Interiors Monthly April 2023

While there have been plenty of groans about lower sales volumes of late (which was only to be expected after the postlockdown boom – Mrs Smith can only replace her sofa, bed or carpet so often) it seems shoppers haven’t given up. ScS has seen a sizeable upturn since February, for example, and the value of sales in February was the 41st highest for furniture and lighting and 75th best month for flooring since January 1986.

There has been much media coverage of the future ownership of John Lewis and Waitrose, with the group thinking about (let’s put it no stronger than that) selling a stake. Sharon White, its chairman, didn’t have retail experience, and Nish Kankiwala, its newly appointed first chief executive doesn’t either. This might be a more pressing issue than corporate structure.

From this issue (and online) you can cast your votes in the Interiors Monthly Awards 2023. As ever the criteria is simple: let us know who you think is the best in the business. It doesn’t matter if it is because the product is your best-seller, customer service is fantastic or you just like the sales rep. They are your reasons and all votes are equal.

If you are a supplier and want one of the awards to be yours, encourage your stockists to vote (as many of you do). But retailers, if you are voting because you’ve been asked to by XYZ, do take the time to vote in the other categories. And no, you can’t vote for yourself!

If my inbox is anything to go by, Salone will see a bumper show when it returns later this month, as well as the numerous events across the city. And then in May its Flanders Flooring Days and BGNFS, so lots of new products to be seen there, even if some manufacturers are introducing products earlier than normal and you might have seen some of them before BGNFS as Easter approaches. Heimtextil plans to introduce a dedicated flooring hall next year: it’ll be interesting to see which carpet and rug exhibitors it can tempt from Domotex, or if it’ll be mainly the rug offer of existing exhibitors.

INTERIORS MONTHLY APRIL 2023

rise

10 Flooring offer for Heimtextil

FEATURES

12 New Products

14 Service

16 Experiences

The rise of savvy shoppers

20 Awards

Vote today in the Interiors Monthly Awards 2023

22 Retail The Place

28 B eds and bedroom

The latest from the sector

40 Upholstery

Performance explained; the new girl

59 Show preview

Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

83 Software

Transforming your business

100 Preview

Flanders Flooring Days, Proposte, Salone, Euroluce

110 Review

London Fabric, EFE, Meble Polska

T:

Furniture

M:

Furniture

T:

Carpet,

Retail sales values are still historically high and there are plenty of new products coming our way soon

Mixed picture on sales

The value of retail sales of furniture and lighting dropped in February but the value was still higher than a year earlier, while flooring was virtually static.

Furniture sales in England, Scotland and Wales dropped by 4.37% (£57.2m) from January to £1,251,812,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This was 2.5% higher than February 2022, 41.1% higher than February 2021, 1.4% higher than February 2020 and 0.58% higher than February 2019.

February was the 41st highest of the 446 months since January 1986, when ONS began recording comparable data.

The value of flooring retail sales was almost static in February.

Flooring sales in England, Scotland and Wales were £215,532,000, a 0.96% (£2.04m) rise on January but down 0.92% on a year earlier.

Sales were 391% up on February 2021, 94.6% higher than February 2020 and up 93.2% on January 2019.

February was the 75th highest of the 446 months since January 1986.

The figures are not seasonally adjusted, do not take inflation into account and are subject to revision.

IRD ‘expanding boundaries’ of Meritalia

Italian Radical Design has added Italian brand Meritalia to Gufram, bought in 2012 and Memphis, acquired at the beginning of 2022.

Founded in 1987 by Giulio and Vanna Meroni, Meritalia became well-known for its irreverent and unconventional spirit and has released designs by Gaetano Pesce, Carlo Scarpa, Achille and Piegiacomo Castiglioni, Alessandro Mendini, Mario Bellini, Italo Rota, Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, Fabio Novembre and Giulio Iacchetti.

IRD says it wants to bring the brand’s experimental energy back to the centre of the design world by expanding its boundaries.

Inflation drops for furniture and flooring but still double-digit

Furniture retail price inflation dropped for the sixth successive month in February but it remains in double-digits.

The rate for household furniture dropped from 11.4% to 10.4% in February, according to ONS.

The rate for garden furniture dropped from 11.9% to 10.8%.

Lighting saw annual price rises drop from 7.7% to 2.3%.

Household textiles saw prices rise again by 4.7%, as the cost of furnishing

fabrics and curtains rose. Bed, table and bathroom linen saw lower increases.

Retail flooring inflation dropped in February but is still near its highest level in the past year.

Both carpets and rugs and other flooring saw a slowdown in price rises, as the overall rate dropped from 12.2% to 10.4%, the third highest in the past year. Carpets and rugs price increases slowed from 12.1% to 11.4%. Other flooring increases plummeted from 17.3% to 7.8%.

Change at Silentnight

Neil Anderson, Silentnight ceo is to leave this month, with Tracey Bamber succeeding him.

Bamber was previously UK and Ireland md of water treatment company Culligan International for five years. She was Europe and Middle East md of water filtration company Zip Water, which Culligan bought in August 2017, and was promoted the following month. Before that Bamber was UK, Ireland and South Africa md for kitchen brand Franke for three years and UK and Ireland md for homewares brand Newell.

Anderson joined the bed manufacturer in 2019 from paint brand Farrow & Ball.

‘Neil’s work been pivotal to the success of the business and we are now uniquely placed to capitalise on this, building on our purpose of being the UK’s most trusted sleep brand and growing our presence in the wider sleep category,’ says Richard Cotter, Silentnight chairman.

ScS sees orders rise

ScS has seen an increase in orders in the past few weeks after enjoying a rise during the winter sale.

The chain has seen like for like orders jump by 5.7% in the seven weeks to 18 March.

This came after an increase in orders of 2.6% in the 10 weeks to 28 January.

‘The group made good strategic progress in the first six months of the financial year and continued to take market share. We are pleased with the strength of our winter sale performance and the subsequent increase in order momentum over the last two months, says Steve Carson, ScS ceo.

‘The macro-economic environment continues to be challenging and we are mindful of the pressures faced by many of our customers. Therefore, continuing to focus on our value driven proposition is more important than ever so that everyone is able to create the home they love. The board continues to believe that progress with the group's strategy, ongoing cost management and a robust balance sheet places it in a strong financial and operational position. The outlook, therefore, is positive and ScS remains on track to deliver full year profit before tax in line with market expectations.’

Dreams opens £2m distribution centre

Dreams has opened its largest distribution centre, designed to cut lead times and reduce delivery mileage.

The 260,000sqft unit in Willenhall, West Midlands replaces its Wednesbury site, which will be used for Feather & Black stock.

From its 18 distribution centres, the chain’s delivery vehicles cover 4.5million miles a year and the new centre should reduce this by 150,000 miles.

‘Customers are increasingly expecting quicker deliveries, even with big-ticket items such as beds. We are always looking for ways to better serve our customers. That’s why we have made a significant investment in our distribution and delivery infrastructure with the opening of our new Willenhall warehouse. This is a major step forward in delivering on our growth strategy,’ says Jonathan Hirst, Dreams ceo.

Howdens bolsters flooring

Kitchen and joinery retailer Howdens has bolstered its flooring offer with the introduction of a new rigid vinyl flooring brand. The chain has introduced Oake & Gray in an initial 19 SKUs across four formats of standard planks, XL planks, herringbone and tiles.

Oake & Gray flooring is a reducedplastic market alternative made from 70% limestone, with integrated underlay.

‘More and more we are working with

tradespeople who are experiencing the trend of customers asking for natural materials to be used in their designs. Howdens is pleased to be the exclusive supplier of the Oake & Gray brand as it gives end-users a wide choice of textures and designs that are both affordable and also provide additional benefits over using the “real” thing,’ says Allison Slater, Howdens category marketing manager.

Home remains key for JL despite slip

John Lewis maintained the importance of its home product offer to its overall sales mix in the past year.

The chain saw home account for 27% of sales, on par with the past four years, but a sales total of £1.333bn in the year to 28 January 2023 was £46m

lower than the previous year.

Footfall grew 34%, reaching 100million for the first time since before Covid, while online traffic was down 5%. The number of omnichannel customers was up 4% and is now 21% of the customer base. In combination, this led to a channel mix

rebalancing from pandemic levels of 67/33 online/shops back to 59/41.

Total John Lewis sales rose by 0.2% to £4.938bn. Operating profits fell by £82m to £676m.

John Lewis Partnership staff will not receive an annual bonus.

The Willenhall facility

ANCONA

Never before have we seen such an enthusiasm for the outdoors. Our outdoor spaces have become an extension of our homes so why not dine and relax in style with our stunning Ancona Dining Set. The table features a built-in bioethanol fire pit, to help keep you warm as the sun goes down, so you can enjoy your garden for longer.

Crafted from aluminium, the table has a glass top with a ceramic effect finish, whilst the seats are fully upholstered in all-weather fabric, which is stain, mould and fade resistant, and are padded with quick drying foam

DISCOVER OUR REDEVELOPED CASSIUS & DARIUS RANGES

Cassius and Darius in our renowned Invictus brand will get a fashion update this year.

14 updated colours in a 70oz and 50oz pile weight respectively offer a soft saxony product with a heathered appearance, one of the few products to offer this in the market today, the recoloured ranges are planned for launch in May.

Please ask your local area sales manager for more details

20232026

Flooring offer for Heimtextil

Heimtextil is to introduce a separate flooring section, with the textile exhibition featuring a flooring hall from the 2024 show.

The additional space will host fitted, handmade and custom-made carpets; machine-made woven carpets; mats and dirtabsorbing carpeting, as well as rugs and runners.

The move comes after Domotex introduced an alternative year plan for its exhitibions, which will see a full flooring offer in even-numbered years, followed by carpets and rugs only in odd-numbered years.

‘The range of textile floorcoverings will be optimally integrated into the existing textile environment at Heimtextil. The new area is already attracting great attention. The past months have been characterised by a variety of conversations with companies, potential visitors, associations and publishers: we have received consistently positive feedback from all of them for our decision. We are pleased to be able to respond to their wishes with this reliable annual offer,’ says Bettina Bär, Heimtextil director.

Vispring achieves environmental standard

Mattress and bed manufacturer

Vispring has achieved the ISO 14001 environmental standard. A rigorous assessment at its Plymouth factory by Société Générale de Surveillance was designed to benchmark its impact performance, ensuring that sustainability is continually monitored, tracked and improved.

As an internationally recognised certification, ISO 14001 provides evidence to internal and external stakeholders that Vispring is actively evolving its manufacturing processes and product lifecycle. By following this robust system of environmental management criteria, it continues to create a successful framework that supports its global network of operations, retailers, and customers.

‘More widely, as the first UK bed manufacturer to attain the prestigious

Woolmark quality assurance certification, Vispring is building upon its ethical credentials by nurturing relationships with local, traditional craftspeople, while consistently evaluating its practices. By fusing traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, sustainability is an integral part of its ethos,’ says Thomas Staddon, Vispring operations director.

‘Focusing on reducing the

environmental impact as a business across all stages of the production process demonstrates Vispring’s agile evolution across its 122-year history. More widely, Vispring has undertaken a raft of measures to improve its performance, from implementing waste stream recycling and investment in renewable energy to installing electric engagement events,’ he says.

Sofa Club sets £50m target

Upholstery retailer Sofa Club has set a target to more than double its sales to £50m in the next three years.

The company, which has sales of £20m after doubling its sales in 2020 and 2021, specialises in offering a small product range but with quick delivery, with products in stock.

It has five shopping centre display areas and an outlet showroom, but most of its sales are online.

As part of its expansion plan it has partnered with Panther Logistics for its deliveries. This has allowed it to deliver to Northern Ireland for the first time.

‘Finding the right partner was vital in supporting our growth for the future. Our ethos revolves around ensuring

that the entire sofa-shopping experience from start to finish is entirely seamless for our customers – and a big part of that is making sure the final-mile delivery experience is also hassle-free,’ says Louis Rose, Sofa Club co-founder and md.

‘Panther’s comprehensive delivery offering enables us to expand our delivery further across some areas of the UK, and furthermore provides flexible and fast delivery options that suit the needs of the modern-day consumer.

‘Partnering is in many ways a watershed moment for Sofa Club as it acts as an exciting new chapter for the business and provides us with a springboard to transition the brand to the next stage,’ adds Rose.

The manufacturer has achieved ISO 14001

From 2024 Heimtextil will have a dedicated flooring hall

Don’t get caught napping - buy om approved NBF members

Our manufacturer members are independently audited to ensure, as far as possible, that they’re complying with regulations on flammability, cleanliness of fillings & trade descriptions.

Amongst other areas, we also look at their health & safety compliance, product safety incident plans and where obligated, their modern slavery reporting.

Compliance with all these areas of a business comes at a cost. So, if you’re offered mattresses or beds at prices that seem too good to be true – ask yourself why that is?

We’re also leading the way on sustainability, launching the “Pledge for Our Planet”, asking companies in the bed industry to take steps in unison that will address global environmental damage.

To find out more about how the NBF can help you and for a list of NBF Approved members, visit BEDFED.ORG.UK

“…A remarkable result when you factor in the dreadful state of the current market. One supplier rang to ask why we were so busy when everyone else is doing nothing! And your Event Manager, what a lovely guy. Everyone liked him and we would have him back – I would employ him tomorrow! We’ve already booked the next Greenwood Sale!”

Paul

Find Out More About Greenwood Sales…

1 ADP offers a complete retail installation service, an affordable and professional option to help get your display projects implemented on time, on brand and within budget. Whatever the size and type of your installation, from one store to hundreds, retrofit projects, retail display installation, carpet display stands, mobile shop units, commercial furniture installation or electrical goods and retail IT installations, ADP has the flexibility and expertise to execute your plans to the highest standard.

Tel: 0121 559 6783

2 Made in Britain in 11 trend colours, Affection is the new Stainfree carpet from Abingdon Flooring . Offering a luxuriously deep and invitingly soft pile, it joins a growing range of deep pile Stainfree styles. Affection benefits from Abingdon Flooring’s bleach-cleanable and stain-resistant polypropylene Stainfree yarn. In its latest generation, the yarn has become softer and more luxurious, fuelling the launch of several deep pile Stainfree carpets.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

5 Lema’s Drum is a collection of small tables and a pouf. The supporting structure is in ribbed wood, bullnose-worked in solid Canaletto walnut. The shapes are round, cylindrical, oval and square with quarter-circle corners. The table top can be customised with a back-painted glass or marble top.

