Wondering who’s behind one of America’s largest furniture retailers? Rooms To Go was founded in September 1990 by Jeffrey Seaman and his father Morty Seaman after they sold their previous business, Seaman’s Furniture.
Today, Rooms To Go is owned and led by Jeffrey Seaman, who serves as the CEO of this popular furniture chain headquartered in Seffner, Florida, near Tampa.
Since its founding, the company has grown into a multi-regional powerhouse in the furniture retail industry.
Under Jeff Seaman’s leadership, Rooms To Go has expanded significantly across the southern United States. The company is known for its unique approach to furniture sales, offering complete room packages at discounted prices that appeal to budget-conscious shoppers.
Rooms To Go has remained privately owned throughout its history, allowing the Seaman family to maintain control over the company’s direction and growth strategy. This family ownership has helped the retailer maintain its customer-focused approach while expanding to become a multi-billion dollar operation with estimated annual sales of $3.5 billion.
Key Takeaways
- Rooms To Go is owned by Jeffrey Seaman, who co-founded the company with his father Morty Seaman in 1990 and now serves as CEO.
- The furniture retailer has grown from a regional chain to a major industry player with billions in sales while remaining privately owned.
- Based in Seffner, Florida, the company specializes in affordable room packages that revolutionized furniture retail in the United States.
History of Rooms To Go
Rooms To Go has evolved from a single store to one of America’s largest furniture retailers through innovative business practices and strategic growth. The company’s journey began with a family vision and transformed the furniture buying experience for millions of customers.
Founding and Initial Expansion
Rooms To Go was founded in September 1990 by Jeffrey Seaman and his father, Morty Seaman. Both men had experience in the furniture industry, having worked in Jeffrey’s grandfather’s retail furniture store.
The first Rooms To Go store opened its doors in 1991 in Florida, marking the beginning of what would become a furniture retail revolution. This opening forever changed the way people bought furniture.
The company’s initial concept focused on selling complete room packages rather than individual pieces. This unique approach helped them stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Early expansion saw Rooms To Go grow quickly throughout the southeastern United States. The company’s Florida headquarters became the base for their ambitious growth plans.
Innovations in Furniture Retail
Rooms To Go pioneered the concept of selling coordinated room packages, making furniture shopping simpler for customers. This innovation allowed shoppers to purchase entire room setups instead of individual pieces.
The company positioned itself in the low to moderate price range, making stylish furniture accessible to more consumers. This pricing strategy helped fuel their rapid growth.
Under Jeffrey Seaman’s leadership, Rooms To Go evolved into a multi-regional powerhouse with estimated sales reaching $3.5 billion. Their business model proved highly successful in the competitive furniture market.
The retailer continuously adapted its showroom experience, creating visually appealing displays that helped customers envision how furniture would look in their homes. This customer-focused approach remains central to their success today.
Business Model
Rooms To Go’s business model centers on providing customers with affordable furniture through innovative shopping and delivery methods. The company has grown into a multi-regional powerhouse with estimated sales of $3.5 billion through their unique approach.
Selling Complete Room Sets
Rooms To Go pioneered the concept of selling entire room packages rather than just individual furniture pieces. This innovative approach allows customers to purchase coordinated furniture sets that work well together without the stress of mixing and matching.
When shoppers visit Rooms To Go, they can see fully designed rooms and buy everything they see – from sofas to accent tables and lamps – in one purchase. This creates a simpler shopping experience for customers who might feel overwhelmed by too many choices.
The company offers these complete sets at a significant discount compared to buying each piece separately. This pricing strategy gives customers both convenience and value, helping Rooms To Go stand out from traditional furniture retailers.
Operational Efficiency and Fast Delivery
Rooms To Go excels at getting furniture to customers quickly. Unlike many furniture stores where delivery might take weeks, Rooms To Go focuses on having inventory ready to go.
The company maintains large distribution centers strategically located throughout its operating regions. This allows them to keep most displayed items in stock and ready for immediate delivery.
Their warehousing system is designed for efficiency, with room packages often stored together to streamline the delivery process. Rooms To Go’s commitment to fast delivery means customers can enjoy their new furniture within days rather than weeks.
This operational model reduces costs while improving customer satisfaction. By controlling their own delivery network, they can offer predictable timeframes and better service than retailers who outsource delivery.
Geographic Presence
Rooms To Go has built an impressive retail footprint across the United States, with a particularly strong concentration in the Southeast. The company’s strategic location choices have helped it efficiently serve customers while maintaining its commitment to quick delivery and value pricing.
Headquarters and Central Hub
Rooms To Go established its headquarters in Seffner, Florida, near Tampa. This central location has served as the foundation for the company’s growth since its founding by Jeffrey Seaman and his father, Morty Seaman. The Tampa area headquarters allows the company to efficiently manage its operations throughout the Southeast.
