BigBites

Three furniture retailers join Leicester retail park

Leicester-based retail park Fosse Park has announced the expansion of its home furnishings offer, welcoming retailers Designer Sofas, Natuzzi and Dreams. These add to its existing line-up of Furniture Village, Sofology, DFS, Oak Furnitureland, Fabb Furniture and ScS. The stores will be located on Fosse Park South and will replace the former Argos store that is being split into three individual units.

Furniture agent joins SWFMARF as new member

Furniture agent, Colin Boyce –representing Mattsons Beds, Furmanac, Sleepsense International and Enchanted House Beds, has joined the South West Furniture Manufacturers, Agents and Reps Federation (SWFMARF) as its new member.

Furniture retailer snaps up new Telford warehouse

A global lifestyle home designs brand has taken a Telford warehouse just weeks after the building was acquired by investors. Furniture and home goods retailer Teamson UK Ltd will occupy Unit G Stafford Park 12 as it combines its office and warehouse functions, which have been separately located until now.

John Lewis sofas to use leather sourced from Waitrose farms

Department store retailer John Lewis has announced that 100% of the leather used in its own label sofas and chairs will be from higher welfare farms in the UK that supply Waitrose beef. Following on from the successful circular design launch of John Lewis mattresses in 2021 that use otherwise wasted wool sourced from Waitrose farms, this new initiative is yet another example of how the John Lewis Partnership is bringing its two businesses together.

Bedding manufacturer fined £80k

Bedding manufacturer John Cotton Group has been fined £80,000 after an employee suffered horrific injuries when his hand was drawn into a machine. John Cotton Group Limited faced legal action following the incident on 9 December 2020 –which resulted in the machine operator having three fingers on their left hand amputated.

BFM appoints new membership manager

British Furniture Manufacturers has appointed a new membership engagement manager with a wealth of experience in a trade body environment. Joanna Privett joins the BFM team on a number of new projects, as well as providing a first point of contact for members’ communications with the association.

Ekornes appoints new CEO

Ekornes of Norway and renowned for brands including Stressless® has appointed Tine Hammernes Leopold as its new chief executive officer (CEO). She will join as CEO Autumn 2023. Acting CEO Fredrik Ødegård Nilsen will at the same time assume the position as deputy CEO and CFO.

Vita Group sponsors BFM’s new Furniture Component Expo

The Vita Group has signed up as the headline sponsor of the British Furniture Manufacturers all new Furniture Component Expo event. The inaugural Furniture Component Expo takes place at the Telford International Centre on 24 and 25 April 2024. It will provide an opportunity for manufacturers of furniture to review, network and purchase everything in the supply chain from leading suppliers.

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