Herman Miller Introduces New Performance Seating Retail Concept

Rhea-AI Summary

Herman Miller (NASDAQ: MLHR) announced plans to open its first concept stores focused on high-performance task chairs and home office products in late Fall 2020. These stores aim to meet the increasing demand for versatile home environments, especially post-pandemic. The company reported its strongest quarterly performance yet, driven by unprecedented sales in retail. Each store will showcase ergonomic products designed to enhance well-being and productivity, contributing to healthier workspaces. The initiative reflects a shift towards flexible work arrangements, with 84% of the U.S. remote workforce working from home.

Positive

• Strong quarterly performance reported, marking record-breaking sales.
• Introduction of concept stores aligns with increasing demand for home office solutions.

Negative

• None.

ZEELAND, Mich., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Herman Miller (NASDAQ: MLHR), the global design leader and recognized provider of furnishings and related technologies and services, is pleased to announce it will expand its retail presence this fall with the unveiling of its first concept stores completely dedicated to high-performance task chairs and products that support the home office.  Following a record-breaking summer with Herman Miller Retail – the retail arm of Herman Miller comprised of Herman Miller, Design Within Reach and HAY – reporting its strongest quarterly financial performance to date, the first stores are slated to open in late Fall 2020.

"We are excited to reveal our first retail destinations dedicated to offering customers the opportunity to explore the quality and breadth of Herman Miller's work from home solutions firsthand," says Debbie Propst, President of Herman Miller Retail. "We are currently seeing unprecedented sales across these categories. The stores are a direct response to our collective need, which has been building over time and heightened by the pandemic, for more versatile home environments and our customer's desire to test drive these highly-considered products in person."  

The on-demand economy has driven a trend towards workplace flexibility for decades with 84% of the United States' remote workforce largely working from home, according to a 2019 Buffer.com study.

"The office will always remain important, but a more distributed workforce – and the impact of COVID-19 – is accelerating this paradigm shift quite broadly, thus increasing the need of our domestic spaces to support evolving day-to-day work and life behaviors," says Propst. 

Each store will feature Herman Miller's iconic home office product categories, including the brand's award-winning performance seating chairs that are built with features to support long-lasting health-positive benefits — from pressure distributions and individualized adjustment capabilities, to inclusive sizing and breathable suspension materiality, which contribute to healthy circulation, postural alignment and overall comfort.

At Herman Miller every product idea begins with research, and the exploration and insights of this research ultimately leads to problem-solving, human-centered design.

"Just as the mattress industry has done a great job of educating the general public on the benefits of a good night's sleep, our goal is to drive home the science of sitting well – and how the effects of research-driven ergonomic solutions ultimately improve one's well-being and day-to-day performance," says Propst.

Continues Propst: "Herman Miller is committed to making inspiring designs that help people do great things. Optimizing the well-being of our customers is at the center of what we do. We are looking forward to helping store visitors make more informed purchasing decisions so they can sit more comfortably and live a more balanced and productive life."  

The first stores are expected to open in late Fall 2020 with more announcements to follow.  

For more information on Herman Miller's Work From Home product offering, please visit https://www.hermanmiller.com/work-from-home/  

About Herman Miller 
Herman Miller is a globally recognized leader in design. Since its inception in 1905, the company's innovative, problem-solving designs and furnishings have inspired the best in people wherever they live, work, learn, heal, and play. In 2018, Herman Miller created Herman Miller Group, a purposefully selected, complementary family of brands that includes Colebrook Bosson Saunders, Design Within Reach, Geiger, HAY, Maars Living Walls, Maharam, naughtone, and Nemschoff. Guided by a shared purpose—design for the good of humankind—Herman Miller Group shapes places that matter for customers while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. For more information visit www.hermanmiller.com/about-us. 

 

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SOURCE Herman Miller, Inc.

FAQ

What is Herman Miller's plan for retail expansion?

Herman Miller plans to open its first concept stores dedicated to high-performance task chairs and home office products in late Fall 2020.

What factors contributed to Herman Miller's strong sales performance?

The strong sales performance is attributed to unprecedented demand for home office solutions, particularly in response to the pandemic.

What products will be featured in the new Herman Miller stores?

The new stores will feature ergonomic task chairs and other products designed to enhance home office efficiency and comfort.

How has the pandemic impacted workspace trends according to Herman Miller?

The pandemic has accelerated the trend towards a more distributed workforce, increasing the need for versatile home office environments.