Cargill Launches Furniture Retail Training

March 15, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 16, 2011

Furnitureland South has signed onto soy-based foam supplier Cargill BiOH's new retailer training program to promote sale of sustainable and eco-friendly furnishings.

According to a 2010 Green Furnishings Study by the Sustainable Furnishings Council, more than 70 percent of consumers want to know more about furnishings that feature sustainable components. An informed retail staff is a key success factor in making sustainable furnishings sales, according to Yusuf Wazirzada, Cargill's Biobased Polyurethanes business unit leader.
 
To facilitate retail sales growth, Cargill BiOH developed the first retail training program of its kind, testing content at Jamestown, N.C.-based Furnitureland South last fall, where sales associates also will participate in the free training program.
 
Training is delivered through an online slide show that helps retail associates understand the issues and touch points for environmentally conscientious consumers, including health and wellness, pollution, and natural resource consumption, and is supported by SFC's consumer research data. Sales associates also learn how foam made in part with renewable resources like soybeans can make a positive difference to the environment when used in furniture and bedding products.
 
Furniture manufacturers using BiOH in their products in product on Furnitureland South's floor include Century, Broyhill, Lane, and Harden, as well as upholstery specialists such as Lee Industries and BKind3.
 
"With consumers becoming more and more eco-conscious, they are searching for sustainable options for their home furnishings," said Jason Harris, executive vice president, Furnitureland South. "The training offered for BiOH soy-based foam has already proved to be an invaluable tool for our sales force as they seek to stay ahead of the latest options for eco-friendly shoppers."
 
A BiOH retail training program package will be made available to retailers this month. To learn more, retailers should contact Nicole Nachazel, assistant marketing manager at Cargill by e-mail.