The company has invested heavily in distribution infrastructure around its central hub. Large distribution centers in Lakeland and surrounding areas help Rooms To Go maintain its promise of quick furniture delivery to customers throughout the region.
These facilities aren’t just warehouses – they’re sophisticated logistics centers that coordinate the movement of furniture from manufacturers to showrooms and customers’ homes.
Retail Expansion in the Southeast
Rooms To Go has focused its retail growth primarily in the Southeast United States, where it has become a dominant furniture retailer. The company has opened numerous showrooms across Florida, including locations in Orlando and Tampa, as well as throughout Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
This regional approach has allowed Rooms To Go to become a multi-regional powerhouse with estimated sales of $3.5 billion. Under CEO Jeff Seaman’s leadership, the company continues to expand its retail footprint.
In recent years, Rooms To Go has pursued strategic property acquisitions, such as when Seaman paid $10 million for a former Toys R Us building at The Markets at Town Center, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to retail growth.
Product Offerings
Rooms To Go stands out in the furniture retail landscape with its wide array of products for every room in the home. The company’s signature concept focuses on complete room packages while also offering individual pieces to suit customer needs.
Diverse Furniture Selection
Rooms To Go has built its reputation on providing complete room packages at affordable prices. These pre-designed sets include everything needed to furnish an entire room, saving customers time and money. Shoppers can find living room sets with matching sofas, loveseats, coffee tables, and accent pieces all designed to work together.
The company’s bedroom collections range from contemporary to traditional styles, featuring bed frames, dressers, nightstands, and mirrors that complement each other perfectly.
For dining spaces, Rooms To Go offers table and chair sets in various sizes, from compact breakfast nooks to formal dining ensembles. Their home office furniture includes desks, bookshelves, and ergonomic chairs.
Outdoor furniture represents another growing category, with weather-resistant materials and stylish designs for patios and decks.
Children’s Furniture Range
The Rooms To Go Kids collection addresses the unique furniture needs of children and teenagers. Their youth bedroom sets include fun themes like sports, princess, and adventure motifs for younger children.
For teens, the company offers more sophisticated designs with storage solutions ideal for smaller spaces. Many pieces feature smart functionality like built-in USB ports, hidden compartments, and convertible designs.
Safety is paramount in their children’s furniture, with rounded edges, non-toxic finishes, and sturdy construction. Bunk beds and loft designs maximize floor space in shared bedrooms, while study desks support academic needs.
The retailer updates its children’s collections regularly to reflect current trends, movie themes, and popular characters that appeal to younger customers.
Financial Overview
Rooms To Go has established itself as a major player in the furniture retail industry with impressive financial performance and sustainable business practices.
Revenue Growth
Rooms To Go is a financial powerhouse in the furniture retail sector. The company generates an estimated $3.5 billion in annual revenue, making it one of the larger furniture retailers in the United States.
This impressive revenue comes from their presence across multiple states and their effective retail strategy of selling complete room packages. Their growth has been steady since their founding in the early 1990s by Jeffrey Seaman and his father Morty Seaman after they sold their previous business, Seaman’s Furniture.
The company’s financial success is also reflected in their ability to maintain a large workforce of approximately 8,600 employees across their many retail locations.
Strategies for Sustainability
Rooms To Go has implemented several key strategies to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Their business model focuses on providing value through room packages, which helps maintain healthy profit margins while offering customers perceived savings.
The company has wisely expanded its retail footprint across the Southern United States, with a strong presence in the Tampa Bay Area. This regional focus allows them to optimize supply chains and distribution networks.
They’ve also adapted to changing consumer preferences by developing their e-commerce capabilities. By combining traditional showrooms with online shopping options, they’ve created a flexible retail approach that appeals to various customer segments.
Smart real estate decisions have also played a role in their sustainability. In some cases, they’ve strategically relocated stores, as seen when Naples Motorsports acquired one of their former showrooms to make way for potentially more profitable locations.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
Rooms To Go partners with various manufacturers and manages a sophisticated supply chain to deliver quality furniture to customers. The company balances domestic and international production while maintaining efficient distribution networks.
Partnerships and Quality Assurance
Rooms To Go sources its products from both domestic and international manufacturers. This diverse manufacturing strategy helps them offer a wide range of furniture styles and price points to customers.
The company maintains strict quality standards with their manufacturing partners. Before any furniture reaches showrooms, it undergoes thorough inspection and testing processes.
Many of these partnerships have been cultivated over years, allowing Rooms To Go to develop exclusive collections and designs. These relationships help them secure competitive pricing while ensuring consistent quality.
The company often works directly with factories rather than through middlemen, which helps control costs and maintain quality standards.
Supply Chain Management
Rooms To Go operates several major distribution centers, including a significant facility in Tennessee. These centers serve as crucial hubs in their delivery network.