Visit: www.lemamobili.com

4 In store the BerryAlloc brand is distinct, with a striking visual language that has established it as a premium offering. With a range of high-quality display solutions – from toastracks right through to shop-in-shop concepts and customisable brand corners – every retailer can take advantage. Each display is designed to showcase the quality and beauty of every floor and communicate the unique reasons to buy.

Visit: www.berryalloc.com

5 Leaving a super smooth finish over a range of subfloors, Floorwise’s Pro-Screed Gold is a two-part smoothing and levelling compound that’s easy to use. Working over old adhesive residue, timber and the cracks, lumps and bumps of tired subfloors, Pro-Screed Gold can tackle a wide range of problems, leaving a floorcovering-ready subfloor in just four hours.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

Time wasted Richard Renouf

When I called to book the 10am appointment, Mrs B told me to park on her drive. Ten was exactly when the parking restrictions were in force and the wardens were red hot, she said. But on the morning, her son-in-law had parked at an awkward angle so I pulled up across the drive and rang the bell.

A bit of a car shuffle later, my car was safely out of a ticket’s way and I was following Mrs B up the stairs, with her daughter and son-in-law following behind. It was quite the family occasion: Mrs B was the concerned one; her daughter was the vocal one, and her son-in-law was the suspicious one who watched every move.

It was the bed. It had apparently been fine when it was delivered, but shortly afterwards had become too soft to be comfortable and had developed a significant sag on one side. The retailer had sent out a technician, who had poked and prodded and had later reported ‘no fault’.

The bed was motorised, with lifting head and foot ends operated by electric motors. These were working fine, I was told. I carried out my usual checks so that I had some definite measurements to enable me to make a more objective

assessment, then I operated the motors to see what would happen. The mattress all but fell off the end of the slatted base. The mattress stays were in place at the sides but there was nothing to hold the mattress at the end.

After lowering the mattress, I lifted it to check the slatted base. There were, as is common on such beds, five adjustable slats. These have sliding clips that hold a second slat underneath. The wider apart the clips, the more of the second slat is ‘connected’ to the main slat and the stiffer it becomes. All five were set centrally: the softest possible position.

‘Has anyone talked to you about these adjustable slats?’ I asked.

‘Yes, the technician set them like that as that’s the firmest setting,’ said the son-in-law.

I knew I could not ignore his comment and that, if I did, he would not believe my report. But I also knew it would take time to help him to see reality.

I asked him to check the firmness of the five slats, then I adjusted all of them

to the firmest setting – with the clips at their widest point – and asked him to try again. Fortunately he could feel the difference straightaway, and was angry that the technician clearly hadn’t known what he was talking about.

With the customer’s consent I left the slats correctly adjusted and suggested she tried the bed for a few nights to see if it made a difference. I’m pretty sure it did, and I haven’t heard back from her to the contrary.

A bed of this type arrives in pieces and I know the retailer had arranged for it to be put together as part of the sale. It would have taken very little time to show the customer the features of her new bed. This would have helped her to get the best out of it, and it would also have prevented the complaint and the subsequent visits from the ill-informed technician and from me.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

It would have taken minutes to explain how to get the best out of the bed

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

The ciips were set close together in the middle of the bed slats

I demonstrated how to slide the clips apart

New store, new ideas

Progress takes time, says our correspondent, but it comes as shoppers are becoming increasingly savvy – both a good and a bad thing

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

Week 12 since the flooding at the Eastbourne branch and the show is back on the road, with the store nearly completely finished and our new ideas being turned into a really good-looking shop. The new LVT flooring is just waiting for the green light, and a few replacement wall units have yet to arrive, and then we are ready for a grand re-opening sale. Then we can stand back and wait for the rush. If only life was that simple…

We still have to complete the paperwork with the loss adjusters and make sure we have claimed all of the expenses that we have incurred and have the paperwork to prove it. We need to look at the original plan of the refurbishment and see that we have left nothing out from our original design. So far so good. We have displayed all of the wool carpets in one area and the man-made in another. Finally we get the LVT and other smooth floorings on show next to the rugs.

Now it is time to get the display units re-dressed and check to see that we have the right products in the store’s ‘hot spots’. Top ranges need to go in places where

the customer will notice them the moment they walk in the door.

To make our job even harder, we have seen quite a few new ranges lately, so we need to adjust the plan to accommodate them. It seems odd that the manufacturers have chosen to launch these ranges now when we have the Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show next month. It seems that the suppliers want to get new product on shop floors in time for the run-up to Easter.

When I started this column for Interiors Monthly, it was aimed at understanding how the ‘New Normal’ might turn out during the pandemic. It almost seems that ‘the New, New Normal’ has arrived. Retailers are being squeezed out on the gross profit of their sales as competition is less about other bricks-and-mortar retailers and more about home selections and mobile showrooms. A lot of LVT sales are being supplied by builders, and of course, newbuild houses are generally purchased with flooring already in situ.

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a slight reduction in sales and a slowdown in the number of customers in store.

However, we are getting more enquiries by telephone, and a lot of the customers already know what flooring they want. I think that this indicates that people are shopping around for a good price. This is both good news and bad news.

First, the good news. If the customer tells you they want a product called ‘Super Twist Carpet’ in colour Squirrel, and they already have the sizes for the area that needs carpeting, they will buy that carpet as they have already made up their mind.

Now the bad news: they can get it from anyone who has an account with the manufacturer of ‘Super Twist Carpet’. So it becomes a guessing game of how to price up the sale at an attractive price for the customer and a profitable one for you, the retailer. Good luck with that!

Always remember the aspect that you cannot put a price on and that is the quality of the service that you will provide to the customer.

Have a good Easter, and let’s hope for a healthy increase in the number of both customers and sales.

Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

The store refurbishment is almost done

First

Naturalmat, the Devon-based natural bed and mattress company, has become the UK’s first bed company to be awarded B Corp status. Sustainability has been at the heart of the company since its foundation in 1999 as the first manufacturer to produce completely natural, organic and sustainable beds.

Considered to be sustainability’s ‘gold standard’, the B in B Corp stands for Benefit for all. Its aim is to recognise purpose-driven businesses committed to being a holistic force for good for all people, communities and the planet.

Achieving this accreditation has taken Naturalmat close to two years of rigorous assessment and the evaluation of every aspect of the business: from staff welfare, packaging and energy supply to its wider role within the community and its commitment to its suppliers. It is this level of scrutiny that makes B Corp certification so important.

In order to achieve B Corp certification, a company must: demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or more; make a legal commitment by changing its corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders; and achieve Benefit corporation status if available. Companies must also

exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.

Naturalmat scored 96.3 on the assessment: the average score for applicants is 50.9.

‘From day one more than 20 years ago, we’ve been at the forefront of making planet-friendly mattresses with organic, sustainable and renewable materials. So needless to say, it feels truly rewarding to be recognised as the ethical business we’ve always strived to be and join this powerful global community of organisations working together for a better tomorrow,’ says Mark Tremlett, Naturalmat co-founder.

‘We started off making mattresses for boats with natural and breathable materials, eventually expanding into organic, chemical-free mattresses for babies and adults, championing safe and healthy sleep for everyone. Over the next few years we made every effort to grow as a force for good. We pioneered sourcing organic wool directly from local farmers, installed solar panels on the roof of our workshop and moved to 100% renewable energy, and developed innovative plastic-free packaging.’

All key materials used have been

selected from natural, regenerative and sustainable sources to minimise the company’s impact on the planet: from certified organic wool and coir to locally crafted buttons.

Naturalmat is committed to practising regenerative farming principles, using more recycled materials across its range and continuing to uphold the highest human rights and animal welfare standards across its supply chain.

By forming charity partnerships to tackle bed poverty and sharing healthy sleep advice with the world, Naturalmat continues to work towards its goal of making healthy sleep available to all.

Naturalmat’s Devon showroom has been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2012, with 75% provided by solar panels on the workshop roof.

Everything produced by Naturalmat is made to order to ensure nothing is wasted. All beds and mattresses are designed to be disassembled and made only with materials that will biodegrade or can be recycled at the end of their life. All mattresses are covered by the Mattress for Life Initiative, which gives customers three choices when their Naturalmat mattress reaches the end of its life: refurbish, recycle or donate, ensuring that nothing ends up in landfill. Visit: www.naturalmat.co.uk

The bed sector has its debut B Corp company

Staff celebrate the B Corp status

PHOTO © GRAEME ROBERTSON

Once again in the Interiors Monthly Awards, we want you to tell us which retailers, manufacturers and suppliers are the best in the interiors industry. As ever, the criteria is entirely up to you. Download a copy of the entry form from www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk, email akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk or complete the email questionnaire we’ll send you. As well as having your say, casting your vote gives you the chance to win a superb hamper from Fortnum & Mason. Voting closes on 30 June. Here’s a reminder of the 2022 winners.

Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores): Housing Units

Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores): Woolton Carpets

Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores): Holloways of Ludlow

Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores): Kristoffersen Carpets & Flooring

Best Online Retailer: Mattress Online

Best UK Furniture Manufacturer: Whitemeadow

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer: Victoria Carpets

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer: Wiemann

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer: IVC Group

Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS

Best Flooring Buying Group: Metro Group

Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket): Hypnos

Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market): Millbrook Beds

Best Bed Manufacturer (Value): Shire Beds

Best Bed Manufacturer (Bed In A Box): Emma – The Sleep Company

Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable): Varimatic

Best Carpet Manufacturer: Cormar Carpet Company

Best Rug Supplier: Think Rugs

Best Bedroom Manufacturer: Forte

Best Laminate Manufacturer: Quick-Step

Best Dining Room Manufacturer: Rowico

Best Solid/Engineered Wood Supplier: BerryAlloc

Best Living Room Manufacturer: Gallery Direct

Best Underlay Manufacturer: Ball & Young

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Parker Knoll

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer: Lebus

Best Vinyl Manufacturer: Beauflor

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury): Hydeline

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer: La-Z-Boy UK

Best LVT Manufacturer: Karndean Designflooring

Best Recliner Manufacturer: himolla

Best Accessory Supplier: Gallery Direct

Best Flooring Accessory Supplier: Interfloor

Best Children’s Furniture Supplier: Furniture To Go

Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier: Core Products

Best Rigid Floor Manufacturer: COREtec Floors

Best Home Entertainment Supplier: Jual

Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer: Morris & Co

Best Mattress Protection Provider: Mattressgard

Best Furniture Wholesaler: Julian Bowen

Best Flooring Wholesaler: Floorwise

Best Customer Service (Furniture): Julian Bowen

Best Customer Service (Flooring): Furlong Flooring

Best Business Support (Furniture): BFM

Best Business Support (Flooring): SMG

Best Marketing Support (Furniture): NBF

Best Marketing Support (Flooring): ACG

Best Software Supplier (Furniture): Ordorite

Best Software Supplier (Flooring): MasterPiece

Best Furniture Exhibition: The Bed Show

Best Flooring Exhibition: The Flooring Show

Best Product Protection Provider (Furniture): Guardsman

Best Product Protection Provider (Flooring): Stroolmount

Best Warranty Provider: Castelan

Best Flooring Website: Invictus

Best Finance Provider: V12

Best New Supplier: Bentinck Furniture

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Flooring Brand 2022: Likewise

Sustainability (Furniture): Harrison Spinks

Sustainability (Flooring): Associated Weavers

Outstanding Performance (Furniture): Gallery Direct

Outstanding Performance (Flooring): Penthouse Carpets

Industry Contribution: Lord Harris and Peter Harrison

Who gets your vote?

RETAILERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

Best Customer Service (Furniture)

Best UK Furniture Manufacturer

Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer

Best Furniture Buying Group

Best Accessory Supplier

Best Lighting Manufacturer

Best Mattress Protection Provider

Best Bed Manufacturer (Upmarket)

Best Bed Manufacturer (Mid-market)

Best Bed Manufacturer (Value)

Best Bed Manufacturer (Adjustable)

Best Bedroom Manufacturer

Best Dining Room Manufacturer

Best Living Room Manufacturer

Best Children’s Furniture Manufacturer

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer

Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury)

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer

Best Leather Upholstery Manufacturer (Luxury)

Best Recliner Manufacturer

Best Home Entertainment Supplier

Best Flatpack Furniture Supplier

Best Furniture Wholesaler

Best Fabric/Soft Furnishings Manufacturer

Best Furniture Website

Best Customer Service (Flooring)

Best UK Flooring Manufacturer

Best Overseas Flooring Manufacturer

Best Flooring Buying Group

Best Carpet Manufacturer

Best Rug Supplier

Best Laminate Manufacturer

Best Solid/Engineered Wood Manufacturer

Best Underlay Manufacturer

Best Flooring Accessory Supplier

Best Vinyl Manufacturer

Best Luxury Vinyl Supplier

Best Rigid Floor Manufacturer

Best Flooring Website

Best Flooring Wholesaler

Best Software Supplier (Furniture)

Best Software Supplier (Flooring)

Best CGI Software Supplier

Best Finance Provider

Best Business Support (Furniture)

Best Business Support (Flooring)

Best Marketing Support (Furniture)

Best Marketing Support (Flooring)

Best Exhibition

Innovation of the Year

Best Warranty Provider

Best Product Protection Provider (Furniture)

Best Product Protection Provider (Flooring)

Best New Supplier

Product of the Year

SUPPLIERS TO COMPLETE ONLY

Best Flooring Retailer (1-3 stores)

Best Flooring Retailer (4+ stores)

Best Furniture Retailer (1-3 stores)

Best Furniture Retailer (4+ stores)

Best Online Retailer

The place

No detail has been overlooked as Giorgetti celebrates its 125th anniversary

In one of the most famous fine shopping districts in the world, surrounded by high-fashion boutiques, historical buildings, museums and art galleries, Giorgetti has opened The Place on Milan’s Via della Spiga as it celebrates its 125th anniversary.

There are three floors of showroom space covering about 5,400sqft, plus offices in the attic and a kitchen and meeting room in the basement. Rather than being a store, it is designed to feel like a sophisticated home.

‘Giorgetti Spiga is The Place, the new house of Giorgetti where brand is expressed at the highest level in all facets of customised design: from sartorial details on products to near-obsessive interior design. The Place is also a space for design experience and research in the broadest sense of the terms, through interference with art, music, food and, more generally, with everything that contributes to an experience linked to beauty. This is the best gift we could give ourselves to celebrate our 125th birthday,’ says Giovanni del Vecchio, Gruppo Giorgetti ceo.

