Havertys Invests in Atlanta Market Showrooms

August 30, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 31, 2011

Haverty Furniture Cos. (NYSE: HVT) will invest $2.4 million for remodeling and improvements to 10 of its showrooms in its hometown Atlanta market.

The initiative, called "Bright Inspirations," is part of a company-wide visual merchandising and display program. Havertys partnered with Atlanta design firm Miller Zell to develop the concept.

"We are very excited about the project which empowers our customer with an engaging, educational and friendly store allowing her to connect with her personal style preferences," said Clarence Smith, president and chief executive officer. "The design emphasizes a brighter color palette and newer in-store signage. It is much more informative and organizes the merchandise presentation into appealing portions."

Elements of the concept include creating impact zones, merchandise stories and destination departments. Consumer input was used in the development and actual customer comments are incorporated as product ratings and reviews signage.

Havertys Atlanta showrooms being refashioned are North Point, Cobb Parkway, Snellville, Gwinnett Place, Town Center, Stonecrest, Perimeter, Fayetteville, Athens and Mall of Georgia. The up-fitting process is underway, with some showrooms finished, and the last expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2012.

"Since our company was founded in Atlanta 126 years ago, we felt it was very important that this market be the first completed in the Bright Inspirations style," Smith said. "We are renovating additional stores to the Bright Inspirations design in our other major markets. The program should be completely rolled out to most of our locations by early 2013."

Havertys operates 118 furniture retail showrooms in 17 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions.