Interiors Monthly February 2025 by Interiors Monthly

Retail

Italy in WD24

Rugs

Here and there

The US influence

Scrutiny of Wayfair’s UK operations will increase after it pulled out of the German market after 15 years

Wayfair’s decision to leave the German market after 15 years is going to place a far greater emphasis on what it does here. According to Statista, Wayfair had the 13th highest brand recognition of UK online furniture retailers in 2023 with 75%, behind The Range and ahead of Furniture Village. (Argos topped the list with 95% and Made.com had 39%, by way of comparison.) Based on that, you’d expect it to be doing better. The research suggests shoppers know of it but either don’t like the product offer and/or don’t appreciate its prices.

Wayfair doesn’t break down the individual performances of its international division, but in the nine months to 30 September 2024, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany had an adjusted EBITDA loss of £83.5m from sales of £880m. One has to presume Germany made up the bulk of that, but it begs the question of how long its US parent – and shareholders – will continue to support its non-US operations, especially given it doesn’t make a profit at home.

Another US influence that looks certain to impact on UK furniture manufacturing is tariffs. It seems President Trump’s foreign policy tool of choice is going to be tariffs. If he slaps these on products from China and elsewhere, companies aren’t just going to ease off on production: they’ll push harder into other markets. How domestic manufacturers handle that will be key for the sector’s future.

The UK Government’s initial proposed changes to the flammability regulations consist of removing labels, altering what baby mattresses are covered and doubling the period for prosecutions. This isn’t reform: it’s simply trying to show it has done something. Far better would have been to publish everything in one go when the work is done.

Change to the European exhibition scene is coming. Heimtextil is adding to its rugs and carpet offer with smooth flooring. As it attracts visitors, I have no doubt it will be a success. Does Domotex have a response?

www.himolla.com

Editor: Andrew Kidd

T: 01273 930 029 E: akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden

M: 07976 122 150 E: tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird

T: 01565 631 397 E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull

M: 07817 624 922 E: jpaull@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni

0091 98390

Sales third best in a decade

The value of retail furniture sales was the third highest in a decade in 2024, despite suffering a double-digit decline. Retail sales of furniture and lighting fell by 10.85% in

Flooring sales hit new record

The value of retail flooring sales rose for the fourth successive year in 2024, almost reaching £3bn.

After declining in 2019 and 2020, sales have since risen, reaching £2,966,939,000 in England, Wales and Scotland in 2024 according to ONS data. Sales grew by almost a third between 2021 and 2024.

The year ended with monthly sales 31% up on the

35 and out

Bennetts Family Furnishings is to end 35 years of trading in Banbury, Oxfordshire in March, after agreeing to sell its Warwick Road store.

‘We have decided now

last year at £247.8m: only January, February, April and May saw annual declines.

November 2024 is the only month in the past decade to see the value of sales break the £300m level at £301,996,000. Sales for the years 2015 to 2024 were £1.63bn, £1.51bn, £1.79bn, £1.8bn, £1.52bn, £1.33bn, £1.97bn, £2.74bn, £2.76bn and £2.966bn respectively.

is the time to hang up the sale signs for the last time. The cost of living crisis and looming additional costs, combined with an offer on our freehold, have aligned and allowed us to plan a successful exit from retailing.’

12 months IFC in top spot

Furniture shoppers opting to pay by credit increasingly turned to 12 months IFC in the final quarter of 2024.

Data from Zopa Bank across its top five retail accounts shows 12 months

IFC was chosen by 80% of consumers using credit, an annual rise of 5%. These five accounts saw 87% approval rates, says the lender. Using credit lifted average order values by 12% to £1,093.

England, Wales and Scotland to £14,987,929,000 in 2024, according to ONS data.

In the past decade this has only been topped by 2023 (£16.711bn) and 2022 (£16.53bn).

Only three times in the past decade have monthly sales broken the £1.6bn level: December 2022 (£1.644bn), March 2022 (£1.605bn) and March 2023 (£1.6bn).

Over the past decade the total value of sales was £146.36bn. Sales for each year (2015-2024) were £13.3bn, £13.67bn, £14bn, £14.7bn, £14.8bn, £13.19bn, £14.46bn, £16.53bn, £16.71bn and £14.89bn.

December 2024 saw sales drop by 3.8% on a year earlier: only February and May saw monthly annual increases.

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

Salone: the human touch

Salone del Mobile.Milano – which was sold out by December – has unveiled its 2025 marketing campaign, with photography as its centrepiece. The campaign features New York artist Bill Durgin, famous for deconstructing the human body in his work, and places humans at the centre of the narrative, recounting design as essential for improving the quality of everyday life.

Retail furniture sales were close to £1.5bn

And then there were three…

Wayfair faces an £88m bill after deciding to leave Germany, one of its founding European markets, after struggling to gain traction in sales and brand after 15 years.

The US$2.9bn company will focus internationally on its UK, Irish and Canadian markets. A total of 730 employees will be affected by the closure, with about half expected to be given new roles within the retailer.

‘Germany has been an important part of our journey, serving as one of our original entry markets into Europe, alongside the UK. During this time, we built a solid base of customers, developed supplier partnerships to provide the selection and value in the home category that defines our brand, and built a strong European infrastructure. Over the years our success in the UK outpaced our success in Germany, as we were able to develop a household brand in the UK and grow our market share there, all while developing strong unit economics. Our Germany efforts lagged behind, but we set out to close that gap over the past year,’ Niraj Shah, Wayfair ceo, co-chairman and co-founder told staff.

‘We have made meaningful progress. However, scaling our market share and improving our unit economics has proven challenging due to factors such as the weak macro-economic conditions for our category, the lower maturity of our offering, our current brand awareness, and our limited scale.’

He said achieving market-leading growth remained ‘a long and costly endeavour’ and returns were increasingly falling behind other territories. ‘We will continue to focus on operations and investments in Canada, the UK and Ireland, where we have meaningful market share and which we believe hold significant potential to replicate the success we’ve achieved in the US.’

Scotland first for Furniture Village

Furniture Village ended its long search for a store in Scotland in December and plans to follow it up with ‘several’ new locations this year.

The Straiton Retail Park, Edinburgh store, the chain’s 57th, covers 13,670sqft on the ground floor with a 12,110sqft mezzanine level. Dedicated areas

include Tempur, Duresta, G Plan, Harrison Spinks and Hypnos.

‘This is an incredible milestone and achievement for the business. With several more Scottish stores in the pipeline for 2025, we are excited to continue our geographic expansion,’ says Charlie Harrison, Furniture Village md.

Headlam confirms scale of 2024 loss

Flooring distributor Headlam has confirmed the scale of its 2024 loss.

The group expects underlying loss for the year to 31 December to be £34m. It comes after a reduction in secondhalf decline was not enough to offset the weakness for the full year.

‘Further to our trading update published on 5 December 2024, the group's revenue for the full year declined 9.7% to £593 million,’ says the group.

‘Good growth in revenue from the strategic growth areas of larger customers and trade counters was offset by the impact of the weak market conditions on the regional distribution business.

‘Group revenue in H2 2024 declined by 7.4%, compared to an 11.8% decline in H1 2024.’

The group recently raised £54m in property sales and it will release its fullyear results in March.

Argos: slow end to the year for furniture

Argos saw ‘subdued’ furniture sales in the past quarter amid a mixed performance for the retailer.

‘Over the quarter [to 4 January], sales were strongest in technology, while the toy market was weak and customer demand in bigger ticket categories including furniture and larger consumer electronics remained subdued,’ it says.

Wayfair will focus on the UK, Ireland and Canada

Argos: furniture sales ‘subdued’ Image: Habitat

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Heimtextil looks to become the flooring exhibition

Fresh from the success of growing its textile-flooring offer of rugs and carpet, Heimtextil is to target smooth flooring as it looks to become the major flooring exhibition.

‘Flooring & Equipment will complement Heimtextil’s extensive product portfolio. The focus is on floors without a textile structure. These include vinyl floorcoverings; designer and luxury vinyl tiles; cork flooring; laminate, parquet and other wooden flooring, as well as outdoor floorcoverings,’ says Margit Herberth, Heimtextil director.

‘Non-textile floorcoverings are an ideal addition to the existing product range and appeal to new target groups, such as the specialised floorcovering retail. Thanks to the direct link to Carpets & Rugs, the industry also benefits

people

Graham Harris, former Manx Carpets, Kingsmead, Hugh Mackay and Causeway Carpets executive has joined Edel Carpets as UK and Ireland sales manager.

Rob Parker, Topps Tiles chief executive is to retire from the business after 18 years once a successor has been appointed. He joined in 2007 as cfo. Last year major shareholder MS Galleon made two calls for a management shake-up and change of strategy.

from efficient synergies between product segments and numerous new contacts.’

The exhibition claims its Carpets & Rugs section ‘has become the home of the global carpet industry’.

‘The strong growth area already serves the relevant target groups for Flooring & Equipment at Heimtextil. The area of non-textile floor coverings is directly adjacent to the carpet segment – in terms of the product groups, but also the location on the exhibition grounds. The new product range fits seamlessly into the hall plan of Heimtextil 2026,’ says Bettina Bär, Heimtextil director.

Heimtextil takes place from 13-16 January 2026 at Messe Frankfurt.

Primark’s Belfast home

Discount clothing chain Primark is to open its first stand-alone home store.

The 8,700sqft store will open at Fountain House, in Belfast city centre in March, in response to strong sales growth in the home offer. While most Primark branches have home departments, these are generally limited in size and scope, which the new store aims to redress.

‘This is a truly proud moment for Primark. Belfast felt like the perfect place to bring this concept to life, and Fountain House offers an incredible setting in the heart of the city centre to showcase our expanded homeware range,’ says Fintan Costello, Primark head of Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Nix to retire in March

Malcom Nix, Gradi UK head of sales is to retire after 40 years in the furniture industry, in a career that covered beds, upholstery and cabinet.

Nix has been in charge of the Italian upholstery manufacturer’s UK operations for six years, and will retire at the end of March.

‘It is with much regret and sadness that due to family circumstances I have confirmed I will be stepping down from my position with Gradi Living. I cannot tell you what a great six years I have had and the Gradi

family will be friends for life,’ says Nix.

‘From 1 April I will be officially retired but until then I will be working with the family to ensure a smooth transition.

‘It is sometimes hard to find honesty, integrity and a passion for design and quality, but this business has it in abundance. I will miss my involvement with Gradi, the agents that form the team and also many customers I have worked with over many years, to whom I will be forever grateful for their friendship and support.’

Breen takes reins at J Bowen

Emmett Lenaghan has been succeeded by Steve Breen as Julian Bowen ceo.

Lenaghan will remain as a Julian Bowen shareholder and adviser.

Breen has held senior leadership positions at Ideal Standard, Finning, Electrolux and Vitra Bathrooms, where he was md, leading the business through an ambitious multi-year strategic growth plan.

