Interiors Monthly January 2023

CMA serves notice on online

The Competition and Markets Authority has served notice on retailers that how they sell online is now under its scrutiny. Its research found that 71% of people shopping online had encountered misleading selling tactics and that it had identified 21 potentially harmful practices which are often used across the online economy.

The CMA says it is particularly looking into countdown timers and when offers end (something the Advertising Standards Authority made a couple of interiors-related rulings on in 2022).

It could be that the CMA’s investigation finds that in the main retailers are following the rules, and any that haven’t done so have done it more by mistake than in any deliberate attempt to hoodwink shoppers. But then again, retailers told the OFT (as was) they were following the rules on sale periods until the OFT said they weren’t.

The CMA cannot levy administrative fines for breaches of consumer law, although the UK Government committed to giving the CMA and other regulators this power in the Autumn Statement. At present, the CMA can enforce consumer law through the courts, and where appropriate, seek additional measures to improve consumer choice, drive compliance with the law or secure redress for consumers.

And being taken to court for, in the CMA’s view, breaking consumer law isn’t going to do any retailer’s reputation very much good.

No doubt aided by pre-Christmas deliveries, November saw record sums of money being spent on furniture. But the ONS data also reveals it’s not people buying more products, it’s people paying more for fewer items as stores pass on higher costs. Flooring sales also hit a new high, but here, sales volumes are up and price rises haven’t been as much as for furniture.

Taking of costs, it was very interesting to see that Barker & Stonehouse managed to cut its energy bills by 30% by adopting suggestions from its staff. Have you asked yours?

Minerva Furniture Group hosts both the Spring and Autumn exhibitions at Stoneleigh Park. Both are open to all retailers. For membership and supplier enquiries, contact 01249 716 195. Visit: www.minervafurnituregroup.co.uk

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The competition watchdog is looking to see if consumers have been pressurised into buying

Record spending as shoppers splash the cash

Consumers spent record amounts on furniture, lighting and flooring in November, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows.

The average weekly spend on furniture and lighting in England, Wales and Scotland was £361.6m during the month. This was 9.42% higher than October and 14.34% higher than November 2021.

It is the highest weekly spend recorded in the past 443 months since comparable records began in January 1986. The previous high was £346.6m in October 2020.

Sales were 19.63% higher than November 2020 and 14.51% higher than November 2019.

According to the volume of sales index, where 2019 is 100: 2022 to date is 91.6, 2021 was 86.9.

The average weekly spend on flooring in England, Wales and Scotland was £66.17m during the month. This was 9% higher than October and 14% higher than November 2021.

It is the highest weekly spend recorded in the past 443 months since comparable records began in January 1986. The previous high was £64.75m in November 2007.

Sales were 263.75% higher than November 2020 and 73.9% higher than November 2019. According to the volume of sales index, where 2019 is 100: 2022 to date is 119.1, 2021 was 85.

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

Shake-up for Salone

Salone will have a new look when it returns on 18-23 April. The exhibition will switch to a single level. The organisers say this switch – most halls have two floors – ‘will enable us to optimise the visitor experience’ and follows more than 2,300 interviews with visitors.

SaloneSatellite will be moved within the halls given over to lighting show Euroluce (9-11 and 13-15), with a focus

on design schools and universities.

Euroluce itself will see a major shakeup ‘reworking the concept of proximity inherent in so many of Italy’s historic town centres, by creating an irregular, geometrically polygonal, fluid and free ring conceived by the studio Lombardini22, designed to optimise the user-friendliness’ of the show.

‘This new exhibition format is packed with interdisciplinary and experiential cultural content, from architecture to art (exhibitions, talks, workshops, installations), curated by Beppe Finessi alongside a number of young curators as well as special guests. Formafantasma will play a pivotal role, turning Euroluce into an ideal city inside the new layout, in a foretaste of the possible future evolution of the trade fair format itself,’ say the exhibition’s organisers.

Ups and downs of inflation

Furniture retail prices rises slowed to the lowest rate in a year in November but flooring prices rose.

Prices for household furniture jumped by 13.2% in November, according to the ONS.

This compares with a rise of 13.7% in October and is the lowest increase since November 2021’s 12.2% rise.

Garden furniture saw price increases of 13.5%, down from 14.1% in October, but still more than double November 2021’s 6.3%.

Lighting prices saw a 6.9% rise, down from October’s 7.6% but well above November 2021’s 2.1%.

Furniture and furnishings price increases saw a monthly drop from 13.3% to 12.9%. A year earlier the rate was 11.7%.

Retail flooring inflation jumped to its highest level for more than a year in November, fuelled by higher carpet prices.

Carpet and flooring inflation rose from 8.7% in October to 9.3% in November.

While in recent months the increased price of smooth flooring has pushed overall flooring prices higher, November proved an exception, with smooth flooring seeing price increases drop from 17.3% to 14.6%.

Carpet and rug inflation rose from 7.5% to 8.6%: its second consecutive monthly rise – in July the rate had dropped to 6.4%.

Fenwick’s £430m sale

Department store chain Fenwick has sold its New Bond Street, London store for £430m. The chain’s first store outside of Newcastle, which opened in 1891, will close in 2024 after a deal was struck with Lazari Investments.

