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HIGH POINT — Palliser’s fall market introductions have been designed with consumer demographics in mind, but the company is taking a unique approach that goes beyond style or color trend.
“This market, we are identifying products that are designed with specialized features to address the needs of life’s stages without sacrificing design, quality or comfort,” said William A. Doherty III, senior vice president, product design and visual merchandising. “We call this product category Palliser Life-Stage, and whether it’s a glider for a new mom, a lift chair for the older generation with mobility issues or a split adjustable bed for those with specific needs that differ from their partner, Palliser has a solution.”
Palliser is also debuting its zero-gravity recline mechanism on 10 of the company’s best-selling triple motor series upholstery items, adding 134 SKUs to the product offering. Officials said the zero-gravity option offers a uniquely supportive recline position that is designed to suspend the body in a neutral position where feet are elevated above the heart.
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“We have always been known for our motion furniture, and within that category, we’ve offered a variety of features and benefits to support the consumers appetite for wellness products,” Doherty said. “With this growing trend — and to help our partners navigate all the options of our program — we have put together a series of icons and messaging under the Life-Stage product grouping, and our goal is to continue to build out this concept to address increasing consumer demand and life’s unique stages along with the challenges they may present.”
Palliser representatives stated that the company’s theme for October market is Moments, Together, and the goal is to create an environment that is “warm, welcoming and luxurious, speaking to the quiet luxury trend.” The warm color palette features neutrals and muted, saturated colors and silhouettes are “appropriately scaled, combined with premium materials and comfort,” an offering that fits into the company’s newly launched Palliser Studio.”
“We will be introducing several new collections as well as building off the success of collections that were introduced in April,” Doherty said. “Charli/Charli Sleep are new companion collections, built off the success of our Laguna/Laguna Sleep programs. Adding another hybrid program that incorporates stationary, motion and sleeper frames to our line, creates countless options and solutions to personalize any space.
“Reece and Luna are two new motion series based on a goal post or wood to the floor mechanism, creating more visually appealing collections. Like other motion collections, they still consist of a high back, providing proper head support, but the overall scale has decreased, and the styling is more refined. Both offer an optional amenities package for customers who’d like to experience additional wellness benefits including multi-setting cycling lumbar massage, heated seats, and a mobile app for more features and an enhanced experience.”
The Palliser team plans to remain diligent in driving Palliser Studio business forward during market and into 2024. Noting a commitment to focus, Doherty said that the company will have opened more than 40 studios in less than six months and hopes to double that number by the end of the year.
“Situated inside retail partners, the studio (store in store) concept offers a unique footprint that varies in size by location of dedicated Palliser space,” Doherty said. “We remain dedicated to elevating the customer experience across all our touchpoints, and the Palliser Studios are our critical retail component to make sure we deliver on our brand promise of ‘enriching your comfort of home.’”
The Palliser Studios feature a curated product offering of personalized premium upholstery with numerous configuration options, cover choices, leg finishes and accessories. Each is equipped with a modern Design Center featuring large-scale fabric and leather swatches as well as the Palliser Interactive Designer, a touch screen experience incorporating 3D modeling technology, live pricing and extensive product information.
Both the Life-Stage product category and Palliser Studio are part of the company’s business strategy centered around “focus,” said Steve Ambeau, chief marketing officer. He added that the Palliser team identified five core focus areas for 2023 that they continue to build on and execute strategy around, all with a goal of building a culture of service.
“Our thoughts go out to those companies that have been recently affected by the current economic conditions and most importantly, the people and their families that have been directly impacted,” Ambeau said. “We wouldn’t ever assume to know what other companies’ unique challenges may be or how best they should navigate them; there are far too many variables to consider.
“When looking at our own environment, our 2023 business strategy was and remains to be centered around one word, focus. We believe it is our path to elevating our performance and it is a world which carries even more weight in difficult economic times. We have five core focus areas this year, and suffice it to say they are centered around people, both our customers and our employees, and ensuring we are actively listening to what they are telling us. Innovation, and finding new ways to reinvent and impact positive change for ourselves and our retailers, as well as building a culture of service, protects the relationships we work so hard to earn.”
