Windows of Opportunity
When today's homeowners want to spruce up their homes, they don't want to run around town with furniture swatches, paint chips and carpet samples.In responding to this latest crunch, major suppliers are presenting innovative options not previously available to make curtains more profitable and space-efficient.James Bugg, president of Decorating Den, the only full-service decorating franchise, agrees: "Married women who work are just too darn busy to run around doing the shopping as they once did.' Bugg's 600-unit Bethesda, Md., franchise calls itself America's first affordable shop-at-home decorating service.Photo: Stocking a first-aid kit for kitty or any other pet is agood way to prepare for possible emergencies.Bill Streb, vice president and CEO of Naked Furniture, says its salespeople receive extensive training in using visual aids to demonstrate product quality and service options.Never leave a pet confined in an overheatedarea, especially if there's poor ventilation.Faced with limited free time that keeps them from shopping at do-it-yourself home centers, many of these homeowners are turning to custom home-decorating and accessory franchises. At least that is what the franchisors of those businesses say.In explaining the thinking that went into Aberdeen's strategy, Devito explained, "We wanted to have the total package. We are already manufacturing curtains and kitchen textiles. The obvious next step was adding the coordinated housewares pieces in the kitchen and dining area. Coordinates are one of the biggest things today."scissors"The customer wants service in the store today, and that's an obvious reflection of demographic changes in our society,' says Houghton Hutcheson, vice president of franchise development of WNS, Inc., which has 650 franchise units in three segments of the decorative accessory and gift market, including candles and fragrances (Wicks "N' Sticks), wall hangings (Deck the Walls) and wallpaper (Wallpapers To Go).Like Decorating Den, other franchised specialty home decorators are emphasizing convenience as well as merchandise.The display system presents the products in a way that is strictly self service. Customers need no sales help. "By purchasing sets, you eliminate the residue of valances and tiers that are out of stock," Frankell explained."People are not as easily able to buy a new home as they were in the past, and once they get into one, they have to stay in it longer,' says Hutcheson."The Future of Franchising,' compiled last year by Megatrends author John Naisbitt and his research group for the International Franchise Association, projects that the remodeling and home-services franchise industry will enjoy 20 percent annual growth, taking the industry from the current $5 billion annually to over $9 billion by 1990.With large pets, such as a Germanshepherd, a modified version of the Heimlich maneuver can be applied to remove an object from the animal's throat. Place the animal on its side, and press below the lowest rib. This isn't recommended for small animals because overzealousness on the wrong location could fracture a rib. If the pet continues to have labored breathing, seek medical help immediately.The feet, tail, ears and muzzle are themost frequently frost-bitten areas. They will feel hard and cold. Thawing should be done slowly and gently. A cold-in-jured area is very delicate, so do not manipulate or massage the area. Instead, apply heated towels, electric blankets, or hot water bottles directly to affected parts. Blow-dryers can also be used, but hold them about 12 inches away, and put the heat setting on low. The pet should be checked by a veterinarian for internal injury.Table: Pet PoisonsCOLD INJURYAlthough the coordinated line will be officially introduced during market week in May, major retailers who have previewed the line are reported to be ready to commit to it.Some chains are cutting back on space for window treatments and others, while not insisting on such reductions, are now starting to make demands for turns and volume that weren't made in previous years.All these innovations are not producing rosy predictions that fixtures, hanger bags and whole new lines or coordinates will cure every ill in the hard and soft window treatment business.Devito said some retailers seem to favor creating facing endcaps to highlight the new program, while others are considering key space in housewares or domestics for both of the lines.Similar to the approach taken by Lees Curtains, Kenney's three-tier drapery hardware merchandising of its polybagged line offers maximum density in limited space.At Kenney, the company continues to emphasize vendor service to its customers through a large field staff that, collectively, made more than 53,000 service calls last year.Impulse buys do not disappear when the economy is sluggish, he says, they just become more sensible. Gone are the cruises, luxury cars and other big-ticket items, but home decorating is still seen as an investment.hydrogen peroxideHere's how to put that first-aid kit touse. But remember, unlike treating humans (usually), giving first aid to an animal involves the risk of an accidental bite. If you think a bite is likely, it's best to take the pet directly to a veterinarian.Heatstroke, or hyperthermia, is mostprevalent when the outdoor temperature rises to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's been reported at temperatures as low as 90 F. Many cases occur when a pet is left a hot car. Or, a pet may be outdoors on a rope or chain, and overexerion due to excitement brings on heatstroke. Other contributing factors include lack of water, obesity, and breed predisposition--the bone structure of the muzzle in breeds with a face like a bull-dog's may cause breathing difficulties. Dogs are more vulnerable to heatstroke than cats.More than any other demographic trend, the emergence of families in which both husband and wife work-- and the resulting lack of spare time-- has fueled the growth of the industry, according to Hutcheson.gauze, to wrap a broken or cut leg orto tie around the muzzle to prevent bitingscotch tape, to hold a temporary bandageSeveral major retailers have already decided to test the new system, including K mart, Jamesway, Ann & Hope and McCrory's.a small blanketHEATSTROKE
PHOTO: Lido Mazzei, up, sales for Lees Curtains, explains the advantages of the firm's new fixture.
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