Heal’s to open outlet store Written on 28 November 2019. Heal’s is to open an outlet store next month. Continue Reading
Election hits Topps Written on 28 November 2019. Topps Tiles has said that sales have fallen since the general election was called. Continue Reading
ScS warns of lower orders Written on 27 November 2019. ScS has warned that orders have continued to fall, although the rate has slowed. Continue Reading
Black Friday timing sees John Lewis sales plunge Written on 26 November 2019. John Lewis saw sales plunge in the past week as shoppers waited for Black Friday. Continue Reading
Three for Day True Written on 26 November 2019. London kitchen, bedroom and bathroom retailer Day True has opened its third store. Continue Reading
M&S home gets new boss as Price returns Written on 25 November 2019. Marks & Spencer is to have a new head of clothing and home, with Richard Price returning to the chain. Continue Reading
Tempur Sealy looks to widen range Written on 22 November 2019. Tempur Sealy has hired marketing and management company IMG as its licensing representative for the group’s brands as it looks to move into a wider range of branded products. Continue Reading
Pay dispute prompts strike Written on 20 November 2019. The Unite union has called strike action at Westex Carpets. Continue Reading
Estimating tie-up for Carpet Foundation members Written on 19 November 2019. The Carpet Foundation has negotiated its second members deal, this time covering estimating software. Continue Reading
Five for Arlo & Jacob Written on 19 November 2019. Upholstery retailer Arlo & Jacob is to open its fifth store in January: its fourth in the past 18 months. Continue Reading
John Lewis sees home boost Written on 19 November 2019. Home sales rose at John Lewis in the past week, but overall sales dropped. Continue Reading
Swoon turns to Rhenus for deliveries Written on 18 November 2019. Furnishing retailer Swoon has appointed Rhenus Home Delivery as sole carrier for its two-man home deliveries. Continue Reading
Cormar adds to delivery fleet Written on 18 November 2019. Cormar Carpet Company has added to its delivery fleet with 10 new trucks. Continue Reading
Steinhoff sells Harveys and Bensons to Brighthouse owner Alteri Written on 15 November 2019. Steinhoff International as sold Harveys, Bensons for Beds and its UK manufacturing operations to Brighthouse owner Alteri Investors. Continue Reading
Carpetright recommends Meditor offer Written on 15 November 2019. Carpetright has bowed to the seemingly inevitable and recommended to shareholders that they accept the £15.18m takeover by its largest shareholder and owner of its bank borrowings. Continue Reading
John Lewis turns to dragon Edgar for Christmas Written on 14 November 2019. In their first ever joint Christmas campaign, John Lewis and Waitrose have come together to create an advert which tells the heartwarming story of a little girl and her friendship with an excitable young dragon. Continue Reading
Four for Cormar Written on 14 November 2019. Cormar Carpet Company has strengthened its sales team with four new territory managers. Continue Reading
LVT trio settle click system legal disputes Written on 14 November 2019. Välinge, I4F and Unilin have settled legal disputes between themselves over LVT click sytems and agreed to end litigation in Europe and the US. Continue Reading
Obeetee set for UK debut Written on 13 November 2019. US$65m turnover rug company Obeetee is to launch in the UK next month. Continue Reading
BFM unveils rebranding Written on 12 November 2019. Furniture trade association British Furniture Makers (BFM) has unveiled a new logo. Continue Reading
Promotions lift lighting at John Lewis Written on 12 November 2019. John Lewis saw another drop in home sales in the past week, but it was much smaller than in recent weeks. Continue Reading
Weather and Brexit hit footfall – second report Written on 11 November 2019. Wet weather and Brexit uncertainty caused consumers to hold back going shopping in October. Continue Reading
Likewise expects half-year sales of £9.5m Written on 08 November 2019. Flooring distributor Likewise says it expects half-year sales to be £9.5m and parts of the group are trading ahead of expectations but its matting operation is ‘disappointing.’ Continue Reading
Investec swings behind Meditor Written on 08 November 2019. A third large shareholder in Carpetright has said it will support Meditor’s possible £15m offer for the chain. Continue Reading
Ikea sees UK sales jump Written on 07 November 2019. Ikea’s UK operation outperformed its global performance in the past year. Continue Reading
SpringBond sees one million bottles recycled Written on 07 November 2019. In less than six months Texfelt’s SpringBond underlay has prevented one million PET bottles go to landfill or the sea. Continue Reading
Sun raises £13.75m through ScS share sale Written on 06 November 2019. ScS’s major shareholder Sun European partners has raised £13.75m by selling 6.25million shares in the chain. Continue Reading
ScS to buy back 4.99% of shares after major shareholder moves to cut its stake Written on 05 November 2019. ScS’s major shareholder is to sell a significant part of its stake in the upholstery and flooring chain. Continue Reading
John Lewis sees home sales plunge again Written on 05 November 2019. John Lewis suffered a double-digit sales fall in the week to 2 November. Continue Reading
Willams to quit Topps Tiles Written on 05 November 2019. Matt Williams is to leave tiles chain Topps Tiles, after 21 years at the chain, including 12 as ceo. Continue Reading
Wren introduces ‘child safe’ kitchen as expansion continues Written on 04 November 2019. The country’s largest kitchen retailer has expanded further and introduced its first ‘child safe’ kitchen. Continue Reading
CRUK sees recycling coverage increase Written on 01 November 2019. Carpet Recycling UK is expanding its geographical coverage of the UK, offering the flooring sector more options for reuse and recycling of carpet and carpet tile waste, especially in Scotland. Continue Reading
Footfall drops again, but rate of decline slows Written on 01 November 2019. Non-food retail footfall fell again in October, but the rate of decline was lower than September. Continue Reading
Natuzzi opens its fourth directly operated London store Written on 30 November 2018. Furniture manufacturer Natuzzi has opened its fourth directly operated store in London, at Westfield White City. Continue Reading