‘The sale has been a difficult decision for the Fenwick family, who are committed to providing the business with the means to thrive for the long term. Their support will enable the next stage of the journey for the Fenwick family business,’ says Simon Calver, Fenwick chairman.

CMA warns retailers as it investigates online selling

The Competition and Markets Authority has warned retailers that they should not use urgency claims to mislead consumers. The warning came as it launched a new programme of consumer enforcement work focused on so-called online choice architecture, aimed at tackling potentially harmful online selling practices, including pressure-selling tactics such as urgent time limited claims.

The CMA has begun an investigation into Emma Sleep over concerns that some of its online sales practices may breach consumer law. As part of its investigation, it will examine whether Emma Sleep has misled consumers by using countdown timers and claims about time limits to imply that a discounted price will end soon, when this may not be the case. ‘The CMA is at the initial stage of its investigation. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that any company under investigation has broken consumer protection law,’ it says.

The CMA’s consumer enforcement programme will look at online sales practices including urgency tactics such as countdown clocks, where sellers put pressure on shoppers to buy eye-catching discount offers, when the real price reduction may not be as great as claimed.

Earlier this year, the independent government body reported on how the way businesses present information and choices to consumers online can be used to influence

UK second for King

A year after opening its first UK store, Australian retailer King Living has opened a second.

The upholstery retailer has opened a 2,500sqft unit in the Bentall Centre, Kingston, 12 months after launching its first UK store on Tottenham Court Road in London.

Established in 1977, King has 17 showrooms across Australia, plus others in New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Canada.

‘We are thrilled by the success of our first UK showroom. London is one of the most incredible

destinations in the world for design and opening a second showroom is testament to our innovative approach to furniture design and timeless appeal that translates on a global scale,’ says David King, King founder.

people’s purchasing decisions, and identified 21 potentially harmful practices that are often used across the online economy. According to the CMA, 71% of people shopping online had encountered misleading selling tactics.

‘Nearly all of us shop online and it’s easier than ever to buy something at the click of a button. With the rising cost of living, genuine deals are worth shouting about – but companies using misleading “sale” prices or fake countdown clocks can put unfair pressure on people to buy and could break consumer law. The CMA is today reminding businesses they should not use urgency claims to mislead consumers and, if they do, they face the risk of CMA action. This investigation into Emma Sleep is just the start of our work into potentially misleading online claims and all sectors are under scrutiny. Companies should take note: look at your own practices and ensure they’re in line with the law,’ says Sarah Cardell, CMA interim chief executive.

Liking it

Flooring distributor Likewise has seen a significant increase in sales in the past two months.

Like-for-like sales in October and November 2022 rose by 27.7%. The is follows increases of 39% in Q1, 18.4% in Q2 and 21.8% in Q3.

‘We wanted the space to reflect the Australian way of living and evoke the nostalgia of a home – taking customers on a journey through our collections and aspirational lifestyle settings. The Kingston showroom does just that,’

Total sales, including the acquisitions of Valley Wholesale Carpets and Delta Carpets, increased by 108.2% in October and November, with a year-todate increase of 103.9%.

Describing the growth as ‘really encouraging’, LIkewise ceo Tony Brewer says: ‘The board is conscious of securing an appropriate return on investment and producing medium-term profitability for the benefit of all stakeholders.’

Sarah Cardell, CMA interim chief executive

The new showroom at the Bentall Centre in Kingston

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Harrison completes ‘lifelong ambition’

Peter Harrison, Furniture Village co-founder has completed ‘a lifetime ambition’ by securing family ownership of the chain.

Outside what was described as ‘a substantial holding’ by the company’s employee benefit trust, Harrison and his son Charlie, the group’s commercial director, are now the sole shareholders of the business, 33 years after it was founded.

Former Furniture Village shareholder BGF supplied the retailer with £12m of investment in 2014 and 2015 and ‘a strong period of profitable growth’ has enabled it to buy out the investment fund.

‘It has always been a lifelong ambition that the business would be wholly owned by the family. We have now realised that dream, thanks to our fantastic people and our principal partners who have all contributed to our journey: my original business partner David Imrie; Peter Grant of Cadogan Estates; Jane Vinson at BGF and Jim Hodkinson, our longstanding chairman,’ says Peter Harrison.

‘Charlie and I have a very strong vision for where we would like to take the business next. It is based on a highly collaborative and loyal relationship with our people, excellence in customer service and always being able to

and Peter Harrison

offer the highest quality product at good value prices to our customers nationwide.’.

‘In recognition of our team, their strength and success, Furniture Village has also decided to introduce an employee benefit family partnership, which will be a means of sharing the results of great performance with everyone in our business,’ says Charlie Harrison.

AIS welcomes new faces at the top

Buying group AIS has appointed a new chairman and deputy-chairman.

Neville Moore, Ulster stores md has become chairman, while Darryl Simpson, Aldiss md has become deputy-chairman.

