Spanish design company MUT will great the Das Haus installation at next January’s imm cologne exhibition.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire independent furniture retailer is investing £10m in a new 75,000sqft store and 30,000sqft warehouse

DFS has seen ‘subdued’ sales orders over the past three months as Brexit and the housing market deter shoppers.

Steve Rowe, Marks & Spencer chief executive has put his former executive assistant in charge of its clothing and home supply chain.

Councils in England are sending bailiffs to 310 companies a day over business rates arrears.

Sainsburys is to close as many as 70 Argos stores, replacing them with space inside its supermarkets.

John Lewis saw total and home sales plunge in the past week.

Consumers will spend more than £37 per sqm on new flooring if they are buying smooth flooring, according to etailer Luxury Flooring.

Shares in Eve Sleep have plunged by more than a third after it told shareholders that merger talks with fellow mattress in a box company Simba had broken down.

John Lewis suffered a double-digit fall in home sales in the past week, despite the popularity of its own brand House range.

The winners of the three Bed Industry Awards for retailers were revealed at the Bed Show Gala Dinner last night.

Alternative Flooring and Ulster Carpets and led the winners of the residential categories of The Campaign For Wool Wool Carpet and Rug Awards, in association with British Wool.

Floor Story and Brintons took the honours in the design and commercial installation categories of The Campaign For Wool Wool Carpet and Rug Awards, in association with British Wool.

Shaun Lewis, Brockway Carpets sales director received the The Campaign For Wool Wool Carpet and Rug Awards, in association with British Wool Hall Of Fame Award, announced on Monday evening at The Flooring Show.

Balta updated its Aim High range and debuted the High Life collection.

 Abingdon Flooring introduced Sophisticat, a ‘luxury carpet suited to the modern busy home’.

John Lewis sees its future in differentiating itself from rivals through own brand products.

Medium and large retailers on the country’s main high streets closed a net 1,234 branches in the first half of this year.

Cost cutting helped upholstery manufacturer Lebus substantially increase pre0tax profits last year, despite a dip in sales.

Furnishings will be the core focus for IMG as it rolls out the Laura Ashley brand across China.

John Lewis suffered an almost double-digit fall in home sales in the past week, despite success in the student market.

Interiors retailer Rose & Grey is to launch its first mail order catalogue later this month.

Harrison Spinks has been presented with its Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: Sustainable Development by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. 

Bedtime shopping is booming, at least among those with a John Lewis credit card.

The Sleep Council has collaborated with Penguin Random House to help develop a range of ‘Sleep Tales’, designed to help people relax before bedtime.

The finalists for the 2019 Bed Industry Awards have been revealed.

Bensons for Beds and Harvey’s have received the BSI Kitemark for Domestic Furniture accreditation across 34 products.

Dunelm is to pay shareholders an extra £64.6m in dividends after a jump in profits.

Employees of Ulster Carpets have raised almost £30,000 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

John Lewis saw a major drop on sales over the past week, including a double-digit fall in home sales, as shoppers preferred to enjoy the weather.

Italian furniture manufacturer Giorgetti is to be the latest brand to open a store in the Brompton Cross area of West London.

Furniture retailer Loaf has opened its eight branch, near Bristol.

The retail sector is likely to see its business rates bill increase by almost £170m next year.

Harveys has launched an advertising campaign promoting its BOLD by Louise collection, featuring Louise Redknapp. 

Likewise Group has completed its second acquisition.

Former Ercol md Nick Garratt is to become the new md of the BFM.

Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture parent company has placed Ian Gray in charge as executive chairman.

Competition in the foam mattress in a box market has increased further, with Nectar Sleep launching in the UK.

Homewares chain Homesense has debuted its first UK and Republic of Ireland consumer advertising campaign.

The British Furniture Confederation has warned that some motorised upholstery produced in Europe and marked CE may not comply with the flammability regulations.

The Carpet Foundation has recruited a further two flooring brands as patron members, increasing the number to 20.

John Lewis & Partners saw home sales fall once again in the past week.

 Bed chain Dreams has become the latest company to join the BFM.

Sports Direct has again described landlords as ‘greedy’ as it negotiates with store landlords over the future of House of Fraser branches.