Bensons and Harveys join Christmas present appeal Written on 28 November 2018. Bensons for Beds and Harveys have joined Magic Radio’s Cash For Kids appeal to support Mission Christmas to distribute thousands of gifts to disadvantaged children across the country. Continue Reading
Nix makes return with Gradi move Written on 28 November 2018. Former Wood Bros and Michael Tyler director Malcolm Nix is to return to the furniture industry after an 18 month sabbatical. Continue Reading
Oddy set to leave The Range Written on 28 November 2018. Nigel Oddy is set to leave his position as chief executive of The Range, less than two years after he joined the value retailer. Continue Reading
We’ll cut debt now says Wilding Written on 27 November 2018. Flooring group Victoria is to focus on reducing its huge debts while Geoff Wilding has insisted that its recent stock market turmoil which saw it abandon plans to refinance the debt and a plunge in its share price in the face of strong short-selling, has not distracted management. Continue Reading
Home growth returns as John Lewis sets sales record Written on 27 November 2018. John Lewis saw a return to growth for home sales in the past week as Black Friday saw the chain enjoy its best week in its history. Continue Reading
Smallbone future in doubt Written on 27 November 2018. The parent company of luxury kitchen and bedroom retailers Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture has filed a notice of intention to appoint Grant Thornton, the accountancy firm, as administrator. Continue Reading
Libra adds to concessions Written on 23 November 2018. Libra has continued its opening of retail concessions, with an unit in Bentalls Kingston. Continue Reading
Sponsorship leads to branded bed Written on 23 November 2018. Bed manufacturer Shire Beds has extended its sponsorship with Leeds Rhinos by introducing a bed branded in the side’s colours and logo. Continue Reading
Ikea looks to trim staff numbers amid two year transformation plan Written on 21 November 2018. Ikea is to make 350 of its UK and Republic of Ireland staff redundant over the next two years as part of a global transformation plan that will see 7,500 positions go. Continue Reading
Orders rise at ScS but growth slows Written on 21 November 2018. Upholstery and flooring chain ScS has seen sales growth at its core stores slip back in the past month, while its House of Fraser concessions continue to suffer. Continue Reading
John Lewis sees furniture and flooring upturn Written on 20 November 2018. John Lewis saw a healthy increase in furniture, flooring and furnishing orders in the past week, but it was not enough to prevent a double-digit drop in home sector sales. Continue Reading
143 and out Written on 20 November 2018. A Lincolnshire furniture and flooring independent is to close after 143 years, with the great grandson of the store’s founder retiring. Continue Reading
Back to basics for Eve Written on 19 November 2018. Mattress in a box retailer Eve Sleep is to roll back its ambitions while tapping investors for £15m. Continue Reading
Roll up mattresses approach a quarter of sales Written on 16 November 2018. Roll up mattresses have gained further market share in the past six months, and now account for almost a quarter of sales. Continue Reading
The boy and his grandmother’s piano Written on 15 November 2018. This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert stars Elton John and tells how one gift influenced his life. Continue Reading
Four more House of Fraser stores will close Written on 14 November 2018. Four more branches of House of Fraser will close in the New Year after Sports Direct failed to secure lower rents on the stores. The move will also hit Sofa.com’s expansion plans. Continue Reading
Cormar invests in delivery fleet Written on 14 November 2018. Carpet manufacturer Cormar Carpet Company has invested more than £1.5m expanding its delivery fleet. Continue Reading
John Lewis hit by double-digit home sales fall Written on 13 November 2018. John Lewis saw home sales plummet in the past week. Continue Reading
Footfall drops again Written on 13 November 2018. Retail footfall fell for the 11th consecutive month in October. Continue Reading
Rest Assured opens showrooms in Cornwall, Somerset and Carmarthenshire Written on 09 November 2018. Rest Assured has expanded its network of showrooms with three across Cornwall, Somerset and Carmarthenshire. Continue Reading
Darlings of Chelsea to open new flagship store Written on 08 November 2018. Upholstery chain Darlings of Chelsea is to open a new flagship store in January. Continue Reading
Victoria abandons €450m bond amid ‘outrageous untruths’ Written on 07 November 2018. Flooring group Victoria has abandoned plans to raise €450m by issuing a bond after the price demanded by investors proved too high. Continue Reading
Mayfield to step down as John Lewis chairman Written on 07 November 2018. Sir Charlie Mayfield, John Lewis Partnership chairman is to step down in 2020. Continue Reading
Bensons hires sleep expert Written on 07 November 2018. Bensons for Beds has continued its marketing push recruiting a sleep physiologist. Continue Reading
John Lewis sees home lift Written on 06 November 2018. John Lewis enjoyed a rare week of increased home sales in the past week, helped by a rise in furniture and flooring sales. Continue Reading
As you were: retail sales flatline Written on 06 November 2018. Retail sales were broadly flat in October as consumers held off shopping as they waited for discounts. Continue Reading
Debenhams suffers another credit downgrade Written on 05 November 2018. Department store chain Debenhams has seen its credit rating further downgraded. Continue Reading
Online and store openings boost Ikea Written on 02 November 2018. A surge in online sales and two more branches saw Ikea approach £2bn of sales in the UK. Continue Reading
TBFC secures Orla Kiely license for upholstery and beds Written on 01 November 2018. The Orla Kiely interiors branding is to be extended to upholstery and beds next year. Continue Reading
Bed industry needs to massively boost recycling and tackle the reuse of materials Written on 01 November 2018. The bed industry needs to lift mattress recycling rates from 15% to 75% in the next decade and tackle the issue of springs and foam being reused, it has been told. Continue Reading