Moore succeeds fellow Northern Ireland department store operator Stephen

McCammon, Menarys joint-md. He says: ‘There has never been a better time to be independent, to differentiate what we do, and offer our customers an exciting alternative to much of the current retail landscape. Independents working together was why we joined AIS some

Muir set to leave ScS

ScS has begun a search for a new finance boss after Chris Muir told the company he wanted to leave.

The cfo joined the chain in April 2016. Prior to this he was group finance director of Northgate, the light commercial vehicle

hire group. He joined Northgate in 2003 as a group accountant and over the following years held a number of senior UK and group roles, including UK finance director and acting group ceo in the summer of 2014.

35 years ago and it's still one of the reasons we are members today.

‘If we have been successful I can put a fair amount of that down to belonging to AIS. We have learnt much from our peers and gained from the buying strength and support functions.’

Chris Melling 1960-2022

A memorial service was held for Chris Melling last month. He died suddenly in Tenerife on 30 October. He was 62.

Melling spent a lifetime in the carpet industry. Starting his career at Boardman’s Furniture in Wigan, he went into flooring distribution as sales representative at Wilkies, followed by buyer and then general manager at Rolfe & West. He then joined Furlong as md at Preston and later established TCS The Carpet Specialist in the UK.

Muir is a chartered accountant, having qualified with Deloitte in 1999. He has a 12-month notice period and will remain with the business while a successor is identified and to facilitate a smooth handover.

Chris then finished his career as general manager at A&A in Manchester before retiring to Tenerife in 2021.

He is survived by his wife Carol, son Craig – general manager at A&A Carpets – and three grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Charlie

Always a trailblazer when it comes to branding, Associated Weavers reinvents the in-store display & brings an experience unseen in the flooring business. With traditional samples and an intuitive digital module, Invictus® luxury vinyl flooring invites the customer on a fun-todo purchasing journey.

Profits leap at Victoria

Flooring group Victoria saw profits rise by more than £50m in the past six months as sales jumped.

Sales rose by 58.7% to £776.1m in the six months to 1 October 2022, helped by price rises and acquisitions. Like-for-like growth sales rose by 7.7%. Pre-tax profits jumped from £2.9m to £53.1m. The UK and Europe soft flooring division saw operating profits increase from £18.6m to £55.1m.

However, group net debt rose from £519m to £651m. The debt to EBITDA rose from x3.3 to x3.4.

‘The shape of our UK and European soft flooring business altered dramatically in April with the completion of the purchase of the rugs and UK carpet divisions of Balta Group, together with the Balta brand. This acquisition catapulted Victoria to the position of Europe’s largest carpet and rug manufacturer, with revenue for the six months of £372m,’ says Geoff Wilding, Victoria executive chairman.

‘Integration of Balta is proceeding apace in order to realise the full benefit this scale advantage offers. As expected, there will be some exceptional costs associated with the reorganisation – largely redundancy and factory closure costs – but the cash impact is expected to be zero due to the disposal of assets that will become surplus, primarily real estate, once the integration is completed. The board anticipates the synergy gains to be no less than €15m per annum (+2% margin for the division) in 24 months from now.

‘The UK flooring market has softened this year from the extraordinarily strong demand of 2021/22, although Victoria continues to benefit from predominantly serving mid-high price points, where demand has been noticeably more resilient.

‘Significantly higher input costs, primarily raw materials, were experienced in H1 and, as it has done in the past, Victoria shared the impact with its customers to protect market share.’

See the future

Get the latest trends, says James Howard, January Furniture Show show manager

New for 2023 is a partnership with trend experts, The Better Trends Company, to provide the buying community and attending brands with expert, tangible and adaptable trends advice. There will also be onsite installations showcasing trends for 2023 and 2024, including Permacrisis: a defiant design response embracing joyful, nostalgic and creative outlets through bright colours and bold patterns, and Psychedelia: surreal expression and dreamlike movements, with layers of colour and morphing shapes creating a hypnotic aesthetic.

The Furniture Talks stage will see engaging topics across the four days, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, trends and insights. The schedule features masterclasses, panel discussions and interviews with makers and designers, industry trailblazers and recognised thought-leaders. The line-up so far includes: John Hubbard, FIRA International technical consultant on leveraging the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme; Franky Rousell, Jolie Studio founder and creative director on working with sensory design; and a panel discussion hosted by John Pearce, Made in Britain ceo, featuring founders of British brands including The Soho Lighting Company and Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co.

The VIP programme has been remodelled for 2023, following consultation with key buyers, and will focus on those with spending budgets of £500,000 and above, international buyers in particular. It offers unrivalled networking opportunities with bespoke content and insight, fast-track registration, free parking near the NEC, as well as access to The Suite, a new VIP lounge where complimentary lunch, beverages and refreshments as well as invitation-only round tables will take place.

Following the success of last year's showcase, the Young Furniture Makers will be back, bringing even more emerging talent in the industry. There will also be a focus on sustainability, with live demonstrations. Details will be announced imminently. Visit: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

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41 Louis de Poortere has revealed its top 20 selling rugs for 2022, with Griff in Columbus Gold (pictured) from the Mad Men collection taking the number one spot, reprising the accolade from 2020. Other designs in Mad Men take six of the top 10 places, while the new Dedalo in Blue Marine makes the bestsellers list.

Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

2 &Tradition’s Tung is a compact piece supported by three curved legs that allude to the architectural presence of ancient pillars. While their oversized proportions lend a feeling of sculptural grandeur, the table has been scaled down to fit the smallest of spaces.

Visit: www.andtradition.com

3 Abingdon Flooring has boosted the loop pile wool-rich carpets of the Wilton Royal family, with the launch of Royal Sovereign and an update to Royal Windsor. Royal Sovereign has a medium loop pile, while New Royal Windsor (pictured) provides a smaller loop for a more refined look.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

4 Previously only available with Richelieu Classic, Louis de Poortere has extended its Mix & Match programme to most of the designs in its runner collection, enabling homeowners to mix and match from 144 colours and nine patterns to create the runners of their dreams.

Available in up to six widths to provide the ideal fitting for stairs, landings and

hallways, custom Richelieu Family runners are available from just 12m and come with a guaranteed lead time of 10 weeks from order.

www.louisdepoortere.com

5 Engineered for quality and value, profiles from Floorwise are available in a wide range of applications, bringing retailers and installers the perfect finishing touch. Floorwise offers a selection of coordinated finishes to match your sockets and switches: these range from classic chrome through to the elegance of brass effect or the bestselling effect of brushed steel. Whatever your look, Floorwise has the right profile for a fantastic finish.

Vi sit: www.floorwise.co.uk

Pembroke by

The latest addition to our popular wool carpet collection is a new heavyweight wool twist. Made from 80% Pure New Wool, Pembroke is suitable for high traffic, domestic areas of the home such as stairways and hallways.

Manufactured by Cormar in a palette of 18 contemporary colourways, including a deep bronze (Rosewood) charcoal grey (Anvil) and relaxing green (Chervil), accompanied by some classic neutral beiges and greys. Durable, resilient and luxurious, Pembroke combines the natural beauty of wool with long lasting looks. As well as being moth resistant, the range also comes with a 10-year wear warranty for added peace of mind. www.cormarcarpets.co.uk portal.cormarcarpets.co.uk

MADE IN BRITAIN

SINCE 1956

Richard Renouf

Credit matters

Taking queries from finance providers seriously is important

It was a standing joke, at my expense, when I started in retail. Chris, the buyer, would bring out a sample or a product shot and ask me if I liked it. If I said no, he’d order it and it would sell very well. The pieces I did like were guaranteed flops, and he would point this out every sale period when they were inevitably reduced and often still wouldn’t sell.

But what if a customer doesn’t like something they’ve bought? If they’ve selected something from display, they can’t reject it simply because they’ve changed their mind. They may go over the product to try and find faults, or they may scrutinise your terms and conditions to see if they can find creative grounds for getting their money back. They may also try and wangle a refund through their card provider or finance company if they’ve used credit for the purchase.

Although bigger companies may have the leverage to negotiate special terms with credit providers, most retailers find

themselves forced to accept standard T&Cs. Credit providers are well aware of the rights a consumer has against them under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, and they cannot hope to employ experts in every type of product that gets sold using their facilities, so any kind of complaint has to be investigated.

Fortunately, that usually means they will contact the retailer to get their perspective on the complaint: but only after ring-fencing the customer’s money in case they don’t get a satisfactory answer within a set period. And their terms give them the right to do this without contacting the retailer again to give them extra time or a second chance. It’s important to take such queries seriously: once the money’s been given back there are unlikely to be grounds for appeal.

I recently inspected a suite that had been purchased online. The quality of manufacture was very poor and I found several faults, but all of them could easily

have been sorted if the seller had handled the complaint quickly and effectively.

The consumer had complained to the finance provider at the same time as she had raised the complaint with the retailer, but when no response was received from the retailer, it was the finance provider who commissioned my report. This was sent to the retailer and a response was requested within 14 days, but none was forthcoming. The customer emailed me shortly afterwards to say that the finance company was arranging the refund.

Dare I say it was one of the worstlooking items of furniture I had seen for a long time – and not because of the faults? No, because if I did it would simply prove that Chris was right all along. As if I didn’t already know. Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

Richard

Time for new resolutions

Some simple things can make a large difference

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

I think that there are two opportunities for making resolutions, one on 1 January and the other at the end of the financial year. Our new financial year is 20 weeks away and things that we do between now and then can influence the result of the year’s trading.

We have already instigated five easy resolutions with immediate effect, and if they have a positive result in the next 20 weeks, we will have to think up some more. These are what we are going to try for now. Our main objective is to maximise sales and reduce the cost of making them.

Resolution 1: We are undertaking an analysis of what ranges are selling best in each of our categories of product. Carpet sales are 65% of our overall sales and we break them down into man-made, wool, Berber, looped and Axminister. We know that, in some cases, ranges of these products are available in two or more weights. By tweaking down the price of the heavier weights and demonstrating the good value of the carpet, you can get a higher sale value and at the same time provide the customer with a better carpet.

