Home Accents Today Honors Four Phoenix-Area “Retail Stars”

Four Phoenix-area retailers have been honored as four of Home Accents Today’s “50 Retail Stars” for 2012.

Scottsdale retailers Abode Fine Living, The Embellished House, and home-ology, and Phoenix-located In the Pink Boutique, were all named to the list by the editors of the market-leading, home accent industry trade magazine.

In an effort to promote and support local entrepreneurship, the editors focused on independently owned and operated businesses that have demonstrated strength in merchandising and marketing, as well as those that maintain a positive presence in their local communities.

“We’re a new store,” said Catherine Crandall, owner of Abode Fine Living, which opened last fall. “We don’t have the foot traffic of stores located in places like Kierland Commons. We hope being on the list will help our brand-name recognition.”

Each of the “Stars” is a first-time honoree, as a business may only be selected once for the list. Now in its eighth year, the list, sponsored by AmericasMart Atlanta, is compiled of retailers specifically considered specialty, home accent or home furnishing stores.

“We’re proud to be recognized by Home Accents Today,” said home-ology owner Ryan Pruett. Home-ology’s philosophy of a “greener way of living” helps them stand out from the competition by offering eco-friendly and stylish options for their customers.

The Embellished House is a self-described “workshop extraordinaire” and features unique items ranging from reclaimed architectural salvage, to vintage postcards and maps.

Interior designer Andrea Evans’s In the Pink Boutique is a treasure trove of collectibles, gifts, home furnishings and “Poo-Pourri,” a line of scented bathroom sprays.

“Those who are celebrated [on the list] have created businesses that embrace the powers of excitement, innovation, and creative ingenuity,” said Jeffrey Portman, Sr., president and COO, AmericasMart Atlanta. “They understand that excitement equals engagement. And engagement delivers sales.”

“There has never been a tougher time to be an independent retailer, with ongoing competition from chain stores, the increasingly significant role of online retail and the difficult economic climate,” said Jenny Heinzen York, editor in chief, Home Accents Today. “The 2012 Retail Stars have taken on these challenges with a combination of clever entrepreneurship, innovation, merchandising, customer service and marketing. We are delighted to recognize these talented merchants, and, as always, encourage everyone to support their own local businesses.”

The complete report is published in the May 2012 issue of Home Accents Today, and includes individual store descriptions, websites and sales estimates. It will soon be available for purchase and download from the publication’s online store.