Walsh: Carpetright restructuring is working Written on 01 November 2018. Wilf Walsh, Carpetright ceo has insisted that the restructuring of the group is producing benefits. Continue Reading
Williams and Parker show faith in Topps Written on 30 November 2017. The ceo and cfo of Topps Tiles have shown their faith in the chain by buying more than £200,000 of shares in the company despite a drop in profits. Continue Reading
Eve sees sales jump Written on 29 November 2017. Online mattress seller Eve Sleep says UK performance has been better than expected. Continue Reading
Record week for John Lewis, but home slips again Written on 28 November 2017. The Black Friday event gave John Lewis a record week, and day of trading, but home sales again slipped. Continue Reading
Feather & Black follows Multiyork into administration Written on 28 November 2017. Less than a week after its sister chain Multiyork went into administration, Feather & Black has followed suit. Continue Reading
Ercol hires Sugrue Written on 27 November 2017. Ercol has announced it has appointed Daniel Sugrue as sales and marketing director. Continue Reading
BFM puts support behind TFA Written on 27 November 2017. The British Furniture Manufacturers has announced it is supporting The Furniture Awards at the January Furniture Show next January. Continue Reading
Steinhoff UK names online chief Written on 23 November 2017. Steinhoff UK has poached The Range’s multi-channel director to head its online operations. Continue Reading
Hoppen opts for ‘out there’ for first carpet collection Written on 23 November 2017. Designer Kelly Hoppen has introduced her first carpet collection, eschewing traditional designs. Continue Reading
Multiyork goes into administration Written on 22 November 2017. Less than two months after being put up for sale, furniture chain Multiyork has gone into administration. Continue Reading
John Lewis sees sales increase despite another home dip Written on 22 November 2017. John Lewis saw an increase in weekly sales for the first time in almost two months in the past week, despite home sales falling again. Continue Reading
CMA gives DFS green light on Sofology deal Written on 21 November 2017. The Competition & Markets Authority has said DFS can complete its acquisition of rival upholstery chain Sofology. Continue Reading
Ikano secures second upholstery retail finance deal Written on 21 November 2017. Ikano Bank has signed a new long-term contract with DFS to provide IFC. Continue Reading
Mitchell again takes up Long Eaton reins Written on 21 November 2017. Andrew Mitchell has become chairman of the Long Eaton Guild for the third time ahead of a revamp. Continue Reading
Pattison joins Minerva board Written on 20 November 2017. Patrick Pattison has joined the board of furniture buying group Minerva. Continue Reading
Shire Beds marks anniversary Written on 20 November 2017. Shire Beds marked its 20th anniversary by officially opening its new head office. Continue Reading
Online secures parity with in-store sales of beds Written on 17 November 2017. As many people are buying their beds online as in-store, while the average price has dipped. Continue Reading
Victoria to pay £246m for Keraben Written on 16 November 2017. Victoria has agreed to pay £246.5m to buy Spanish ceramic tile manufacturer Keraben. Continue Reading
Brockway strengthens sales team Written on 16 November 2017. Brockway Carpets has moved to strengthen its sales team with the appointment of Paul Crittenden, while Dan Milstead moves to familiar territory. Continue Reading
Shares plunge after Walker Greenbank profit warning Written on 16 November 2017. Fabric group Walker Greenbank saw more than a quarter of its value wiped out after warning on lower profits. Continue Reading
Dickens to retire as Habitat creative director Written on 15 November 2017. Polly Dickens to retire as habitat creative director at the end of January, after six years in the role. Continue Reading
Furniture China sees number leap Written on 15 November 2017. Visitor numbers to the 23rd Furniture China 2017 and sister event Maison Shanghai jumped by more than a quarter. Continue Reading
Home proves to be another disappointment for John Lewis Written on 14 November 2017. Beds proved to be a highlight of trading at John Lewis last week, but sales fell in all three product directorates. Continue Reading
Ikea sees sixth year of UK growth Written on 14 November 2017. Ikea enjoyed healthy growth in the UK in the past year, despite a sharp increase in costs. Continue Reading
JFS secures BITA partnership for 2018 Written on 13 November 2017. The January Furniture Show has secured a partnership with the British Interiors & Textile Association for the 2018 show. Continue Reading
Footfall sees largest October drop for four years Written on 13 November 2017. Footfall dropped by 2% in October, its largest October drop since 2013 and the largest monthly fall since June 2016. Continue Reading
Rest Assured begins studio push Written on 13 November 2017. Rest Assured has begun the introduction of studios among its retail stockists. Continue Reading
40 for Sofology Written on 10 November 2017. Sofology today opened its 40th branch, in Farnborough, Hampshire. Continue Reading
Flex recruits Gill to head And So To Bed Written on 10 November 2017. Vi-Spring and And So To Bed parent Flex Group has appointed Martin Gill as md of the retailer. Continue Reading
Steinhoff UK Beds donate to BBC DIY SOS: Children in Need Special Written on 09 November 2017. Steinhoff UK Beds have donated a number of beds to support the BBC DIY SOS team in rebuilding a support centre for a volunteer-led charity in Swansea for a Children in Need Special. The Roots Foundation Wales is a charity based in Swansea, set up by an inspiring individual Emma Lewis, who achieved something extraordinary out of harrowing personal circumstances. With the crucial support of an amazing team, The Root Foundation Wales gives the desperately needed help and support to young people in care, care leavers, children in need and adults who have left the care system and are trying to live independently. Continue Reading
NBF in no landfill push Written on 09 November 2017. The National Bed Federation as solidified its commitment to eliminating the use of landfill for the disposal of end of life beds. Continue Reading