The company’s growth and expansion relies heavily on efficient supply chain management. Their distribution model allows them to maintain ready-to-deliver inventory.
Their centralized warehousing system enables quick shipping to regional markets. This approach helps reduce delivery times and improve customer satisfaction.
The company also invests in technology to track inventory and optimize delivery routes. This system helps them manage stock levels efficiently and reduce transportation costs.
During industry disruptions, Rooms To Go’s diverse supplier network has helped them maintain product availability better than some competitors.
Market Competition
Rooms To Go operates in the highly competitive furniture retail sector where multiple companies vie for consumer dollars. The company faces several strong competitors while maintaining its position through unique selling approaches and store experiences.
Competitive Landscape
Rooms To Go competes with several major furniture retailers in the United States. Its main competitors include Bob’s Discount Furniture and companies like Levitz, Kane’s, Rhodes, and Roberds.
The furniture giant generates impressive annual revenue of $2.1 billion while employing around 5,205 people across its operations. This puts Rooms To Go in a strong market position compared to some competitors.
Other notable competitors in their space include Tops Appliance City Inc and Casabella. The company also faces competition from luxury furniture providers and budget-friendly alternatives that target different market segments.
Differentiating Factors
Rooms To Go stands out in the crowded furniture retail space through its room package concept. Unlike many competitors, they specialize in selling complete room setups rather than individual pieces.
This unique shopping experience allows customers to visualize entire rooms and purchase coordinated furniture sets. Their showrooms are designed to showcase these room packages effectively, creating an appealing retail environment.
The company was founded by Jeffrey Seaman and his father, Morty Seaman, who both had experience in the furniture industry. This foundation helped establish their distinctive business model.
Their strategic store locations and expansion efforts, like when Naples Motorsports acquired their former showroom in Naples, demonstrate how they manage their retail presence to stay competitive in key markets.
Customer Service and Experience
Rooms To Go has built its reputation on more than just furniture selection and pricing. The company offers distinctive shopping experiences both in physical stores and through their digital platforms, adapting to changing consumer preferences over the years.
In-Store Shopping Experience
Rooms To Go’s physical retail outlets are designed to showcase complete room setups rather than individual furniture pieces. This unique approach helps shoppers visualize how furniture will look in their homes.
Sales associates are trained to assist without being pushy, creating a comfortable browsing environment. Most stores feature room vignettes with coordinated furniture packages that can be purchased together at a discount.
The company’s showrooms are typically spacious with clear pathways, making it easy for customers to explore different styles. Many locations offer same-day pickup or quick delivery options, which appeals to customers who don’t want to wait weeks for furniture.
Children’s furniture gets special attention with dedicated Rooms To Go Kids sections in many stores. These areas feature themed bedroom sets that excite both parents and children.
Online Presence and E-Commerce
The Rooms To Go website mirrors their in-store experience with complete room packages prominently displayed. Their online platform includes helpful features like 3D room planning tools and augmented reality options to visualize furniture in your space.
Customer reviews and detailed product information help online shoppers make informed decisions. The site offers multiple filtering options to narrow searches by style, price, material, and dimensions.
Growing steadily in the e-commerce space, Rooms To Go has invested in their digital customer service with live chat support and detailed delivery tracking.
Their mobile app extends the shopping experience, allowing customers to scan in-store items for more information or purchase later. The company’s social media presence showcases styling tips and responds promptly to customer inquiries.
Future Outlook
Rooms To Go has ambitious growth plans while facing a rapidly changing furniture retail landscape. The company’s leadership continues to seek new opportunities while adapting to evolving consumer preferences.
Plans for Further Expansion
Rooms To Go is actively pursuing physical expansion across the United States. The company recently demonstrated this commitment by acquiring The Great American Home Store, adding four Memphis-area locations to its portfolio. This acquisition strategy helps Rooms To Go enter new markets efficiently.
CEO Jeffrey Seaman has shown particular interest in repurposing existing retail spaces. In 2020, he led a group that paid $10 million for a closed Toys R Us building at The Markets at Town Center. This approach allows for faster expansion while revitalizing vacant commercial properties.
The company is likely to continue its regional growth strategy, focusing on strengthening its presence in existing markets while carefully entering new territories with proven business models.
Adapting to Market Changes
Rooms To Go has demonstrated flexibility in responding to changing consumer shopping habits. The company has embraced e-commerce. Jeffrey Seaman led the relaunch of Furniture.com to enhance the online shopping experience.
This digital transformation allows Rooms To Go to compete with both traditional furniture retailers and online-only competitors. Their strategy appears to balance physical showrooms with digital discovery and purchase options.
The company also continues to evolve its product offerings to match changing consumer tastes and economic conditions. By maintaining its core philosophy of selling coordinated room packages while adapting to current trends, Rooms To Go positions itself for continued relevance in a competitive marketplace.