‘This leadership transition marks an important milestone in the company’s journey. Steve’s appointment reflects Julian Bowen’s commitment to investing in its leadership team and in turn building on its legacy of innovation, quality and excellence in the furniture industry.

‘Steve’s proven track record of success, expertise in managing dynamic operations and dedication to delivering sustainable growth make him an ideal choice to lead Julian Bowen and further strengthen the company’s position,’ says the company.

1 2

1 Brand van Egmond celebrates 35 years of redefining the art of lighting, blending creative artistry with masterful craftsmanship. Founded in 1989 by architectturned-sculptor William Brand, it has grown into a global leader in the creation of evocative lighting.

Visit: www.brandvanegmond.com

2 The first of Abingdon Flooring’s Simply Smooth display units are now making their way to retailers across the country. With the launch of Simply Smooth laminate, LVT and sheet vinyl flooring, Abingdon Flooring is giving retailers the opportunity to capitalise on its reputation for great value flooring ready to take on modern family life.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

3 Louis De Poortere has increased the level of recycled polyester in the second generation of its Ecorugs collection to 40% – and they are still fully recyclable through the Take Care scheme. It has also introduced styles that can be used outdoors, and plans to make the full range suitable for outdoors by next year. Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

4 Moduleo Moods unlocks the design potential of a flooring choice to create a uniquely personal interior. Moduleo Moods is ready to help homeowners bring their creative ideas to life and discover a world of total design freedom with a completely new range of original patterns including the latest in natural wood and stone effects. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

5 Knoll has introduced the Perron Pillo Sofa: a collection that challenges preconceptions. What appears to be a freestanding stack of oversized pillows is, in fact, engineered to offer lounge-like support for sitting, curling up and stretching out. ‘Everything I do has a bit of humour in it,’ says designer Willo Perron. ‘I wanted the sofa to evoke surprise and emotion.’

Visit: www.knolleurope.com

6 LeoLine’s Woodline has quickly turned into something of a social media sensation, becoming a favourite among LeoLine’s followers. And as the range continues to be the star of LeoLine’s feeds, the unique look of its painted wood planks is also perfect for tapping into two of Pinterest’s predicted 2025 hot trends: Castlecore and Rococo Revival. These trends celebrate the gothic and historic glamour, with the rich colours of Woodline’s painted floor effect the perfect response.

Visit: www.leoline.co.uk

7 Plasfoils, the leading distributor of foil materials, has unveiled Namuri – a cutting-edge decor foil from Korea that sets a new benchmark in design and functionality for the furniture industry. Inspired by woodland colours, Namuri features deep woodgrain embossing and a sophisticated two-tone effect that captures the look and feel of painted wood. Namuri is designed with a deep emboss structure that protects the softer matt surface while providing the durability of semi-matt finishes.

Visit: www.plasfoils.com

8 Featuring three series: Amber, Eden and June, Elho’s Premium Collection of containers invites nature lovers to transform any space into a sanctuary of style and sustainability. Inspired by the elegance of Japanese and Scandinavian design, it is as functional as it is beautiful.

Visit: www.elho.com

9 Luce di Carrara’s Marmeria by Archea Associati is an open shelving system made of marble components that can be combined, available in four different geometric configurations. The hollow elements convey an idea of lightness while creating versatile volumes.

Visit: www.lucedicarrara.it

10 Ghanta Lounge from Ronda Design is an elegant sofa with organic shapes and painted metal feet and a soft, clean-cut figure that evokes refined atmospheres. The curved back gently embraces a long furnishing cushion and the seat, resulting in a sofa with compact volumes and no edges.

Visit: www.rondadesign.it

Rights and rights Richard Renouf

How focused are your terms and conditions – and business approach – on consumers?

Just because someone says something, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I’m not referring to anyone currently in the news, nor to the prevailing view that we live in a ‘post truth’ society. I’m referring to the simple statement that appears on most sales invoices, product guarantees and other consumer paperwork: ‘This does not affect your statutory rights.’ It’s only true if it is true, not because you make the claim.

The phrase was originally coined to reassure consumers that nothing in a company’s terms and conditions would remove any of their rights under consumer law. The fact is, it is illegal to have an unfair term in a consumer contract, whether it’s a sales document or guarantee or just something implied in the sales process that could deter a consumer from exercising their legal rights, or confuse them about what

their rights are.

In spite of media campaigns to alert consumers to their rights, many remain unaware, and so consumer complaints are unfairly rejected. And many companies simply put the term on their paperwork without understanding what it means and why it might be necessary.

I’ve been trying to help a consumer who ordered a fitted kitchen. It did not get finished, and some of what was ‘complete’ was unusable because of poor installation, so the whole kitchen was unusable. The retailer argued that the consumer should accept a sum of money instead of remedial and completion work and the dispute escalated. By the time I was involved, the consumer’s home was under a repossession order because he had taken out a bridging loan to fund the works and the situation was deadlocked. Rather than writing a report,

When did you last update your terms and condidtions?

I offered to contact the retailer to see if I could negotiate some kind of resolution.

I managed to get the complaint reviewed at senior level, but that resulted in the file being passed to the in-house barrister. She wrote to me in the strongest terms:

‘It is denied that the contract has not been fulfilled. The report clearly shows that the remedial works are required and the installation of the kitchen is to an unsatisfactory standard in certain areas, not as a whole. It is denied there has been a breach of contract. We have actively endeavoured to locate an installer to complete the remedial works, but this solution is no longer viable. At no point have we sought to deny [the consumer] of his statutory rights and we deny any accusations of the same.’