CS Schmal enters insolvency protection Written on 09 November 2017. German cabinet manufacturer CS Schmal has successfully secured insolvency protection by a German court, at the second attempt. Continue Reading
Oka ‘considers £40m sale’ Written on 08 November 2017. Furnishing chain Oka could soon be at the centre of a bidding battle which could see it sold for more than £40m. Continue Reading
Bed firm ‘wholly unfit’ to operate HGVs after putting road safety in jeopardy Written on 08 November 2017. A Midlands bed company has been refused a licence to run HGVs by the region’s Traffic Commissioner after putting road safety in jeopardy and undercutting legitimate operators. Continue Reading
Victoria confirms interest in Spanish tile group Written on 07 November 2017. Victoria has confirmed that it is in talks to buy Spanish ceramic tile manufacturer Keraben. Continue Reading
Home disappoints again for John Lewis Written on 07 November 2017. John Lewis saw its sixth successive week of lower home sales in the week to 4 November amid an overall sales drop. Continue Reading
Call for ‘shoppers’ budget’ after ‘meagre’ October for retailers Written on 07 November 2017. Philip Hammond should deliver a ‘shoppers’ budget’ according to the BRC, after retail sales disappointed in October: especially non-food in-store purchases. Continue Reading
Pollman to head Kolnmesse furnishing exhibitions Written on 06 November 2017. Matthias Pollman, Kolnmesse project manager for Interzum is to become furnishing division head, responsible for exhibitions including imm cologne. Continue Reading
Midpoint moves to Manchester Written on 02 November 2017. The Midpoint Furniture Exhibition is to move to Manchester, alongside the Manchester Furniture Show. Continue Reading
Harveys opts for Sky film Christmas push Written on 02 November 2017. Harveys is to have 27 hours of branding over the Christmas period on Sky. Continue Reading
FMC and BFM call for apprenticeship plan support Written on 01 November 2017. The Furniture Makers’ Company and the BFM have called on the furnishing industry to take part in a government survey to help develop a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard, befote the deadline passes on 7 November. Continue Reading
Sofology secures retail technology hat-trick Written on 01 November 2017. Upholstery chain Sofology’s use of instore technology has been recognised with a trio of industry awards. Continue Reading
Lack of sleep costs UK £40bn a year Written on 30 November 2016. A lack of sleep is costing the UK economy £40bn a year but this could be more than halved if the most sleep deprived workers had an extra hour of sleep. Continue Reading
Consumers still considering major purchases despite confidence fall Written on 30 November 2016. Consumer confidence has fallen, with shoppers less confident about their personal finances, the economy, making major purchases and savings. Continue Reading
Furniture rises amid record week for John Lewis Written on 29 November 2016. Furniture shone for John Lewis last week in what was a record week for the department store chain. Continue Reading
Ikea sees almost double-digit sales growth Written on 29 November 2016. Ikea has enjoyed its fifth consecutive year of UK sales growth and grown its market share. Continue Reading
Oddy bids farewell to HoF Written on 28 November 2016. House of Fraser ceo Nigel Oddy is to leave the department store chain after less than two years in the job. Continue Reading
Dunelm agrees £26.5m deal for Worldstores Written on 28 November 2016. Dunelm has agreed a £8.5m prepac deal to buy lossmaking £100m turnover etail group Worldstores. Continue Reading
Translating nature: inspiration is everywhere for Oke Nollet, Quick-Step design director Written on 25 November 2016. ‘I look for beauty in ordinary things. Nature is filled with everyday wonders. A rainbow, for instance, is my favourite natural event. A rainbow never ceases to amaze me with its misty, elusive rays of colour. There is just so much beauty surrounding us on a daily basis,’ says Oke Nollet, Quick-Step design director. Continue Reading
Lutyens gets contemporary makeover Written on 24 November 2016. 72 years after his death the furniture designs of renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens are to receive a contemporary makeover. Continue Reading
Hilarys to open first retail store Written on 23 November 2016. Window coverings and flooring company Hillarys is to open its first retail store in January. Continue Reading
ScS ‘in a strong position’ Written on 23 November 2016. Upholstery and flooring chain ScS is ‘in a strong position’ shareholders have been told. Continue Reading
John Lewis shoppers wait for Black Friday Written on 22 November 2016. John Lewis shoppers put off buying from the department store chain last week ahead of Black Friday, but home sales rose. Continue Reading
Winter sale comes early as Debenhams kicks off Black Friday offers Written on 22 November 2016. Debenhams has become the first major department store chain to begin its Black Friday offers: with many furniture offers similar to previous winter sale deals. Continue Reading
Profits leap at Victoria Written on 22 November 2016. Victoria has seen UK operating profits jump by more than 50% in the past six months. Continue Reading
Clarion buys JFS and MFS Written on 21 November 2016. Trade exhibition organiser Clarion Events has bought The January Furniture Show and Manchester Furniture Show for an undisclosed sum. Continue Reading
Tapi heads to TCR as part of double opening Written on 21 November 2016. Flooring retailer Tapi is to open its first central London store this weekend. Continue Reading
Manufacturers expect employment boost Written on 21 November 2016. British furniture manufacturers expect growth in employment and good performance by exporters in the next four months. Continue Reading
Brintons looks to the future with graduate recruitment Written on 18 November 2016. Brintons has looked to the future of design by recruiting a recent Birmingham City University Textile Design graduate to its design team. Continue Reading
Sealy renews support for charity Written on 18 November 2016. Sealy has again supported children’s charity Cash for Kids with its Mission Christmas Appeal, which encourages people to donate either cash or at least one present, suitable for a child who would not otherwise receive a gift this Christmas. Continue Reading