‘It’s a stage onto the city, with its large display windows and its recognisability. But it’s also a calm, reserved place, like

a home. This intermingling is essential to our world today,’ says Giancarlo Bosio, Giorgetti art director, speaking of the 17th-century building.

Bosio curated every last detail: nothing was left to chance. From the unique finish of the marble that covers the stairs, to the millwork and even the floors, which combine stone, marble and custom-made parquet, a tribute to the carpentry traditions of the company and its heritage.

The entrance leads to a hallway with glass walls. On the other side, it opens into a courtyard, bringing light to every floor and an intimate yet refined view from the inside. The space on the ground floor, raised slightly above street level, is a dramatic box whose two large shop windows were designed to offer everchanging scenarios to passersby.

The floor is a mosaic, with elements of various sizes and shapes in ceppo di Grè stone, arranged into a design that creates impact, while the ceiling is an optical art reference, with black beams and white decorative discs.

Placed in front of the reception area, the Flamingo gaming table charms alongside the Annette armchairs. Off to the side, wood panelling with leather inserts – made by Giorgetti subsidiary

Battaglia – runs along the entire wall, concealing a cupboard.

The living room across from it brings you back to a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere that plays upon refined combinations of materials and colours as the Griffe coffee tables, SoHo modular sofa and Elsa armchairs seem to converse. Accessories have not been forgotten with the Hineri vases in Carrara and Nero Marquina marble, Mila and Vanity in blown glass, and the Kendama lamps.

Giovanni del Vecchio, Gruppo Giorgetti ceo

As you head upstairs, the staircase –which combines various types of marble, with slabs arranged vertically and offset – creates the illusion of a single, visually striking block. It’s the result of craftsmanship that brings woodworking savoir-faire to the world of marble.

On the first floor the flooring again grabs your attention, echoing the geometric shapes of the Anthology inlay seen on the GK.01 and GK.03 kitchen doors, with a motif punctuated by wood inserts placed against the grain.

Facing the kitchen is a dining area by M2atelier: the Enso table, with an elliptical top in walnut and a base covered in leather, is accompanied by Tie chairs, characterised by their full volume and leather, slit at the back.

A living area with luminous glass doors and balconies overlooking Via della Spiga houses the Vesper sofa, Move rocking chair, Galet coffee tables and Summa pouf, all framed by the Borealis screen with its interplay of woven bands, creating a see-through effect. On the opposite side is a conference room that looks out over the courtyard, enclosed by glass and dominated by the Amadeus table and Montgomery chairs.

As you continue to climb there is another example of woodworking skill: the dark parquet is cut with rounded edges, interrupted by discs of Nero Marquina marble.

The first space is a home office, with its linear yet flowing forms by Massimo Scolari. The Erasmo desk and the Springer executive armchair co-exist with a gym: wall bars in wood and rungs covered in leather, made by Battaglia,

and the Ali punching bag.

This is followed by the double-sided Miyabi walk-in wardrobe, the Reiwa system, Vibe bed and a sapele mahogany wall with fabric and wood panels made by Battaglia, which brings warmth to the space.

A functional workspace is characterised by the coming together of different materials: the Edward desk, Montgomery chair and Uyuni mirror, whose shelf can be accessorised with leather containers. Completing the space are the Hug chair (another Giorgetti icon that arose by combining a wood frame with softly shaped upholstery), the Clamp coffee tables, Otto poufs and Solemyidae sofa.

Two glass doors provide access to the first terrace, furnished with the Aldìa outdoor collection.

To welcome guests to the third floor,

there’s a special edition of the Mizar table, with a round top in Labradorite and a base in cast bronze, in blue tones to echo the colourful reflections of the top. Just 12 tables will be sold exclusively in Via della Spiga.

The design inspiration for this floor has resulted in an ideal version of a large office used to welcome clients. The informal meeting area in front contains the Urban sofa, Aura chair and the Fit low tables. Kendama lamps, with their burnished metal structure and spheres in blown glass with Murano workmanship, light the space. The G-Code Desk is partnered by the Genius chair.

But being a modern executive’s office doesn’t exclude other possibilities: there is a second terrace with Loop and Aldia. Visit: www.giorgettimeda.com

FLOORING INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

LOOKING AFTER FLOORS AND REPUTATIONS FROM THE GROUND UP.

F. Ball’s System LVT range is a comprehensive subfloor preparation system that helps you achieve the best results when installing LVT floorcoverings. The range includes the full system of products that flooring installers need to ensure a perfect installation every time. Use the right products from the System LVT range and follow our installation guidance for a lifetime guarantee. Not only is the installation protected but so is your reputation. Find out more: f-ball.com/systemlvt

Next-generation

Green credentials and value combine for the latest collections

Sleepeezee’s latest collections will be unveiled this month.

Ecologic is both budget and ecofriendly. Each mattress is made using environmentally friendly materials, including fibres made from recycled plastic bottles and latex. Each mattress uses more than 75% recycled fibres within the ticking and border. Aware that a good night’s sleep shouldn’t cost the earth, Sieepeezee has designed the range to hit key price points for budget-conscious consumers.

Also launching for 2023 will be a range of memory foam mattresses featuring Sleepeezee’s next-generation Graphite memory foam. The memory foam provides soft comfort while the unique Graphite element helps reduce the heat build-up that is traditionally associated with foam. The Graphite memory foam layers allow for the movement of air and moisture, dispersing heat away from the body to prevent overheating, resulting in a more comfortable night’s sleep.

The collections will be debuted at the INDX Beds & Bedroom show on 25-26 April, exclusively for AIS members. Alongside the Ecologic and Graphite mattresses, Sleepeezee will also showcase some of its best-selling collections including Jessica, named and developed with brand ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill, and the Gel and Crystal collections, featuring the cooltouch mattress cover and StayCool Gel foam.

Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Jessica, Gel and Crystal models will be on show alongside the debut collections

Quality comfort, naturally

LEAVE THE REST TO US

Spring into action

Add-on sales can make a big difference

‘This month’s INDX Beds & Bedroom show and May’s Spring Furniture & Bed Show are two perfect occasions to review new opportunities following a winter sale. Protect-A-Bed, the award-winning specialist in mattress protection, has helped multiple retailers throughout the winter significantly grow sales. Protect-A-Bed helps support and drive sales growth through the Platinum Club rewards programme. This spring would be a perfect time to join if you are not already a member,’ says Gowsh Shan, Protect-A-Bed national sales manager.

‘The Platinum Club has been extremely successful since its creation. We continuously build frameworks that

are simple for retailers to implement in order to achieve extremely high sales within the category. The Platinum Club is an in-store rewards programme designed to build, recognise and reward this success. We create energy and excitement in a category often overlooked and our ability to turn this into sales growth is phenomenal.

‘Every Protect-A-Bed protector also includes a 10 to 15-year product guarantee and when bought with a mattress, a 10 to 15-year anti-stain guarantee. Protect-A-Bed will have the mattress professionally cleaned to the customer’s satisfaction or buy the customer a new one if it fails and the

mattress was bought with the protector. This promise is significantly powerful and is at the core of our philosophy.

‘It’s in both the store’s and the customer’s interest to purchase Protect-A-Bed mattress protectors. Our speciality is driving in-store performance, so linked mattress and mattress protector sales are extremely high. The customer benefits from a healthy and hygienic sleep zone while the store benefits from increased sales revenue. Every customer who walks through the door, if buying a mattress, needs to buy a mattress protector: it’s in their interest for many reasons.’

Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk

Award-winning products from the Protect-A-Bed range

Linking the gap

Nectar Sleep is driving pre-sold customers into stores all over the UK using its online store locator. The customers are pre-sold on the brand, price, quality, value, warranties and reviews and the only thing they want to do in-store is to try the product before they buy.

An exclusive retail range has been created, backed by an extensive in-store training package designed to make upselling easy. According to the company, 88% of customers switch to the in-store range when they are in-store, allowing retailers to maximise their margin.

Nectar is the largest boxed mattress brand in the US and has been successful in the top five bed retail chains across the country.

‘We have had a great response to the range so far, which is unsurprising because it is a unique and exciting concept. The training assets and experience that we can draw down from the US team is a huge advantage for us and we are already seeing an accelerated sell through in-store. It’s a critical step towards linking the gap between online and in-store trading,’ says Darren Crowshaw, Nectar Sleep UK sales director.

Sustainability is a core focus of the retail collection, with Nectar partnering with Climate Partner to measure, reduce and offset its carbon footprint. The ethos when creating a product is to make it once, use robust materials and make it so that the customer is happy with it. This is backed by a Forever Warranty and a 365-night sleep trial on all products, with free collection within a year of purchase if the customer is not satisfied.

To underpin the guarantees, Nectar works with industry-leading supply partners. It has partnered with GNG Group to manufacture its products, while the range features graphiteinfused, breathable Nectatex foam, manufactured by Vita Comfort UK, and Nectacoil springs by Spinks.

Email: darren@nectarsleep.com

Online and in-store skills are combined to make upselling easier

Sustainability is a core focus of the retail collection

Taking the challenge

Mammoth used its tie-up with the RPA to generate publicity for stockists

To mark National Bed Month, Mammoth challenged professional rugby players from the country’s top clubs to take on the Mammoth Making a Bed Challenge. Featuring Premiership players from Harlequins, Bath, Northampton and Newcastle, the challenge saw competitors taking a punt at an unofficial world record and a chance to get one over on their fiercest rivals.

Players such as Bath’s Will Muir and Northampton’s Ethan Waller traded passing drills and fitness tests for a quick wrestle with some bed linen at Mammoth stockists around the country.

When asked about tackling a king-size Mammoth armed only with a fitted sheet, two pillow cases and a duvet cover, Muir confirmed that he was satisfied with his performance

at TR Hayes in Bath, clocking in at 89 seconds. ‘I could have started a bit better, I think. But overall I’m happy with that time.’

Team-mate Wesley White who also took part disagreed, commenting ‘That’s not a proper made bed.’

Mammoth and the Rugby Players Association have enjoyed a close partnership for nearly a decade. During that time, hundreds of professional players have become ambassadors and advocates for the brand, benefitting from Mammoth’s naturally cooling Medical Grade foam and PostureCell technologies.

Mammoth has also supported the RPA in a variety of ways over the past 10 years, whether it is leading workshops and seminars on the importance of sleep or sponsoring the

England Player of the Year Award.

‘We’ve loved developing this campaign with Mammoth for National Bed Month. Mammoth has been a valuable partner for several years and we knew that this challenge was something our members could really have fun with. It was also a great opportunity for players to get in-store and do something a bit different during a long, hard season,’ says Stephen Thomas, RPA communications manager.

Mammoth and the RPA have also been able to support stockists by providing valuable marketing opportunities with high-profile athletes around the country, designed to reach thousands of people across social media and shine a light on the importance of quality sleep.

Visit: www.mammothcomfort.com

Wesley White

Muir completed the challenge in under 90 seconds but failed to impress White

White and Bath team-mate Will Muir

A healthy choice

With a heritage in UK healthcare, market-leading technologies and an official partnership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Mammoth is the go-to brand for those who value their health and wellbeing.

Our pedigree

Born out of healthcare

Grounded in sleep science

Patented technologies

Innovations in Health award winners

Backed by health professionals

Loved by the sporting elite

69% Faster Cooling

Check in

Hotel stays can encourage shoppers to upgrade their matresses

Hypnos is celebrating the launch of the second episode of Hotel Hypnos, its series of interviews with hospitality experts that discusses pertinent topic within the hotel and interior design industry, including the importance of sleep and how this influences a brand’s approach to design.

The brand partnerships in the Hotel Hypnos series offer insight into some of the UK’s most beautiful and aspirational hotels. The latest episode features Naomi Heaton, The Other House founder and ceo, who presents her views on how the hospitality sector is evolving.

Hypnos is proud to produce beds for many UK and International premium hotels, such as London’s The Other House and the Royal Lancaster, which also features in the series. Many consumers are inspired by luxury hotel stays and a comfortable night’s sleep

to revamp their homes and make a change to their mattress. With a third of the population thought to be sleep deprived due to suffering from back pain, according to a Nuffield Health report, the search for better and more comfortable sleep remains integral to the consumer purchasing journey.

With this in mind, Hypnos has created a wide selection of mattresses offering comfort with integrity, including its Origins Orthos Support collection of hand side-stitched pocketsprung mattresses, designed with a naturally firmer feel for consumers who prefer enhanced spinal support.

Hypnos offers a wide portfolio of handcrafted mattresses and beds. These include the recently introduced Pillow Top and Luxury No Turn mattresses, as well as the exclusive Origins Organic Collection, which is endorsed by the Eden Project, and has

been designed and curated to celebrate sleep and wellbeing.

The approach Hypnos takes to comfort and design delivers highquality, responsibly sourced mattresses that have been handmade in its workshops in the heart of Buckinghamshire for almost 120 years.

Retailers can discover the latest ranges at the INDX Beds & Bedroom show in April and Spring Furniture & Bed Show in May.

‘Hypnos’ strong brand awareness and reputation for supplying hotels, palaces and homes with beautiful British-designed and crafted beds means that we are always at the forefront of comfort and innovation. We are pleased to present our collections to our selected retail partners at key trade events this year,’ says David Baldry, Hypnos group md. Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com/uk

The Other House

Hypnos’ Pillowtop Elite

Naomi Heaton

Value question

With ‘free underlay with your carpet’ deals commonplace, why should your customers take interest in their underlay?

‘In many areas of life, we’re happy to pay more for a higher quality product, and we expect better performance and quality to cost us more. So why should it be any different when we’re purchasing underlay to go beneath a new carpet?’ says Andrew Gill, Floorwise group product manager.

‘The answer is that it shouldn’t, but with free underlay deals sending out an underlying message that underlays are a cheap add-on to the sale and not really that important, the result is a downward drive in quality and performance. The majority of customers are not technically literate so need to have clear reasons to upgrade. The very idea of free underlay undermines this.

‘The reality is that people want to know what they are paying more for, and quality standards are a great way for retailers to get that across. At Floorwise, we’re committed to making sure our underlays meet these standards, of which four are particularly relevant.

‘BS EN 14499:2015 is the minimum performance standard for carpet underlay, so every product you sell should have been tested in accordance with this. It tells us about an underlay’s

dimensional stability and how much it compresses over time.

‘BS 4790: 1987 shows how an underlay reacts to fire. One that burns quickly effectively increases the scale and spread of the fire, whilst also reducing how long people have to safely vacate the premises.

