Visual Merchandising

Martin Roberts Design’s new store in Trinidad!

Martin Roberts has designed the new store “Dwellings Home” which opened earlier this month. Customers will immediately notice a new concept Martin calls “Wallscaping”. This is achieved by specially designed fixtures which allow more items to be displayed at eye level. Then a color story of merchandise is selected to enhance the customers experience of

A Store’s Makeover Changes Its Bottom Line, Too

Riley’s Furniture and Mattress Store in Monroe, Ohio had a 30,000 sq. ft. two‐ story “piecemeal” showroom that had been remodeled and added to throughout the last 45 years one area at a time creating an inconsistent look and feel. Mattresses were tucked away in the far back upstairs corner. Furniture was arranged in brand

Finding the Right Product Mix

Last year my team at Martin Roberts Design re‐planned and re‐merchandised more than one million square feet of retail space in 30 or so stores around the country. As a retail designer, I’ve helped hundreds of store owners rethink their showrooms. When merchants ask me to revitalize their space, they frequently say it’s because it’s

Is a Breakthrough on the Horizon?

As we begin the New Year, the big question on my mind is: Will 2016 mark the tipping point in consumer spending on outdoor living? We’ve all heard that this is the fastest growing category in the home furnishings industry. Even though that’s true, statistics show that sales in the multi‐billion‐dollar outdoor living market have

Swann’s Furniture & Design – New Address, Same Refined Look

Relocating and designing a new flagship store for the iconic 117-year-old Swann’s Furniture & Design in Tyler, Texas was an exciting and far-reaching endeavor for Martin Roberts Design.

It is Christmas in Barbados

Martin Roberts Design’s visual merchandising team has just installed their first 2010 Christmas displays in the Dwellings Barbados home furnishing store. “Even though Christmas has arrived early in Barbados it is time to start thinking about Christmas displays” says Martin Roberts. It’s all about making the most of the season, ideas to drive customers into

The Power of Paint

As published in Home Furnishings Business There is an abundance of examples of retailers who have used consumer-centric retailing (CCR) to boost sales. Last month, we discussed how a 
CCR initiative at Walgreens increased the chain’s earnings in a down economy while freeing up $500 million in cash through inventory reductions. In the furniture sector,