Heal’s reopens extended flagship

Following the extensive redevelopment of its Grade II listed building on Tottenham Court Road, Heal’s officially reopened its flagship store in late April, with a design that pays homage to its centuries-long standing there.

After more than 40 years, the Heal’s showroom on the ground floor once again extends into the Fitzroy Robinson extension, offering a new facade running from Alfred Mews round to Torrington Place that doubles the shop frontage from 50m to 100m. The redevelopment brings the showroom to over 49,000ft2 across just two floors, and has created “an innovative shopping experience for a modern audience”, says Heal’s.

Combining original architectural elements with modern design influences, the new space offers interior products alongside Heal’s range of furniture, lighting and home accessories. New brands present include GUBI, Carpe Diem Beds, Zanotta and Hay. The retailer has also announced a long-term partnership with creative learning platform, Create Academy.

Furniture sector outlook optimistic, says BFM

Orders and output are on the rise and the costs of materials are falling, prompting a positive perspective, according to the British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM). In its latest survey, the association found that the number of respondents that were more optimistic about the general trading environment compared to the previous six months had risen by +23%. The same percentage also reported that trade was better YoY..

A key theme to emerge is an easing of material price increases. In October 2022, 86% of respondents reported raw material rises, while in April 2023, rises were reported by only 15%. Rising overheads and labour costs had prompted 69% of respondents to increase product prices in the last six months, with the most common increase being +5%. No redundancies were reported in the past six months,

New look and features set to

Show organiser Clarion has announced a brand refresh, new features and an updated layout for the 33rd January Furniture Show (JFS), taking place from 21st-24th January 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham.

While the event undergoes a revamp, 74% of the exhibitors have already committed to return. Confirmed participants include Birlea, GFA, La-Z-Boy, Global Home, Softnord, Celebrity, Wiemann, Rauch, VIDA Living, At The Helm, Alpha Designs, Baker Furniture, Bontempi, Forte, Incanto, Pacific Lifestyle, Mindy Brownes, Premier Housewares, Scatterbox, Tetrad, Westbridge and Whitemeadow.

The new branding “represents the lifestyle and interior design aesthetic that the show’s community of retail buyer attendees and their design-savvy consumers aspire to”, states Clarion Retail’s portfolio director, Zoe Bonser, describing it as “combining a mix of current interior design styles that will position JFS as being at the forefront of modern furniture and interior design”.

New features further demonstrate a renewed focus on design trends and a commitment to enhancing the visitor and exhibitor experience.

A programme of social events will take place over with none anticipated for the coming six. And while pressures from skill shortages have improved, with 46% having no issues to report compared to 23% six months ago, 54% still reported moderate-to-severe problems in recruiting skilled labour.

BFM chairman Nick Garratt says: “Six months ago, the furniture industry was braced for a difficult winter. Optimism surrounding the general business situation had plummeted to -64%, with one in five respondents to the October survey reporting that they were either making a loss or breaking even. With spring has come new optimism thanks to stabilising material prices, a rise in order intake and a +31% leap in output. More respondents have reported falling profit margins (15%), but this is the lowest figure for two years, and 38% expect cash flow to improve over the next half.”