Sponsored by Glen Raven, makers of Sunbrella fabrics, this year’s Merchandising Awards contest drew a record number of entries, many from retailers who had not previously entered the annual competition.

The submissions raised the bar this spring and judges had a tough time deciding on just one winner in several of the categories, which is why readers will notice multiple stores were awarded with ties.

Summer Classics’ retail stores received the highest honor – Most Fashionable Retailer 2008 – and will receive a complimentary store visit by designer and judge Mark Abrams. Abrams will set-up an in-store event for customers at one of Summer Classics’ 13 locations. All winners will receive a plaque to display in stores.

Judges this year included Abrams; Cinde W. Ingram, editor-in-chief of Casual Living; Courtney M. Paschal, associate editor of Casual Living; Lisa Casinger, editor of Kids Today magazine; Susan P. Dickenson, retail editor of Home Accents Today magazine; and Ray Allegrezza, editor-in-chief of Furniture/Today magazine.

Best Overall Merchandising, multistore

Summer Classics

Summer Classics’ Raleigh location boasts an impressive outdoor display area complete with accessories and attractive fabrics.

Summer Classics wows with its merchandising techniques, showcasing outdoor furniture and accessories in traditional interior-like vignettes.

The company won the coveted honor of Most Fashionable hands-down. Judges were unanimous as they viewed shots from several of Summer Classics’ showrooms. One judge said, “I love this store. I want to live in this store.”

Artwork and an indoor/outdoor rug tie-in with the Huntsville, Ala., showroom’s lime green walls, also complemented by a more neutral woven set, mosaic table and accoutrements.

Sunnyland Furniture

Sunnyland Furniture’s store transformation that began almost six years ago continues to reap benefits, especially

O.W. Lee’s San Cristobal Collection is showcased within an Italian villa vignette created with an actual solid wood door, textured stucco walls and stone columns.

Sunnyland displays a realistic balcony/loft living environment.	An 'exterior’ outdoor living room displays Laneventure’s Hemingway Collection complete with fireplace, television, window pictures, arbor and spotlights, all outdoor-friendly.	Brown Jordan’s Havana fireplace is fully accessorized, surrounded with outdoor lighting, garden decor, interior accents and more.

Southern Casual Furniture

Based in Jacksonville, Southern Casual Furniture also has an additional two Florida locations in Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine. Family owned and operated since 1992, judges were impressed with not only the variety of accessories found at the store, but with the clean, clutter-free displays. One judge described the store as dramatic. The only suggestion from judges was to see more color integrated throughout the vignettes.

Southern Casual’s Ponte Vedra Beach location exhibits vignettes that showcase what is needed for a complete outdoor living area — from dining and deep seating pieces to outdoor lighting, wall art, foliage, heat elements and more.		Textured walls create an elegant backdrop to this display.	Taking a step back, a brief overview of the store told judges its displays were kept clean and clutter-free for an easy and delightful shopping experience.

Greenhouse Mall

Greenhouse Mall’s northwest Austin location boasts a variety of interior and exterior accessories along with casual furniture. The retailer utilizes space within the store, from wall shelving to tables and even displaying product on the window sills.

With two stores in Austin, Texas, and one in San Antonio, Greenhouse Mall is a name familiar to those in the casual industry. Greenhouse Mall made it a point a few years ago to increase its accessory inventory, and the store hasn’t suffered for it. Customers definitely have a choice when it comes to buying accessories for the outdoors or in, and judges liked the way the store was merchandised in product groups. Plants added life to the showrooms.

Inside Out Home Furnishings

Smaller throw pillows, an outdoor lamp and tabletop accessories help accent an on-trend vignette.	The store provides a good balance between colorful, fun vignettes and more neutral options as well.
Black and white fabrics with a more sophisticated, contemporary style pair with an updated Adirondack chair.	Inside Out Home Furnishings’ showroom complements casual furniture with home accents to create an elegant, classy shopping experience.

Based just outside of Nashville in Brentwood, Tenn., Inside Out exudes a sophisticated, elegant vibe, coordinating both interior and exterior accessories in a classy, simple manner without becoming too cluttered and messy. A variety of colors and fabrics showcase the magnitude of choices available when shopping for outdoor furnishings.

Swimm Pool & Patio

Signage throughout Swimm's showroom notes 'departments' such as candles, picnic accessories and more.	Foliage, windows, tabletop accessories and more surround an outdoor living vignette within the store.
Shelving helps utilize wall space as well as display additional merchandise in the store.	A beach/nautical themed display combines outdoor lighting weatherproof wall decor, woven furniture and more.

Swimm Pool & Patio opened its Darien, Conn., retail location in April 2007, though it had been servicing the community for more than 17 years with its pool service. Judges were mostly drawn to the store by its clear signage within the showroom, helping facilitate shopping for customers. A good use of color plus its variety of product helped Swimm tie in this category.

Patios Plus

One judge called the store’s architecture edgy and contemporary.

Judges were impressed with the showroom’s open store front and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing light to pour into the store and customers to see exactly what is inside.

MidState Pools & Spas

	MidState’s corner location allows for an elaborate store front (or side) display of its pool services and product carried in the location.

Serving the middle Georgia area with its line of pools, spas, fountains, waterfalls, patio furniture, grills and more, MidState Pools & Spas boasts an elegant corner store front that also houses an impressive outdoor area where pools and furniture are on display. Passerby would definitely know what the retailer carries and its charming exterior would draw them in.

Hoigaard’s

	The large signage attracts customers, while a barbecue, planters and small furniture vignette tell potential buyers what products can be found inside. Hoigaard’s proves that location is never a hindrance, whether situated in a strip mall or as a stand-alone store.

Located in St. Louis Park, Minn., Hoigaard’s serves up an interesting product mix that not only includes casual furniture and accessories but also bikes, footwear, canoes, kayaks, apparel and more. The retailer easily won this category as judges noted the store’s impressive logo and signage, highlighted with product showcased at the entrance to the store. As one judge said, “It’s inviting, looks different and interesting.”

Paddock Pools, Patios & Spas

Through its outdoor display, Paddock tells customers the company is not only about pools and spas, as a variety of furniture and accessories, including outdoor fireplaces, are craftfully merchandised as well.

With retail locations throughout Arizona and Nevada, Paddock has created a niche in and of itself selling everything a homeowner would need for an outdoor living space. Its Gardentown Pool Pavilion in Scottsdale, Ariz., is the world’s largest pool and spa display and continues to impress judges year after year. Integrating grills, heat elements and accessories into the mix garnered the judges’ attention, as well as its use of color in the sling chairs and foliage surrounding the display.

Paine’s Patio

A colorful display in seashore colors welcomes customers who visit Paine’s Patio. The location’s architecture —similar to a beach house — also captured judges’ attention.

With its vast Cape Cod history, Paine’s Patio has received a lot of attention. A family business since 1835, the store is housed in a 10-story building that houses not only outdoor furnishings and accessories but a nautical gift shop. The architecture of the building caught the judges’ eyes with plenty of outdoor furniture on display.