‘BS 4745: 2005 looks at the thermal insulative performance and provides a tog value for underlay. A high tog value helps to reduce drafts and insulates the room: our underlays can achieve up to 3.5tog. Today, a highperformance underlay and thick carpet can provide the same level of insulation as was required in the pre-2000 building regulations, so it can make a real difference to energy bills.

‘ISO 10140-3: 2021 provides a measurement of how much an underlay can reduce impact sound transmission. A high value here can be a real asset if there’s significant upstairs footfall, as it will dramatically cut down on the noise transferred below and is particularly important when deciding on carpet for flats.

‘The right underlay provides tangible benefits to customers and should be

tailored to specific rooms to get the most out of your carpet and underlay. Using the wrong underlay can significantly shorten the life of the carpet, making it a very poor choice. However, making the right choice is only possible if product data exists. This is why we insist on testing our underlays, so that retailers and installers can work with customers to decide which product best meets their requirements.

‘Of course, it also helps that underlays are fit for their intended purpose. BS EN 14499 provides classifications for where underlays can be used, yet some cheap products may not even meet the basic standard for light domestic areas. This should raise the question whether the products used for “free underlay” offers are really fit for purpose?

‘In a world of free underlays, it’s tempting for the customer to overlook the value of spending a little more on their new investment. This makes it the task of the retailer to highlight the problems poor quality underlays can bring, or at very least, the advantages of spending slightly more on underlay more suited to their requirements.’

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

Above left: Floorwise underlays

Above: The onus is on the retailer to enlighten the customer

On the up

DFS Group has continued to grow market share

If there is one thing almost guaranteed in the upholstery market, it is that DFS will grow its market share during downturns in the sector. It has done so for years and did so again in its most recent financial period, the six months to 25 December. According to the group, sales volumes across the sector dropped by 15% during the period as the post-lockdown boom naturally ended and was replaced by the cost-ofliving crisis. It says it was able to grow market share from 36% to 38%. So how?

The first thing is the group’s scale, which gives it scope to do things smaller rivals cannot. For example, as rivals increased prices to reflect higher costs, DFS took a longer-term view.

‘We passed on the cost increases to consumers on a pound-for-pound basis rather than with a mark-up applied. This has reduced our reported profit margins in the first half, but we are well set to capitalise on future market recovery,’ says Tim Stacey, DFS Group ceo.

It was able to take this decision due to its £215m bank facilities (extended

until 2025). It also cut its IFC offer from four years to three as more shoppers took advantage of credit amid higher interest rates.

While others may have cut back on store investment, DFS has continued. Its updated format is now in 50 branches and it is still delivering sales

increases of more than 5% and payback of under two years: as the stores most in need of a facelift did when the programme began.

The ‘What’s Your Thing?’ marketing campaign is achieving record brand connection scores. Add to that its industry-leading website and

DFS has seen growth in large corner units, heated seats, storage and reclining memory functions

UPHOLSTERY

targeted marketing.

‘Our digital marketing efforts have been recognised by some global digital powerhouses. We are the only retailer across the globe to have been recognised by Meta as a standout partner in 2022 and had a case study written about our best-in-class approach. We have developed a robust, profit-driven, demand-led approach to digital marketing, enabling us to target potential customers with the right messaging at the right time at a hyper local level, to increase our marketing return on investment,’ says Stacey.

‘We continue to see the collection and use of data as critical to maintaining and developing our market-leading position in the sector. Recent examples include the development of our Integrated Retail Intelligence System, which brings together numerous data sources to create one unified view of the customer and the ongoing development of our integrated lending platform to work across our Sofology brand. ILP speeds up the process and likelihood of customers gaining the credit that is right for them and helps enable increased conversion at busy trading times. We have developed middle-mile software that helps enable the sale of cancelled customer orders or returned stock across the country in an efficient manner via our national distribution centre, and there remain further opportunities to develop this solution to use with our manufacturing operations.’

On deliveries, efficiencies are bearing fruit with The Sofa Delivery Company now integrated to handle both DFS

and Sofology deliveries, after two pandemic-affected years.

At the heart though is the product, in which DFS has the advantage of in-house manufacturing. This has allowed it to adapt to changing tastes quickly, and having Sofology as a second brand helps the group target different shoppers.

‘Our strategic range development continues at pace and we have seen innovative models with hidden storage, heated seats and reclining memory functions perform well. We have seen a trend develop for large corner group sofas, with our higher price point “Storeaway” ranges a good example of broadening the DFS brand’s appeal.

‘The Sofology brand has become a household name following sustained marketing investment since our acquisition of the business in 2017. Using well-known celebrities in its

advertisements, such as Owen Wilson and more recently Helena Bonham Carter in the ‘Bring Imagination to Life’ campaign, has helped contribute to Sofology achieving its highest ever brand awareness.

‘Sofology has also started to collaborate with TV stars such as the architect George Clarke to create sustainable, design-led ranges such as the Gaia and Midland Hill ranges. These have added to the growing number of sustainable-based ranges in the “sustainable edit collection”, featuring fabrics made from recycled pre and post-consumer waste and fillings that are recycled or recyclable to support a circular economy, as well as wooden frames from sustainable sources.’

Sofology has collaborated with TV stars such as architect George Clarke to create sustainable, design-led ranges such as Gaia (below) and Midland Hill

SWIVEL RECLINER & FOOTSTOOL

Where style meets good design, the Hawaii has it all!

Featuring an easy to use recline mechanism with 360 degree swivel and sumptuous deep cushioning with padded headrest and added arm support. This chair gives you complete comfort you can trust.

Lille Sand FABRIC Mid Oak Base

Lille Cloud FABRIC Mid Oak Base

Lille Charcoal FABRIC Mid Oak Base

New looks

More styles and options are available

La-Z-Boy with sister brand Furnico has widened its choice with new models.

La-Z-Boy’s Paris is an entry-level leather product, featuring pocket-sprung seats, a solid wood frame, compact arm design and a variety of options to suit a range of needs. A power recline, manual recline or static option is available across the three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa and

armchair. As well as the leather options there is a choice of fabrics.

Lennox offers cloud zero technology for a weightless reclining feel. The technology allows users to lie back in a position where their legs will be higher than their heart, which is recommended to reduce swelling or inflammation in the lower body. It offers a contemporary

look with chrome legs and a selection of fabric options. Lennox is available as a three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa, armchair and loveseat, with a storage footstool. Seats are available as static or power recline mechanisms.

Harrison provides a modern silhouette with chaise end sectional options including a feature reading

Paris

Lennox

Kinsley

light. Anderson has a classic waterfall back, cushioned arms and full chaise leg rest and Otta combines mid-century styling with comfort, support and luxury.

Furnico’s classically styled Buxton features scroll arms and curved stitching and is available in static, manual and power recline options. It has five new fabrics called Cupcake, which will be added to the Synergy range for use on other products.

Cantwell is offered in scatter back and standard back and has contrast piping and a ruching detail on the arms, which gives the style a designer edge. It uses

a flipper mechanism to offer a power recline option while still maintaining a modern, off-the-floor aesthetic.

Longton is the only product in Furnico’s offer that includes a chaise option, and the interchangeable units mean the chaise can be placed on either the left or the right to suit the consumer’s home. Available in static and power recline, it is designed to maximise customer choice with multiple customisation options including a choice of chrome or gold feet and trim, with the additional option of no trim at all.

The Kinsley range offers a high level

of personalisation for retailers looking to make the product their own. Available in both static and power recline, customers can choose between dark or light feet and four fabric collections, including the Synergy range. Its loveseats, standard chairs and footstools are available as statement pieces in a bold floral, and the design has a modern look. The power recline option includes a discreet flipper mechanism which sees the footrest lift out and means pieces can be placed against a wall, ideal for saving space.

Visit: www.la-z-boy.co.uk

Buxton: scan the QR code to see a tour of the JFS stand

Longton Cantwell

Brand New Ranges - Available to order as three seater, two seater and single chair variants; Paris comes in static, manual and power recline options, with Lennox offering static and power recline options. Create your ideal look with a variety of high quality leather grades and numerous fabric styles.

Lennox

Being the new girl

Nichola Bell, Alpha Designs sales director on her new role – and paddleboarding

You’ve only been at Alpha a few short months – how have they been?

The past few months have been a whirlwind of learning. I have been welcomed into the lovely Alpha family from day one and it was great to have a crossover with Barry Webb before he retired. Although being the new girl is somewhat of a challenge, there is no better way to learn than to be thrown in at the deep end, and running the stand at the January Furniture Show certainly helped. I am enjoying the challenges and new experiences. I’ve always been a girl in a hurry, so I have to learn that Rome wasn’t built in a day and be more patient with myself. Anything unexpected in the new role? I have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly Alpha can respond to market trends, customer requirements and business needs. It’s been identified that the company has outgrown the current plant, and exciting renovations

and replanning are already underway. What do you bring to the role?

I like to think I’m bringing my enthusiasm and passion for British furniture, along with a substantial amount of experience

in building Independent business. I am enjoying putting processes and strategies in place, not only for sales growth but behind the scenes too. I’m all about making things as simple and

Celeste

Nichola Bell

Elegant upholstery, handmade in the UK by a family company with passion, dedication and care

stress-free as possible; also identifying and empowering the right people to build a strong team – and there are certainly plenty of those at Alpha. Will Alpha’s product offer change over the coming months now you can have input on that?

Those changes have already started with the introduction of the new curated range in January. It’s about building on success, strengthening the DNA of the product and keeping on doing what we do well: well-made product, carefully selected fabric and good value for money. Sounds simple, doesn’t it! How is Alpha approaching ethical sourcing? As with all responsible manufacturers Alpha is well on the page for sustainability – admittedly not the leader in this field yet, but we’re certainly taking our responsibility seriously by partnering with suppliers who are equally invested in sustainability. Where do you want Alpha to be in a year, and how will you ensure you reach your goals? I’d like to cement Alpha’s position as a reliable and credible supplier within the British upholstery market by, at the very least, maintaining the market share, getting to know our customers and their needs more, and using what looks to be a challenging year to create robust

foundations, starting with implementing a new back-office system that will revolutionise the way Alpha works across all aspects of manufacturing. How will the upholstery sector evolve in the coming years? With what has happened in the past few years, who can guess? It’s feels that since Covid hit us, although our industry benefitted greatly, trading has become much harder work. I’m sure this is not just in our industry. I’d like to see retailers value British manufacturing and support home-grown trade with a feeling of

partnership. In the end, we all need each other. I see strong, forward-thinking Independent retailers maintaining their share of business by offering good, safe product, on short lead times, all backed up by good customer service. Does the job allow much time off? Downtime? I’m not sure what that is right now! But when the wind is not blowing a hoolie, you will find me on the lake on my paddleboard trying not to fall in. A surefire way of forgetting about sofas for an hour or two.

Tel: 01902 492 937

Buy local

Alternative has launched a campaign to push shoppers to high streets

Alternative has launched a ‘buy local’ campaign, supported by a major marketing initiative designed to drive consumers to buy from local independent retailers, under the slogan ‘Share the love, buy your carpets locally’.

The brand has strong innovative in-store and online packages based on solid expertise, and the campaign initiative builds on a renewed interest post-pandemic in shopping locally and in high streets as places of personality for communities. Consumers are searching out more characterful shops that offer high-quality, design-led, well-made products and a friendly professional service on their doorstep.

Alternative’s products are not available in out-of-town flooring outlets or major department stores.

‘Our retailers are up against the chains but don’t have the resources to compete for consumers,’ says Lorna Haigh, Alternative creative and marketing director. ‘We’re using our expertise and advanced marketing techniques to drive consumers to the high street.

‘We believe in independent flooring retailers – often family businesses offering both reliability and service with a smile. Trusted knowledge, backed by trained and accredited skilled flooring fitters is the way to buy your carpets locally and enjoy the experience too.

‘When you buy local, it stays local,’ says

Haigh. ‘More jobs will be created, communities will prosper and people will be more connected than ever to their own town or area. We are urging shoppers to invest in their local flooring expert.’

The company has a variety of initiatives to support stockists: new POS includes the Play Studio – the 100th of these has just been installed –and the Play Pod. Through its Click ‘n’ Collect retailers, Alternative is promoting and driving online sales. With bespoke rug and runners using Make Me A Rug,

Everyday Favourites and exclusive designer rugs and runners by Margo Selby, retail partners ‘earn money whilst they sleep’. Alternative has also invested in digital promotion and PR: its carpets featured in four leading consumer titles including Homes & Gardens and the Daily Express in the past month, while through its Play Partners it has sponsored natural flooring fitting courses at FITA, and a new training package for retailers is due for launch.

Visit: www.alternativeflooring.com

100 Play Studios have been installed

Sharethelove... and join our story

Alternative truly believes in independent flooring retailers, often family businesses who offer both reliability and service with a smile.

This British brand is supporting a renewed interest in shopping locally and bringing back ‘human high streets’ as places of personality for their communities.

Come ‘Play’ with Alternative where independence matters. To find out more please scan the QR code. www.alternativeflooring.com

Modern twist

Moduleo has launched a new luxury vinyl flooring collection that reimagines its classic styles. The Roots collection has been created with the future in mind: floors that embrace the newest interior trends and are manufactured with the latest technology.

Comprising six distinct themes and a choice of 130 different SKUs to appeal to a broad variety of tastes, Roots offers floors designed for self-expression that are appealing, aspirational and in tune with nature. Each comes with its own unique aesthetic and feel, with the ability to combine different styles.

Evoking a true-to-life sense, Roots luxury vinyl floors are made to last, with a natural look and touch. Inspired by biophilic design – the concept of bringing the outside in – floors contain real oak grooves you can feel, and cloud-like concrete colours that stir the senses.

Enhanced realism comes to the forefront of the collection with refined surface types, including perfect gloss levels, and when it comes to functionality, floors are soft and silent underfoot as well as being slip and water resistant. Two different wear layer options of 0.40mm and 0.55mm are available and improved scratch and stain resistance provide peace of mind that floors will stand the test of time.

‘With the reimagining of our core collection, we wanted to show that we haven’t forgotten our roots and are investing in the future. Retailers can now provide customers with classic Moduleo designs but with a modern twist, manufactured with the latest technology to suit changes in interior trends. Our six themes allow boldness and exploration without sacrificing on strength or longevity,’ says Matthew Brook, Moduleo national sales manager.

