đ Buying furniture isnât just about picking pretty piecesâitâs an art, a science, and sometimes involves a tiger. (Yes, really.)
Join Mark Kinsley as he chats with Ashley Kaminiski, a powerhouse buyer at American Furniture Warehouse (AFW) whoâs shaping how people shop for their homes. With 15 years in the industry and a keen eye for trends, Ashley spills the secrets of furniture buying, customer behavior, and what itâs like working alongside the legendary Jake Jabs. They cover everything from surprising furniture trends (why are Arizonians obsessed with fireplaces?) to AFWâs unconventional approach to sales (no up system, no problem!). If youâve ever wondered what it takes to move a billion dollars worth of sofasâor how tigers helped sell furnitureâyou donât want to miss this episode!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1ïžâŁ Furniture trends are tricky. Customers love classic styles but will dip a toe into trendsâif the price is right.
2ïžâŁ Speed matters. AFWâs privately owned structure allows it to make decisions and move inventory faster than corporate competitors.
3ïžâŁ No pressure sales work. Instead of aggressive upselling, AFW lets customers pick their salespersonâleading to better customer relationships and trust.
Tags: furniture retail, furniture buying, interior design, American Furniture Warehouse, AFW, furniture trends, home decor, furniture sales, customer experience, retail business, Jake Jabs, mattress industry, home shopping, home design, marketing strategy, retail growth, furniture marketing