That the last year and a half has totally revolutionized our work, our life, our movements and our social relationships is now evident. However, it is important to keep in mind that consumer buying habits have inevitably changed as well.

The furniture sector , by its very nature made up of direct contact and moments of pure sensory experience in showrooms and sales outlets , is one of those that most have had to deal with the so-called ” new normal “.

How has consumption changed for this particular industry, for which we too have carried out countless projects over the years?

How the furniture industry changes after COVID-19

In Italy alone, the interior design sector alone accounts for 5% of GDP with a total of 29,000 companies throughout the country. Made in Italy , in furnishing, is also synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, tradition and excellence all over the world.

In broader and more general terms, we discover that the American Institute of Architects has highlighted in the last year an increase in requests for the construction of home offices (68% of the 425 companies interviewed underline this), a greater search for eco -sustainability , of brightness and contact with the outside through solariums, porches, balconies, verandas and outdoor furniture (33%), and also a surge of customized projects for the so-called ” filter zones “, rooms in the house designed to house objects such as shoes and coats, ie elements that have had contact with the outside potentially contaminated. We are presenting only a few data, but which already make us understand the importance of this particular industry (of which Italy has always been one of the main drivers) on the world-wide market .

And again, according to the recent report ” The future of Home 2030 “, the trends to keep an eye on in furnishing , at least for the next decade, will all gravitate around the concept of home-island : the home will increasingly become a multifunctional place where you can relax, play sports, read and enjoy the infotainment , but also work . Furniture in antibacterial materials such as copper, cork, glass, but also accessories such as air purifiers and flexible filtration systems will be increasingly in demand. And then make way for the partitioning systems of the interior spaces to createflexible homesthat focus on multitasking , and experiential environments made of gaming and digital décor, interactive lighting, furnishing solutions designed for home automation, high-speed connections and to accommodate elements of immersive decoration. Spaces made of a lot of technology on the one hand and natural materials and material experiences on the other.

An indoor, therefore, which almost gives the sensation of being an outdoor or at least in communication with it, and which will be increasingly connected to the rest of the world .

In an interesting study last spring, Randstad shows us on the other hand that only 4.5% of Italian companies specializing in interior design work online , and that this approach has been able to make a difference in 2020 , when online purchases of this type of product increased by 30%. Not bad, considering that, according to InterniMagazine , in the first half of 2020 there was a drop in sales on the domestic market equal to -25%!

This is the confirmation of what was already easy to guess, namely that even an industry that has ” grown up” through its physical contact points must now necessarily turn (also) to digital platforms to give back an experience to potential buyers. purchase as much as possible to what they would experience during a visit to the store.

And if, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, the idea of ​​a Digital Transformation for the furniture sector could have been a bit scary, over the months it has proved to be the winning direction, so much so that it has opened up unprecedented and unexpected earning opportunities. and new (and virtuous) opportunities for relationships with customers and leads. Therefore, new digital figures emerge in addition to the well-known managerial roles of Commercial Director, Export Manager, International Manager and Marketing Director: these are the E-commerce Managers , in charge of managing the online platforms and coordinating the digital team; ofDigital Marketing Managers who deal with online strategy; and highly technical niche figures such as Web Designers , SEO / SEM Specialists , Social Media Managers , Content Managers , Digital Insight Analysts .

All these figures, in rigorous synergy , can now offer effective responses to the change in consumption in the furniture industry.

What is a sales process and how it can be implemented digitally

To understand the profound revolution that has affected the customer purchasing process , it is first of all necessary to understand what is meant by ” sales process “.

In this way we define the whole set of activities and strategies – from the most important ones, such as consultancy or the actual commercial proposal, to those so-called “corollary” such as technical and stylistic support – aimed at selling a determined product according to a series of precise steps.

In fact, the sales process follows and favors the customer’s purchase decision in an increasingly multichannel way, even in the furniture sector : compared to a few years ago, the consumer now uses the network for all the preliminary stages to the purchase. real, looking for reviews and opinions on a particular product, reading insights , looking at photos and videos , comparing prices .

To respond adequately to these new needs, the company must therefore be ready to exploit the full potential of a multi-channel strategy which, from the beginning of 2020, essentially means using the many tools made available by digital platforms .

If, before the health emergency, much of the work was done inside the store , the limitations that have affected the last eighteen months have forced companies to turn to new technologies (in some cases) or to invest ever- increasing budgets in implementation of new online marketing campaigns .

