Introduction

It is a safe and productive move to learn from prominent furniture brands to optimise your rattan furniture business plan; here we have summarised the following steps:

1. Research prominent furniture brands specialising in rattan furniture and analyse their business models, marketing strategies, and product offerings
2. Identify successful strategies and tactics these brands use, such as effective branding, pricing, and customer engagement techniques.
3. Evaluate your business plan and identify areas you can improve based on your research of successful brands.
4. Incorporate successful strategies and tactics into your business plan, adjusting them to fit your specific brand and target audience.
5. Continuously monitor and adjust your plan based on customer feedback, industry trends, and performance metrics.

Additionally, networking with professionals in the furniture industry and attending trade shows can provide valuable insights and connections to help optimise your business plan. Remember always to prioritise sustainability and social responsibility in your business practices.

Now let’s continue with the six case studies we’ve curated for you today.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn was founded in 1949 in Chelsea, New York City, by Paul Secon and his brother, Morris. Originally, the store sold seconds and overstocked items from other companies. The store’s popularity grew over time, and in 1986, Williams-Sonoma acquired Pottery Barn.

Today, Pottery Barn is a leading home furnishings retailer, offering a range of furniture, bedding, lighting, decor, and more.

Pottery Barn, headquartered in San Francisco, has over 200 retail stores across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Pottery Barn has also expanded its online presence with a robust e-commerce platform that offers a seamless shopping experience for you.

The company is known for its high-quality products and timeless design aesthetic, which appeals to a wide range of customers.

In recent years, Pottery Barn has focused on sustainability and ethical sourcing, intending to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.

The company’s business-to-business program provides a comprehensive design service for you, a designer or a developer, offering customised solutions to meet your needs, timeline, and budget:

• Your one-stop design destination, from swatches and product availability to dedicated project management.
• Whether you’re a designer or a developer, they can create custom solutions tailored to your project’s needs, timeline, and budget.
• Spotlight projects include AUSTIN Football Club, PETCO Park, and ALSANA eating disorder treatment centre.

Urbanara

Urbanara is a brand offering a range of sustainable and eco-friendly furniture, including recyclable wicker rattan.

Pottery Barn recognises the importance of its entrepreneur’s responsibility to society. To promote sustainability, they believe in reusing materials and strive to enhance the beauty of recycled home accessories.

• Their recycled fibres are made from pre-loved materials like cotton, linen, silk, and plastics such as acrylic and PET, reducing overall consumption.
• Using recycled PET has a lower carbon footprint than virgin PET and emits 75% fewer CO2 emissions than virgin polyester.
• Using recycled materials not only benefits the environment but also has cost-saving benefits and reduced transport costs and emissions.
• This innovative approach gives used plastics a new lease on life as strong, versatile and attractive materials.

URBANARA provides a practical and sophisticated rattan stool and storage box set along with wicker storage baskets made of rattan to treat clothing with utmost care.

At URBANARA, they view home accessories as part of a complete living environment where practicality meets beauty. The selection of raw materials and artisans is carefully made to ensure that only high-quality items are supplied.

H&M HOM

H&M HOME is a worldwide interior brand under the H&M Group that specialises in modern home decor and accessories for various styles and spaces. Originally introduced as a home-textile idea in 2009, it has expanded to numerous markets through shop-in-shops and online platforms. In 2018, H&M HOME also launched its first standalone concept stores. The product range includes top-grade beddings, classic dinnerware, fashionable fabrics, furniture, and lighting fixtures.

H&M Group is working on Sustainability Project to make fashion and design in a way that’s good for people:

• Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate-positive value chain
• Materials & Products: the share of recycled materials increased from 5.8% to 17.9%.

H&M Home Rattan Collection consists of rattan storage baskets, rattan trays, rattan-frame mirrors, rattan boxes, rattan wall shelves, rattan picnic baskets, and rattan candle holders.

This Round Rattan Tray features braided sides and a fixed frame on the legs. Diameter approx.  13 3/4 in.  Height including legs approx. 3 1/2 in.

Industry West

Industry West, a furniture start-up that began life as a business-to-business firm, has seen a surge in sales to individual customers during the pandemic.

CEO Jordan England and co-founder Anne England started the company 10 years ago after ordering furniture from Asia and Europe to furnish their home. They then sold pieces on eBay and launched Industry West’s website, attracting a customer that ordered 90 chairs for a new restaurant, prompting them to pursue B2B sales.

