Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2020 20 Zephyr, the company that continues to lead the specialty appliance category with thoughtful product design and innovative new technology, today introduces the industry-first range hood with built- in Bluetooth ® stereo speakers. Roma Groove helps home chefs find their rhythm in the kitchen with the ability to stream playlists from various Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones and tablets. With its quality sound, powerful performance and striking contemporary design, Roma Groove turns the kitchen into the ultimate listening lounge. A $200 upgrade from the standard Roma Wall model, Roma Groove delivers high-tech kitchen technology without the high price tag of a complete sound system overhaul. "Incorporating Bluetooth technology into specialty appliances such as the range hoods redefines how these products are perceived in kitchen design," says Luke Siow, Zephyr President. "Roma Groove takes center stage in the kitchen and contributes to an upbeat environment that is inviting for family and friends. It transforms the space from a utilitarian kitchen to the ultimate listening lounge." Roma Groove offers key functionality such as playing/pausing music, skipping tracks, or changing the volume directly from the hood itself using the built-in Bluetooth controls. Available in 30- and 36-inch widths, Roma Groove frees up counter space and eliminates the need for a separate Bluetooth speaker. Equipped with ICON Touch ® controls, Roma Groove includes Zephyr BriteStrip™ LED and dual-level LED lighting that illuminates the cooking surface and lends an intimate glow to the kitchen at night. Additional features include five speed levels, auto delay off, baffle filters, and a 600 CFM Internal Blower with ACT 390/290 CFM. MSRP: $999. For more information, visit zephyronline.com. IMC'S HIGH POINT VIRTUAL MARKET FEATURED STRONG ENGAGEMENT, PRODUCT DISCOVERY AND CONNECTIONS International Market Centers' (IMC) first-ever High Point Virtual Market Experience ended on a high note, with record engagement on the IMC High Point Market website generated by thousands tuning in for educational content and using product discovery tools. Anecdotally, exhibitors also reported strong lead generation as well as order writing during the three-week-long event. "The Virtual Market experience delivered on IMC's promise of content, community and connections for the home furnishings industry during a time of market disruption," said Bob Maricich, chief executive officer for IMC. "Positive feedback from buyers and suppliers, as well as strong web analytics for IMCHighPointMarket. com showed how hungry people were for information and inspiration during a time of social distancing." STRONG PARTICIPATION IN VIRTUAL MARKET ACTIVITIES During the three-week Virtual Market Experience, thousands tuned into the IMC High Point Market website to experience educational and inspirational programming, including 27 content- rich webinars, IMC's first-ever Virtual Showhouse, IMC's Market Snapshot and TrendWatch programs, the Market Preview, an exhibitor product showcase, trade publication previews and an Instagram Takeover with industry influencers. In total, IMC delivered marketing value to 373 of its High Point Market customers through programming and product discovery tools. Robust participation led to deep engagement across the IMC High Point Market website and IMC DesignOn High Point Market social media platforms, with triple and quadruple percentage gains in almost every key online category. The website experienced year-over-year increases in users (+634 percent), pageviews (+1,745 percent) and sessions (+765 percent). The Facebook page had month-over-month increases in impressions (+560%) and engagement (+432%), and Instagram engagement (+123%) also increased. Zuo Modern, an IMC tenant that participated in the Virtual Market through Catalog Connexion and the Exhibitor Showcase, noted a 27-percent increase in web traffic, saw 53 new customer applications in a five-day span and identified IMC as a top-5 traffic driver to its website. "We have benefited tremendously from IMC's digital initiatives. It is nice to know that they are overcoming the circumstances to bring new beneficial technology and talent to the table," Zuo Modern CEO Luis Ruesga said. PRODUCT DISCOVERY TOOL CATALOG CONNEXION SEES STRONG NUMBERS As an added benefit of the Virtual Market experience, retailers and designers accessed new and best-selling products through Catalog Connexion, a keyword-searchable catalog library powered by IMC di, IMC's Digital Innovation division. Both content and engagement were robust during the event, with more than 550 vendor catalogs representing 54,234 pages of products available for browsing. By the end of the event, 13,840 visitors viewed a total of 396,343 catalog pages. IMC tenants with the highest number of catalog page views were Eurostyle, A&B Home, Bungalow Five, Chelsea House, Adriana Hoyos Furnishings, Cyan Design, Simply Amish, Alder & Tweed, Coast to Coast Imports, Phillips Collection and Global Views. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ]

• Cover