‘Moduleo staples like Blackjack Oak and Mustang Slate are joined by new styles such as Lugano and Fiastra. We are excited to share these and to get feedback from our retailer partners on the most popular styles.’

Floors in the Roots collection are fully recyclable and made from up to 50% recycled materials at the company’s factory in Avelgem, Belgium. One-third of the energy powering the factory comes from wind turbines, and Moduleo uses water from the River

Scheldt to naturally cool machines in the facility.

With the launch of the new collection, Moduleo’s floors are now split into three collections: Moduleo LayRed, Roots and Moods.

Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

Classic styles have been reimagined

Moduleo Fiastra 46534

delighted to share our latest collection with you.

Curated into six distinctive themes and a choice of 130 different SKUs, Moduleo’s new Roots collection is appealing, aspirational and as diverse and vivid as nature itself. Designed to handle whatever life throws at them, these slip, scratch and stain resistant floors are warm, comfortable and silent underfoot.

They’re sustainable too - being fully recyclable and made from up to 50% recycled materials. So, for floors everyone can be proud of, make it Roots by Moduleo.

Discover more at moduleo.co.uk

We’re

We’re exceptionally proud of our Roots

Getting it right

Preparation is all-important

Given the premium associated with LVT, and customers’ high expectations of the result, it is useful to know how to ensure a flawless finish to an installation.

‘A long-lasting, visually attractive flooring finish when installing LVT involves following the basic principles of subfloor preparation, as well as taking precautions to avoid common causes of floor failure. This can be broken down into a few simple steps. Careful product selection at each stage of the process will also help optimise the installation,’ says Neil Sanders, F Ball and Co technical director.

‘We recommend that a levelling compound is applied over the subfloor to create a perfectly smooth base and ensure the visual appearance of an installation is not compromised by imperfections in the subfloor showing through. Before you apply a levelling compound, the first step in any installation should be to check that the subfloor is suitably sound, smooth and dry. Any laitance and contaminants should be mechanically removed.

‘At this stage, a moisture test should be conducted to determine whether the subfloor is dry enough to receive floorcoverings. Where relative humidity (RH) levels are higher than 75%, a moisture management solution will be required to prevent moisture attacking flooring adhesives and causing resilient floorcoverings to blister and lift, potentially ruining the appearance of the installation. The usual solution for suppressing excess subfloor moisture is the application of a liquid waterproof surface membrane.

‘You also need to prime the subfloor in order to promote adhesion between that and the levelling compound applied over it. Applied over absorbent subfloors, primer also stops the unacceptably rapid drying of levelling compounds, which can result in insufficient strength buildup and a reduction in the “open” time or wet edge of the levelling compound. Another benefit of priming is reducing “pinholing”: small holes in the levelling compound that have the appearance of

pinholes or blisters, caused by the slow escape of air from absorbent surfaces as the levelling compound cures.

‘To adhere the LVTs to the levelling compound, pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as F Ball’s Styccobond F46, are usually the best choice. They form an instant grab upon contact, so installers don’t need to worry about tiles or planks sliding about when they are working, making them ideal for installations with intricate designs or patterns.

‘Styccobond F46 is part of F Ball’s System LVT range, which comprises waterproof surface membranes, primers, levelling compounds and adhesives. Used correctly and in combination, F Ball guarantees these will result in an aesthetically pleasing floor finish that

lasts the lifetime of the installation.’

The range also features pressuresensitive adhesives with a variety of other specialist attributes, including moisture tolerance and the ability to hold vinyl floorcoverings firmly in place in areas exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations from -20degC to +60degC.

‘Always check the compatibility of particular floorcoverings and adhesives. Consult the floorcovering manufacturer’s guidelines, or F Ball’s Recommended Adhesives Guide, which lists adhesives recommended for use with more than 6,000 floorcoverings produced by over 200 manufacturers. It is available as a free app or a printed booklet, and an interactive version is on the website.’ Visit: www.f-ball.com

Pressure-sensitive adhesives are usually the best choice

Use a levelling compound

BRM

BRM (Bond Retail Marketing) prides itself on its history, experience and agility to navigate and keep pace with the ever-changing flooring marketplace. It offers a bespoke personal service that can be tailored to serve each retailer’s individual needs, allowing the retailer to carry on with the day-to-day running of their business. With no joining fees and a family feel within the group, why not consider being part of BRM? Its buying and marketing function has years of experience negotiating with suppliers and manufacturers in the UK market across all flooring product groups, plus an online presence via www.beautifulflooring.co.uk where consumers are directed to its national retailer network. De-branding and profit engineering are attributes it is skilled in developing with individual retailers, to create successful and profitable business models that will stand the test of time. Designer initiatives such as the Daisy Alexandra Subert collection give unique and exclusive selling opportunities with enhanced margins. Tel: 07403 442 229

Flooring One

Flooring One’s strategy of offering a highly professional and friendly service across the UK and Republic of Ireland continues to assist its suppliers and members. The aim is to increase member profitability by offering financial benefits such as specially negotiated rebates from key suppliers, low prices and terms, alongside its unique CENPAC payment system that also offers additional support and payment terms.

Partnerships with more than 50 suppliers give its members margin protection on rebranded products, in addition to dedicated support in field merchandising and a comprehensive marketing manual. A number of promotional offers throughout the year are supported by promotional concepts that will assist members with advertising requirements, and a dedicated website specifically for members. Its procurement service can assist with money-saving advice for energy, telecoms, lighting, insurance and other business areas, together with an IFC and credit card scheme. Visit: www.flooringone.co.uk

Greendale Carpets & Flooring

Greendale is a not-for-profit, mutual trading company owned by a group of over 135 independent flooring retailers throughout the UK, coming together to enjoy a purchasing power equal to larger rivals. It is unique in the UK carpet industry as the only member-owned independent group with a central stockholding facility. From its purpose-built warehouse in the West Midlands it can guarantee prompt delivery of any order from stock anywhere in the UK. Whether large multi-outlet furnishers, small owner-managed design consultants or long-established family businesses, every member has access to this vast central stock of quality carpets – woven or tufted, plain or patterned – from all the leading manufacturers. It also provides access to suppliers of wood floors, naturals, vinyl and rugs. It has recently invested in solar technology to reduce its carbon footprint, and all packaging waste is recycled. Many of its products also have enhanced environmental credentials, while wool is the ultimate recyclable material. Visit: www.greendalecarpets.co.uk

Metro

Metro is a group of independent retailers, from the smallest operation to multiple-outlet businesses. Every member pays the same single subscription, whatever size of business or however many outlets they have. Retaining independence is vital to Metro members, which is why all group activity is

Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

always optional, allowing members to select the best benefits of group membership while being 100% in control of their own businesses.

Metro Group is run as a non-profit-making organisation, owned wholly by its members. Since 1995 it has had an own-label brand, Carpet 1st, encompassing the best-selling and best-performing products. Members can maximise profits while supporting the group and authorised suppliers under the Carpet 1st brand or suppliers’ own branding. The group also offers a central buying facility with authorised suppliers, allowing members without direct accounts to place orders.

Metro has a dedicated marketing department with over 30 years of retail flooring experience, specialising in bespoke solutions for independent retailers. This service allows showrooms to be transformed, with remarkable results. The service particularly appeals to new members that have previously not had access to professional, impartial marketing advice, design and materials production. Members qualify for £600 of free bespoke marketing support each year, including branded display stands. There’s so much more to Metro than just buying flooring. Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

SMG

SMG is the largest flooring group in the UK, with more than 430 retail outlets. SMG members can proudly retain their complete independence while enjoying the most profitable and comprehensive benefits package around. Established retailers with existing direct accounts will still benefit from SMG’s special pricing, rebates and promotions to improve their profitability and competitiveness. In addition to these financial advantages, members without direct accounts can still access products from any approved supplier via the unique central purchasing scheme.

At this year’s Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show, SMG will be showcasing the latest additions to its Pure own-brand ranges, including some surprises. There will be new selling opportunities for members on non-flooring products and, of course, the latest in show offers and updates on all the latest initiatives from the group. All of these advantages, together with award-winning business suppor t, show that SMG really does have something for every retailer, large or small, and truly gives strength to the independent retailer. Visit: www.smg-group.co.uk

Buying

New, new, new

Abingdon Flooring will have POS, carpet and warranty updates

Abingdon Flooring return to the show with the re-launch of its lifetime Stainfree warranty and a look at its new Wilton Royal wool loop pile carpets and new-look POS. In the latest ranges from its Stainfree collection and new wool loop pile styles in the Wilton Royal family, Abingdon Flooring will offer carpets that deliver the best in Britishmade quality and value.

With Charter Berber Loop and Charter Plain Loop from the Wilton Royal family, visitors will see the strengthening return of wool in the relaxed, country look of loop pile carpet. With a range of natural colours, these 100% wool carpets are a must for retailers looking to make the most of the yarn’s return to the spotlight. The show will also be the first chance to see Wilton Royal’s new POS, bringing the long-running family closer to Abingdon Flooring’s modern, fresh and high-energy look.

It wouldn’t be an Abingdon Flooring stand without some exciting additions

to its British-made Stainfree family, so visitors will be able to catch a look at Festival, one of latest styles to join the original easy-clean collection. A luxurious deep pile carpet that’s eminently practical, Festival comes in colours such as Oyster, White Smoke, Glacier Grey and Almond: a palette that’s the perfect backdrop to bold and colourful home accessories and soft furnishings.

Alongside Festival, other Stainfree launches on show will be Affection and Timeless. A deep pile style in 11 trending colours, Affection comes with Abingdon Flooring’s Fleece backing for added comfort and warmth and better pliability for easier fitting. The classic twist of Timeless demonstrates just how elegant the latest Stainfree styles are.

‘It’s always great to be at BGNFS. For us it’s one of the best opportunities to meet our retailers and get their feedback on new developments, our latest launches and to hear how we can

help their business more. We’ve some great new developments to show this year, particularly with exciting Wilton Royal launches and the striking update to displays, but it’s also a great time to pop along and catch up on the latest news, including the re-launch of our lifetime Stainfree warranty,’ says Charlotte Coop, Abingdon Flooring head of marketing.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Festival

Royal Windsor

Innovation

Furlong is promising new developments

Furlong Flooring is promising to ‘breathe new life into flooring’ when it reveals ‘ground-breaking new developments’ at the show. ‘Exciting surprises, must-see flooring innovations and market-leading features will be the order of the day for visiting retailers,’ says Ian Collacott, Furlong Flooring sales director.

‘This year has already got off to an exciting start with the re-launch of our best-selling twist carpet range, Trident, and the introduction of new colour options and features. These visually appealing and easy-to-fit carpets are available in a variety of warm and cool tones that have been professionally

designed to suit both residential and commercial environments, allowing you to keep up-to-date on current flooring trends no matter the space. This innovative range has the added benefit of being commercially rated stainresistant with easy-care qualities.

‘The show will also provide the ideal opportunity to see our recently launched LVT collection. Hard-wearing, durable and stylish, this attractive range features contemporary designs and quality construction. Beautiful modern tile designs sit alongside on-trend natural stone and herringbones in an up-to-date, attractive range of LVT that

will create the very best floors.

‘Our mission is to offer only the most stylish, contemporary and well-fitting flooring whilst helping clients sell to their customers in order to build their business and reputation. We are really excited to be meeting everyone at this year’s show and having the opportunity to showcase the very best when it comes to flooring. Our track record of innovation is known throughout the industry and once again we anticipate a great deal of interest in some of the very latest solutions within our expansive flooring range.’

Visit: www.furlongflooring.com

Emerald

Trident

Carina

Adding value

MasterPiece now offers more

MasterPiece can now add value to both the front and back-end of your business process. At the front-end it now offers an innovative pre-visit ‘ballpark quoting’ engine; a facility for quoting in-store based on the customer’s own measurements; a diary for scheduling estimator visits, and support for in-shop sales, ie sales that don’t require a visit to measure.

MasterPiece is already well known for supporting the estimator’s visit, on tablet, in the home. At the back-end, beyond the estimator’s visit, it now offers a diary for scheduling fitting events and a customer database capturing customer details and history of interactions.

The ballpark quoting engine goes by the name of ‘Sales Assistant’. It enables both inexperienced sales assistants and experienced salespeople to produce a better ballpark quote than is possible without a software tool. So, either the potential customer is primed well and

the sale is almost made before the visit, or the time and effort of a wasted visit is saved, where the customer would only be interested in a much lower quote.

The tool works by the sales assistant asking the customer questions to characterise the building: how many levels, how many bedrooms, bay windows and so on. The customer is then presented with intelligently created room shapes and sizes. The customer guides the sales assistant to get the proportions about right. A series of leading questions enables a stairway to be formulated rapidly with good default sizes: the tool is not limited to rooms. A bundled set of accessories is automatically applied, enabling a rapidly generated quote.

The diary for scheduling fitters is a graphical diary for allocating to fitters to events by drag and drop. The duration of a fitting event is estimated automatically from the total labour charge quoted. Fitting events are

allocated to a fitting resource according to their capability: some fitters do roll materials only, others specialise in LVT. However, scheduling is not just a matter of who can do what and when: it is about committing to the customer with a time band within which the fitter will arrive at the property. Uncertainty over timing increases as the working day progresses and the innovative diary handles this aspect. The fitting team’s work on a particular day needs to be communicated, so the fitter is provided with their own diary via a mobile app. See a demonstration at the show, with a free trial available.

Visit: www.masterpiece-system.com

Abingdon Flooring

Stand P200

Abingdon Flooring returns with the re-launch of its Stainfree lifetime warranty, its new Wilton Royal wool loop-pile carpets and new-look POS. ‘BGNFS is one of the best opportunities to meet our retailers and get feedback on new developments, our latest launches and to hear how we can help their business more,’ says Charlotte Coop, Abingdon Flooring head of marketing.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Associated Weavers

Stand P580

One of the leading manufacturers of tufted wall-towall carpet and a UK brand since 1964, Associated Weavers has built strong and lasting relationships with its partners nationwide from its headquarters in Halifax. A passion for flooring, thorough product knowledge and an eye for great interior design are strengths of its 40-strong dedicated UK sales team.

Visit: www.carpetyourlife.com

Ball & Young

Stand P120

Ball & Young – for a greener footprint. With a commitment to zero waste, all Ball & Young PU underlays are manufactured from re-purposed trim, which can again be recycled at the end of its usable life. The company you can trust, with more than 25 years of sustainability and innovation. It’s in its DNA. Scan the QR code to see the sustainability story.