However, 70% of the firm’s sales during the pandemic came from individual consumers. Industry West, which offers mid-century modern and industrial furniture, aims to continue this growth and is forecast to generate sales of almost $40m this year.

The firm is testing new marketing strategies to appeal to consumers and has been working with traditional media brands, increasing customer service and warehouse staff.

The Cane Rattan Storage Bed is a sophisticated and practical addition to any open bedroom space, with its oversized headboard and built-in side tables.  

The bed’s wicker frame features a wrap-around design that creates a cosy nook for restful sleep. Made from solid ash wood, this bed is durable and built to last.

Its delicately woven cane rattan design adds a touch of modern elegance to your bedroom.

The bed’s oversized headboard provides ample storage space, and the built-in side tables can also serve as nightstands for your convenience.

West Elm

West Elm Company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company shares with its staff and customers its operational philosophy as below:

• People-Oriented:

West Elm prioritises great design that benefits people everywhere, supporting ethical production, worker well-being, and economic impact for those behind its products.

• Handmade:

West Elm works with artisan collectives worldwide to preserve their traditional handicrafts and promote sustainable employment opportunities, particularly in rural regions.

• Organic:
• West Elm’s bedding and bath towels made of cotton are 100% sustainably sourced, including organically grown cotton.
• In 2019, they saved 2.3 billion litres of water by using organic cotton sources.
• Their partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative helped train 550+ farmers in more sustainable practices in 2020.
• Sustainability:

For the past four years, they have been the sole home furnishings retailer on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable US Companies list, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.

West Elm has a B2B program like many of its competitors. Here are its business-to-business membership perks:

• Competitive pricing:

You can benefit from member-only discounts that begin at 20%.

• Project management abilities:

The company can handle your projects of any size, thanks to its in-stock products and custom solutions.

• Dedicated customer support:

You can receive assistance with product information, quotes, order placement, installation, and other services.

All-weather wicker rattan outdoor Hurricanes Set of 2 features a natural look and beautiful weaving pattern. A great rattan ambience for outdoor space at night.

CB2

CB2 is a contemporary furniture and home decor brand that has 24 stores spread across the United States. They provide a range of exceptional services, including free design consultations, in-store shopping appointments, and virtual appointments with personal shoppers.

To promote and support Black-owned businesses, artists, and designers, CB2 has committed that by 2024, 15% of their product offerings and collaborations will be represented by Black-owned entities. This initiative is called the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which aims to encourage other major corporations and retailers to dedicate a sustainable and supportive ecosystem for Black-owned businesses to thrive.

The initiative is based on the fact that Black people constitute 15% of the US population, and thus, companies are asked to allocate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned brands. Several prominent brands such as VOGUE, NORDSTROM, SEPHORA, and MACY’S have already pledged their support for this cause.

CB2’s outdoor furniture line showcases a minimalist design with light-coloured finishes and sleek frames, providing exceptional comfort. The collection incorporates premium materials such as teak, rattan, cast resin, white aluminium, terrazzo stone, and more.

HELENA OUTDOOR LOUNGE CHAIR has a vintage look and features undisturbed wicker details that make it perfect for relaxing.

The chair is designed to resemble a woven banana leaf, but it is made from weather-resistant resin rattan, which is more durable and softer than the natural material.

The chair’s tight weave provides comfort with or without a cushion. It comes in 26.8″W x 27.6″D x 28.7″H. It is designed by VUUE and hand-woven using resin rattan with an aluminium frame.

It is suitable for outdoor use but needs to be covered or stored indoors during inclement weather or when not in use. The cover for the chair is sold separately, and it can be cleaned using a soft cloth without abrasive cleaners.

Conclusion

By learning from the above prominent furniture brands, you can gain valuable insights and knowledge on best practices, industry trends, and customer preferences.

It helps you optimise your business plan by incorporating other brands’ successful strategies and avoiding common pitfalls.

Studying other brands can inspire new product designs, marketing approaches, and brand messaging.

By constantly learning from and adapting to the competitive landscape, you can position your rattan furniture business for long-term success and growth.

We at Leisure Touch Rattan are committed to providing you with the most reliable support for wicker rattan material. Our factory prices are stable, and we offer the best product customisation service to meet your specific needs.

Take action today, as time is of the essence!