Beaulieu Hosts Retail Partners

Dalton, GA, Nov. 13--Beaulieu of America on October 17-20, 2003 hosted 500 members of their Retail Partner Programs at a convention in Miami, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas. Members participated in a multi-faceted program including general sessions, break-out seminars, product and program introductions and a product/vendor trade show. Dealers in attendance enthusiastically welcomed the new product and program introductions; as well as, the many enhancements to existing programs. In a general session Retail Partner members heard from several Beaulieu executives and outside vendors who participate in alliance programs. Carl Bouckaert, CEO of Beaulieu thanked members for their support and pledged to remain a staunch supporter of the independent retailer. Ralph Boe, President and COO of Beaulieu gave the membership an industry overview and stressed the importance of the Retail Partner program to the success of the company. Pete Ciganovich, Beaulieu’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing presented the dealers with two new sample merchandising programs. A new PET display system featuring sixteen new products is called Styled for Living. All of the fiber used in this new program is produced in Beaulieu’s own facilities. The products feature the constructions today’s consumers are looking for; softness underfoot in tightly twisted yarns. The display itself continues the theme Beaulieu introduced earlier this year, using wood colored laminates and a gentle curving marquee at the top. This design scheme will be used in all future displays from Beaulieu. The second new display system introduced in Miami is the Work and Leisure Commercial program. This collection of twenty three main street commercial items feature both olefin and nylon blend products. These products are intended for use in high traffic areas in offices and homes. The display itself matches the same design as the Styled for Living fixture. Mike McAllister, Vice President of Marketing for Beaulieu also unveiled a new merchandising package designed to assist the retailer in a total store concept. New display units have been designed to show a uniform look that will be functional; as well as, beautiful. The dealer can choose from a combination of vertical rug units, flip-card displays and showcase tower displays. These fixtures are all comprised of the same wood toned laminates and curving surfaces. Additionally there is a new program that allows the dealer access to custom designed display headers with their store logo. Program members all received a showroom planner kit that lets them to see what their own showrooms will look like using these fixtures. A number of outside vendors to the Retail Partner Program were also in attendance in a trade show that featured a number of new program enhancements. These programs are designed to offer additional value to the membership, enabling them to get services through the program that would be unavailable or cost prohibitive to them without it. These services afford the members opportunities to enhance their profit potential and retain productive employees. As was the case with the new product introductions, these new program features were well received by the membership. After a full day in Miami attending these various meetings and show displays the members were transported to the port of Miami to board Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Majesty of the Seas. Everyone enjoyed a three night cruise to Nassau and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Members got the opportunity to network with their peers and have informal discussions with members of Beaulieu’s management team.

Related Topics:Beaulieu International Group

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