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Coaster Fine Furniture Unveils Three New Programs at HPMKT Aimed to Improve Operations

Along with its expansive slate of new products at the Spring High Point Market, Coaster Fine Furniture is unveiling a trio of new programs designed to benefit the bottom lines of independent brick-and-mortars on the operational side.

The new programs are the latest move in Coaster’s plan to reduce operational friction and make it easier for retailers to maximize business with the company.

“In analyzing our drop-ship business, for example, we discovered that some of our customers had to perform unnecessary steps in order to realize the best deal and enjoy better discounts based on the volume they do with us,” said Morris Yeh, director of e-commerce at Coaster. “To solve this and encourage retailers to increase the size of their entire order with us as opposed to drop-shipping one or two pieces, we adjusted our pricing model and lowered the threshold retailers must achieve in order to get to better price points.”

Dealers can also now ship direct to their customers faster and easier, placing drop-ship orders directly through CC+ (Coaster’s dealer portal) and enter shipment to a residential address using the drop-ship option in the cart. The new improvement provides greater control and flexibility, allowing dealers to upload their own shipping label or bill of lading and use their own carrier and preferred shipping methods while continuing to order at their regular warehouse pricing.

For its new national freight program, Coaster is reducing freight rates by as much as 20 percent depending on location, and the larger the order, the better the freight rate. For the first time, the company has also created freight discount tiers, with discounts based on order value threshold. Discounts of 10% begin at $2,500-plus in order value and rise as high as 50% at $5,000-plus.

As a Market special, Coaster is offering free freight from dealers’ local branches on orders over $8,000. In addition, the company is developing localized freight programs at the branch level to better serve specific regional needs. The local free freight program has already been launched in Southern California (SoCal) on orders over $1,500. New Jersey will quickly follow and roll out by High Point Market with a low flat rate to local customers.

“Given the uncertainty surrounding the volatility of oil, we’re leaning in and providing an avenue to help dealers offset cost difference and encourage them to consolidate their business with us,” Yeh said. “Our overall objective is to create region-specific solutions that help dealers more easily acquire products with fewer friction points in terms of cost, logistics and convenience.”

The updated flooring program now offers more discounts on floor placements, especially for those dealers already on a discount tier, plus additional discounts off their reorders. Additionally, if a dealer would like to make a specific collection exclusive to their stores based on their commitment to floor the product, the CC+ system has the ability to block other dealers from ordering the same collection.

“Each of these new programs speak directly to the expenses of running an independent retail business,” said Mindy Leitwein, general manager of national accounts and business development at Coaster, adding that more than 80 percent of the company’s business is accomplished through brick-and-mortar retailers. “More than ever before, they need real partners, not suppliers, and that is something that truly sets Coaster apart,” Leitwein added.

The new price tier incentive is designed to reward that real partnership with special pricing discounts that begin at just $10,000 in volume annually. “Much like a frequent flyer membership, in creating this new pricing tier program to incentivize retailers to increase their business with Coaster, we’ve added steppingstones all along the way,” Yeh said. “We are also implementing a level of gamification as accounts will be reviewed monthly and retailers will be able to view their progress and see how far they are from achieving the next tier and what achieving the next milestone will unlock for them.”

According to Leitwein, Coaster’s three new programs (freight, pricing, and new exclusive programs for regionals) are designed to help dealers strengthen margins, develop a differentiated assortment, and avoid a race to the bottom on pricing by offering greater exclusivity within their market areas.

“We understand how difficult it is out there and we’re trying to make a difference through product, pricing, flow and freight,” Yeh said. “All of this is aimed at helping retailers get products on their floor that will make doors swing. And the more they do, the better it gets.”



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