Her definition of ‘breach of contract’ is clearly not the same as mine, and her final statement is simply wrong.

Sadly, the rebuffed consumer above had his home repossessed and his health was affected to the extent that he could not pursue even the petty offer that had been made to him. As a result, I felt I had failed, too.

When did you last review your own terms and conditions? And when did you last ask someone with the right knowledge and expertise to review them and advise you of any ways to remove unfairness or to make them clearer to your customers? That’s the easy part, but how far do you look within your organisation at the way your entire team focuses – or not – on the consumer?

The consumer still pays your wages, and unresolved disputes cost far more than you realise.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

Desire

Immersive

Greycaine has set out to bring Italian style to design-conscious homeowners

Greycaine has converted an newly built industrial unit

Starting small and getting it right could be the motto of start-up furniture retailer Greycaine.

It has converted a newly built industrial unit in Watford to be its debut store, opening in January. The site may have been destined to see manufacturing, but now it is home to a spread of Italian furniture designs.

The company works with suppliers including Midj, Sedit, EgoItaliano, Novamobili, SantaLucia, Pianca, Ditre and Tomasella, plus it has its own white label products.

While many new furniture stores can easily top 20,000sqft, Greycaine has chosen sto start life with just 3,000sqft.

‘We think it’s the perfect size. We wanted a space to provide customers with an immersive experience, somewhere they can see and interact with our key products. We have two floors, but the majority of the collection is displayed on the first floor,’ says Cristina Rugo, Greycaine creative director.

Rugo is responsible for the day-to-day management, while Mathew and Philipp Nagel, directors of six-store bespoke wardrobe, home office and dressing room retailer Neatsmith, provided the finance for the store, which has nine staff.

‘We have staged the space to

Cristina Rugo

Specific zones have been created

The store opened in January

create specific zones, such as a bedroom, and a living space with a sofa, media unit and coffee table. We want to highlight how our furniture can work in different settings and inspire customers,’ she says.

Greycaine’s plans mirror that of Neatsmith: London-centric. ‘We will look to open a high street retail location in 2026 and then aim to open at least two or three more, in and around London over the following years,’ says Rugo.

Will Greycaine travel as a brand? ‘That is very much the plan. We want to be known for beautiful Italian furniture, fair pricing and high quality service.’

Word of mouth, Google, social media, print and PR will form the core of its marketing. Oh, and the name? It’s the street the store is on.

Visit: www.greycaine.co.uk

The retailer mixes white label and supplier designs

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Here and there

Deidre Dyson’s latest collection celebrates her quarter of a century in the industry

Deirdre Dyson has marked her 25th year in the industry with the debut of the Light Play collection of 13 designs. Rather than duplicate the designs for the company’s two showrooms, they will be rotated between London and Paris, so seeing all the designs in the flesh will involve a Channel crossing or several visits to each.

Light Play explores colour in its purest form. The palette centres around lighter shades from the purple spectrum –lilacs, lavenders, heathers and mauves –which sit in overlaid pastel colourways or combine with juxtaposing hues to dramatic effect. Whether in geometric or organic shapes, Dyson again showcases her expert eye for colour.

Panels in Green

Jelly

‘Last year’s Graduation collection focused on tonal grades, so this time I wanted to celebrate colour in all its clarity,’ says Dyson. ‘I decided to play with contrasts, overlapping shapes and selecting softer, gentle tones, and experimenting with silk to create light effects. Also, separately choosing intense colours to create individual pieces of floor art to add drama to any situation.’

Many of the designs integrate fine silk elements, adding a tactile twist to the wool rugs.

Square Cuts is reminiscent of layers of photographic slides, overlaid with squares and rectangles in pastel colours, converging to create a translucent, three-dimensional effect.

Suspense and Totem feature similar silk transparent rectangles. In Suspense, varying purple shades recede in intensity, lending the illusion of floating shapes. In Totem, a totemic tower has a glass-like quality.

Agro sees asymmetric forms in russet shades jaggedly outlined in peach silk, conveying a feeling of energetic movement.

A pair of Panels rugs come in two colourways – grey and green – each with a dramatically different impact. Cool grey is paired with contrasting scarlet ingots, while graduated greens are the perfect foil for the illuminating gold bars.

Les Rouges is a study of pinks and reds, with 14 shades from across the spectrum in alternating wool and silk stripes making up the dynamic

Totem Suspense

Agro and Facets

Panels in Grey

lipstick-hued carpet.

In Pin Points, the classic zig-zag motif is reimagined as silk bands of light, pinned to a muted, cartographically inspired chequerboard background.

Search Light and Facets are both plays on shafts of overlapping light, with interlocking shades of purples and rusts creating eye-catching faceted forms.

Overlapping light takes on a more organic feel in Rock Pool, which depicts light on wet rocks through a series of irregular shapes in lilac, lavender and mauve that gently graduate to blue and grey.

Both Playtime and Jelly are a joyful expression of bold colours. Playtime is literally a play on colour, with interlocking orbs of aqua, indigo and turquoise melding into a puddle of red

in the centre. Jelly comes in delicious sweet shades of plum, blueberry, raspberry and strawberry.

All Deirdre Dyson rugs are made to measure, tailored to each customer’s specification using Tibetan wool and high-grade pure silk, available in the full colour spectrum. Goodweave certified,

Deirdre Dyson rugs are handwoven by Nepalese craftspeople. Prices begin at £1,089 per sqm for bespoke handknotted carpets in pure wool and £1,320 per sqm for wool/silk combinations. Sample sizes are 1.7m x 2.35m, except Suspense, which is 2.35m x 3.4m. Visit: www.deirdredyson.com

Search Light Jelly

Panels in Grey

Playtime

Agro

Capturing the moment

Collaborating

with Olga Ashby has taken inspiration from three sources

Riviere has launched a trio of designs in collaboration with design studio Olga Ashby Interiors.

