In retail, two of the most important factors in creating good customer experiences are the expertise of your staff and the way your store is merchandised. For Casual News Now’s Best in Casual Awards, sponsored by Snap Finance and presented in partnership with the International Casual Furnishings Association and Andmore, we received nominations for Best Casual Merchandising and Best Retail Sales Associate. Here, we share the finalists. Join us on July 15 at the ICFA Birthday Bash and Kickoff Party at Casual Market Atlanta to celebrate the winners.
Casual Merchandising
Casual Furniture World
With locations in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Casual Furniture World has outfitted patios, backyards and other outdoor spaces across the Southeast for 40 years.
Their Greensboro location is housed in a former landscape nursery, affording the store ample room both indoors and out for displaying furnishings, accessories, grills, fireplaces and more from Castelle, Polywood, Telescope Casual, Lloyd Flanders and more. Furnishings are displayed in inviting vignettes complete with custom pillows and cushions made by their own Triad Cushion factory. The merchandising helps customers visualize furnishings in their spaces while also providing on-trend, aspirational styling.
Penn Stone
Located in picturesque Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Penn Stone specializes in hardscapes and masonry, as well as outdoor furniture and kitchens, fireplaces, accessories and more from brands such as Tropitone, Homecrest, Barlow Tyrie, Fermob and more.
The store’s exterior space gives customers the chance to see the array of hardscape and masonry choices available, outfitted with furnishings and grills to show customers how they can complete their dream patio. Inside, furniture displays offer more inspiration with decor, lighting and other accessories completing each vignette.
Sunnyland Outdoor Living
They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and Sunnyland Outdoor Living in Dallas and Frisco fills its stores with vignettes illustrating how to outfit those Texas-sized exterior rooms.
Vignettes featuring spacious sectionals, generous deep seating and expansive dining tables illustrate how even the widest of wide-open outdoor spaces can be stylish and comfortable. And Sunnyland also provides furniture and accessories for the most petite of urban patios, as well, along with a range of grills, firepits and everything else you need to complete an outdoor room. The store carries brands such as OW Lee, Polywood, Tuuci, Lane Venture and more.
Retail Sales Associate
Austin Woodcock
Perhaps even more than sales numbers, customer reviews truly reflect how well a retail sales associate does their job. Take, for example, Sunnyland Outdoor Living’s Austin Woodcock, who works at the Texas retailer’s Dallas location.
“Austin has a good attitude, doesn’t get involved in office politics and ensures that his customers are taken care of,” said Brad Schweig, Sunnyland Outdoor Living. “Even in our slow months, Austin is consistently coming up on top with our clients, and his numerous reviews show it.”
Peruse Sunnyland’s five-star reviews online, and you’ll often see Austin’s name mentioned:
“I had such a wonderful experience at this store. What made it even better was my salesman Austin Woodcock. He was so patient with my husband and I as we were so indecisive. I highly recommend this store and Austin.”
“What a great experience. Austin was our sales representative. He was knowledgeable and thorough, taking notes throughout the process. Never pushy, asked a lot of good questions, made solid recommendations and put a lot of professional pride into his work.”
“Working with the Sunnyland team to purchase new furniture for our patio was a dream. Austin was extremely patient, quickly answering all our questions and returning our calls and coming up with creative ways to allow us to ‘see’ the furniture fabric without going into the store. Austin and Beth worked hand in hand to make the delivery process painless. … Austin followed up throughout the process to ensure we were always informed of the delivery status.”
These are just a sampling of Woodcock’s online accolades, making it easy to see why he was nominated for this award.
William Woodard
In less than five years, William Woodard has made an indelible mark on the sales team at Offenbacher’s in Annapolis, Maryland. Starting as a sales associate, Woodard has climbed the ladder to assistant store director, merchandise coordinator and most recently being named director of stores for Offenbacher’s four locations.
In those roles, Woodard has worked with customers, created and implemented a sales training program, coached sales teams and consistently ranked among the top three performers across the company.
“William is an amazing salesperson,” said Jessica Salisbury, business development manager, Polywood. “He is a young and highly motivated professional who is quickly rising to the top at Offenbacher’s.”
Monique Wood
After working for some years in real estate and hospitality, Monique Wood made the leap into the furniture industry working for Houzz and Spanish outdoor furniture brand Hector Landgrave Furniture. And in 2020, she combined her expertise in furnishings and hospitality when she took on the role of hospitality and design contract sales associate at Outdoor Elegance in La Verne, California.
Wood collaborates with designers, project managers, architects and developers to specify outdoor furnishings for projects such as luxury hotels, commercial developments, restaurants, wineries, country clubs and more.
“Monique is such a strong sales associate who strives to make sure her customers have the outdoor space of their dreams,” Salisbury said. “She retains information so well and shows great customer service skills.”
