Selection, service key at BFW
Staff -- Kids Today, 7/1/2005
Braintree, Mass.— With two locations in the greater Boston area — one here in Braintree, one in Reading — Baby Furniture Warehouse offers a no-frills approach to buying everything baby. Consumers can find merchandise from cribs to strollers and carseats to bedding, bibs, safety products, toys and even gift wrap at Baby Furniture Warehouse, and owner Dennis Gedzuin focuses on selection, pricing and service to set his store apart.
Baby Furniture Warehouse's stores are 30,000 and 10,000 square feet, and are open Thursday to Monday — Gedzuin capitalizes on the busy weekend days and takes time off during the slower mid-week days.
Gedzuin has used the Internet to his advantage, both for heavily advertising his store and for selling merchandise. He finds many customers use the Web site to pre-shop, getting an idea of what they want and what he stocks, and for what price. But customers often want to see merchandise before they buy it, and when Gedzuin gets them in his store, he focuses on "service, service, service," he said.
"There are plenty of places they can spend their money, but in here, we take you by the hand and explain it," he said.
Gedzuin's philosophy is to "buy it all," which means his Reading store floors 180 cribs — enough selection for most customers. Manufacturers include names such as Ragazzi, Baby's Dream, Sorelle, Mother Hubbard, Rumble Tuff and Munire, along with a selection of gliders from Dutailier.
Buying it all also means he stocks many of the accessories that other independent specialty stores are getting out of because of increased competition.
"A lot of stores are getting out of accessories, and I think they're foolish," Gedzuin said. "You have captive customers (when they're in your store). It doesn't matter if it's $1 cheaper down the street."
Baby Furniture Warehouse floors 180 cribs at the Reading store. Owner Dennis Gedzuin also believes in stocking a broad range of merchandise, including many accessories.
Baby Furniture Warehouse offers both infant and youth furniture in a no-frills shopping environment that focuses on value, service and selection.