Cobble has a strong but naturally irregular pattern inspired by the pebble-clad walls in the Medina, the historic quarter of Marakesh. The dark shadows around the stones are woven with silk, evoking the heat of the midday sun. Cobble is an adaptable design which offers different base options of loop or cut pile.

Pebble is inspired by terrazzo flooring, typically used in traditional Milanese architecture. While the rug’s wam colours embrace the charm of terrazzo tiles, it also contrasts with the stones in soft and textured raised elements, perfect for experiencing bare foot.

Shimmer draws inspiration from a fleeting moment captured in time –desert light casting shadows through an ornamented Moroccan screen. A

delicate pattern played out by light, translated into a textile with subtle textures of low loop and raised silk details, almost unseen and only felt,

the tonal colourway akin to the desert sand gives a soft and warm feel underfoot.

Visit: www.riviererugs.com

Shimmer

Pebble Cobble

Cobble

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In and out

GT Design’s latest creations are at home anywhere

Flat Out, GT Design’s new collection of rugs – designed by Deanna Comellini, the company’s long-serving design director – are suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Each rug is handcrafted on traditional wooden looms, using PET derived from recycled plastic bottles. This sustainable choice ensures low environmental impact production, while the tight-knit weaving produces resistance to wear, weather conditions and bacterial contamination.

About 25 1.5litre bottles are required to produce 1kg of PET yarn, and CO2 emissions are reduced by about 1.3 kg per kilogram of yarn produced, compared with virgin materials, while giving new life to the bottles and transforming them into strikingly aesthetic and functional designs.

The compact and durable structure, along with the yarn, ensures elasticity, stability and longevity, making Flat Out suitable for indoors and outdoor areas, including patios, terraces, pool edges and high-traffic zones.

Each rug in the collection can be custom-made to measure, with a maximum width of 4m, and is also available as a circle.

Characterised by textures that evoke the tones of marble and sand, the collection is available in four colour variations: two shades of brown and two shades of grey, all complemented by matching borders.

Comellini began to focus on contemporary rugs, natural fibres and

experimentation with new avant-garde materials in the 1990s and has been chosen as one of the 100 most influential women in Italy by Forbes. Visit: www.gtdesign.it

The tight-knit weave is weather and bacteria resistant

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6) The Finalists’ briefing information will be supplied digitally in August.

7) The Final will be held at The Flooring Show, Harrogate, on Sunday 21.09.25 and Monday 22.09.25.

Fitter of The Year LVT 2025 Competition is kindly sponsored by ENTER NOW @nicfltd.org.uk/FOTY-Competition

The Semi-Finals take place on 24-26 June 2025 at the InstallerSHOW, Birmingham NEC. The Grand Final takes place on 21-22 September 2025 at The Flooring Show, Harrogate.

national institute of carpet & floorlayers HOSTED BY

Debut

Desiree is marking its 30th anniversary with its first outdoor collection

Dorvan brings timeless elegance to outdoor spaces with a nod to the 1970s. Its soft, rounded lines, combined with a tubular steel frame, offer flexible modular solutions. The outdoor version has removable covers, available in single or two-colour options. It is completed with a line of occasional tables, ideal for covered outdoor environments. Available in three sizes, they feature a base in solid iroko wood, natural or charcoal-stained, which elegantly embraces a marble top.

The Eli Fly chaise longue represents a balance of visual lightness and comfort. The ergonomic design, combined with the slender metal frame, gives the seat a dynamic and contemporary look.

The Haneda Outdoor is a seating system inspired by Japanese tatami, and stands out for its total flexibility and endless combinations. With its new painted stainless steel frame and solid iroko wood, the new version is ideal for furnishing terraces and covered verandas.

Javea is an outdoor rug designed with sustainability in mind. It is made entirely of recycled PET, with a flat weave that rests on a natural latex backing. It is produced in three natural colours: sand, sack and earth.

The collection is completed by Dorvan coffee tables, the Rito chaise armchair and Lacoon Island nest sofa. Visit: www.desiree.com

Eli Fly chaise longue

Javea rug

Dorvan upholstery

Haneda seating

Don’t stand around!

Get your garden summer-ready with a lawn that works as hard as your gnomes do (well, almost).

Plus Novoturf delivers effortless beauty all year round.

Get yours in time for summer 2025! Order yours today, see your local Kellars Rep for more information.

Wellbeing

Ultimate relaxation is the objective

Focused entirely on outdoor wellbeing, Varaschin’s latest collection takes its name – Wellness Therapy – from the idea of ultimate relaxation, to be enjoyed in a garden, by the poolside or on a deck.

Designed by Studio Apostoli, the classic sun lounger is reimagined with a new design: fluid, bold, minimalist, and featuring original details and a soft, unconventional shape. It transforms into a suspended chaise longue with

a gently contoured shell that follows the body to create optimal ergonomic conditions. A thin headrest cushion enhances comfort, while high-density, supportive padding emphasises the relaxed seating position, making it appear to float in the air, anchored only by a slender frame.

The metal base is exceptionally lightweight and consists of an ovalshaped element at ground level, with

an elongated, inclined ring profile that acts as a joint and supports the shell. The upholstery features outdoor fabric, available in a wide range of options.