In this sense, well-studied inbound marketing strategies , in which different media operate simultaneously or sequentially on multiple platforms, have often turned out to be the differentiating quid : from the use of Social Media to the implementation of E-commerce channels , from Google Ads to the premium content and services provided on corporate websites; finally to get to the exploitation of video calls and digital meeting places (an example is our new Digital Plaza ) it was possible at least to partially dampen the disruptive effect of closures and lockdowns which have hit almost every sector across the board.

It is a trend, that of the purchase of furniture online , now well established and not destined to disappear in the near future: not surprisingly, Hubspot reports that as many as 81% of users normally carry out searches on the net before buying a product . of any type – furniture included. And if once it was only the convenience of online products that led to their purchase via the internet – but often only after having rigorously tested the quality of the furniture in the store – today it is not always possible to go to the physical store.

E – commerce platforms are therefore transformed into ever more advanced , ever more interactive , ever more efficient showcases.

The furniture sector tomorrow: the digital dimension will be enhanced

Enhancing the digital dimension is therefore an imperative that can no longer be transcended even for the furniture sector, and which according to current trends should move according to four main directives :

1. Development of a Social Media Management strategydifferentiated according to the platforms or the target country, to be studied over the medium-long term.
2. Development of an E-mail Marketing strategyto offer users content of value, editorial imprinting, and less sales-oriented.
3. Implementation, management and constant updating of e-commerce platforms, whether they are on proprietary domains or on large sector players (such as Amazon).
4. Immersive digital experiencesto present collections and products remotely in a new and attractive way.

All the ancillary operations for a truly successful digital marketing project for the furniture sector will then obviously be added to these four fundamental steps.

On the one hand, as regards the relationship between company and customer , we will have the implementation of customer care with human staff and live chat or chatbot (virtual assistants who automate the conversation and accompany the visitor towards the electronic purchase); the optimization of deliveries (improved ways and times); new possibilities for customizing the product even remotely.

On the other hand, as regards internal company management , more and more space must instead be allocated to smarketing ; alignment of operations and flows with the help of tools such as CRM and Marketing Automation ; to the flawless coordination not only of the entire production flow, but also of the actions between online and in-store channels.

Have you already thought about how to implement an effective strategy that knows how to combine the advantages of digital platforms with those of in-store presence , for your furniture showroom?

Come and talk about it with NAXA specialists !

Studying in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city, is sure to fully experience all that the Australian way of life has to offer – and that’s no exaggeration. You enjoy contact with nature through several parks (such as the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary), the proximity to several beaches and surf spots (Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, for example) and the vibrant nightlife that brings together exchange students from different parts of the world (Casino Treasury Hotel, Zoo and the famous Brunswick Street).

Not to mention, of course, safety, local quality of life and excellent educational institutions – such as the University of Queensland, elected among the 50 best universities in the world, according to the World University Rankings 2022.

However, those who wish to have the opportunity to work while spending a season in the city need to pay attention to some tips to avoid adversity and facilitate the process of getting a job. With that in mind, we have gathered some of them in this post to help you with your exchange planning. Follow up!

Enroll in an authorized school

The first tip is very simple: enroll in an educational institution that has the authorization of the Australian government to receive students of other nationalities. You can take a general English course, a technical course, an undergraduate or a postgraduate course, for example, according to your needs and objectives.

After all, this is one of the requirements for obtaining a student visa, which is precisely what will give you permission to work while you are in the country – remembering that the work permit is related to the validity of the visa.

To know the status of your school, simply check whether or not it is registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), which is the body managed by the Department of Education and responsible for cataloging colleges, universities, institutes and who are able to offer courses and educational programs for natives and especially foreigners.

Request your Tax File Number (TFN)

To work during your study, you will not only need to have your passport, contact details or proof of accommodation in Brisbane at hand, but also your Tax File Number (TFN) – which can only be done when you arrive in the country and it takes a maximum of 30 days to arrive at your residence.

“But what is this document?”, you might be asking yourself. So, know that it’s a record required in any company – regardless of whether or not it’s in your field of training – so that the guarantee fund can be deducted from your salary. Precisely for this reason, the TFN is mandatory for both natives and foreigners residing in the land of kangaroos.

However, don’t worry! In addition to being quite simple to apply, since the process is all online through the Australian Taxation Office for the Commonwealth of Australia portal, it will help you to apply for a tax refund.

Look for part-time jobs

Keep in mind that when taking courses longer than 14 weeks in Brisbane, you are entitled to work up to 40 hours a fortnight – a simple measure taken by the Australian government to ensure that your studies are not compromised.

Because of this rule, you should only look for jobs that fall into the part-time category, which is called part-time work. Otherwise, you may face problems with the Department of Immigration.

On the other hand, while you are on vacation from the course, there will be no limit to the hours worked – since you are on an official break, whether at school or university. In this case, you will be able to search for full-time vacancies or, if you prefer, divide your time between two part-timers. It’s up to you!

