A CENTRAL Victorian furniture business has been awarded Australian Furniture Retailer of the Year for the third consecutive year.
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The annual award was presented to Make Your House A Home, a Bendigo business owned by husband and wife team Lisa and Norm Smith.
Mrs Smith said the award was another "feather in the cap" for the business.
"It has a lot of meaning because it's not a self-nominated award. Others have to think enough to nominate us and fill out forms," she said.
"We were up against some franchisees and other large independent businesses - it's all about being recognised and supporting the industry."
The award aims to recognise a store, buying groups or individual franchisee that has gone above and beyond to promote and encourage the purchase of Australian-made furniture.
The judging criteria comprises of store presentation, marketing activities and creativity, marketing effectiveness and achievements over a 12-month period.
Mrs Smith said the business prided itself on its customer service, product knowledge and its holistic approach to the industry.
"We do things differently. We are not just another furniture store," she said.
"We run an interior design service and interior decoration service out of the store.
"It's a holistic approach.
"Rather than selling someone a couch and hoping it looks great for their sake - it's about holding their hand and working through the process with them to make sure they are investing their money wisely by buying something that is not just quality but is something that is going to work in their house or another house.
"We think far further than just the sale. We are thinking about that person and whether it fits their needs."
Mrs Smith said the business was expanding and had started manufacturing its own products.
Make Your House A Home is located at 132-138 High Street, Bendigo.
The store is open weekdays from 9am to 5.30pm, Saturdays 9am to 4pm, and Sundays 10am to 4pm.