KBB - February 2014 - 44

DEALER DISH

The ideal showroom layout should be
highly organized, with multiple samples
available. At the Jennifer Gilmer
showroom, refreshments are offered,
and customers can even get a glimpse
of how the coffee makers work.

What kinds of showroom tools would be helpful to you when
planning your design projects?
Some of my clients want to shop alone and then get my opinion to
decide on their final selections. Having a salesperson who can help - and
not discourage - the client and then accurately report to me so I can
guide that client is very important. Clients should walk in, immediately be
greeted and asked about project budget and timeline and then told to
go to specific areas that cater to their price points. This saves my clients
money because they use less of my time and can get a better overall
value. It helps to have samples to send home with the clients so they can
see the products in their space and lighting, too.
Showrooms where there is a broad product selection with some
cash-and-carry and some made-to-order options are ideal. Knowing if
the manufacturer responds quickly to installation questions and product
problems is important.

down and see manufacturer product binders to help with final selections
would be nice. If those products were on the computer and easy to review
- even better. Showrooms should have areas based on price points so the
client can stay in their "area," too.

What about showroom design would be helpful to you in terms
of an easy, efficient shopping process?
The ability for the client to research at home, go and see what they like
and get immediate accurate details to help them leave with a complete
purchase list is the most efficient use of a showroom. If there was a way
to have this happen consistently from start to finish, the client would be
happy and the process very efficient.

Lauren Levant Bland

Is there anything regarding technology in showrooms that would
be helpful?

Designer with Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Md.

The ability to scan bar codes with a cell phone and get product
information would be very helpful, especially in terms of assembly and
installation. Having the client selections downloadable and transferable
to me would be a bonus. Having the ability to connect to Houzz or Pinterest with their product selections would be a helpful avenue.

What are some things about showroom shopping that
frustrate you?

Does the way a showroom is laid out have an affect on your
experience?

What kinds of showroom tools would be helpful to you when
planning your projects?

Yes, if the showroom has life-sized vignettes, nearby samples to choose
from and detailed manufacturer product information, that is most helpful.
Any tool that helps the client understand product sizes, heights and spacial
considerations during the first appointment is ideal. Having a place to sit

In kitchen and bath design, homeowners and designers need to have
access to a lot of products - they need to have samples at their fingertips.
In our showroom, we designed 10-12 display areas of different sizes, and
our samples are in drawers - not cluttering up the space. We have ample

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K BB

Some showrooms have products and samples unorganized everywhere, which clouds over the potential for customers to see themselves
in a particular space.

February 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - February 2014

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