It is worth mentioning that these job opportunities can be both formal and informal in the area of advertising – if this is the university you are studying in your own country, in related areas (design and TV production) or even in different fields, such as hospitality, gastronomy , civil construction, events, attendance and education.

Prepare your CV in English

As you look for job opportunities and find vacancies that catch your eye, it’s essential to start preparing your resume in English – or resume, as it’s called in Australia. After all, without it, it is difficult to apply for vacancies, isn’t it?

But if you’re not sure how to get started, don’t despair! Find an education agency for guidance on what should be included in the document, as it must be well prepared and adapted to the vacancy you are looking for. A good suggestion is to include your academic and professional experiences, your technical knowledge, your skills and even those extracurricular activities you deem appropriate.

Provide the necessary certification to work
Last but not least, stay tuned for the rest of the documentation needed to work during your exchange – this is because the Australian government requires in several areas that the worker has a certification, which is obtained through short courses, in order to perform the duties of the position.

Therefore, it is worth informing yourself in advance about what is required in the position for which you want to send your resume, especially if you intend to work in the most different fields during your study. Some examples of the most common certifications are:
 Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA): for those who will work in bars, pubs and other establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold;
 Blue Card: for those who will carry out activities with children and adolescents in schools, churches, clubs, children’s associations, etc.;
 Diploma of Hospitality: for those who will work with hotels, resorts and restaurants and need to deal with the public, in addition to managing and organizing products from suppliers and inventories;
 First Aid & CPR: for those who will work in education or in the health area providing emergency and first aid services;
 Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG): for those who will work in establishments with gambling.

Did you like the tips for working during your study in Brisbane? So, be sure to put them into practice during your time abroad to have different professional experiences, earn extra income in a legal way, have greater contact with native speakers and gain even more fluency in English!

When talking about the coldest time of the year, it is common to think of bad weather, negative temperatures, heavy clothes and that desire to stay warm inside with lots of blankets and a good hot chocolate. However, this is definitely not the case for winter in New Zealand!

After all, in addition to the fact that this season of the year is not as rigorous in the country as in other parts of the world – with temperatures averaging between 1ºC and 10ºC – there is no shortage of attractions and program options to see and, especially, do during the months of June. to September along the North and South Island.

To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of the top options for you to check out. Thus, there is time to plan to live all these experiences while studying in New Zealand that has emerged as one of the best destinations for those who want to study abroad.

The reason for this? In addition to the excellent educational structure, New Zealand cities are multicultural, have a high rate of quality of life and offer numerous job opportunities. Curious to know more? Then follow along!

Visit Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

For starters, how about the opportunity to get up close and personal with not just one, but two glaciers (Fox and Franz Josef)? Both, in addition to being very close to each other and being over two thousand meters high, are the most famous in the country and attract curious people from different parts of the world.

And the best thing is that you can choose whether you want to admire them from the top of the viewpoints strategically positioned at the end of the trails in the Fox Glacier village – and which run through the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, for example, or if you want to venture in direct contact with the ice.

That’s because there are several tours carried out by professional guides who explore the place promoting hikes in the Glacier Valley and take helicopter rides to the glaciers so you can go hiking and even practice climbing in the Aotearoa region. However, a warning: you need to prepare your breath, because the routes can last up to four hours!

Play a sport in the snow
Another tip to enjoy winter in New Zealand is to practice one or more snow sports, as the South Island has no shortage of ski and snowboard stations – many, in fact, are open seven days a week due to the intense flow of visitors.

Two examples are MT Hutt – which is a 25-minute drive from Queenstown and was voted the best in the entire nation in 2015, 2016 and 2017 – and Treble Cone – which is located in Wanaka and has the largest ski area. in the southern region of the country (more than 500 hectares).

And for those who are not very good or have zero experience in both sports activities, know that, in the seasons, there are the popular snow schools, with instructors, for you to have greater mastery over the instruments during the descents and races!

Soak in a pool or hot spring in Rotorua
Want to scare away any cold sensations? No problem! You can also enjoy the experience of diving in one of the numerous pools and hot springs in the country. After all, in New Zealand there is a lot of geothermal activity due to volcanoes, especially in Rotorua, North Island.

One example is Hell’s Gate, a park that has medicinal lakes, mud pools, spas and cooking pools – which were sources historically used by the Maori people for cooking food and which today are preserved as part of the natives’ culture for visitor appreciation.

In the same area, there is also the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, a complex with dozens of pools – some even with natural waterfalls – that also offers camping areas for those who want to get closer to nature.

