In today’s online ordering world, what makes a person choose to come into a brick-and-mortar store and work with associates in person? A unique, boutique experience that does nothing but add value to the customers’ buying journey.

Within the context of talking about the future business climate, one table observed showrooms are “staying busy, but single order values are declining.”

During my 2022 travels, I have noticed one combined practice that both delights and concerns me. Many salespeople and trade professionals have consciously sped up their product selection process by condensing the sales/selection process.

Any business can install factory displays side by side, set a few toilet, cabinet, mirror and faucet looks and declare the space a decorative plumbing showroom.

These exclusive trainings are sponsored by LR Brands — An Oatey Innovation, and will give members access to best practice tips, to be used both personally and professionally, as well as coveted general advice from experts belonging to one of the world’s most renowned etiquette institutions.

Defining product market fit is not an easy task for a stand-alone decorative plumbing showroom. It's especially complicated for showrooms that are a part of a multi-product brand that may supply PVF targeting plumbers, HVAC targeting builders or any of the many building products with re-distribution models.

Once again, Martin, the spokes-gecko for Geico insurance company, is rambling on about their amazing customer call center, immediate, on-the-job appraisals, replacement value and tremendous low rates. We hear the same tired story from Allstate, Progressive, State Farm and all the insurance companies. It’s at the point where they never say the word insurance.  That is because they are not selling insurance, they are selling peace of mind. Should anything happen to you or a member of your family they will make it all better. You have nothing to worry about.

We are now in the new year and are still being assaulted with everyone’s thoughts on what will be trending in 2022. During the last few weeks, people and companies have been enlightening us as to what they think will happen in the new year. It seems everyone is chipping in their predictions on everything from this year’s hot colors to the Dow Jones Industrials. Please, no one can consistently call the future, unless they are the source of the future, and, you know, the best decorative plumbing showrooms can be that type of source. Every product, brand and display you have added or changed is a reach into the future of decorative plumbing products in your market, and you should be damn proud of that. 

The nasty secret that we decorative plumbing folks hold close to our vest is that only a handful of architects, designers, builders and maybe a homeowner or two have the ability to completely design, procure and build the bathroom that they envision. 

We’re almost through the second year of the pandemic and vendors and showrooms are boldly sharing what they think will be popular in 2022. A common thread in many of these predictions is that people are starting to work bold colors and patterns into rooms. This simple prediction tells me it is time for the decorative plumbing industry to move outside — way outside — the chrome and white box.