Sometimes, outdoor retailers reach their highest potential when they think outside of the box.
And sometimes, that sentiment can even be used in branding a new business, as in “for all of your indoor and outdoor needs, think out of the box.”
It has certainly worked well for Out of the Box Furniture in Islip Terrace, New York. Begun by Hossein and Alix Yajadda in 2006, the store has used creativity to meet the challenges that the marketplace puts in front of it.
Hossein Yajadda says that this season, the most important considerations are quality and lead times, and for his store, he lists logistics and pricing as his biggest business headaches.
“It’s been freight costs and freight delays, along with online advertising below MAP pricing,” he says. “We work with different trucking companies to get quicker delivery at lower cost — and we are also reporting the websites that advertise below MAP pricing to the vendors.”
Yajadda said that he is expecting a 5% to 10% increase in sales from his 2019 pre-pandemic level. To get the word out on the goods, he relies on good customer service and improved visuals within the store.
“Our focus always has been on repeat customers, their friends and families,” says Yajadda. “It is very important to provide the best quality and value on mostly American-made products, as well as having manufacturers that provide great warranties on products, as well as special orders. And we have added many big-screen monitors showing images and videos of the products in the area.”
Yajadda said that he chooses what he will sell by seeking out the best-quality American-made products with great warranties, value, options and lead times — and sets the store apart by offering great customer service, no high-pressure sales tactics and free design services.
To compete with online, he stresses both price and customer service.
“Our prices are very competitive with online prices,” he says. “We also have a huge selection of floor samples for customers to try. We help them design the space, we assemble the furniture for no additional cost and we have our own delivery service at a very low cost.”
Sometimes, he says, indoor furniture stores will try to take it outside.
“Within the last few years many have tried to get into the outdoor business but have been unsuccessful,” Yajadda says. “It actually helps us when customers go there first to see their products. They appreciate the quality and knowledge we provide more.”
Any advice for struggling casual retailers?
“Sell a good quality product from companies which stand behind their products and take care of the issues quickly to help maintain customers,” he says.