La-Z-Boy buys back UK license Written on 17 November 2016. US upholstery company La-Z-Boy has bought back the UK and Ireland license after eight years. Continue Reading
New base gives MyFurniture room for growth Written on 17 November 2016. Furniture etailer MyFurniture has begun exporting to continental Europe after securing funding to move to larger premises. Continue Reading
Interiors products dominate DesignEuropa finalists Written on 17 November 2016. All four finalists in the small and emerging companies category of the inaugural DesignEuropa Awards are interiors products. Continue Reading
Beds and bedding drive John Lewis home sales Written on 16 November 2016. John Lewis again increased home sales last week, helped by double-digit increases in beds and bedding. Continue Reading
Furniture Makers secures major sponsor Written on 16 November 2016. The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, has secured a major sponsor for its Manufacturing Guild Mark. Continue Reading
Flooring market set for growth Written on 14 November 2016. The global flooring market will enjoy 6% growth a year between now and 2024, according to new research. Continue Reading
Ikea store could spearhead ‘once-in-a-generation’ development Written on 11 November 2016. A new Ikea store could be at the centre of a ‘once-in-a-generation’ that aims to create 4,500 jobs. Continue Reading
Imrie and Langford to make the NEC their new abode Written on 11 November 2016. David Imrie and David Langford have confirmed that their new upholstery and cabinet company will make its UK show debut at The January Furniture Show. Continue Reading
John Lewis reveals Christmas advertisement Written on 10 November 2016. John Lewis has revealed its 2016 Christmas TV advertisement, featuring trampolining wild animals and a boxer dog. Continue Reading
L&G grows Headlam stake Written on 10 November 2016. Investment group L&G has upped its stake in the country’s largest flooring distributor to above 3%. Continue Reading
Furniture and carpet boost John Lewis Written on 09 November 2016. John Lewis enjoyed solid home growth last week, with strong performances from furniture and carpets. Continue Reading
Betta Living enters administration Written on 09 November 2016. Bedroom, kitchen and bathroom chain Betta Living has fallen into administration with business ceasing to trade as rescue plans are explored. Continue Reading
Expansion for Woods with second store Written on 08 November 2016. Dorchester furniture and flooring retailer Woods Furniture is to expand with its second store in the town. Continue Reading
John Sylvester dies Written on 07 November 2016. John Sylvester, former Metro chief executive has died. He was 73. Continue Reading
Kolnmesse adds ZOW to portfolio Written on 07 November 2016. Imm Cologne and Interzum exhibition organiser Kolnmesse has added the ZOW show to its portfolio. Continue Reading
Furniture Village enjoys double-digit profits growth Written on 04 November 2016. Furniture Village saw like for like sales jump by 10% in the past financial year as profits climbed by 12.9%. Continue Reading
Shares tumble as Advent halves DFS stake Written on 04 November 2016. Former DFS owner Advent International has continued to reduce its stake in the retailer, selling half of its remaining shares. Continue Reading
Time is running out to get tickets for Furniture Makers’ Ball at Mitton Hall Written on 03 November 2016. There is less than a month to go until the glittering Christmas Ball being held in aid of The Furniture Makers’ Company gets the festive season off to a stylish start. Continue Reading
Carpet Ways boosts north-west presence Written on 03 November 2016. Scotland and north-west England flooring retailer Carpet Ways has relocated its Carlisle branch to much larger premises, while retaining its town centre presence. Continue Reading
Ikea makes living wage promise Written on 03 November 2016. Ikea has become the latest retailer to promise to pay UK staff the newly increased voluntary Living Wage, as its expansion plans suffered a setback. Continue Reading
Woods to donate to children's charities during sale Written on 02 November 2016. Dorset furniture retailer Woods is to donate a share of sales during a pre-Christmas sale to two local charities. Continue Reading
West Elm link boosts John Lewis Written on 02 November 2016. John Lewis’s home performance was lifted this week as its West Elm offer enjoyed its best week. Continue Reading
Furniture Makers’ Company raises £20,000 to support university and college students Written on 01 November 2016. The Furniture Makers’ Company’s annual Royal Charter Appeal has raised £20,000, enabling the charity to financially support even more university and college students studying furnishing related courses around the UK. Continue Reading
Snoring and duvet stealing top sleeping complaints Written on 30 November 2015. Snoring and stealing the duvet are the most annoying aspects of sharing a bed, according to a new survey. Continue Reading
Weather sees John Lewis customers switch from home to clothing Written on 27 November 2015. John Lewis saw sales top £115m last week, but home sales dipped as shoppers turned their attention to warm clothing. Continue Reading
Wilding sets out plans for more acquisitions and looks to reassure shareholders over debt Written on 25 November 2015. Geoff Wilding, Victoria Group executive chairman has told shareholders that the company will carry on with its acquisition policy and tried to reassure them over its debt level. Continue Reading
Business rates review extended until March Written on 26 November 2015. The government’s review into business rates has been delayed and high street retailers face higher rates bills. Continue Reading
WoNZ set for largest Domotex presence Written on 25 November 2015. Wools of New Zealand will have its largest presence at Domotex in January. Monochrome will be the colour theme with the Laneve branded Biscayne range from Crucial Trading in raven and mascarpone the showcase carpet. Continue Reading
DFS joins top 250 companies Written on 24 November 2015. DFS has joined the FTSE 250 Index in the latest review of the London Stock Exchange’s largest companies. Continue Reading
Made.com to launch mattress brand Written on 23 November 2015. Online retailer Made.com will today launch a mattress business as it looks to ‘disrupt’ the bed market. Continue Reading
