![]() Seaman hired Jeff Finkle to head the demographic searches and real estate acquisitions. He knew that he wanted to open a lot of stores quickly, and planned to begin with approximately 18 in west and central Florida. The elder Seaman told Van Steenburgh that Rooms To Go will succeed because his son is a "born merchant" with a simple business philosophy: "work." For his part, Jeffrey Seaman has stated that the almost immediate success of the company could not have been possible without his father's input, according to an interview with Young Mi Kim in High Points.Īlthough the Florida market was intensely competitive, Jeffrey Seaman decided to locate his headquarters and first stores there because of the availability of good, affordable locations-and the desirable living environment. Morty Seaman, although not involved with the day-to-day operations of the business, assumed the role of advisor to his son, helping with strategic decisions, marketing, and some of the buying and planning. Seaman's impressive reputation within the industry persuaded the seasoned executives to accept the risk involved in starting up a new business. Comfortable with sharing authority and information, Seaman put together an impressive executive management team which included Gerard Benatar, former vice-president of furniture fashion at Macy's in New York and Barker Brothers in California Jeff Finkel, former vice-president of real estate at Toys 'R' Us and Harmon Jones, former director of construction for Bally Health Club and Spas. Seaman knew that he wanted to run at least a medium-sized business and would need a team of experienced help to do so. I wanted my stores to look very 'Gappish'-uniform, colorful, interesting and open." He decided to adopt a slogan: "Buy a piece, save a little. ![]() I was really impressed with The Limited and The Gap. He told Van Steenburgh: "I visited not only furniture retailers, but clothing retailers, toy retailers, and department stores. Before he began developing his ideas he spent a significant amount of time researching various retail outlets across the country. He envisioned a different merchandising approach and was anxious to combine his past experience in the furniture business with a new concept for a retail operation. Fox division of May Department Stores." The company was crippled by debt until it emerged from bankruptcy in 1992.īy then, Jeffrey Seaman had decided that it was time that he establish his own business. Serra, former president and CEO of the G. But in February 1989, four months after a major financial restructuring designed to reduce the company's debt burden, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts replaced the Seamans with Matthew D. According to Deena Van Steenburgh of Furniture Retailer, "Father and son stayed on board briefly as chief executive officer and president. Jeffrey was only 28 at the time, but shouldered a large portion of the buying duties for the company, and along with his father developed an overseas program during Seaman's restructuring phase. ![]() ![]() for $350 million, burdening the company with substantial debt. In 1988 Seaman's Home Furnishings was taken over in a leveraged buyout by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. His father, Morty, an astute entrepreneur, was president of Seaman's at that time. While still in school, Jeffrey spent ten summers working for his grandfather, and after graduating from college he continued with the family business, becoming vice-president by the time he was 23. Both had worked in the retail furniture store of Jeffrey's grandfather, Julius Seaman, who founded a Woodbury, New York-based home furnishings company in 1934. The company was founded by Jeffrey Seaman and his father, Morty Seaman. Chief competitors include Levitz, Kane's, Rhodes, and Roberds. Rooms To Go promises customers the convenience of delivery within one week (typically), appealing to buyers who would rather not wait the many weeks or months it sometimes takes the competition to deliver. Company designers coordinate complete room sets, choosing colors, fabrics, styles, and furniture groupings, which are priced at a significant discount when purchased as a set. The company is organized around the concept of convenience, as implied by the "Rooms To Go" name. ![]() The privately owned company markets its products primarily in the southeastern United States and in 14 foreign countries. Furniture/Today ranked Rooms To Go as one of the top four furniture stores in the United States, where in terms of sales the company is the fastest-growing furniture retailer. Rooms To Go Inc., a low- to mid-priced furniture store chain, has rapidly expanded to more than 60 stores since opening in 1990. ![]()
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