Furniture First NextGen members enjoyed a catamaran cruise. Photo courtesy of Furniture First.
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — National independent retail buying group Furniture First welcomed 48 NextGen individuals from 26 member stores to a four-day, three-night trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, recently.
Two of Furniture First’s supplier partners sponsored the trip and attended, as did several Furniture First staff members. The resort setting allowed the attendees to relax and have fun while networking in an informal setting.
In organized activities NextGen members worked on team building by enjoying a round of Furniture First Family Feud and by working together in teams as they raced to assemble tropical-themed Lego sets. More serious sessions included troubleshooting and Best Practice sessions where topics ranged from traffic-driving promotions to the management of corporate culture and RSA morale. After a catamaran excursion that included snorkeling in the gulf, the group capped their retreat with a private dinner.
“We like to take our NextGen members to a setting outside of their stores,” said Mack Kauffman, director of sleep products at Furniture First and NextGen program coordinator. “Yeah, they have fun networking by the pool and going on excursions, but being away from things is part of the point. They are doing it in a place removed from the regular pressures of store operations where they can get some distance from what can sometimes be difficult interpersonal dynamics. It helps them to take a step back and compare notes with others in similar situations, then look at things from a different point of view and find a way to navigate their challenges.”
To participate in Furniture First’s NextGen group, individuals must be a part of the current generation’s succession plan.
“We’re reading about store retirements all the time and I think there will be more to come in 2025, 2026 and beyond. And it’s a shame since many of these stores have been operating for 30 years, 50 years or more,” said Furniture First CEO Andrew Kauffman. “Taking over a retail store is daunting. Our goal is the help train the next generation of retail leaders, so they are ready to take the helm and not just keep the family store afloat but equip them with the skills and knowledge to adapt and grow in the future.”
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