Harrison Spinks and Millbrook Beds were named as bed manufacturers of the year at last night’s Bed Show Awards.

Dreams, Arighi Bianchi, Argos and Otty Sleep were named as bed retailers of the year at last night’s Bed Show Awards.

Ulster Carpets and its Roger Oates subsidiary was the main winner of the 2018 Wool Carpet & Rug Awards last night.

Flooring distributor Headlam has confirmed the departure of Tony Judge, chief operating office, after 26 years with the group.

Interiors trade exhibition Decorex is to return to central London next year, and move to a new month.

Carpet manufacturer Ulster Carpets has seen record profits and turnover in its most recent financial year.

The Design Guild Mark, awarded by The Furniture Makers’ Company, has launched a new brand identity and standalone website as it sets its sights on becoming a recognised indicator of excellence among shoppers.

Habitat has today opened its first standalone store in a decade, at the Westfield London shopping centre.

Italian fabric exhibition Proposte is to take place in April next year, rather than its traditional May schedule and change the days it takes part on.

John Lewis has seen a first half operating profit of £33.3m become a loss of £33.5m amid ‘unprecedented’ discounting and a drop in home sales.

Upholstery manufacturer Whitemeadow has opened a £700,000 design and development facility as it looks to accelerate new designs.

Dunelm had a ‘difficult and disappointing’ year as it suffered from a ‘weaker grip’ on retail basics as management focused on online integration, according to Nick Wilkinson, Dunelm ceo.

After recording its first increase on home sales in over a quarter, John Lewis saw sales slip back in the past week.

Leading London interiors retailer Aram has disclosed that director Ruth Aram has died, a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Darrell Tough has become Sweet Dream’s agent for Scotland following the retirement of Stevie McCann.

Spiced Honey, a rich caramel shade, has been named as Dulux’s colour of the year for 2019, the 16th time it has forecast the trend.

Furniture chain Loaf has opened its seventh branch, in St Albans.

The Malaysian International Furniture Fair will put Muar, the country’s furniture city, at its centre as it celebrates 25 years next year.

Furniture chain Harveys has introduce its first celebrity range of furniture: BOLD by Louise, with a upholstery range designed with singer and style blogger Louise Redknapp.

Mattress firm Simba has become the latest bed brand to announce a sporting tie-up.

Department store chain Fenwick is to shed more than 10% of its staff after profits collapsed by more than £36m in two years.

After 13 weeks of falling home sales John Lewis & Partners - the chain officially rebranded itself today – has seen a sales increase.

The South West Furniture Show will play host to almost 50 brands this month.

Mattress company Eve has recruited a new ceo and a non-executive director, both with strong marketing experience.

Flooring chain Tapi has raised another £216,000 from shareholders.

Homebase owner Hilco is set to bring back furniture and furnishings concessions after creditors, including more than 95% of landlords, approved the chain’s CVA.

Bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks received its two Queens Awards for Enterprise from the Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

Rent to buy furniture and electricals retailer Brighthouse could be sold.

Furnishings group J Rosenthal has revamped its Appletree brand with a rebrand, new packaging and extended range of coordinating products.

Danish furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Son has added to its portfolio of Danish design with the acquisition of Soborg Mobler.

The 55th Flooring Show, which took place from 17-19 September has been hailed as ‘one of the most successful shows’ with more than 3,000 visitors passing through the doors.

The Bed Show has been praised by visiting retailers as visitor numbers remained above 1,500.

Increased lighting sales helped lift home sales and contribute to strong overall growth at John Lewis last week.

Heico Fasteners picked up its second FIRA Gold Award at the organisation’s recent annual House of Lords presentation.

BoConcept will open its 14th UK store this week.

Upholstery retailer Multiyork and bedroom chain Feather & Black have been put up for sale.

Heal’s and Made.com will be among the interiors retailers to open at Birmingham shopping centre Mailbox.

Silentnight is to return to TV advertising ending a seven year absence.

John Lewis ended a three week run of falling home sales.

Bensons for Beds and Prestige Beds were last night named as Bed Retailers of the Year at the Bed Show awards.

Hypnos and Duvalay were last night named as Bed Manufacturers of the Year at the Bed Show awards.