Lighting and carpets lead John Lewis growth as sales top £110m Written on 20 November 2015. Lighting and carpets were the star home performers for John Lewis last week as sales topped £110m. Continue Reading
Harvey Norman widens offer with flagship concept Written on 19 November 2015. Harvey Norman has widened its product offer to include flooring and soft furnishings at its new flagship store. Continue Reading
Domotex to be larger than 2015 Written on 19 November 2015. With almost two months still to go, next year’s Domotex will be larger than this year’s event. Continue Reading
Movember target acheived Written on 19 November 2015. Greg Suthern, Furniture Village coo has exceeded his Movember fundraising target, while Martin West, Kingsmead Carpets general manager is approaching his. Continue Reading
ScS sees sales rise but growth slows Written on 18 November 2015. Upholstery and flooring chain ScS has seen sales rise, but growth has slowed. Continue Reading
Expansion for Acclaim Written on 17 November 2015. Upholstery manufacturer Acclaim Upholstery is to open new premises and siginificantly boost its workforce after increased demand. Continue Reading
Get tough on timber says Titeux Written on 16 November 2015. The EU Timber Regulation must be strengthened to stop illegal timber entering Europe, according to fitted furniture company Empatika. Continue Reading
Fludes set for seventh store Written on 13 November 2015. South coast flooring chain Fludes is set to open its seventh branch, taking space in Beales’ flagship Bournemouth department store. Continue Reading
Lee Longlands mbo completed Written on 12 November 2015. The management of Midlands furniture group Lee Longlands has completed a management buy out ‘protecting the core values of the business.’ Continue Reading
Movember duo head for targets Written on 12 November 2015. Greg Suthern and Martin West are approaching achieving their initial fund-raising targets for Movember, less than two weeks into the month-long project. Continue Reading
Benchmark and Raw Edges share Wood Award Written on 12 November 2015. Benchmark Furniture and Raw Edges Design Studio have shared this year’s top award in the Wood Awards 2015. Continue Reading
Domotex success: An Old Painter’s Dream Written on 11 November 2015. An Old Painter’s Dream by Baltic Wood is three-layer oak flooring that was awarded the Innovations@Domotex award at Domotex 2014. The following success story shows how this textured wood surface perfectly complements the interior design of the Grill Market restaurant in Reykjavik. Continue Reading
Government puts Sunday trading changes on hold Written on 11 November 2015. Retailers in England and Wales may face having to pay staff more to work on Sundays if the government presses ahead with plans to liberalise Sunday trading. Continue Reading
John Lewis heads to Brighton and Holland Written on 11 November 2015. John Lewis is to open its first stores in Continental Europe next year and an At Home in Brighton and Hove in 2017. Continue Reading
More Sunday shopping: don’t count on it Written on 10 November 2015. Government plans to allow local councils let larger retailers to open for longer on Sundays in England and Wales could be rejected by MPs. Continue Reading
Furniture shrugs off Black Friday sales fears Written on 10 November 2015. Furniture retailers were among the few sectors that were able to shrug off the effects of Black Friday as retail sales dropped last month as shoppers anticipated discounts at the end of November. Continue Reading
Leeds independent hit by fire Written on 09 November 2015. Part of the rear of Leeds retailer Hill’s Furnishings city centre store has been demolished after a major fire on Friday. Continue Reading
Man on the moon heads for 10million views Written on 09 November 2015. The John Lewis Christmas Man on the moon advertisement has been watched online by almost 10million people. Continue Reading
John Lewis looks to the moon Written on 06 November 2015. John Lewis will begin the pre-Christmas marketing push this evening when its Christmas advertisement is shown on Channel 4 this evening. Continue Reading
House price growth nears 10% Written on 05 November 2015. The year-on-year increase in house prices approached 10% last month, according to Halifax’s House Price Index. Continue Reading
Anbo secures bank backing for import push Written on 05 November 2015. Wooden flooring importer Anbo International has secured financial backing from its bank as it looks to grow significantly. Continue Reading
Living well at Ambiente Written on 04 November 2015. Buyers from furniture and furnishings stores, boutiques, galleries and lifestyle stores will products for furnishing, design, lifestyle and decoration Ambiente from 12-16 February. Continue Reading
Harrison Spinks secures first NaturalStart stockist Written on 04 November 2015. Harrison Spinks’ nursery division has secured its first stockist for its NaturalStart mattress collection. Continue Reading
M&S sees profits rise amid ‘challenging’ conditions Written on 04 November 2015. Marks and Spencer has seen profits rise after it cut back on promotions and focused on full-price sales. Continue Reading
West and Innermost abandon razors for Movember Written on 03 November 2015. Martin West, Kingsmead general manager and Innermost have vowed to concentrate on top lips to support Movember. Continue Reading
Lord Kirkham is Tapi’s largest shareholder Written on 03 November 2015. Lord Kirkham is the largest shareholder in flooring chain Tapi, launched by Martin Harris. Continue Reading
Serene appoints agents Written on 03 November 2015. Serene Furnishings has appointed agents covering Ireland and the south of England. Continue Reading
John Lewis enjoys £5.4m sales lift Written on 28 November 2014. John Lewis again lifted sales last week, helped by a strong Home performance. Continue Reading
Wellemobel makes Cologne vow after filling for insolvency Written on 27 November 2014. German bedroom and office furniture manufacturer Wellemobel has insisted it will still exhibit at IMM Cologne after filling for insolvency. Continue Reading
Harrison Spinks launches second expansion Written on 27 November 2014. Fresh from launching an upholstery subsidiary, Harrison Spinks has launched a contract division. Continue Reading
Furlong’s (facial) growth leaps ahead Written on 27 November 2014. Furlong’s Movember team has made great strides in its effort to raise £5,000. Continue Reading