Resolution 2: We also look to the carpets that are not selling well and see whether, if we move them to a different position in the store, we can get the sales to increase. If they still don’t shift, it’s time to say goodbye and replace them with another range. Space is limited, so don’t waste time and space on ranges that are not selling.

Resolution 3: Encourage all customers buying wool carpets to purchase a stainresistant treatment. Even if this needs to be discounted a little, the order value will

increase and in some cases the suppliers will treat the product for you. It is worth checking to see which ones they are and how much they charge.

Resolution 4: If we sell rugs, we should offer anti-creep products, and on sales of LVT ensure that with every sale we sell the customer the cleaning kit to ensure the right treatment is given to the new flooring. In short, make the most of every opportunity each customer provides you with.

All of these resolutions are very obvious, and I’m sure that most of you do these already, but a reminder never hurts.

The fifth resolution is to examine what you are spending out to make the sales. We are looking at the cost of PDQ machines, banking and legal costs, phones, stationery

and printer ink: you get the picture. It’s obvious but easy to overlook, and once you see cost reductions it makes it worthwhile.

Will 2023 bring more change in the industry? Almost certainly some companies will flourish and some will struggle to survive. With the increase in the number of trade counters for fitters, some may decide to leave their existing job and go it alone. This could put a strain on the viability of some existing retailers, and a shortage of fitters to do residential work. The past few months have seen a large number of requests for contract fitters for newbuild and commercial work. Will we ever see the ‘new normal’ or will it change year by year? Good luck with the resolutions!

Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

Discovering treasures

‘These products are so well made, they have decades more left in them,’ says Nina Hertig, Ælfred founder

About 20 years ago the bottom fell out of the UK antique furniture market, with hundreds of stores closing their doors as tastes altered. Now there has been a resurgence, but only of more recent furniture, and pre-loved, vintage and sustainable are the key descriptions.

Among the latest success stories is

Ælfred in Hackney Wick, east London. The 3,220sqft space features mid-century Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish furniture and home accessories.

‘The showroom is a fun way for customers to access great quality vintage Scandinavian pieces at fair prices. Rather than putting everything online, we want

to celebrate the dying art of discovering treasures in real life,’ says Nina Hertig, Ælfred founder.

The store is named after Ælfred, ninth-century king of the West Saxons, who spent a great deal of his reign fending off the Vikings. This Ælfred, however, is more welcoming of all things Nordic, with a constant flow of containers of selected second-hand furniture, cutlery, vases, accessories and glassware from the four countries.

‘Second-hand furniture is a sustainable way of shopping,’ says Hertig says. ‘These products are so well made they have lasted for decades, and they have decades more left in them.’

Hertig co-founded Sigmar, an interior design practice and gallery with a focus on original modernist furniture from Scandinavia and central Europe. Since then, the Dane has worked on a selection of collaborations to create contemporary products that follow traditional methods of production and match the studio’s approach to uncompromising craftsmanship and integrity in design. Visit: www.aelfred.co.uk

Louis Poulsen PH 5 and PH4/3 pendant lights

Nina Hertig

Borge Mogensen bookcase

PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN BANFIELD

Trio

Dunelm has three main trends for SS23. Visit: www.dunlem.com

SMART INDUSTRIAL

‘Multi-functional pieces that suit all spaces, Smart Industrial showcases furniture for flexible living, clever open-plan storage and stylish home

1. Verne three-light cluster ceiling fitting £75; Smart Industrial Cityscape print 80cm x 100cm £30; Stannis bar stool in Pacific velvet £99; Stannis dining chair in Pacific velvet £189; Stannis dining table £279; Montreal dinner plate £6; Montreal side plate £5; Montreal cereal bowl £5; Montreal pasta bowl £6; Montreal white wine glasses £15 for four; marble and wood serving board £14; Montreal Modern 16-piece cutlery set £18; Isabelle napkins £7 for set of four; Amalfi salad bowl £15; Fulton modular wide shelving unit with three shelves £208; large acacia salt and pepper mill set £15; Fulton dimmable table lamp £38; Essentials gallery wall frames £29 for five; Purity serving bowl £12; Smart Industrial Geo corkback placemats £6; Edited Life Urban Reactive canister with cork lid £8; Bubble vase 20cm £12; Regeneration wire basket £7-£8; woven plant pots £12 for set of three; cotton rope wall basket £4.50-£6.50; matt glaze vase in Pacific £15; Bud donut vase £3; cacti in ceramic pot £6; Smart Industrial Pacific velvet foldable box £10; London framed planter £12.

comforts with pops of personality,’ says Debbie Drake, Dunelm design director.

‘Inspired by small-space living, this trend champions multi-functional

2. Arne modular three-seater sofa in Natural Luna fabric £1,127; Arne faux leather footstool £199; Pebble wool rug £55-£599; Stannis coffee table nest £139; London framed planter £12; London tray £16; Jersey bobble cushion £14; Living wall mural £60; Essentials gallery wall frames as before; Smart Industrial Cityscape print as before; Happy Hour metal plaque £5; Smart Industrial calendar block £20; House of Fun metal plaque £5; metal globe £22; Stannis sideboard £299.