Wellness Therapy also includes single and double beds and a multi-functional side table. It is designed for open-air residential spaces as well as outdoor or indoor areas in spas and hospitality establishments.

Visit: www.varaschin.it

The collection has ultimate relaxation as its aim

At a pace

2025 has started with a bang for Sofa Factory

Sofa Factory has seen a host of product launches, further investment in its sustainability push and the debut of a stockist support scheme: all in a month.

January Furniture Show saw it add 14 collections to its 30-plus existing ranges, along with new fabrics. Its design and marketing teams had been working for months prior to the exhibition to ensure the company stayed on trend in design, style, comfort and colour.

Its sustainability plans have seen it invest in more efficient delivery vehicles and the installation of more solar panels to reduce costs and emissions. It plans to continue the investment in the coming years to drive down its overall carbon footprint.

The SF Plus+ partner programme is designed to support stockists with year-long price promotions, additional support periods and a far larger selection of stock fabrics from Sofa Factory’s fabric warehouse to support the latest designs and trends in the upholstery market.

‘The launch of SF Plus+ was a resounding success, and overall we are delighted. We would like to thank all our existing and new retail partners for the support they showed us at JFS: the attendance on the stand was exceptional and we were delighted with the response to our new offering. We will now be pushing forward with our mobile showrooms over the coming

weeks and months to present the collections to any retailers we missed at the show,’ says the company.

Visit: wwwsofafactory.co.uk

14 collections were introduced, along with SF Plus+, bringing the total to more than 45

Wild card

Products tailored specifically for British customers continue to bring success

‘We are very grateful for the reception we received at January Furniture Show and delighted with numerous positive responses and the pleasant conversations with customers and guests at the event. We are thrilled by this warm welcome where we were honoured to be joint winner of the Best Stand award from Hall 1. Our long-standing relationship with the UK market continues to grow, built on trust, quality and commitment,’ says Tamara Härty, himolla head of product, design and marketing.

‘For decades, our relationship with UK customers and agents has been a heartfelt story of friendship and trust. We don’t simply manufacture furniture: we create trusted companions that become integral to family life. Each piece is crafted with the same care and dedication we bring to our relationships.

‘Our success at JFS 2025 reflects our dedication to the UK market. We’ve continued to develop bespoke products tailored specifically for British customers, maintaining our reputation for excellence and innovation. The awardwinning stand showcased our latest designs, emphasising our unyielding commitment to style, comfort and quality.

‘We’re deeply grateful to the jury, our UK partners, customers and the JFS team. Our success is a shared journey, and we’re excited to continue building

strong relationships. Looking forward to JFS 2026, we remain committed to bringing the very best of himolla to

British homes. What a way, carrying the himolla brand into the world,’ says Härty. Visit: www.himolla.com

Astra and (below) Juniper

himolla is one of the UK’s leading upholstered furniture manufacturers and their recliners are packed with market-leading innovation such as independent headrests, backrests and footrests so your perfect seating position is only a button press away. A 5 year guarantee gives you confidence in the quality and durability of their recliners and they only select the finest leathers, fabrics and woods so we guarantee you will not sit in anything as comfortable as a himolla chair. Bestsellers and also novelties are available as manual or electric armchairs and the Sale has begun!

Flexible flooring

Unlock a world of total design freedom

Moduleo Moods unlocks the design potential of a flooring choice to create a uniquely personal interior.

To unlock a world of total design freedom, an additional nine base shapes and the full palette from the Moduleo Roots collection are on hand to give homeowners complete flexibility. With a completely new range of original patterns from the latest in natural wood and stone effects, Moods is ready to help homeowners bring their creative ideas to life.

Moduleo’s in-house designers have developed 15 patterns across a range of natural wood and stone decors to give more than 70 different standard floor designs. Consumers can now enjoy everything from bold, high-contrast diamond patterns and wood and stone chevrons to geometric twists on floral designs or subtle wood hexagons. Moods transforms interior spaces from ordinary to bespoke, simply through four shapes and 12 authentic wood and stone effects.

Every choice of wood and stone in

Moods – including classics such as Sierra Oak, Blackjack Oak and Triana – also features emboss in register and an ultramatt surface for a true natural look.

Each of these options come in Moduleo’s 0.55mm LVT specification, with scratch and stain protection to ensure they can withstand use in living spaces and hallways, along with its easy to clean characteristics. As Moduleo is also water-resistant, bathrooms too can enjoy any Moods design. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

Rectangle Mono 644

Diamond Cubes 630

Rectangle Grid 661

Designer flooring for all Moods

In a wide variety of patterns and designs, there’s a Moods for everyone. From intense, eye-catching colours to muted and shaded tones, the only limitation is the imagination. Moods brings a unique feeing to flooring, without sparing the quality you’ve learned to love.

Colonna

Spring time

More than 850 new products are in Gallery Direct’s SS25 collection

For the second consecutive year Gallery Direct opted to make Spring Fair its launch event for its Spring/ Summer collection.

‘Spring Fair remains a key event in the trade calendar. Our commitment to focusing solely on this show highlights our passion for delivering an exceptional experience, enabling our customers to fully explore our latest collections,’ says Peter Delaney, Gallery Direct sales and product director.

At the show it is using 744sqm spread across four stands, including its Art Marketing brand. This is the equivalent of almost three full-size tennis courts,

allowing buyers to not only shop the entire lifestyle look in one cohesive vision but also explore by product type, with dedicated galleries for lighting, textiles and mirrors.