Visit: www.ballandyoung.com

Balta Carpets

Stand P540

Balta is back, better and stronger than ever, with new ranges and improved service. To celebrate its return as your quality carpet partner, it’s releasing a new display to show new styles (including Prestige Twist 50, pictured) in its reinvigorated families. Discover these high-quality display solutions for your store at its stand.

Visit: www.balta-carpets.com

Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

Berry Alloc

Stand P590

Visitors will get the chance to see highlights from BerryAlloc’s wide range of high-quality flooring for today’s style conscious homeowner. Across its High Pressure Floors (HPF), Ocean+ and Chateau laminate flooring and Pure luxury vinyl planks and tiles, retailers keen on making sure their store has attractive and fast-selling flooring collections will find just what they are looking for.

Visit: www.berryalloc.com

Cormar Carpet Company

Stand P480

Cormar Carpet Company is delighted to return to the show and will be displaying its recently re-launched Primo Ultra range: a firm favourite in family homes for over a decade. Its award-winning product portfolio will be on display and includes the latest addition to the popular easy-clean collection, Trinity: an exciting new range manufactured by Cormar in 14 Tri-Colour heather shades.

Visit: www.cormar carpets.co.uk

Carpet Recycling UK

Stand P260

Carpet Recycling UK is the only membership association working with the supply chain to reduce textile flooring waste going to landfill. Members can take advantage of emerging opportunities including sustainable raw materials for manufacture, re-use of surplus and used products, and identifying innovations in material processing. Core members represent 80% of manufacturers and distributors supplying the UK market, taking voluntary producer responsibility. Visit: www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

Fells Carpets

Stand P550

Fells Carpets continues to take its collection into the modern world with 42 different ranges currently. Most recently Fells has developed geometric designs, along with using effect yarns with highlights and shrink yarn fibres. Fells Carpets is proud to be supporting BGNFS. Visit: www.fellscarpets.co.uk

Barrisdale Bay Moon Shimmer

Runswick

Made from PET recycled plastic bottles

Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

Furlong Flooring

Stand P450

Furlong Flooring is promising to ‘breathe new life into flooring’ when it reveals ‘ground-breaking new developments’ at the show. ‘Exciting new surprises, must-see flooring innovations and market-leading features will be the order of the day for visiting retailers,’ says Ian Collacott, Furlong Flooring sales director.

Visit: www.furlongflooring.com

Hugh Mackay

Stand P300/P280

Hugh Mackay is focusing heavily on design and colour through 2023. With the launch of several new products through the year, it is excited to launch five new Axminster ranges at BGNFS, which will be condensed offerings centred on design and colour.

Visit: www.hughmackay.co.uk

Interfloor

Stand P410

Interfloor has been an underlay expert since 1952 and still has great brands paving the way today, one of which is Tredaire Premier, the premium underlay for all carpet areas in the home. There is also renu, its ground-breaking sustainable underlay made from ethically sourced recycled materials.

Visit: www.interfloor.com

Invictus

Stand P580

Associated Weavers stands out from the crowd in UK presence, branding and in-store solutions. The Invictus luxury vinyl flooring concept and displays are no exception to that rule. When it comes to delivering a great performance, nothing beats Invictus luxury vinyl flooring. The name is no coincidence: in Latin, ‘invictus’ means invincible. Invictus luxury vinyl flooring is sure to meet all your expectations.

Visit: www.invictus.co.uk

Lano

Stand P190

Lano has been very busy over the past year looking for new qualities that stand out from the current offerings in the market and has managed to develop a few gems within its A Touch of Luxury range. With Smar tStrand still the best carpet in the world, Lano sets the bar very high and it is happy to introduce Sofia. Carpet really doesn’t get any better than this in terms of quality and luxury. Visit and be amazed.

Visit: www.lano.com

Louis de Poortere

Stand P350

Showing an exclusive preview of 2023/24 additions to its rug collection, as well as the Richelieu Mix and Match runner programme, Louis de Poortere’s stand will be one of newness. Visitors will be able to see how easy it is to create a fabulous wool-rich bespoke runner available in up to six widths, to provide the ideal fitting for stairs, landings and hallways.

Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

Likewise

Stand P110

Likewise has a fantastic collection of new ranges including carpets, residential vinyl, LVT, laminate and artificial grass presented on its superb retail display units. The ranges offer the very best quality and style with some fantastic on-trend colours, textures and designs. It will also showcase its new rug ranges and exclusive doormat collections.

Visit: www.likewisefloors.co.uk

MasterPiece

Stand P240

MasterPiece has added a ballpark quoting facility for the sales assistant: it rapidly creates a better ballpark quote than even a highly experienced sales assistant can achieve. The estimator can then visit the home armed with the ballpark job. A scheduling diary for fittings and estimator visits is also now available.

Visit: www.masterpiece-system.com

New

Primo Ultra by

A firm favourite in family homes for over 10 years, Primo Ultra has been re-launched with a fresh palette of on-trend colours.

Stain resistant and bleach cleanable, Primo Ultra is now available in a range of 20 heather and plain shades and is made from 100% Excellon polypropylene.

MADE IN BRITAIN

SINCE 1956

Buying Groups’ National Flooring Show

SMG

Stand D300

SMG is the largest flooring group in the UK and its members proudly retain their complete independence while enjoying the most profitable, comprehensive benefits package around. At this year’s show, SMG is looking forward to meeting up with members and showcasing the latest additions to its supplier por tfolio, ranges, offers and promotions. Visit: www.smg-group.co.uk

Victoria Carpets

Stand P360

Victoria Carpets has been working hard on strengthening its wool offer and will be showcasing two new British wool ranges at the show: Strathmore Berber and the new Tudor Co-ordinates range, a collection of 20 plain and four striped loop pile carpets that work in conjunction with the recently refreshed Tudor Twist. New POS options will also be on display for the first time, so visitors to the show will get an exclusive sneak peek. Visit: www.myvictoria.co.uk

Exclusively for ACG Members only

SupplierShow

EXCLUSIVE £100 off

The Slate, Warwick University. Saturday 24th June 2023

Free to attend plus

annual subscription

ACG is pleased to announce that we have again secured what is a fantastic venue, The Slate, Warwick University for the 24th June for our 2023 Platinum Event.

Meet and socialise with your fellow retailers in a relaxed and friendly environment.

EARLY BIRD OFFER - 30% OFF ACCOMMODATION

For all bookings made before the 1st April 2023

If you have not visited the Platinum Show before, this is an ideal opportunity to meet the suppliers and chat with fellow retailers in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Remember, the show is free to attend and you will also qualify for a £100 reduction from your annual subscription fee for the following years membership.

In addition, should you require accommodation over the show weekend or just for the evening of the Gala Dinner, which takes place after the show, then why not take advantage of our early bird special offer “30% off the cost of hotel accommodation for the evening of Saturday 24th June” - if you book before 1st April 2023.

There will also be a welcome gift on arrival, in your room, as a thank you from your ACG team.

For more information contact us at: Register your attendance online at: email: info@acgcarpets.com Tel: 01942 825520

acgcarpets.com/platinumevent

The original Cloud 9

Manufactured in the UK from recycled PU trim to BS EN 14499 standards Cloud 9 carpet underlays have excellent recovery characteristics, and are easy to lift and handle. Their exceptional insulation properties can make a signi cant differenceeven reducing the cost of your heating bills.

Ball & Young has been championing sustainability for over 25 years and its many green initiatives have helped its parent company, The Vita Group, achieve a Gold rating from EcoVadis, in recognition of its advanced sustainability credentials.

Over 25 years of sustainability and innovation. It’s in our DNA.

Think different

Online and in-store require their own approaches

‘To compete online successfully, you need to think differently. It’s a different ball game to in-store, and it’s more involved than simply de-branding products online to thwart price comparisons. Replicating your physical store online is not a winning formula. If that is your approach you’ll be very busy managing your extensive product catalogue, all those swatches, all those options, but you won’t necessarily be generating significant additional online sales,’ says Wayne Robbins, Iconography director.

‘This is the realisation that many furniture retailers are reaching. The challenge today is that you need to be multifaceted – focused, relevant and clear – both online and in-store. This is much easier said than done. Operational efficiency is therefore essential, as there are two retail versions of yourself to manage and

only so many hours in the day.

‘Efficiency should be central to everything you do and is why you need to move away from inefficient, store-centric legacy software. Success is about new thinking. It’s about developing online and in-store versions of yourself with ease and understanding the difference.

‘The challenge is identifying the right products and payment options, ensuring a mix of products to sell online and products to feature online so as to promote store visits and sales and phone-based enquiries. This is the hybrid approach.

‘Extending this hybrid approach some retailers are picking online winners from made-to-order ranges and stocking them to drive online sales. Having good sales data to inform buying decisions is essential and buying popular lines for stock

Effective & efficient omnichannel retailing

retail

gives you a distinct lead time advantage over competitors. More involved, exclusive and complex products should be featured online, to showcase your store and underline that you’re a specialist furniture retailer.’

Visit: www.iconography.co.uk

by Visit iconography.co.uk

Online success requires a new approach

Reality

Alice Clarke, Orbital Vision sales and marketing director shares her thoughts on CGI and more

Where do you see CGI and the furniture industry going in the years ahead?

The use of technology is only increasing within the interiors world. From 3D product configurators and AR to 3D-walkthroughs of showrooms, the industry is gearing up for a new age of selling. We’ve been working hard over the past year developing our 3D product

configurator, Envision. This has increased our clients’ sales by an average of 30% and has had a great impact on their online presence. Envision allows users to endlessly customise a product. The size, body fabric, piping, buttoning, leg colour and scatter combinations can all be changed to fit your own personal style. Envision uses 3D, 360 models, so users

can see every detail of a product, at any angle. You can also view products in your own home with our app-less AR feature, so you can test out whether a product fits the space without having to make a purchase – which means customer expectations are better managed, and our clients see a reduction in return rates. How simple is the process of a project? Very simple. From start to finish, our accounts team are always here to answer any questions or queries a client may have – and there’s never a stupid question. Most clients have never worked with CGI before, so we break things down into stages; your models, fabrics and roomsets are all worked on by the team who specialise in that area. At Orbital, we keep it simple: we just need the overall dimensions and a few reference images to build a model (no line drawings, complex dimension requests or physical samples needed). For roomsets, you can choose one of our various stock roomsets, or we can build something bespoke to you – just

send us a reference image or brief showcasing your desired look and feel. How has your team changed over time? Is the company still UK-based? Our team has only grown since starting Orbital Vision. All our staff are based at our Long Eaton studio, all are full time and committed to providing the furniture industry with the best CGI imagery out there. As our team are based in the UK, we know our clients’ target audiences and styles down to the finer details. What are the biggest struggles for retailers and manufacturers?

It’s been a ‘chicken or egg’ situation for some time now. Manufacturers don’t sell direct so don’t feel that they should provide the imagery, and retailers don’t often have the budget to shoot products. We’ve found that over time retailers are becoming more reliant on manufacturers to provide them with the assets they need to sell their products. Of course, if you sell into multiple stores, shooting one product in multiple styles and fabrics is a task that’s just impossible for manufacturers to complete. The imagery

provided to retailers is often bland and basic to ensure it can be used by everyone. Product pages become uninspiring, and customers can easily back-search via an image to find the best and cheapest deal on a product, meaning retailers lose out on sales.

To combat this, we’ve been working with some of the UK’s largest manufacturers to build the UK’s sofa population in 3D form. We’ve just introduced our newest service, ‘Get A Room’, where in three steps, you can have your own exceptional imagery. We have so many assets on file, these are signed off by the suppliers themselves, and are ready for retailers to make the most of. Retailers can come to us to get their own bespoke shoots created, all in 3D and at a much cheaper rate than photography. Choose your model, fabric and desired lifestyle setting to create your own photorealistic imagery. As everything is existing, imagery can be created in a matter of hours, rather than days – allowing websites and socials to be populated instantly.

Do you still feel there’s a stigma around CGI in the furniture industry? As time goes on, CGI is becoming the best and most popular option for imagery within the industry. This isn’t just down to cost – the sheer number of assets, combinations, and the creative freedom that comes with doing a lifestyle shoot in 3D rather than in real life, has turned people away from photography and towards CGI.

The most common reason for people being hesitant to jump into the world of CGI is that they’ve had a bad experience in the past or have received a rather expensive quote. Our main aim has always been to supply the industry with the most photorealistic, and affordable imagery. We are open and honest when it comes to whether something would be more cost effective to photograph. We’ve always received excellent feedback, and often clients will drop photoshoots for CGI altogether. As technology develops, CGI is only getting better and more realistic.

Visit: www.orbital.vision

Magritte

Stay relevant

A webinar will explain what 3D visualisation can do

‘More than half of your customers are delaying –and almost a third are cancelling –purchases of big ticket items such as furniture. This reluctance is frequently due to a lack of confidence: visualising how an item will fit into a home, or even its configured state, is just too difficult,’ says David Colijn, iONE360 cmo.

‘When customers don’t buy, it’s a silent protest, and it costs brands and retailers a lot of money. Customers are saying: “If you can’t show me what I want to buy and reassure me that it will fit in my home, I’ll find someone else who can, or I won’t buy at all.”

Today, consumers expect excellent product information and visualisation at their fingertips. The technology for this exists in other industries, such as the automotive sector. So why is the home and decor sector lagging behind?

‘The furniture industry has always struggled with providing visuals of all its items in every variant. Logistically and financially, it has been impossible. Furniture products can have thousands of possible variants, and that’s just one product in a company’s catalogue. We don’t need to do the maths to understand the scale of the issue.

‘Solving this visualisation issue is a very attractive prospect. Getting it right would lead to higher conversion rates, higher average order value, higher customer satisfaction, and cost savings on services, returns and error correction.

‘What if we told you the technology now exists to make all of this possible, and to do so affordably?’

To help brands and large retailers understand this technology, Colijn will host a free webinar on 25 April.

‘This is designed to explain the basic principles of 3D visual configuration and explore relevant considerations, such as: is it just a phase or here to stay? Should we act on it? Why? When? Is it difficult? Is it costly? I’m a manufacturer, isn’t this for retail? I’m retail, shouldn’t my supplier handle this? By attending the webinar, you will be able to distinguish technologies such as CGI, 360-spinners, AR, VR and room planners. You will be armed with the knowledge to consider which technologies are best suited for your organisation and what to look for when selecting a vendor.’

iONE360 is part of the Colijn Group, a market leader in developing software for the furniture industry in Western Europe. Drawing on 41 years of experience, the company has accumulated expert knowledge in furniture and the associated data logistics, servicing renowned household brands. Its software solutions are embedded with this experience, allowing it to offer some of the best visual commerce solutions globally for the home and decor industry.