John Cotton presented with his MBE Written on 27 November 2014. Bedding entrepreneur John Cotton was honoured at Buckingham Palace yesterday as he received his MBE award from Prince William. Continue Reading
Cath Kidston to end day to day involvement with eponymous chain Written on 26 November 2014. Cath Kidston is to end day to day involvement with the chain she founded 21 years ago. Continue Reading
IVC completes €10m turbine programme Written on 26 November 2014. LVT, vinyl and laminate producer IVC has completed its €10m investment in three wind turbines, generating about a third of the group's annual energy use. Continue Reading
Online to lead sales boost Written on 24 November 2014. Shoppers are set to spend £1.5bn more next month, with online sales leading the way. Continue Reading
Sleep Council celebrates first Sales Academy graduate Written on 21 November 2014. Matt Scott, Scott's Furnishers, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset salesman has become the first person to graduate from the Sleep Council Sales Academy. Continue Reading
Home helps John Lewis to record week Written on 21 November 2014. Strong homeware sales helped John Lewis easily break the £100m weekly sales target. Continue Reading
S&E Upholstery set for debut Written on 20 November 2014. Spink & Edgar Upholstery is to introduce its first designs next month, with springs replacing 60% of foam and other man-made materials in the seat cushions and frame. Continue Reading
Ikea named as sustainable business of the year Written on 20 November 2014. Ikea UK has been named as ICAEW Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2014 National Business Awards. Continue Reading
Tempur Sealy creates new top marketing role Written on 19 November 2014. Tempur Sealy, the world's largest bed company, has recruited US marketing veteran Jay Spenchian to a new top role as executive vice-president, chief marketing officer, where he will be responsible for its six brands. Continue Reading
Sun Europe ‘eyes ScS sale’ Written on 18 November 2014. ScS owner Sun European has appointed bankers Investec to examine a possible sale or return to the stockmarket. Continue Reading
Furlong’s (facial) growth continues Written on 18 November 2014. Furlong Flooring's efforts to raise at least £5,000 for Movember have continued to progress, with a further £815 being raised in the past week. Continue Reading
Zen beats DFS and Brunner to SBID retail award Written on 17 November 2014. The Zen Resort and Spa sales centre in Yichun City, China has been named as the best retail design at this year's Society of British and International Design awards. Continue Reading
Visioni takes SBID domestic product award Written on 17 November 2014. AEE Interior Design's Visioni decorative panels won the Residential Product at year's Society of British and International Design awards, beating off competition from 14 other finalists. Continue Reading
Westex delivers UK profits and sales boost for Victoria Written on 17 November 2014. Victoria boosted UK sales by almost 60% and delivered more than £2.5m of profit in the past six months, thanks largely to its ownership of Westex. Continue Reading
CCF makes green investment Written on 14 November 2014. Carpet Craft Flooring has boosted its environmental efforts, investing in a carpet crushing machine to support its zero to landfill policy. Continue Reading
Police searching for missing Kingstown employee find body Written on 13 November 2014. Police in Hull searching for a missing furniture worker have found a body. Continue Reading
Cypriots to target UK market Written on 13 November 2014. The Cypriot furniture industry is to try to boost its presence in the UK market. Continue Reading
DFS looks to marketing boost Written on 08 November 2014. DFS is set to strengthen its direct and online marketing after appointing a permanent agency. In recent years it has used a number of agencies on a project-by-project basis. Continue Reading
Parker & Farr set for Wade move Written on 07 November 2014. Upholstery company Parker & Farr is to relocate production to sister company Wade Upholstery. Continue Reading
Mid-July deadline for Paul Simon IP sale Written on 07 November 2014. The administrator of Paul Simon has set a deadline of mid-July to sell the failed chain's brand and other intellectual property. Continue Reading
Lewis to leave Victoria for new role Written on 06 November 2014. Shaun Lewis, Victoria Carpets sales and marketing director is to leave the company after almost 14 years for a new role in the flooring industry. Continue Reading
Green Tree heads south Written on 06 November 2014. Laminate and wood flooring firm Green Tree Distribution is to open a second distribution centre to cover the south of the country as part of a major expansion project. Continue Reading
DFS vows to continue store investment Written on 06 November 2014. DFS will continue investing in refurbishing its stores after it helped deliver a 5.1% rise in sales in the past quarter. Continue Reading
Furniture and flooring IFC offer helps boost John Lewis Written on 04 November 2014. John Lewis enjoyed success with home big-ticket items and the introduction of interest free credit on flooring last week. Continue Reading
In-house transport move brings cost savings Written on 03 November 2014. Fitted furniture company Omega has seen significant savings since bringing its distribution in-house and switching to new software. Continue Reading
Interiors and online perform best amid high street hiatus Written on 03 November 2014. Interiors and online where the star performers in retail sales in February as consumers were deterred by the weather. Continue Reading
Interiors sales star as shoppers spent in January Written on 02 November 2014. Furniture, flooring and home accessories led the way in consumer spending last month, according to research. Continue Reading
Manufacturers challenged to show environmental progress Written on 12 November 2013. Furniture companies have again been challenged to prove their green credentials. Continue Reading
NBF moves to end audit speculation Written on 12 November 2013. NBF has moved to end suggestions that any members have failed to pass the recently introduced audit process as the deadline for meeting the audit has yet to expire. Continue Reading