Gallery Direct offers more than 4,000 products including more than 850 launches. Highlights of the 2025 collection include: more than 125 furniture and upholstery products with new styles and finishes, in addition to expanding collections such as Artisan and Vancouver into the bedroom; over 130 wall decor items featuring new artwork and a new Baker & Brown clock collection; more than 220 textile

products including rugs, throws and cushions, and more than 275 home accessories, from lifelike faux stems and botanicals to home fragrances.

‘We are extremely proud to provide design-led solutions that satisfy such a wide range of customer needs, from the larger cabinet collections to coordinating textiles, home accessories, wall decor and lighting. With people increasingly time-poor, it’s about delivering a seamless buying experience where our customers can source a complete lifestyle look: all in one place, from one trusted supplier,’ says Delaney. Visit: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Modern Global

Specchio mirror

Accessories

SINCE

1973

New for SS25, the Murano side table is a whimsical and stylish addition to any living space. Its unique shape and colorful, textured glass create a playful and eye-catching design. Perfect for displaying decorative items or using as a side table next to a sofa or armchair.

Our 2025 Collection boasts over 850 new lines, spanning multiple categories, and represents our largest launch of furniture and upholstery to date. Exciting new additions to best-selling ranges, along with unique standalone pieces, provide endless options for design inspiration.

At the heart of things

Sustainability is at the core of everything Sleepeezee does

Sustainability always has been, and will be, at the heart of Sleepeezee: from the design process through to the way it operates – everything from which suppliers it uses and where materials are sourced to ensuring that no waste from the factory goes to landfill.

Sleepeezee uses a wide range of natural materials in its beds, including British wool, silk, cashmere and horsehair and is determined to continue to ensure that sustainability is front of mind in everything it does.

Its efforts were rewarded as it became the first UK bed manufacturer to receive the Planet Mark accreditation for taking action to stop climate change. Together with Cool Earth, which works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation, it helped protect an acre of rainforest. During 2024 Sleepeezee was also proud to achieve the five-year milestone award from Planet Mark for its actions in reducing carbon emissions.

The accreditation and award came during the company’s centenary celebrations, during which it was honoured to be the first bed manufacturer to hold the Royal Warrant of Appointment from Charles III.

Product innovation continued with four new collections including the refreshed Campaign for Wool, ActivFlex Response, Cool Refresh and Graphite Memory, as it looked to further enhance the comfort and wellbeing of customers.

The company’s performance was

reflected financially as it grew sales to more than £44m.

‘We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of sleep technology and enhancing the sleep experience for our customers. This means we will

be crafting even more new designs and products and continuing the quality and craftsmanship that have defined Sleepeezee over the past century,’ says Amy Curtis, Sleepeezee head of marketing. Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Wool Luxe ActivFlex

Quality comfort, naturally

TRAINING

Learn today

Keeping up to date with materials and circumstances is vital and can be free

When it comes to ensuring that flooring meets the standards of other design features, such as furnishings and fittings, following best practice in subfloor preparation and flooring installation can be as important as the floorcovering selection itself. Training in these areas can help achieve a design edge – and may be available to retailers for free.

‘Living up to expectations for the appearance and longevity of flooring installations requires an understanding of subfloor preparation in order to create a super smooth base. Flooring adhesives need to be selected for compatibility with different floorcoverings, as well as specific performance features. It is also essential to know how to avoid common causes of floor failure, chief of which is still unmanaged subfloor moisture, and flooring retailers should be able to advise how certain processes and products can help achieve optimum results when installing floorcoverings,’ says Tim Green, F Ball and Co head of training.

‘Flooring and design professionals will benefit from receiving an induction in the basics of subfloor preparation and flooring installation. Flooring professionals should strive to continuously improve and develop their knowledge throughout their careers. This has become particularly necessary as advances in technology have accelerated the development of products.’

Such advances have enabled F Ball to create a specialist, solvent-free vinyl adhesive with pressure-sensitive characteristics that can hold flooring in place over a wide range of temperatures. Extreme temperature fluctuations can otherwise cause flooring to expand and contract significantly, resulting in tenting and gaps at the edges over time. This is often an issue in heavily glazed areas subject to solar gain, such as rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Having a good knowledge of the breadth of new products available will also help in choosing the optimum product for a particular job and avoid

compromising the finished appearance of an installation. For example, particular vinyl adhesives are recommended to avoid visible trowel serrations showing through thin vinyl floorcoverings or to create complex designs and patterns in LVT. Particular smoothing compounds can withstand heavy loads and high foot traffic, while others are designed to accommodate movements in subfloors of metal and wood.

F Ball believes that it has a responsibility to promote industry standards and best practice and, by

extension, the positive reputation of the flooring industry. This is why flooring professionals of any skill level can attend free training courses at its Centre of Excellence. Training programmes are run year-round, led by experts from within the company and covering subfloor preparation, moisture management and adhesive selection. These include specialist courses for flooring retailers and a three-day course on achieving optimum results when installing LVT.

Visit: www.f-ball.com

Retailers can take advantage of free training courses

FLOORING INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

LOOKING AFTER FLOORS AND REPUTATIONS FROM THE

Keeping up

Retailers need technology to meet changing needs

The furniture and bedding retail sector is evolving rapidly, with shifting consumer expectations, increasing online competition and growing operational complexities. To remain competitive, retailers need technology that enhances efficiency, integrates operations and improves the customer experience.

Ordorite Software Solutions is a retail management platform designed specifically for the furniture, bed and related industries. Its tailored approach is designed to help retailers streamline operations and prepare for the future, offering an alternative to generic retail software, which often fails to meet the industry’s specific needs.