3. Lincoln 200cm double full mirror sliding wardrobe £629; Smart Industrial large round footstool in Pacific velvet £35; Smart Industrial velvet tapered basket £6; vacuum bags £10 for two; underwear storage £5; Industrial Geo Pacific rug 155cm x 230cm £129; Elements Archer Blue bedding set from £14.

furniture, for example, shelves with built-in lighting and modular storage –because why hide the things you love the most?’

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Company’s with a stock clearance problem who need a solution should contact Paul or David to discuss our better than competitive rates or outright purchase offers.

Retailers looking for a competitive edge should contact us to discuss stocking our discounted lines of famous name upholstered furniture and beds. Contact: 0161 203 6191 info@ianmichael.co.uk • www.ianmichael.co.uk IMA Ltd,

ARTISAN

‘Texture, colour and creativity are central to our Artisan collection. Rich natural-finish wood in smooth shapes with rattan touches sits alongside fringe, macrame and woven soft furnishings. Artisan is the very best of relaxed, indoor/outdoor living. We’ve used textures and tones that are intended to be layered, so you can mix and match the pieces to give your space a unique feel,’ says Drake.

1. Khari four-drawer chest in mango wood £429; Khari bedside table £199; Bristol bed, from £209; Pebble solid wood mirror 80cm x 80cm £80; Artisan eyelet curtains from £30; tall Paulownia vase £30; Lagurus natural dried grass £10; Zeeburg urchin ceramic table lamp £59; Diamond Flokati rug from £125; Pachai recycled polyester shade from £12;

Palani recycled polyester shade from £8; Reactive glazed plant mister £8; Artisan tufted abstract cover 43cm x 43cm £12; Kelso dining bench £215; brushed grey woven throw £18; Checkerboard throw £25.

2. Carson corner sofa in Mushrom weave £1,399; jute cushion £16; macrame wall hanging £16;

black rattan mirror £40; Artisan wood-effect ram £10; tall Paulownia vase £30; Eastling white urn medium £50; Pampas natural grass bundle £10; large hexagonal rush basket £15; Artisan tufted abstract cover £12; Artisan Rainbow Multi cushion 30cm x 50cm £25; Artisan woven cushion 43cm x 43cm £22; Maize rope tray 38cm £15; Carlo black acacia wood coffee table £149; Carlo black acacia wood side table £89; Mikasa Drift bowls £15 for three; Pachai and Palani recycled polyester shades as before; Artisan elephant cushion £8; made to measure voile in Ripple Header fabric in Sapphire White £8 per metre; Amari dining chair in natural £119; Checkerboard throw as before.

3. Amari oval dining table £549; Amari dining bench £149; Amari dining chair £119; amber glass carafe £12; amber wine glass £5; wooden serving board £10; Rust tapas dish £4; Edited Life Urban Reactive canister with cork lid £8; Amalfi jug £14; Scruffs Ellen dog bed £38.

4. Khari four-door large sideboard in mango wood £499; ceramic vase in terracotta £7; Artisan natural wall art 76cm x 76cm £45; macrame wall hanging 50cm x 80cm £40; Artisan wood-effect elephant £25; Artisan wood-effect ram £10; tall Paulownia vase as before; Ember velvet chair in Amber Gold £279; Artisan Rainbow cushion as before.

A GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE FOR LUXURY VINYL TILES

Our System LVT guarantee gives flooring contractors the reassurance needed for all LVT installations. Our range helps flooring contractors achieve the best results when a resilient, attractive finish is required.

To find out more visit f-ball.com or call 01538 361 633. A great finish starts with F. Ball.

SHORE

This season’s collaboration with the Natural History Museum focuses on life above and below the sea, highlighting the need to protect and conserve. The Shore collection celebrates the diversity of the UK’s shorelines, and highlights the threats faced by the species that reside in them.

1. Alnwick soft cotton three-seater sofa in Folkstone Blue £1,299; Baxter textured weave storage footstool £179; NHM Shore Seaweed cushion cover 43cm x 43cm £14; Cartmel linen cushion £16-£24; NHM ammonite wool rug from £129; Charlbury chair in Cosy Marl fabric in Warm Grey £849; Birds hanging canvas 85cm x 62cm £20; Lagurus natural dried grass bundle £10; small trinket box £15; Gingko

shell vase £35; Lina rope table lamp £35; S eagrass wall mirror £40; Oare large platter £45; tall glazed display cabinet £649; small glazed display cabinet £549.

2. Natural History Museum Venus Shell duvet cover set from £18; Dorma Purity Chilton bedspread £120-£140; Dorma Purity Chilton pillowcase £26; Mason bed from £399; Lynton bedside table £99; NHM porcelain Ammonite lamp £35; Bird framed art 52cm x 42cm £20; Shells framed art £35 for five; Easton Churchgate Ombre wool rug from £79; Nina vase £60; concave vase £6; dressing gown £18.

3. Charlbury chair in Cosy Marl fabric in Warm Grey £849; NHM Shore Seaweed cushion cover as before; Seagrass tapered basket, £10-£15; jute cushion £16-£22; NHM ammonite wool rug as before; round ceramic vase with handle £6; Bird framed art as before; Birds hanging canvas as before.