Lighting helps lift John Lewis Written on 10 November 2013. A double-digit increase in lighting sales helped John Lewis to a 'modest' increase in total sales last week. Continue Reading
CSL looks for more Written on 10 November 2013. Upholstery retailer CSL is to open what it hopes will be the first of 18 new stores in December. Continue Reading
Upholstery leads Easter push Written on 06 November 2013. Interiors retailers saw a rise in sales of 5.2% during the Easter period, according to the latest figures from GfK. Continue Reading
Housing market sees three year high Written on 06 November 2013. The amount of homes sold in the UK over the past three months reached its highest level since January 2010 as buyers across the country began to return to the market, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors residential market survey. Continue Reading
Mason to launch export consultancy Written on 04 November 2013. Former BFM director of commercial affairs, Adam Mason, is launching a business this month assisting British furniture manufacturers to start or develop their international sales. Continue Reading
Comment latest: Beds market set to get cutthroat Written on 03 November 2013. Independent bed retailers hoping that the break-up of Dreams would provide them with a bit of breathing space will be disappointed, as a new two-pronged threat emerges. Continue Reading
Headlam enjoys UK domestic sales lift Written on 03 November 2013. The flooring group's sales to the UK domestic market through its branded subsidiaries and network of wholesalers rose by 5.4% in 2012, reaching £337.5m. Continue Reading
Carpetright sees retail sales climb Written on 12 November 2012. Shapland says 'steady as you are'. Carpetright saw UK retail sales grow by 3% on a like for like basis in the six months to 27 October. It was also able to lift gross margins from 58% to 61.7%. Continue Reading
Barker & Stonehouse results to year end March Written on 10 November 2012. Barker & Stonehouse, the eigth store retailer, is about to post its year end results at Companies House. The figures will show revenue is down 8% to just under £40m, and profit, before tax is down from £2m to just over £1m. Continue Reading
TrustMark first for Quick-Step Academy Written on 10 November 2012. Stockport retailer becomes the first Quick-Step Academy trained fitter to achieve the government backed standard. Continue Reading
Harrogate tops 3,000 as 2013 gets green light Written on 09 November 2012. Last week's The Flooring Show attracted just over 3,000 visitors, of which, figures show 2,400 trade visitors from 25 countries attended the 2-4 September event. Continue Reading
Colefax suffers summer dip Written on 09 November 2012. Fabric and upholstery group Colefax has warned that UK and European sales dipped over the summer. Continue Reading
Dodrefn Cymru blames bypass for closure Written on 07 November 2012. What is said to be the largest furniture store in North Wales is to close, with the owner blaming the opening of a bypass decimating passing trade. Dodrefn Cymru in Tremadog, Gwynedd will close on Friday with three staff being made redundant. Continue Reading
'Time the penny dropped' on IP Written on 07 November 2012. 'It's time the penny dropped for those who continue to free ride on the back of the Intellectual Property belonging to others,' says Dids Macdonald ACID ceo after yet another copying case is settled. Continue Reading
BM ends wholesaling for containers only Written on 07 November 2012. Upholstery importer BM Furniture has axed its wholesale operation, switching to a container only business. Continue Reading
Laura Ashley growth 'set to continue' Written on 06 November 2012. Laura Ashley has enjoyed an increase in sales – and expects the growth to continue. Continue Reading
Clement Joscelyne trades on in administration Written on 05 November 2012. Jobs go and one branch is closed at the 133 year old chain. Continue Reading
Shapland gets top Carpetright job Written on 05 November 2012. Former finance director to become chief executive. Continue Reading
Brintons campaign takes to the streets Written on 04 December 2012. A union's campaign to keep Brintons in Kidderminster has taken to the streets as the manufacturer's former head office is put up for sale. Continue Reading
'A deliberate, wilful act of shocking, dangerous vandalism' Written on 04 November 2012. The looter who burned down House of Reeves store last August has been sent to prison for 11 and-a-half years as the Reeves family describe the fire as a bereavement. Continue Reading
Dunelm sees growth Written on 04 November 2012. Furniture, flooring and homewares chain Dunelm has seen sales growth despite a drop in footfall. Continue Reading
Heimtextil day one Written on 01 November 2012. For the next few days I'll be blogging from Frankfurt, Hannover and Cologne as the European interiors trade show season gets into full swing. Today: Heimtextil day one. Continue Reading
Dwell to make Wales move Written on 12 December 2011. Furniture, flooring and kitchen chain Dwell is to open its first store in Wales. Continue Reading
MFI set for comeback Written on 11 November 2011. MFI looks set to return to the interiors market on 30 November, almost exactly three years since the demise of the chain. However doubts have been expressed about its success. Continue Reading
Textiles and accessories growth Written on 10 November 2011. Sales of home accessories and textiles picked up last month, but, as expected, overall retail sales were kept in check by the mini-heatwave of the final week of September. Continue Reading
Brintons talks 'making progress' Written on 08 November 2011. The future of carpet manufacturer Brintons could be decided with days, rather than weeks Interiors Monthly has learned. Talks between the family owned firm and its ‘preferred bidder’ were described as ‘very close’ and ‘going well’ by a source familiar with the negotiations. The bidder has been reported as being US private-equity firm Carlyle Group, and that it will pay £38m, including Brinton’s £18m of bank loans.
Harry Thursby Written on 07 November 2011. The funeral of Harry Thursby, former Sunderland furniture and carpet retailer is due to take place on Tuesday. He died on 4 July, aged 94. An upholsterer, Thursby set up on his own re-upholstering suites in 1947 after being unable to return to his pre-war job, initially using his mother’s front room. Continue Reading