Visit: www.ione360.com

David Colijn

Artist render by iONE360, designed by XOOON

Meeting expectations

Let technology meet your customers’ changed needs

‘The furniture retail industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. As with most of life, the pandemic has left a lasting legacy. Consumers’ habits have changed along with their expectations, and those furniture and bed retailers that fail to recognise or act on this will find things even tougher in an unforgiving economic environment,’ says Darren Lee, Ordorite Software business development director (UK).

‘So what are those expectations? The list is long, but certainly towards the top are convenience and service. We know consumers want to shop when they want, not when we tell them to. Surveys show that nationally 7pm on Sunday is prime time for people searching online for home furniture. How can bricks-and-mortar stores key into this need for convenience? Using latest generation POS and stock control technology with advanced algorithms can help. All retail software should be

able to manage and monitor customer orders from start to finish, but if you can give your customers the convenience of paying for their purchase from the comfort of their soon-to-be-replaced sofa, and the ability to schedule their own delivery time, according to your parameters, then you have lightning in a bottle.

‘Customers won’t want to wait in all day for a delivery and retailers don’t want to spend time calling them to let them know when the furniture will be with them. A good software system will assist in planning the delivery route and be able to automatically advise customers of a timed delivery window.

‘Being able to manage any product complaints at point of delivery is another reasonable expectation. Using tech for digital signature at point of sale and being able to log a customer service issue with photos whilst flagging it for the appropriate team member in store

or at head office is another service win.

‘Technological advancements are playing a major role in the transformation of the sector. The development of software solutions has the ability to revolutionise the way that furniture retailers operate, providing them with the tools they need to improve their operations, streamline their processes, and offer a more personalised and convenient shopping experience to their customers,’ says Lee.

‘Along with the ability to track their inventory levels in real time, process transactions quickly and efficiently, and manage their online sales operations, retailers will be able to stay ahead of the competition and succeed in today’s fast-paced retail environment.

‘Ordorite is at the forefront of these developments and has helped many furniture retailers increase efficiencies and drive profit.’

Visit: www.ordorite.com

Give your customers the convenience of paying for their purchase and scheduling their delivery when it suits them

Consumer duty

Protection plans meet the needs of the consumer and the demands of the regulator

‘We are continually looking to improve our furniture protection plans and the way we handle claims,’ say Martin Napper, Castelan ceo. ‘This evolution is driven by a number of things but, collectively, it means that the customer gets a much better product and claims experience. During this period we have really appreciated working together with our clients and gaining their support to offer a furniture protection product that is the best in the market and meets both the needs of the consumer and the demands of the regulator. This is not always an easy balance to strike, but we will continue to do this in order to be the trusted provider of compliant schemes that delight your customers.

‘The regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, is very focused on the implementation of Consumer Duty: you will be familiar with this if you offer any form of credit facility. We will continue to ensure our plans meet the requirements of Consumer Duty and will work with our clients to ensure that we all “act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers”, as this is a key principle that is expected of us all in the distribution chain.’

Under Consumer Duty everyone in the distribution chain has a responsibility

in the following areas:

• Consumer understanding: consumers are equipped to make good decisions. Information is made available at the right time and is understandable.

• Price and value: products and services should be sold at a price that reflects their value. There should be no excessively high fees.

• Product and services: the firm’s products and services should be fit for purpose. The terms match the target consumer needs, and products and services work as expected.

• Consumer support: customer service should be responsive and helpful. It should be as easy to complain about or switch and cancel products or services as it was to buy them.

‘Through product development, training, support and customer service, Castelan stands ready to support our clients, both present and future, to ensure that we have the best available coverage that provides the outcome customers expect. We would be delighted to share our vision with you,’ says Napper.

Visit: www.castelangroup.com

New team

Guardsman has strengthened its senior management

The Guardsman UK and Ireland business has continued to strengthen its senior team and its technology capability. Parent company Amynta, the global insurance services group, has continued its focus on providing exceptional customer service and top-notch products for both their retail partners and their customers.

‘There’s no getting away from the fact that the Financial Conduct Authority plays an important role in ensuring consumer fairness, and that its focus on furniture protection plans is ongoing,’ says Pauline Chiverton, Guardsman operations director. ‘However, our team is strong, especially since the leadership team has such a wealth of insurance industry knowledge and expertise, including deep regulatory understanding, which gives us a much clearer insight into what is required to protect all parties involved.’

Lyndon Willshire recently joined as commercial director. ‘I’m thrilled to be part of such a strong team whose focus is growing the business, building strong

and long-term relationships with our existing retailers as well as looking at new opportunities,’ he says.

He has held previous senior insurance roles as well as being part of Direct Line’s corporate partnership division.

‘This is an exciting new era for the Guardsman business, and I look forward to sharing some of the new initiatives we have got planned for 2023 and beyond,’ he adds.

In February the business appointed Russell Philpott as risk and compliance director. He previously worked at The AA covering both regulated and non-regulated product lines and has extensive experience within the insurance industry with Swinton and Compare the Market owner BGL Group.

Most recently the team welcomed Mark Potter as md, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience within the insurance industry. His expertise is in driving businesses toward success by organic growth, business development, new product development and sales growth.

‘Our team has changed over the past few months, bringing in a huge amount of insurance industry expertise to complement the existing strong team. We are in a great position to continue to support our retail partners and drive Guardsman UK and Ireland to new heights, ensuring we continue to follow the correct pathway, building fully compliant and successful partnerships,’ says Willshire.

Tel: 07508 007 786

More support

The NBF has developed further marketing materials for retailers

On the back of another successful National Bed Month, which saw bed retailers across the country utilising the National Bed Federation’s free marketing toolkit, the association is boosting its retailer support offering with five new marketing toolkits. These focus on increasing awareness of the NBF-approved tick, advice on the bed-buying process, after-purchase care and mattress settlement.

‘We know how popular The Sleep Council retailer toolkits were before its merger with The Sleep Charity in 2020 and recognise the need to continue this

type of support with these new and improved digital packs. We encourage all UK and Irish bed retailers that stock NBF-approved member brands to download the toolkits via the Marketing Support hub on our website,’ says Simon Williams, NBF head of marketing and membership.

‘Each toolkit, designed in the distinct Bed Advice branding, includes printfriendly posters to enhance retailers’ existing POS and a fantastic suite of social media infographics to support their sales and marketing activities.

‘The first toolkit focuses on the benefits of buying from an Approved NBF Member and what the NBF-approved tick label means to consumers when they spot it in-store. Made up of three posters and three sets of carousel social media graphics, the pack highlights the assurance that NBF-approved members have undergone rigorous independent auditing to certify that they have robust procedures to comply with UK regulations on safety, cleanliness of fillings and trade descriptions.

‘Our additional four toolkits focus on the bed-buying journey, including points to remember when buying a new bed and a step-by-step guide to testing mattresses. We know that many consumers just don’t spend enough time testing their shortlisted beds

in-store (ideally, they should spend 5-10 minutes per bed minimum), so this advice should give them a better chance of selecting the right one for them.

‘The need to highlight the crucial after-purchase care that ensures consumers get the most out of their new mattresses continues to rise in prevalence, in line with our sustainability agenda. With the additional cost-of-living crisis tightening the country’s purse strings, it is more important than ever that we collectively educate consumers on how they should care for their new purchase to prolong its lifespan, with tips on keeping it clean and minimising impression marks.

‘The most common complaint we receive from consumers is around mattress settlement, also known as body impressions. We have dedicated our fifth toolkit to managing their expectations and educating them that settlement is a normal characteristic of a quality mattress conforming to the shape of their body.

‘Finally, bed retailers can gain real kudos by joining our NBF Retail Champions Scheme, which has an excellent benefits package. If you currently source at least 50% of your UK and Irish beds from NBF-approved members, apply for free today.’ Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

Retailers can get hold of five toolkits

Keys to success

Sales promotion company Greenwood Retail has come of age, celebrating its 21st anniversary

‘It seems like yesterday when I launched our first Greenwood sale. I held three sales back in 2002, our first year. Since then, we have averaged about 50 sales a year and, at the time of writing, have completed 1,090 Greenwood sales for hundreds of quality retailers across the UK and Republic of Ireland. This a real home-grown success story and there are good reasons why no other company has held more of these sales promotions in the UK and Ireland than Greenwood,’ says Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail md. Greenwood Retail specialises in organising high-profile sales events on behalf of quality independent retailers. Many of its clients are AIS or Minerva members.

‘We utilise the most effective marketing methods and channels from traditional to state-of-the-art, including the latest version of our Greenwood digital marketing campaign to ensure your maximum return on budget, with high margin maintained in just 17 days of trading,’ says Eaton.

‘We have found that despite economic ups and downs, Greenwood sales consistently generate the same extraordinary uplift in retail sales and that’s why most of our business comes

from repeat and recommended retailers. We’ve been going for long enough to have clients who have held 10, 12, even 14 consecutive annual Greenwood sales in the same store and they would not keep coming back if the sales were anything other than consistently profitable and worthwhile for them,’ he says.

‘After 21 years in the business and with well over 1,000 Greenwood sales events across the UK and Ireland completed, Greenwood has far more experience of planning and organising retail sales in this marketplace than any other sales company in the world. This means that no other sales promotion company is better qualified to help independent UK and Irish retailers get the best out of their next big sales event.’ Visit: www.greenwoodretail.com

“UKAS accredited testing laboratory specialising in flammability testing. LTS Ltd follows a business philosophy that is the soul of our company. It incorporates our mission and vision, high professional business ethics and values.”

Fine dining

This year’s event sees four new participants

The debut Flanders Flooring Days attracted more than 1,000 visitors last May and this year’s event is set to prove more popular.

From 22-25 May, a dozen of Flanders’ flooring companies will open their showrooms and factories to buyers.

Associated Weavers, Beauflor, Belysse, Berry Alloc, Betap, Condor Group, COREtec Floors, Lano, McThree, Osta Carpets, Real Orotex and Unilin will make up this year’s FFD participants

‘This event is like being invited to dine in the house of a friend versus being invited to a restaurant, says Ruben Desmet, Unilin Flooring ceo.

The showrooms are all within a 16mile radius and allow retailers to see the companies’ full product range, not just the latest and best-selling products you would normally see at an exhibition. In addition, staff who might not be at a traditional show as they have key roles at the factory will be available to provide their expertise.

‘It was so inspiring. As a customer I had the unique opportunity to see the complete product range of several manufacturers. The “founding fathers” of this prestigious event gave visitors the closest and most complete insiders’ view that one can get. It’s easy to ask questions directly to the people behind the companies,’ one 2022 visitor says.

Visit: www.flandersflooringdays.com

More than 1,000 visitors attended the debut event

Celebrations

Proposte marks its 30th edition

Some 78 companies will participate in the 30th edition of Proposte, as exhibitor numbers return to pre-Covid levels and companies return to the main event.

Villa Erba, on the shore of Lake Como, will host 29 Italian and 49 international exhibitors from 18-20 April, as companies move from satellite events to the show proper.

French manufacturer Linder and the Italian brand Jannelli & Volpi will

EXHIBITORS

make their debuts.

‘It is interesting that 10 companies –one Italian and nine from abroad –have re-confirmed their participation after years. This is a great satisfaction and marks a turning point after the issue we have had with the “Fuorisalone” of Cernobbio. The fact that companies have come back to Proposte – like Vanelli Tekstil – is evidence of the importance of Proposte as a mustattend event in the world of furnishing

Akarca; Alois Tessitura Serica; Antonio Ferre; B&T Textilia; Baumann Dekor; Burkay; Canepa Tessuti d’Arredamento; Casalegno Tendaggi; Cavelli; Clerici Tessuto & C; Crevin; Danzo; D’Decor Exports; D’Decor Home Fabrics; Delius; Deltracon Van Maele; De Negri Luxury; D’Etoffe; Dilhan; Dinole; Evimteks; Fibertex; Froca; GM Fabrics; GM Syntex; Gebr Munzert; Gemini Padana; Giber; Giò Emi; Güleser Tekstil; Haezebrouck; Hield Brothers; Isle Mill; Italette; Italtessil; Jannelli & Volpi; Jover; Lemaitre Demeestere; Libeco; Linder; Lodetex; Mallalieus; Marteks Difference; Martinelli

fabrics and curtains,’ says Alessandro Tessuto, Proposte president.

The 30th edition of the show will feature a new collaboration: Comocrea Interni, the exhibition dedicated to textile design, has a reserved area in the exhibition centre while the Ala Regina will be dedicated to 18 designers who, over the years, have presented their collections in parallel with Proposte.

Visit: www.propostefair.it

Ginetto; Marzotto Interiors; Monti Napoleone; MTL; Muvantex Bekaert; MYB Textiles; Nelen & Delbeke; Neutex Home Deco; Parà; Penelope Dokuma; PIF; Pozzi Arturo; Ratti; Raymakers; Rossini Della Quercia; Sirio Tendaggi; SIRPI JVwallcovering; Standfast & Barracks; Stead McAlpin; Steiner 1888; Stieger; Toscane Ta-Bru; Tendaggi Paradiso; Ter Molst International; Tessutica; Texathenea; Thistle Mills; Tissus D’Avesnieres; Torri Lana 1885; Vanelli Tekstil; Van Neder; Verbatex; Verstraete & Verbauwede Fabrics; Viganò; Wintex and Yutes Natural Fabrics.

Proposte will return to Villa Erba on Lake Como

A painted all-metal tubular frame supports the wide saddle leather band that wraps around and envelops Oscar and Gabriele Buratti’s Syren for Frag. The seat cushion is joined by mobile cushions that adjust to the body.

Living Divani’s Ark armchair by David Lopez Quincoces is defined by a simple and pure line. Its wood frame creates a dynamic yet harmonious shape, playing in contrast with the metal rod legs.

Set for Milan

Gianfranco Ferré Home’s swivel Fulham armchair features soft bouclé fabric to enhance its curves and sense of comfort

The eclectic and decorative nature of Jumbo Collection finds its perfect expression in the Nénuphar sideboard. The Deco geometrics of the linear design and the carved gold-leaf base are lightened by the colour palette. The water lilies that lend their name to the piece add eastern inspiration.