4. Seagrass wall mirror £40; NHM Coral wallpaper £15; NHM resin shell vase £4.50; NHM Corallite ceramic lotion dispenser £8; NHM Corallite ceramic tumbler £6; NHM jacquard hand towel £10; Curves chrome small pedestal mirror £17; Egyptian cotton towels in Denim or White from £1.20.

Back in time

Summer memories have influenced Furniture Village’s SS23 offer

Visit: www.furniturevillage.co.uk

GOLDEN HOUR

As the fading light of a long summer day fills the home with a gorgeous ethereal glow, we’re gifted with a moment of rest and renewal.

Harnessing this daily dose of energy, Golden Hour is all about creating spaces that encourage us to pause and reflect. A base palette of golden brown and rich amber recreates the tones we find in sunny spots and shadows, whilst pops of lilac and soft rose-pink help to lift the look, mirroring the beautiful hues that appear as the light starts to fade.

Using the sunset to create interest is a clever way to bring this look to life.

Furnishings with soft curves cast silhouettes across the floors and walls, bringing an extra layer of depth to the space. Pair with dried grasses, organic ceramics and coloured glass to enhance this effect. A striking collection of contemporary designs in dark woods and ironwork sit perfectly within this trend, adding contrast to the space without overwhelming it. Smooth leathers and subtly textured tabletops offer a softer twist on this classic industrial look.

Connubia by Calligaris Gate medium extending dining table and four Maya ski-leg faux leather dining chairs £3,195;

Connubia by Calligaris Gate sideboard £1,495

Ercol Ancona shelving unit £869

RIVIERA RHYTHM

There’s something wonderfully powerful about a primary palette, and combined with a bold, seaside-inspired theme it really comes to life. Taking its cue from the French Riviera and its heady mix of art, culture and colour, this trend is all about channelling some of this brimming energy into your interior spaces. Bold hues of blue and yellow are combined with natural wood finishes

and textured linens to create an inviting look that has a playful rhythm running throughout. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of patterns and stripes across walls and soft furnishings, and be sure to use a variety of tonal shades to create variety and depth. Include a splash of green too: it will add a fresh dimension and can be introduced through accessories or foliage.

Above left: Ottaway panel bed frame £699; Bakerloo large dining bench £209; Ercol Ancona medium side table £230 Above centre: Earth bar table £369; Rocket pair of bar stools £329; The Lounge Co Romilly fabric footstool £409 Above: Legend three-seater fabric sofa £1,045; The Lounge Co Romilly fabric footstool £409; Nordic oak coffee table £349; Knot table lamp £129; Nordic oak lamp table £299

ISLAND RETREAT

Balancing laid-back vibes with luxury design, this island-inspired trend is all about creating cool, calm spaces that we can escape to. A neutral blend of white, taupe and ecru forms the foundation of this minimal scheme, while dashes of black, found on window and furniture frames, help to

add definition and contrast. Sleek, high-end designs bring their A-game, offering butter-soft leathers and marble-effect ceramic finishes that instantly elevate the space. Boucle textured cushions and tactile linens provide further softness, while natural accents such as weathered woods,

palm leaves and crystals will bring a rustic touch that’s both restful and rejuvenating.

Above left: Aquila extending dining table and four swivel dining chairs £2,895 Above centre: Arctic three-door white ceramic sideboard £1,249; Skyline grey ceramic table lamp £159 Above: Nicoletti Theron leather chaise sofa £4,595

THE ROSE GARDEN

Inspired by a favourite place to spend a summer’s day, this trend embraces bold colours and playful patterns to create spaces that are bursting with every bit as much life as their namesake. Using a palette of rosy pinks and garden-inspired greens, this latest look puts a modern twist on classic country style, combining traditional patterns such as chintz and block print with contemporary furniture and on-trend accents that bring it right up to date. Ercol’s pale oak designs with their simple silhouettes and clean lines bring serenity to each scheme.

The scatter-back Palace sofa is the perfect spot to get creative with pattern – in this instance, more is definitely more. Frills, pleats, checks and scallops introduce a sense of frivolity and fun – and a vase of seasonal garden flowers will always complete the look.

Top left: Palace four-seater scatter-back sofa £2,195; Palace foot stool £545 Top right: Ercol Ballatta desk £709; Ercol Ava upholstered dining chair £269 Left: Ercol Ancona breakfast table £699, Ercol Heritage chair £299

On the straight

Deirdre Dyson abandoned curves for her 2023 Angles collection

‘I set myself the challenge of avoiding any curves and circles to see what could be achieved solely with angles. All these designs were created with just a set square and a ruler. Once I was happy with them, I concentrated on applying a variety of

colours, using them to create a feeling of space and dimension,’ says Deirdre Dyson. Dyson has injected a totally fresh aspect into her 2023 collection, with 10 new designs that celebrate the striking effect of interplaying angles and linear

shapes. Once her hand sketches were transposed into computer designs, she applied her eye for colour to turn them into designs that produce different illusions such as a three-dimensional or transparent appearance, or

Staccato

Clarity

to give a sense of depth and distance.

