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 outstanding people and companies in the casual industry. Here, we share the winners, who were honored at the ICFA Birthday Bash at Casual Market Atlanta.
Full-line Retailer: Furnitureland South
This store boasts 30,000 square feet of outdoor showroom space, featuring a wide array of casual furnishings displayed in immersive vignettes that take customers onto a shady Southern front porch, alongside a rustic lakefront and past soothing coastal vistas.
Social Media: Uttermost
This company’s social media immerses viewers in not only product, but the lifestyle of the brand, giving a richer, fuller picture of the company’s outdoor ethos. Social channels incorporate images and video that take viewers on showroom tours, into factories to see artisans hand-weaving products, and behind the scenes to get to know the people behind the 50-year-old brand.
Community Service: Sunnyland Outdoor Living
Each fall, this retailer brings some of the most skilled chefs in its region to whip up culinary creations on Big Green Egg grills at the North Texas EggFest. While attendees enjoy sampling those dishes, the real treat comes in the impact the event has on the community, raising thousands of dollars for nonprofits.
Outdoor Design: Ryan Hughes Design Build
Spanning 14,500 square feet, this outdoor oasis in Tampa, Florida, features a 6,400-square-foot pool that includes an island, sunken spa and fire lounge, and boasts more than 5,700 square feet of sleek glass tile. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, dining and lounge area set the scene for entertaining.
Retail Sales Associate: Austin Woodcock, Sunnyland Outdoor Living
Customer reviews truly reflect how well a retail sales associate does their job. This associate’s reviews describe him as knowledgeable, thorough, patient, creative and someone who puts a lot of professional pride in his work.
Casual Merchandising: Casual Furniture World
This retailer’s newest location is housed in a former landscape nursery in Greensboro, North Carolina, affording the store ample room both indoors and out for displaying furnishings, grills, accessories, fireplaces 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.