Nearby is the Te Manaroa Spring, which is the nation’s largest source of heated and healing water. Also in the same region is Wai-O-Tapu, the largest national geothermal park. It’s worth visiting!

Hike one of the trails in Mount Cook
Another region that attracts many people between the months of June and September is Mount Cook, in Aoraki Mount National Park, near a village with the same name. At over 3,700 meters high, this mountain simply holds the title of New Zealand’s highest peak and has trails that connect it to open fields and snow-covered woods.

Along the way, it’s worth exploring the breathtaking landscapes and sights in the area, such as:
 the bridge in Hooker Valley;
 the secular church of Good Sherperd;
 Lake Pukaki (where it is possible to take tours in small boats);
 the many local glaciers (such as Tasmian, Bonney and Darwin);
 the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – a planetarium where you can observe the stars and planets at night.

Observe marine animals in their natural habitat
In Otago, on the other hand, there is Nugget Point, a lighthouse built on a rock in the 18th century to help embark and disembark boats.

In Otago, on the other hand, there is Nugget Point, a lighthouse built on a rock in the 18th century to help embark and disembark boats and ships in the region. The location is perfect not only for the view of the sea, but especially for watching the sunrise and sunset. At night, he puts on a show on his own.

That’s because you can watch the starry sky while the lighthouse – which is still in operation – illuminates the coast of the small town of Balclutha. But it doesn’t end there, as the place, which looks more like a movie set, still serves as home to several animals, such as penguins, sea lions, birds and even dolphins.

Precisely for this reason, it became an annexed part of the Roaring Bay Penguins & Seals Observatory, one of the country’s marine life observation centers.

Did you see how there is no shortage of options to enjoy winter in New Zealand? Well, now all you have to do is plan to, in your free time from your study abroad, get to know more of the country’s various attractions, have greater contact with local nature and live experiences full of emotion!

Sourcing wholesale apparel for your business may appear to be a challenging task. However, the simplest way to get the best deals on men’s wholesale clothing is to understand that shopping for your business is not the same as buying for yourself.

As a clothing vendor, there are some things you may want to keep in mind when buying wholesale. To help you plan your shopping spree, here are some factors to consider:

Decide What You’re Looking For

When making a purchase from a catalog or online merchant, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Before you go shopping, take some time to figure out what you want. This will allow you to stay focused and save time by not getting sidetracked by items that do not suit your vision.

Men’s wholesale clothing has a wide range of possibilities. So decide what you want to buy, whether it’s t-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, or hoodies.

Keep Your Audience in Mind

Consider what type of apparel men prefer and are interested in. If you’re completely unaware, ask some of the men close to you or check out what other businesses that target to males have. Knowing what your customers want is a key aspect of being a successful clothing vendor. It also can make it easier for you to find the appropriate items to order for them.

Think About Trends

As a clothing vendor, you must be able to keep track of what is popular in the fashion industry and what items are in high demand. You can secure a solid ROI by investing in men’s wholesale clothing that meets these trends, especially if you acquire your stock at a lower price.

Buy from a Reputable Distributor

Find a reliable distributor that can provide you with high-quality items at reasonable pricing. An excellent distributor will have a vast selection of high-quality apparel and accessories. You should also be able to buy in small quantities so that you may try out new products without having to buy in bulk. For example, wholesale 7 is every clothing vendor’s go-to online store these days since they provide fantastic rates on men’s wholesale clothing.

Take Advantage of Online Sales

Use online sales to your advantage since they are a wonderful way to get better bargains. Since online shops have lower operational costs, they may sell their products at a lower price while maintaining the same profit margin. Similar to what Wholesale 7 has to offer because they provide men’s wholesale clothing at a fair price.

Buy from a Reputable Distributor

Find a reliable distributor that can provide you with high-quality items at reasonable pricing. An excellent distributor will have a vast selection of high-quality apparel and accessories. You should also be able to buy in small quantities so that you may try out new products without having to buy in bulk. For example, wholesale 7 is every clothing vendor’s go-to online store these days since they provide fantastic rates on men’s wholesale clothing.

Take Advantage of Online Sales

Use online sales to your advantage since they are a wonderful way to get better bargains. Since online shops have lower operational costs, they may sell their products at a lower price while maintaining the same profit margin. Similar to what Wholesale 7 has to offer because they provide men’s wholesale clothing at a fair price.

Get the Best Deals as a Clothing Vendor

In a nutshell, if you need to source men’s wholesale clothing for your business, be sure to keep all of the things you’ve read here in mind. As a clothing vendor, consider your target market and remember how your ultimate clients prefer to shop. Use online sales to buy in bulk and meet a vendor that can offer you a wide array of great items.