Kanes Furniture Store Shakes A Leg When National Competitor Opens Next Door.

Imagine looking out the window of your longtime, family-owned furniture business and seeing the glow of torchieres emanating through the glass of your new neighbor’s massive storefront. That’s what happened when Rooms To Go -- self-proclaimed as America’s No. 1 independent furniture company -- opened this weekend right next door to Kanes of Sarasota, the city’s “oldest fine furniture store” founded in 1950.

Kanes knows a thing or two about Florida-style furniture fashion, finishes and fabric. According to its website, it’s furnished more homes in the area than any other store, plus it continually updates its selections.

On Rooms To Go’s opening day, Kanes predictably ran a newspaper ad in the same section where the giant retailer’s ad appeared.

Only it wasn’t your ordinary sales ad. Instead, Kanes’ headline in big letters read, "WE WELCOME 'ROOMS TO GO' TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD." The ad went on to say, “We always welcome responsible competition to the marketplace. It’s the backbone of good American business.” Readers were then invited to shop Kanes' entire stock of furniture, all specially priced to “celebrate the arrival” of its new neighbor.

HQ applauds Kanes’ smart strategy. The small retailer could have tried to pull the rug out from under Rooms To Go’s feet with a more aggressive message, but instead, it welcomed the furniture giant and reminded readers of Kanes’ newly designed model rooms and vignettes.

Nice job, Kanes. But one thought to put on the table should you decide to run the ad again: Don’t make the “Rooms To Go” name so honkin’ big in your headline. It overshadows your logo big time and makes your ad look like a Rooms To Go ad (which Rooms To Go probably doesn't really mind too much).

Yours very truly,

HQ

Mothers® Car Wax and Mother’s Day.

Just so you know, I posted today's blog entry without researching the Mothers® Car Wax brand.

All I know is that Mothers® has been around forever and that in my opinion, it’s the best car wax on the market.

Ironically, and most unexpectedly, a couple without children decided the family car needed to be waxed today -- on Mother’s Day.

Well, truth be told, it was the husband's idea. His wife thought the car looked just fine.

So I watched and listened. The woman thought the wax smelled good. Her husband didn’t say a word. He just kept polishing.

And when his wife remarked how beautiful the shine was, he said something about carnauba and that it comes from a palm somewhere in Brazil.

Harlequin Cat just thought it was cool that on Mother’s Day a car-wax brand called Mothers® could literally outshine the jewelers and florists of the world.

I wonder if Mothers® ever thought about this. Like I said, I didn’t research the brand.