John Cotton Group and BekaertDeslee were last night named as Bed Component Supplier of the Year and Judges’ Choice winner at the Bed Show awards.

The Flooring Show 2017 is underway. Click here to follow us as we go round the exhibition. This will open a new window.

Cormar Carpets has promoted three of its senior managers to directors.

The Carpet Foundation is to resume consumer advertising over the next year.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, John Lewis chairman has said politicians need to decide how Brexit will happen to restore consumer confidence.

Next year’s January Furniture Show is to receive a shake-up designed to make it easier for visitors to see the products they want, alongside an expanded Flooring Showcase.

Dunelm has seen sales grow in July and August after dipping in the previous full year.

Online mattress retailer Eve Sleep has managed to reduce the return rate through its 100 day guarantee amid increasing brand recognition.

John Lewis saw home sales fall for the third week as consumers spent their money on clothing and TVs and began to plan for Christmas.

Holloways of Ludlow has opened its fourth London branch.

Devonshire Pine and Oak has added to its management team.

Bed and living and dining supplier Serene Furnishings has expanded its offer by introducing a lighting collection.

Mattress retailer Eve Sleep has strengthened its physical footprint by singing an exclusive stockist agreement with a major German department store chain.

Leicester based material studio Muuna won the Launch Pad Blue Drop award at the MoOD fabric exhibition in Brussels.

Bedding manufacturer Trendsetter International has introduced a range of duvets and pillows using recycled PET bottles for fibres, which the company says mimics its Nimbus brand ‘highest grade feather and down products in every way.’

imm Cologne has seen a major increase in bookings, according to organiser Koelnmesse.

Furniture and product designer Sebastian Conran is to present the awards at the Furniture Makers’ Company’s Young Furniture Makers exhibition next month.

The deadline for tendering to supply carpets to the restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Willow Tea Rooms building in Glasgow is approaching.

Karndean Designflooring’s annual golf day has raised £11,000 for three charities.

Upholstery manufacturer Brühl has been declared as carbon neutral.

John Lewis saw home sales drop in the past week as promotions in 2016 proved too much to match.

Upholstery and bedroom retailer Loaf has hired a former Boden executive as chief operating officer.

Next week’s 40th China International Furniture Fair is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors with pre-registrations more than double the 2016 event.

AIS members have chosen their top upholstery and cabinet suppliers, as the buying group revealed its Gold Standard winners.

AIS suppliers have selected their top retailers of 2017.

John Lewis is set to name a new md after Andy Street was selected as the official Conservative Party candidate for the office of mayor of the West Midlands.

Sealy has been named as global bed supplier for boutique hotel chain citizenM.

The Flooring Show saw an almost 10% increase in visitor numbers.

Home was the star performer for John Lewis last week, defying the warm weather while other sectors suffered.

More retailers are prepared to take on the challenge of recycling waste carpet that can potentially help them to make substantial cost savings while improving their service to customers.

The National Bed Federation has seen membership pass the 100 mark, doubling in the past 10 years.

Bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks has been named Family Business of the Year at a major award competition.

The Al Mana Group has confirmed that BHS will return on Thursday, as an etailer.

John Lewis has continued its run of strong furniture sales, despite the unseasonal weather.

Mattress Online was named as Bed Retailer of the Year (over £5m beds turnover) at last night’s Bed Show Awards.

Kaymed UK was named Bed Manufacturer of the Year at the Bed Show Awards last night.

Harrison Spinks unveiled the Harrison Bed Tailor Turn Free collection, which allows users to rotate the mattress instead of turning it, at The Bed Show this morning.

Flair Rugs unveiled its AW16 collection at The Flooring Show, including the five styles that make up Prismatic.

Interiors Monthly can exclusively reveal the reason why Tony Brewer, former Headlam group chief executive departed from the country’s largest flooring supplier.

Sir Terence Conran launched his latest furniture design, inspired by Japanese Shoji screens, for Benchmark at Decorex.

Hypnos has unveiled the first in a series of beds from its new collaboration with interiors journalist and designer Amira Hashish at Decorex.

Cormar Carpet introduced the Soft Focus super-soft easy clean collection and revamped a trio of its established ranges at The Flooring Show.

