Glen Raven retains outdoor living specialist

26 Mar '11

2 min read

As part of its continuing focus on promoting the outdoor room concept with consumers, Glen Raven has retained the services of a nationally recognized outdoor living specialist, Marcia Blake. Blake will work with the Glen Raven marketing and sales teams to further develop a Sunbrella fabric kiosk program and Solair awning program at specialty retail.

The Sunbrella kiosk program from Glen Raven provides consumers with information on Sunbrella fabric design options and access to cut yardage. The new Solair retractable awning program includes in-store awning displays and assistance with retractable awning installation. Both programs will help to transform decks and patios into outdoor rooms.

"Marcia is helping us combine the knowledge and experience of specialty retailers with her own design expertise and aesthetic for outdoor spaces," said Suzie Roberts, vice president and business manager for decorative fabrics for Glen Raven. "By promoting the outdoor room, we believe we can create growth opportunities for our retail specialty partners."

Blake, president and creative director of Outdoor Interiors, will work with specialty retailers to gain a better understanding of current best practices. At the same time, she will offer her assistance as a consultant and design authority focused on outdoor lifestyles.

"Specialty retail is the ideal venue for marketing the outdoor room to consumers," Blake said. "The goal we share with patio stores is making this concept come to life through merchandising, visual displays and integration with the sales process. Our success will result in a more enjoyable shopping experience for consumers and opportunities for retailers to offer not just one or two products, but an entire lifestyle."

Blake's company, Outdoor Interiors, is a full-service design firm specializing in creating outdoor environments, including her own collection, Outdoor Couture. Through her company's website, Blake is the author of a blog, "retail-ol-ogy," which also appears online and offers merchandising and visual display recommendations. She is also a regular contributor to national consumer and trade magazines in the home segment and a sought-after speaker.

"Marcia's design and merchandising talent, along with her love of the outdoors, will help elevate the specialty retail segment as a lifestyle destination," said Hal Hunnicutt, vice president of marketing for Glen Raven."

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