Here is a sampling of the comments and suggestions we received along with the answers to the survey questions. 

More sales tips and strategies

Well, I read the Futon Life magazine from front to back, religiously. Sometimes we go back and highlight. We read it for info. Maybe there could be a sales tip department - like when people come in expecting 2-3 choices, what are some of the things the other retailers do. How to deal with objections or people’s perspectives. Always want to hear other guys’ ideas about selling, promoting, etc.
-Don Knicely, Sleep On It, VA

It would be helpful to include sales tips.
-Jack Clarke, Apartment Shops, MA

I would like it if FL taught selling techniques.
-Robert Thomas, Creative Furniture Outlet, HI

More selling ideas would be nice.
-Margaret, Futon Factory Inc., IN

I would like to see basic training information for store clerks.
Gena Hester, Big Sleep Futon Factory Outlet, CA

Find some way of contacting sales people and find certain patterns that equal sales. Valuable language; what terms interest customers. Interesting sales tips - my sales people are always asking for that. I could use extra copies of the magazine – I would like to hand them out to customers.
-Adam, Houston Futon, TX

The articles I find most useful are the ones that apply to ways to increase sales, ways to work with sales people to come up with
new strategies.
-Danielle Dykhouse, East West Futons Of Grand Rapids, MI

Articles about sales.
-Mary VanMeter, Interior Galleries, CO

More retailer ideas and success stories

I would like information about how special futon stores operate, how they are targeting, prices, etc., customers.
-Abraham Mamroud, Ab Futon, NJ

It’s still hard to know what product mix is best. I’d like to see articles about the total number of futons, how many square feet, display ideas. How many stores just line futons up and get as many in as they can vs. the ones that do vignettes and groups - what sells better?
-Scott Jones, Great Southern Bedrooms, OK

Maybe have more retailers giving input on what works for them with advertising, a certain price point that they try to work on, plus more selling information.
-Mark Vucich, The Futon Corner, AZ

Regional buying trends. I’m mostly concerned with my region. Who’s having the most success with higher end - what type of store?
-Brad Fortney, Fortney’s, TX

Spotlight other stores and how they do their business.
-Erik, Mgr of Futon Store, Scan Home, Inc., AK

Keep apprised of trends, popular price points and frame styles. I like
to get a sense of people who are successful - what they’re doing, how they display.
-Jeff Klein, Sleep Etc Mattress & Futon Discounters, CT

Interview different retailers to get ideas - to enable retailers to find out what other stores can do to improve.
-Joseph Resvani, 8 Futons, NY

Devote more time to how retailers can better sell the item and better promote it. Offer more ideas so they can better merchandise the product.
-Byron Thomas, Mister Furniture, MO

Come out with more issues. I would like to see more in-depth articles on different types of futon stores throughout the country to get ideas of how they’re running their business, things they’re carrying, etc. How they run their futon programs. Opening the eyes of other sleep shops to specialty stores. As a business owner, I can’t really get out and mingle with other owners of stores.
-Jake Tomiska, Oklahoma Futon Company, OK

I would like to see pictures of other stores. Interviews with store owners/managers. How long stores have been in business.
-Shannon Caicedo, The Futon Store, WA

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