Another Country has transformed its Marylebone store into a cultural melting pot celebrating the heritage of Danish sofa brand Søren Lund, and Brooklyn-based lighting brand Workstead, as part of this year’s London Design Festival.

John Lewis has begun public consultations on its proposed Brighton department store.

The BFM has revealed a new website for its London Fabric exhibition.

Dreamworks Beds is to make its debut at The Bed Show next week after becoming a National Bed Federation member.

The Carpet Foundation has seen a significant boost is support from suppliers, with several new Patron Members.

First half operating profits have tumbled by almost a third at John Lewis.

Homewares chain Dunelm has seen pre-tax profits rise by 6.2% to £128.9m in the year to 2 July.

Steve Wilson, Headlam group finance director since 1991 has become chief executive officer and Tony Judge promoted to chief operating officer.

The National Bed Federation is to launch a training course for newcomers to the sector.

Ryalux, Pownall and Burmatex owner Airea has seen operating profits jump after it was able to cut costs after reducing the number of its sites.

A home where everything from interiors to fashion will be made of wool and a hotel installation at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour will form the interiors centerpieces of the seventh Wool Week.

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, is to hold a fundraising Christmas Ball on 1 December with a drinks reception, three course meal, dancing to a live band and ‘champagne games’.

Flooring group Victoria has delivered a bullish message ahead of its AGM.

Denim Drift has been revealed as Dulux Trade’s 2017 Colour, as it embraces the world’s most popular colour.

A Dewsbury bed firm has been ordered to halt all deliveries after it was discovered it had been operating a lorry without a MOT for four months and had not checked if the vehicle had one.

Flooring buying and marketing group Bond Retail Marketing has promoted Carl Harris to md.

Online flooring retailer UK Flooring Direct has opened the first of a chain of retail stores.

The bedroom furniture market saw growth fall by more than half last year, according to a new report.

Upmarket bed manufacturer and retailer Savoir Beds has opened a showroom at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre.

John Lewis recorded another increase in furniture sales last week, but it was not enough to lift overall home sales as the hot weather continued to affect sales.

Leeds furniture and flooring retailer Christopher Pratts has unveiled new look to its upholstery offer, with a significantly enlarged Collins & Hayes gallery.

Alstons parent Thailand Carpet Manufacturing Company has strengthened its position in the UK upholstery market by agreeing to buy a 75% stake in Ashley Manor parent DM Midlands.

Marks & Spencer is to cut 525 jobs at its seven head offices in an effort to streamline its structure.

LVT manufacturer Karndean Designflooring’s annual charity golf day raised £8,000 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Interface’s Touch of Timber carpet tiles have been shortlisted for a Society of British and International Design award.

Fears over the country’s economic future and hot weather kept millions of people awake at night this summer, new research has found.

Stokers, Roomes of Upminster and Ena Shaw have been named as AIS retailers of the year, voted for by the buying group’s suppliers.

German cabinet and upholstery companies Venjakob and Himolla have been named as AIS cabinet and upholstery suppliers.

The Rug Company is the coolest retailer in interiors, according to the latest Coolbrands list for 2015/2016.

Software supplier Retailsystem is to debut its newly updated app at the Minerva Show next week, featuring a stock management heat map.

Carpet manufacturer Edel International, including its UK Edel Telenzo subsidiary, has been sold by its founding de Lange family.

Tile and flooring chain Topps Tiles says it expects to see ‘good growth in profits’ and record sales when its financial year ends this weekend.

Brockway Carpets has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of three area business managers, who have all joined from Victoria Carpets.

Last Week’s The Flooring Show enjoyed a near double-digit increase in visitor numbers, with almost a fifth of visitors attending for more than one day.

Upholstery and flooring chain ScS has seen a double-digit rise in order in recent weeks.

After more than three decades in the industry, Kitchen International director Sandy Park has retired.

Debenhams chief executive Michael Sharp and chairman Nigel Northridge are expected to come under greater pressure as shareholders demand improved performance.

Construction has begun on Ikea’s first UK store for seven years.

 The Flooring Show 2015 proved to be a successful event for both visitors and exhibitors alike. The three day event attracted higher numbers than last year. Official figures to be annouced shortly.

