Conference chairman Mark Bridge said the LAPADA survey had highlighted exactly those areas to be explored at the conference which is jointly organised by all the major trade associations.
“Nearly 70 per cent of dealers are citing changes in fashion and 50 per cent negativity in the media as major problems, but these are factors that can be influenced,” he said. “Couples furnishing their homes are already the most important category of buyers and there is huge potential there if we can get the right message across. The conference will identify those areas where the trade has unexplored advantages in the current retail market and then show how dealers can exploit them, either individually or collectively.
“These are issues that have obviously struck a chord with dealers and the steering committee has been delighted with the take-up so far, but we believe this is an important event and will make room for as many members of the trade as we can,” he added.
An enrolment form appears on page 44.
Conference to tackle key issues
Key trade issues raised in this week’s news pages will be addressed at the Art of Dealing conference at Earls Court on May 16.