Many retailers continue to rely on software that no longer serves them. Generic systems often lack the necessary functionality for made-to-order products, multi-location inventory tracking and custom configurations. A lack of regular

updates can slow operations, while disconnected systems create inefficiencies by separating sales, inventory, deliveries and marketing rather than integrating them into a seamless process. These challenges can lead to stock inaccuracies, inefficient workflows and a poor customer experience.

Ordorite is built by industry experts to address the specific challenges faced by furniture and bed retailers. Its centralised inventory system provides real-time stock visibility across multiple locations, reducing discrepancies and improving order accuracy. The platform’s POS system is designed for ease of use, simplifying transactions while supporting sales teams with an intuitive and efficient process.

For businesses that rely on custom orders, Ordorite’s made-to-order product management system ensures seamless product configuration, enabling retailers

to manage fabric choices, sizes and materials with accuracy. The platform also optimises delivery and logistics, providing route planning and real-time tracking to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Advanced reporting tools give a clear overview of sales performance, stock trends and customer behaviour, helping improved decision-making. Additionally, automated marketing features allow retailers to segment customers based on buying habits, enabling targeted email and text mesage campaigns to encourage repeat business.

As automation and smart logistics continue to reshape the retail sector, businesses require software that evolves alongside these advancements. Ordorite is committed to continuous innovation, ensuring that retailers benefit from the latest technology.

Visit: www.ordorite.com

Ordorite is committed to retailers benefitting from the latest technology

GLOBAL FURNITURE ALLIANCE

January Furniture Show Review 2025

At this year’s January Furniture Show, GFA showcased an exciting new range of swivel recliner chairs and dual motor riser recliners, upholstered in a range of sumptuous leathers and luxuriously soft fabrics. Offering diversity in shapes and textures at key price points, as well as supreme comfort, this was well-received by customers, who appreciated the blend of style and functionality.

The launch of our two new fireside chairs, Isla & Nova, has been an astounding success - a key product area that we’ve wanted to reintroduce for some time. Providing comfortable lumbar support to the consumer and upholstered in soft, tactile fabrics, these chairs offer an alternative to an electric riser recliner for the more able customer.

WREN NEVADA ARUBA MISSOURI

MALTA

WILLOW

BARCELONA PORTLAND

NOVA ISLA

The Success of Our Fireside Chairs: Isla & Nova

Introducing Full Leather Swivels: Reya, Hudson, and Utah

A standout at the show was the launch of our new full leather swivel chairs—Reya, Hudson, and Utah. These models represent a significant step forward in our development of high-quality seating solutions. The full leather finish, as well as curved wood casing offers a sleek and sophisticated look adding further to their appeal. Customers were particularly impressed by elements of each design including an easily adjustable headrest to allow for optimum comfort, as well as a variety of new base styles in both rich, Walnut wood and sleek metal. Both the Reya and Hudson are operated using a stylish manual recline lever, while the Utah is controlled by a dual battery system with a handy magnetic wireless remote.

REYA

HUDSON

REYA HUDSON UTAH

UTAH

Introducing our first Quadruple Motor Riser Recliner

We also launched our first quadruple motor riser recliner, the Barcelona received plenty of attention with its advanced technology and unmatched comfort. This innovative piece of furniture, designed to offer the ultimate in relaxation, allows users to adjust the recliner to their preferred position, from an adjustable headrest to adjustable lumbar support provides firm to light support at the touch of a button.

BARCELONA

During a difficult climate, we are humbled by the success of this year’s show. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with our valued customers and showcase the innovations that we have been working on over the past year. We extend our thanks to everyone who visited our stand and supported us at the show. We are excited about the year ahead and are committed to continuing to deliver a good product at a fair price. Here’s to a successful 2025 for us all!

BARCELONA

In with the new

Cormar Carpet Company has invested in upgrading its delivery fleet

Cormar Carpet Company has made a ‘significant’ investment in its delivery fleet, with a focus on advanced, efficient and safe logistics.

This year’s fleet upgrade introduces 12 new DAF models.

The retiring vehicles, which have been used for up to seven years, have collectively travelled 4.66million miles: the equivalent of nearly 200 trips around the world.

The more environmentally friendly vehicles are optimised to reduce air drag, directing wind around, through and under the body. Combined with EURO6 engines, this design enhances fuel efficiency, reduces emissions and lowers running noise, as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

Safety has also taken centre stage, with the new vehicles equipped with cutting-edge road safety features tailored for urban distribution.

Cormar Carpet Company has invested in PSS and MOIS (progressive safe systems and moving off information systems) and 360deg CCTV technology. These features exceed Transport for London’s new safety requirements for HGVs operating within Greater London, protecting vulnerable road users and increasing accident prevention.

In addition to the new vehicles, the company has introduced eight new trailers, replacing models that had been in use for 17 years.

The fleet upgrade also signals the end of an era as the company’s

previous branding, introduced in 1990, is retired. The current branding is now proudly displayed across the fleet, which serves customers across the UK and

Ireland and reinforces Cormar Carpet Company’s dedication to operational excellence.

Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

A dozen vehicles and eight trailers have been introduced to the fleet

Elevate your shop with our brand-new collection of premium dining tables, crafted from authentic materials like marble, wood, and ceramic. Stylish, durable, and designed for modern living.

Stay ahead! Visit www.furniture-to-go.co.uk

FTG is your one-stop shop with over 1,800 high-quality, best-selling furniture pieces, all in stock and ready for next-day delivery. AVAILABLE IN