The uniqueness of Horm’s Alexander table lies in its die-cast metal legs, which consist of two elements plus a Y-joint and can be assembled in different ways. Table top finishes include marble, metal and back-painted glass.

CarpetEdition has combined with design studio Stormo to create the Flux rug collection. Each of the three designs has three main shapes and three colours.

The show returns after 2022’s special edition, with a new focus on sustainability and a new layout

The arms and seat of Talenti’s Karen collection end in curved lines that give it the appearance of a throne, with wrap-around shapes that create the look of a refuge, a cocoon of protection. The upholstery is joined by a coffee and dining table.

Cloud 9 Eco Cushion

The No.1 base for artificial grass

Speci cally designed for cushioning arti cial grass areas, Eco Cushion is a high density, hard wearing underlay that allows the passage of water.

Suitable for use in a variety of installations:

• Commercial and domestic locations

• Hospitality

• Gardens

• Children’s play areas

• Patio’s

• Decking

• School/Nurseries

• Roof gardens

• Balconies

• Boat decks

• Conservatories

• Pet runs

• Exhibitions

Over 25 years of sustainability and innovation. It’s in our DNA.

Scan

Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors will take the typical themes of its interiors outdoors with Dahlak, offering bold geometric shapes and the combination of different animal pattern fabrics

Potocco’s Shape coffee table family is characterised by a square glass top that reveals the play of geometries of the solid wood base. A distinctive feature of the project, the structure, composed of rectangles that meet to form a helix, is fixed by bronzed brass metal joints.

Ritzwell’s MTM table is available in four sizes from 320cm to 440cm and has a slightly rounded edge and slim metal legs

Fantin will showcase its new Hug stools collection

Tonelli Design’s Beryl mirror, by Francesco Forcellini, is inspired by the cuts and steps of emeralds and other gemstones of the beryl family

Battilossi will make its Salone debut while opening a showroom on via dell’Orso

Options

The lighting show returns with a new format

Angelo Brotto designed Giraffa for Esperia in 1971, inspired by the shape of a TV microphone. The show will see an LED version and two new finishes.

Marioni’s Veronica is a lighting collection inspired by the 1940s style, designed with modular bent brass elements and a nickel satin finish. Venni will add to its Fazzoletto

collection with the Fazzoletto Volante suspension lamp, inspired by the iconic vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi and Paolo Venini in 1948. Last year saw the introduction of the Fazzoletto Fantasmino battery-powered, rechargeable table lamp. ‘I wanted to give new life to an iconic and always contemporary Venini object,

transforming it into an ethereal, light element that finds a further identity in the combination of glass and light,’ says designer Marco Piva.

Artwork Italian Heritage by Kerasan’s Albero takes us back in time to an original forest that we can imagine dominated by nature and the elements. Qu will present Magritte, a family of

Giraffa

Veronica

Fazzoletto Volante

die-cast aluminium lights from table lamps to floor lamps, originally designed for outdoors but now evolved for indoors as well.

Bronzetto’s Perpetua was born from the desire to combine experience with the suggestions of young design talents. Valeria Giuva from the University of Florence has chosen to simplify the vast world of water with its most immediate representation: the drop. Perpetua in its various forms comes in the form of a blown glass drop, which hides the real light source, the LED bulb, but is embellished with a decorative brass element that seems to want to wrap around it.

Martenelli’s Diatomea is a table or floor lamp that invites you to interact and experiment with it: resting on a bedside table, on a table outside or used as an ambient light on the floor, in the corner of the living room. Composed of a few simple elements, Diatomea is as essential as it is flexible to use and easily expandable in its composition. Two single external legs and a double central one support two horizontal segments that house two LED strips and allow a perfect 360deg articulation, enabling light to be directed in a concentrated or linear way. Diatomea can also be expanded by adding more elements. Visit: www.salonemilano.it/en/ exhibitions/euroluce

Magritte

Diatomea

Perpetua

Albero

Back to earth

The BFM London Fabric Show had trends covered, with teddy holding steady and the green light showing for natural colours

Fabric is going back to nature. Bid farewell to industrial greys and welcome a pastoral palette of earthy greens and browns.

‘There was a big shift during the pandemic: people were in their homes

for so long they grew bored of greys and plains. Now it’s all about colour and patterns,’ says Debbie Butler, Edinburgh Weavers design and business manager.

‘A lot of browns are coming in and blues are prominent for next season

too. Forget feature walls – now it’s plain walls with the patterns adorning the fabrics. It’s great for us as that’s what we do. We’re working constantly, developing and bringing out designs every other week.’ The company is collaborating on designs with three prominent artists for later this year.

It’s ‘hasta luego’ grey at Froca too. One of Spain’s leading upholstery fabric manufacturers, the company, formed in 1967, has a 30,000sqm warehouse near Alicante. ‘Everybody is looking for natural earth colours like greens and beiges, tying in with the move towards fabrics that are natural and sustainable in composition,’ says José Payá, Froca area manager. ‘Texture-wise, leather and velvets are on the way out. The big story on the horizon is cord.’

Diane Harding, Norfolk House Consultants director, representing show debutants Medoks, also believes reaction to the pandemic is driving trends. ‘Heavier, chunky fabrics are in,

Sleek Editions’ Milano

Froca

making people feel cocooned and cosy after the horrors of the past few years,’ she says. ‘The other trend is 3D fabrics, for example, raised areas with linen textures. 3D works well with the distressed look and ethnic stripes, which are both popular. Grey is on the wane: everything has its turn. Terracotta and greens are popular and, for the bravest amongst us, black and white, like zebra prints.’

Numan Biiçer, Marsteks regional sales manager says bouclé is popular in the UK and ‘cold countries like Sweden and the Netherlands – it’s that cosy, cuddly factor. I see it remaining popular for the next two years and then fading away.’

Ufuk Coşkunsel, Festino founder, returned to the show for a second year. Festino, which is around 95% exports, has 10 jacquard looms with capacity to

manufacture 350,000m of fabric a year. ‘We bring out around 200 new fabrics a year and chenille and bouclé are the most popular currently,’ says Coşkunsel. Tokyo Fabrics International reported very positive conversations. As for the trends under discussion: ‘The move is to natural autumn colours: creams, lattes and earthy greens and mosses,’ says Kacey Brreach, Tokyo business development executive. ‘Materials-wise it’s all about soft textures and heavy weaves: bouclé and teddy, which came into fashion with those big, snuggly coats. At Tokyo we’re innovators, keeping ahead of the curve and keeping a close eye on the fashion trade for inspiration, which furniture follows. The next big thing? Cord is a fashion story right now and we’ll see it soon in interiors in a big way.’

German fabric giant Eurotex saw bouclé getting order books opening, along with its new No Bull range of faux leather. Made from 100% recycled polyester and scratch resistant, it is indestructible, promises Eurotex, and is available in a vegan range too. All Eurotex fabrics are made in China and stocked at its warehouses in Germany, ready to roll out across Europe. Allan Robinson, Eurotex regional manager promises delivery times are speedy. ‘I can have products at a customer’s door within 24 hours of receiving the order.’

A show debut for digital printer Sleek Editions saw it highlight bolder patterns, while understanding the need for longterm liveability, such as the Milano. Again the green palette was proving popular, especially forest greens and sages.

Visit: www.bfmfabricshow.uk

Festino Marsteks

Edinburgh Weavers

Tokyo Fabrics International

Sweet 16

EFE saw visitors from across the globe

Visitors and exhibitors hailed the Export Furniture Exhibition a success, with visitors from more than 120 countries taking part in the show’s 16th edition.

The Kuala Lumpur event began with a spectacular opening ceremony that

set the tone for the rest of the event. Attendees were treated to a stunning display of lights, music and technology, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Fadillah Yusof, Malaysian joint-deputy prime minister

shared his insights on the future of Malaysia’s furniture industry, as well as how the industry has grown exponentially, especially for the country’s export value.

EFE plays a crucial role in enabling the Malaysia furniture industry to

respond to these changing dynamics and stay ahead of the curve. By showcasing the latest innovations in furniture design, such as the use of eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge technologies, the exhibition helps to promote sustainable and socially responsible practices in the industry.

EFE also provides a space for new and emerging furniture designers by inviting universities to showcase their students’ work and gain them recognition. This not only supports the growth of the furniture industry but also contributes to the development of new ideas and designs. For students, this opportunity gives them

further exposure to the industry and helps them build their brand, whether by collaborations or networking. This highlights the importance of investing in the next generation of designers and manufacturers, ensuring the continued growth and evolution of the industry.

Visit: www.efe.my

Taranko

Dolce Vita

Seledo

4Senior Pola

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & skills to be LVT FITTER OF THE YEAR 2023?

THE 2023 COMPETITION FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS:

1). * You do NOT need to be an NICF member to enter this competition. Applicants must be aged 18 years or over on 30 April 2023. NICF Council members and previous LVT Fitter of The Year winners are excluded from entering.

2). Deadline for entry is 23:59 on Sunday 30 April 2023.

3). Entrants are initially required to complete a questionnaire giving the most full and accurate answers possible. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the answers provided and 10 fitters will be selected to progress to the Semi-Final practical trials.

4). The Semi-Finals will be held on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 June 2023 (five fitters per day) at the FITA Training Centre, Loughborough. Five fitters will progress to the Final competition.

5). The briefing information for the five finalists will be supplied digitally in August.

6). The Final is at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 September 2023.

The Final will be held at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, 17-18 September 2023

Fitter of The Year LVT 2023 Competition is kindly sponsored by

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

Meble Polska enjoyed a return to prepandemic levels with almost 14,000 visitors (including more than 550 from the UK) and 263 exhibitors from 14 countries. The Poznan show’s Gold

Medals were again awarded, with two new awards recognising innovation and the environment among those nominated for the medals.

The Grand Prix for the most innovative

product was awarded to the Pola collection by The Beds. ‘The attractive design, the combination of natural construction and upholstery materials, as well as the precision of workmanship and functionality of this furniture were appreciated. Here we can detach the upholstered elements for cleaning or replacement, the advantage is also the silent closing and full extension of the drawers,’ says Ewa Ratajczak, chair of the competition jury.

The Eco prize went to Matroluxe Poland for the S-tube mattress. It is a mattress in a tube (seven layers as an option), which is vacuum-packaged to fit parcel lockers. The innovations include the construction of the mattress, which consists of two independent parts, the

Como Eris

Ovalo

base and the topper, connected by a zip that can be replaced as needed. Matroluxe has used natural resources – the cover is made of linen – and the mattress can be recycled.

The winners were: Candelo and Seledo upholstery by Fabryka Mebli; Como corner sofa with adjustable backrest depth and Trezzo corner sofa bed by Poldem; Dolce Vita modular upholstery, Genesis bed and Oxygen mattress by Comforteo; Eris and Sempre upholstery by Wajnert Meble; Taranko cabinet by Fabryka Mebli; 4Senior non-stigmatising furniture by Tobo; Ovalo upholstered bed by Stolwit Meble; Pola by The Beds; Senmatic mattress by BFM and S-Tube mattress by Matroluxe Poland. Visit: www.meblepolska.pl

Trezzo

Sempre

Candelo

Genesis

Oxygen

S-Tube

Senmatic

Retail Sales Event Managers

Nationwide Contracts. £Excellent O.T. E.

Discover your true potential by helping our clients to discover theirs…

Greenwood Retail work with the highest quality independent retailers all over the UK and Ireland on truly record-breaking sales events.

For this important role the Event Managers must be highly professional, capable, reliable, personable, presentable and articulate with a successful retail track record and must be available to work away for periods of around four weeks on average.

You’ll be responsible for implementing and managing Greenwood’s High Impact Retail Sales Event strategies and methodology within our client’s stores. Full training given. The successful candidates will need to demonstrate high levels of knowledge and experience in any of the home furnishing, garden, fashion or department store sectors.

Come and join the finest Independent Retail Sales Promotion Company in the business.

To find out more about this rewarding role call Bernard Eaton on 07771 700247 or, send your email with CV to sales@greenwoodretail.com

Furniture Sales Design Consultant - Self Employed

Areas of interest: Hampshire & Home Counties

Uncapped Earning Potential - Typically 40K + Bonus potential

Flexible Working Hours Based from Home Showroom in Farlington, Hampshire

This is a great opportunity to join one of Britain’s top fitted furniture brands, who put quality and service at the heart of everything they do. With over 55 years’ experience, Conquest Fitted Furniture has established an unrivalled reputation for luxury bespoke fitted furniture. Ongoing marketing investment means we are now looking to recruit additional Furniture Sales Design Consultants. You will become part of a national team who enjoy meeting clients and advising them on how to transform their homes.

Working with company-generated enquiries, you will have the flexibility to manage your diary and earn in a way that fits around you. Support and advice are always on hand, not only for the initial training but also for continued development.

If you’re interested in sales & design and are looking for the opportunity to work with a progressive company, one with superb standards, then Conquest Fitted Furniture UK Ltd may be the company for you.

Take the first step towards a new future; tell us about yourself and why the role is right for you. Apply TODAY!

Email CV and covering letter to mail@conquest-uk.com

UK & Ireland’s Leading Experts in Retail Sales Promotion

RECRUITMENT

If you are looking to recruit staff for your furniture or flooring stores, looking for sales staff or reps for your manufacturing outlet, then INTERIORS MONTHLY offers a great package!

Our online package is just £175. Your advert will appear in our jobs section on the website until the position is filled or you ask us to remove. Our weekly newsletter, which is mailed every Thursday to 7000 industry professionals, also includes a list of these latest jobs.

If you have both online and quarter page recruitment advert in our magazine, the cost will only be £250!

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are available upon request.

Please contact Jarrod on E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

T: 01565 631 397

Add THEM TO YOUR POS DISPLAY STANDS

For your home or business, accessories add the finishing touches

touches

Radiator Pipe Rosettes click together and are in both natural and stained wood, plus chrome, white and wood-coloured plastic to hide the gap in the floor around pipes.

Castor Cups in plastic, brass or chrome prevent damage from castor wheels on flooring. Or use them with chair or table feet too.

Safety Doorstops for homes, offices, restaurants, schools and tradesmen, prevent movement in either direction.

Furniture and Floor Repair Kits have wax to quickly and easily mend scratches, dents and bruises

Step byStep

1 Furniture Repair Kits have 4 shades of soft wax

2 Floor Repair Kits have 4 shades of hard wax

3 Save a fortune compared to French polishing