Completing the Table Presentation
I find that textiles are an often overlooked category in the gourmet space, yet have the ability, with minimal investment, to change the table scene or set the mood in such a way that it can transform the table and even add a touch of class. Using textiles allows consumers to be creative and add flair without making a permanent change. When you are done with the textiles, you can fold them up and put them back in the drawer for another day.
The simple addition of tablecloths and napkins can add instant color and texture to the table that creates visual interest ... a feast for the eyes, as they say. Since we are supposed to eat with our eyes as well as our mouth, it can introduce an additional element to the appetizing nature of a meal. Like china and flatware, textiles represent a simple solution to transform the table to a more casual presentation or an elegant arrangement, based on the situation.
For those stores that have the ability to display a table set- ting, I think showing different looks throughout the seasons will certainly add to your success in selling products in this category. If you don’t currently have a table on your display floor, have you thought about carving out some space that will allow you to show various flatware, china, table decorations and textiles? I think it will add a great deal of visual interest to your current merchandise display.
Home decorating can be a bit of an obsession, and that
propensity for consumers to desire and welcome change makes it a great busi- ness. Once you start, it’s hard to stop. They sell a lot of paint to consumers at Home Depot because it has the abilty to change the look of a room with modest effort and minimal cost. If you successfully paint one room and love the end result, chances are you will find another room to paint. With textiles, we are simply painting the table.
The other aspect of the textile business that I find alluring is the add-on-sale nature of it. You start by buying a tablecloth. But, wait, the placemats have to match. And don’t forget about the napkins. Then there is the matching apron and oven mitt. Each element is not very expensive, but when you add it all up, you have made a pretty nice sale.
I hope our feature this issue (“Spring Fling,” page 8) will inspire you to add to your current assortment, or consider establishing the category in your merchandise mix for the first time. If you experiment and find the right look for your clientele, I think you will discover a great business.
David Spencer
Publisher, Gourmet Business
President, HousewaresDirect, Inc.
dspencer@gourmetbusiness.com