The Campaign for Wool is to debut a wool flooring event in London next March.

Sofa Brands International has seen a double-digit increase in sales, driven by strong growth at Parker Knoll.

Furniture Village was hailed as the Multiple Bed Retailer of the Year and Newbridge Street Bedding Centre as Independent Bed Retailer of the Year at last night’s awards.

Mattress Online was named as Bed Etailer of the Year at last night’s Bed Industry Awards.

Harrison Spinks was named as Bed Manufacturer of the Year at the Bed Industry Awards last night.

Dave Hubbard, Keith Jay Carpet & Furniture md says he intends to trade on after the fire which left everything inside its main store destroyed, but is ‘in limbo’.

Interiors chain Cargo is to become an online only brand after owner Steinhoff decided to convert some of its stores to Bensons for Beds.

Renowned and prolific designer Patricia Urquiola is to become art director for iconic brand Cassina as part of a wider design role at parent group Poltrona Frau.
The company says ‘he partnership marks Poltrona Frau’s growing global vision and its desire to continue to increase the potential of its companies, keeping their creative choices independent and consistent with their positioning.’

An investigation into a major fire which hit Keith Jay Carpets & Furniture last night is to take place this morning.

Matalan has widened its homewares offer with an online move into beds and bedroom furniture.

The Business Growth Fund is to take a stake in Victoria, as the flooring group confirms it is continuing to look for further acquisitions.

Graduate design competition New Design Britain is to continue, moving to Decorex, following the demise of the May Design Series exhibition.

Peter and John Ziemniak are retiring from the bed industry after selling Dreamworks Beds to Gallery Direct.

Bute Fabrics md James MacAdam Sprint has become chief executive at Alternative Flooring and Wilton Carpets.

Victoria has continued its acquisition policy, buying underlay and accessory manufacturer Interfloor from its venture capital owners and management.

A carpet fitter has been jailed for more than three years after conning his customers out of almost £85,000.

Argos and Homebase have seen sales fall in the past quarter, although profits were helped by favourable currency and shipping costs.

Strong furniture and home accessories growth has seen Laura Ashley lift UK retail sales in the past six months.

John Lewis has reshuffled its senior management team, with Andrew Murphy, retail director moving to a new role.

The number of companies agreeing to exhibit at 2016’s January Furniture Show continues to grow.

Sofa.Com has recruited Vince Gunn from Crocs to be its ceo.

Habitat is to grow its retail space by a quarter by the end of the year.

August was the worst month for British retail sales since the global financial crisis of 2008, as consumers opted for eating out or holidays rather than shopping.

John Lewis suffered its fourth consecutive weekly sales fall last week, as it ended August down 3%.

John Lewis was today due to re-open the home department of its flagship Oxford Street, London store after a £14m refurbishment. 25 different room-sets will sit at the heart of the space and be constantly updated to give customers new ideas. The department itself will be split into separate, distinct ‘room’ environments, allowing shoppers to fully immerse themselves in whatever they’re looking for.

Upholstery is the fifth most complained about product, according to Citizens Advice.

Uttoxeter independent flooring retailer WN Davies has reopened three months after a fire seriously damaged the store.

Eyers of Chesterfield and Stockers have been named as AIS Retailers of the Year.

Habitat is set to return to Cardiff, four years after its previous store closed in the Welsh capital.

Morris Furniture has confirmed the sale of G Plan Cabinets to Sofa Brands International.

Next has conceded that if the unseasonal weather continues it will have to lower its profit forecast after anticipated growth was almost halved.

Furniture to Go and Meble Wojcik have announced a joint venture to introduce melamine flat-pack products into the UK and Republic of Ireland markets.

Interiors online retailer Worldstores has bought children's furniture and accesories retailer Kiddicare for an undisclosed sum.

Victoria Carpets is to buy rival Abingdon Flooring for up to £12.1m, adding the Stainfree, Wilton Royal and Distinctive Flooring brands to its portfolio.

Furniture delivered 'eye-catching' sales rises at John Lewis last week.

Beds and bedroom furniture retailer Dreams is looking to expand into other product sectors as it looks to make best use of unwanted store space.

