The Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ in September will go on record as being a key factor in distinguishing Veranda Classics by Foremost as a major player with both indoor and outdoor specialty retailers looking for innovative marketing strategies and creative designs with mass appeal. Danny Jelley, senior vice president of product design and development, outdoor division, for the company, says, “We scored well beyond our ambitious goals. Every person at Veranda Classics gets credit for the results. It was truly a team effort that brought our entire plan into perfect focus. The continuing momentum following Casual Market—and the orders—have us extremely excited about 2015.”

Introductions included 10 complete new collections, the launch of a cutting-edge website that features product videos, and a staggering 164-page catalog. Neil Streitfeld, national sales manager, says, “The ‘Wow!’ as groups toured the showroom was obvious. Current customers could not believe the transformation, and first-time appointments were amazed. We undoubtedly have the best in-store and online selling tools ever. Our design team, headed by award-winning Robert Taunton, gave us eye-opening new looks that brought seasoned buyers back to the showroom repeatedly to make sure they had their markets protected.”

Tim Anderson, executive vice president of the home division for Foremost, says, “It was time, and the die is cast. Foremost is positioned [to make] and committed to making a real statement within the specialty- retail industry. We secured the best, most experienced team; ramped up our company-owned plants; and designed our strategy to attract aggressive, well positioned, top-100-and-beyond retailers. The impact of our efforts has been rewarding.”

To implement its promise of making buying and selling outdoor furniture easier, Veranda Classics leaned on the marketing expertise of industry veteran Deanne & Wayne & co. The interactive online presentation at VerandaClassics.com showcases, in depth, the unique product details for any device, offering fullscreen video for devices where it is allowed. Multiple location images of collections provide optimal selling tools for both online and brick-and-mortar clients.

Wayne Donelson, president of Deanne & Wayne & co., website developer and photographer for Veranda Classics, says, “Danny has always challenged us to knock their socks off; this was a fantastic opportunity to take everything to the next level and think out of the box.”

Foremost Groups define a quarter-century of success. Veranda Classics, the specialty retail brand, is just one of four luxury brands that make up the outdoor division of Foremost. As Jelley summarizes, “In our goal to make Veranda Classics by Foremost the easiest line in the outdoor industry both to buy and to sell, we have expanded our worldwide resources to meet the evolving needs of any specialty retailer, no matter how large.” For more information, go to VerandaClassics.com or contact Neil Streitfeld, national sales manager, at (561) 704-1964 or NStreitfeld@foremostgroups.com.