next season for furnish... Read More
Comments (3)Hot sounds of summer
The summer show circuit heats up this month as temperatures climb across the nation, including at tradeshow stops in Chicago, Atlanta and Las Vegas. The shows started off strong last month with the Showtime fabric fair in High Point and the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.Two days before I visited Showtime in search of style trends and the latest outdoor fabric offerings, my husband Curtis made go... Read More
Comments (2)Embrace change that's right on time
No matter how great an original idea might be, it takes the correct timing and the right kind of leaders to develop it.The timing was right in the 1970s for Don Flanders and his son Dudley, who built Lloyd/Flanders into the largest U.S. manufacturer of wicker furniture and one of the casual furniture industry's most prominent brands. The casual industry lost one of its well-loved icons with the re... Read More
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