This year's Bed Manufacturer of the Year at the Bed Show awards was Hypnos after seeing strong sales and significantly increasing exports in the qualifying period, while taking an innovative approach to further developing brand awareness and proving itself a worthy benchmark for the higher-end of the market.

Furniture Village, Surrey Beds and Loaf took home the retailer awards at this year's Bed Show awards.

Bed supplier Serene Furnishings is to expand into another product area with the launch of a new division.

Dunelm, Ikea, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco are in competition to be named as Favourite Home Retailer of the Year by the readers of House Beautiful.

The second day of The Flooring Show found exhibitors continuing to enjoy the upbeat mood of the opening day.

Sunday was a very upbeat day at The Flooring Show, with sheep at the heart of the positive mood that filled HIC.

Follow us live at The Flooring Show in Harrogate. We'll be blogging from the show from Sunday morning so follow us as we go around the halls by clicking here.

Strong increases in furniture and flooring sales at John Lewis were not enough to prevent the chain seeing a drop in sales as the mild weather hit clothing sales.

The ceo of department and home store chain Beales has extoled the virtues of the high street and its progress transforming itself as like for like sales rise.

Carpetright chairman Lord Harris has sold almost £13m worth of shares in the flooring and beds retailer.

Furniture and lighting sales jumped by more than a fifth in August, the highest increase since the Office for National Statistics began tracking sales.

To meet more than 140 main suppliers and manufacturers for the independent living sector, REGISTER for your FREE delegate pass for Trade Days taking place on Sunday 5th & Monday 6th October at Birmingham's NEC today.

Bedding company Trendsetter Home Furnishings has strengthened its environmental credentials by being awarded its second ISO 14001, the globally-recognised standard for environmental management.

The return of Strictly Come Dancing to TV screens on 27 September has created a marketing boost for one underlay manufacturer.

Bedding supplier The Wool Room is to look to expand its retail distribution after gaining the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

Harrison Beds has been named as Bed Supplier of the Year by buying group AIS while 10 other companies achieved the Gold Standard award.

House price momentum slowed and fell back to June 2013 levels last month as demand slipped for the third consecutive month.

The fifth anniversary of the Recofloor vinyl flooring recycling scheme has seen it attract new retail members, and an increase in recycling.

After two months of falling retail sales, sales picked up again in August, although the increase was lower than in 2013.

BrightHouse, the market leader in the rent to buy furniture and electricals sector, is to be investigated by a group of MPs.

Ultra Furniture have announced the appointment of Jim O’Donnell as Design & Commercial Manager.

Jim brings over 35 years of industry experience to Ultra Furniture. Jim’s experience and knowledge has come from his time working for G-Plan, Pendal Furniture, Buoyant Upholstery and most recently Lebus Upholstery where Jim was Managing Director for 12 years. After taking a break to recharge his batteries he is now ready to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to assist in Ultra’s strategic growth plans.

Home, and furniture in particular, has continued to be a strong performer for John Lewis.

Crowson Fabrics founder Derek Crowson has revealed he is to close the group on 17 April.

Crowson, who is termanilly ill, founded the company in 1978 together with its brands, including Monkwell, Charterhouse, Dovedale, Design Archives and Hill and Knowles, which were distributed throughout the world.

2014’s interiors traded exhibition season got underway yesterday (Wednesday) as Heimtextil kicked off with another strong British presence.

Cathy Kidson owner TA Associates has hired investment bank UBS as it looks to capitalise on the success of the retailer.

The arrival of Ligne Roset Bristol heralds 'an innovative approach to retailing of the lifestyle brand,' according to the company.

Rising prices and increasing buyer demand have led to significant increases in homes coming onto the housing market in England and Wales, according to the August RICS Residential Market Survey.

A Preston flooring and furniture retailer has vowed to re-open after a fire, thought to have been started by a discarded cigarette, caused severe damage to the store.

Contemporary furniture company Vitra has bought Finnish producer Artek for an undisclosed sum.

Furniture manufacturer Herman Miller has been given the green light for a new factory and head office. The company is to move its production operations from Bath and offices from Chippenham to a purpose built 182,000sqft facility in Melksham, Wiltshire.

The Sleep Council is to launch a new campaign highlighting the benefits of good night's sleep next month.

Bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks is to boost production after investing to expand its Leeds factory.

The number of empty shops on the country's high streets has continued to rise in the first quarter of the year.

House prices rose by 5.5% in the first quarter of the year, amid a warning the rise will slow because of stamp duty.

Barker & Stonehouse is to open its first London store, a 25,000sqft unit in Battersea, in July.

Interiors and clothing chain Next has revealed the extent of sales volatility of the past three months, with sales fluctuating by about £25m a week.

Axminster Carpets has enjoyed better than expected performance since it was bought out of administration, and plans to boost its workforce.

Mohawk Industries, the world's largest flooring manufacturer, has completed its acquisition of Spano Group.

Retail sales have shrugged off the impact of the weather and shown the highest quarterly growth since December 2009, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The number of homes sold in the UK reached a three-year high during March as increased confidence in the market continued to translate into sales, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Furniture retailer Iain Race has opened a new store a year after Race For Furniture was bought by Michael O'Conner Furniture after going into administration.

Kuala Lumpur furniture exhibition Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) has seen sales at this year's event reach £558.86m.

Flooring giant Interface is to launch carpet tiles made from discarded fishing nets washed up in the Philippines as it looks to clean up the Pacific Ocean and find new sources of nylon.

The Furniture Ombudsman is to relaunch its training programme, including lower prices.

Chain continues its sales run.

Cabinet importer follows in footsteps of BM Furniture.

Shoppers returned to shopping in September as the British Retail Consortium hailed a change in consumer attitude.

Just four months after gaining board control at Victoria Carpets three directors have left after disagreement over profiting from selling the company. The company has also effectively put itself back up for sale.

Carpet manufacturer Cormar Carpets has completed a three year programme upgrading its cut lengths department.

The Jubilee celebrations, the forthcoming Olympics and last year's Royal wedding are making consumers more likely to buy British made furniture.

Weekly payment furniture and electricals retailer sees sales and profits leap.

UK retail sales in April were hurt by the wet weather, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said.

Like-for-like sales fell 3.3% from the same month last year, led by women's and children's wear. Worst hit were sales of footwear, which recorded their largest decline since January 2008. There was more gloomy news for the High Street from Clinton Cards, which said its largest supplier was set to begin steps to put it into administration.

As a result, Clinton Cards said it had asked for trading in its shares to be suspended. However, there was better news from supermarket group Sainsbury's, which reported a 6.8% rise in annual sales to £24.5bn, with underlying profit up by a stronger-than-expected 7% to £712m.

'Cautious' consumers

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "The wettest April since records began has put a dampener on retailers' fortunes." The monthly rainfall last month passed the record 120.3mm set in 2000, making it the wettest April since records began. And temperatures across the UK in April were the lowest in 23 years, according to Met Office figures.

It also comes after it was confirmed that the UK re-entered recession in the first three months of the year. "Consumers, struggling to balance their household budgets, remain reluctant to spend unless they really have to and the weakening economy is likely to mean people are even more cautious about their finances."
But at department stores, April was a better month for many as the wet weather boosted the number of shoppers seeking refuge. Source bbc news

Fresh from displacing the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, Brazil is to gain an Unilin manufacturing plant producing Quick-Step laminate.

Brintons is set to undergo the second round of job cuts since its takeover by Carlyle Group last September. Most of the redundancies are expected to be at Kidderminster, and a trade union says it is a result of the plant being given the most complicated orders.

The amount of carpet being recycled by British carpet manufacturers has leapt.

Bedroom furniture manufacturer Welle has opened its own UK distribution centre taking over delivery and installation from retailers.

Furniture, lighting and accessories chain Dwell has moved into the kitchen market. The chain has opened its first kitchen display at its Bristol store, with the Glasgow and Nottingham branches next to see the expanded offer

More than 20 ranges are on offer, but customers must live within two hours of a branch selling kitchens for designer home visitsand installation and aftercare.

Retailers affected by the rioting of the past three days have been told that they could still recover their losses even if they are not insured – but have to act fast.

Trevor Reeves, House of Reeves owner has vowed to carry on after the retailer’s 144 year-old flagship Croydon store was destroyed by fire in last night’s London riots.