My career in marketing started in the mid-80s at the in-house advertising department of Virginia’s largest furniture retailer. While working there, I was introduced to a couple of sayings that have stuck with me throughout my career – and quite frankly, I still shake my head in disbelief when I think...

The COVID-Effect. It’s an all-encompassing term I use for the problems and disruptions caused by the virus. One of those effects is the shift from working in an office to working at home. This is a trend that seems to have gained popularity amongst employees and employers. Here at SPI, our team has...

The term nesting has traditionally been associated with pregnancy. It’s when a woman has the energy and overwhelming desire to clean and organize the home in preparation for the arrival of a new baby. In recent history, the term nesting has evolved to include more than the anticipation of a newborn. The...

What’s the “e?” It’s e-commerce. Over the years, many of the furniture retailers I have worked with resisted the idea of selling home furnishings online. The list of excuses was varied and plentiful. Of the five major furniture retailers in my market, one offers a limited selection of furniture that...