For the Energy design Dyson challenged herself and the highly skilled team of Nepalese weavers who produce the rugs. She restricted herself to only using straight lines, frequently changing their direction to add interest. A delicate silk border breaks each striped wool section. ‘The result for me was that the groups of lines were forcibly nudging each other for a position, so the title Energy seems to fit.’

In Can-Can, she teases the eye by alternating dark and light shades – 20 altogether – and inverts the grading of each colour. Dramatic colour choices are offset by a black wool background. ‘The colours are beautiful and showy

and reminded me of the Can-Can girls’ uniformity and kicking legs, so this title seemed perfect. The combination of colour and angles makes the lower half appear to come forward.’

Akimbo is a simple linear design in which Dyson has created ‘a happy dance of movement with right angles’ by juggling a set square on the page and applying minimal colour.

In Freedom, ‘I created a sense of distance using a dark graded background with a light centre to give the illusion of somewhere beyond. The vibrant silken bars appear transparent when they cross over, and leap to the foreground to accentuate the illusion of looking through.’ A deceptively complex design,

it features 12 different shades of silk and 15 woollen hues for the background.

Tension sees overlapping blue diamonds suggest transparency, held tightly in place by silken bars which also appear transparent as they cross the blues. The design suggests that the bars are suspending the diamonds above a receding background.

The soft pale colours in Clarity represent quadrilateral glass panels. Different hues are applied to present the impression that they are overlaid upon one another. The diaphanous nature of this design is achieved by using a 2:1 wool/silk mix in the central ‘layers’.

In Hover the choice of colour and illuminating silk areas seem to lift and suspend the shapes above the background, while in Airborne the silken overlapping of the angular shapes tells us that they are transparent and lightweight: they float randomly above the dark ground.

‘In Staccato I wanted a soft neutral carpet but with a crisp, edgy feel, which I manged to create using thin black lines. I was imagining cutting paper with scissors at the time,’ explains the designer.

‘With Tracks my challenge was to give the illusion of fluid movement, but using only straight lines. The light silken lines change the horizontal colour below to a lighter tone and appear to flow vertically above them.’

Visit: www.deirdredyson.com

Energy

Akimbo

Tension

Hover

Beds and bedroom Porro

Makura

A year of activity

The National Bed Federation has plenty to do in 2023

The year ahead promises lots of activity and significant change for the National Bed Federation. As Jessica Alexander steps down from the helm of the association, it will welcome a new executive director. Sustainability remains a top priority as it continues to encourage its members to make greener choices, not only at a product level but also in logistics, end-of-life management and corporate social responsibility. It plans to release two

promotional membership videos, which will include member testimonials from manufacturers and suppliers in a totally different style.

An improved Introduction to Beds course will be published in 2023, which was relaunched as a downloadable interactive PDF at the beginning of 2022. Following feedback, the course will include more videos on the manufacturing processes of mattresses and bed products. A short test is likely to be added at the end of the course to check if the participants’ knowledge is up to scratch.

A great deal of technical activity is expected in 2023. The NBF is anticipating a government public consultation on a review of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, where it expects a new outcomes-based approach to regulation, with set Essential Safety Requirements that will need to be met. It will be working closely with members to ensure they understand the new requirements. NBF is also working on the fifth version of the Code of Practice, which will

launch in 2023, with a new round of audits to be undertaken.

Marketing support for bed retailers will be expanded with new digital and self-print toolkits featuring up-to-date guidance and branding. Marketing toolkits were a significant part of the support package the NBF provided to retailers under The Sleep Council umbrella before it joined forces with The Sleep Charity in 2020. The

Consultation on a review of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations is expected

Jessica Alexander, outgoing executive director

toolkits will include social media infographics and printable posters with important information for consumers, comprising bed-buying tips, how to test a bed in-store, after-purchase bed care, and guidance around body impressions and settlement – the most common query it receives.

National Bed Month returns in spring. The annual awareness campaign runs every year throughout the month of March and is an ideal opportunity for bed retailers and manufacturers to push that new bed sale and promote the importance of buying from NBF member brands. The toolkit includes the official logo, social media infographics and banners, suggested copy, printable posters and the official campaign video. The free marketing toolkit is now available for anyone in the bed trade to download via the NBF website.

Planning is underway for the AGM and Spring Forum for members in May. The annual event is a fantastic opportunity to engage with members in-person, share NBF updates and industry learning, hear from the experts and get crucial feedback on issues that affect members and the wider bed sector.

As the NBF Pledge for Our Planet celebrates its first anniversary in May, having launched at last year’s Spring Forum, sustainability remains high on the agenda as the association encourages the bed industry to take steps in unison that will address global environmental damage. In late 2022, it rolled out its EcoDesign Assessment

Toolkit to support Pledge signatories in assessing their products’ green credentials in line with the five-point Pledge. To date, 35 members on different sustainability journeys have taken the Pledge, and this number should continue to rise into the new year. More information about NBF Green is available on the website.

The NBF Bed Industry Awards will open in the summer, and the deadlines, usually in July and September, creep up sooner than you realise. Whether it’s new bed product releases or great things your business has in store for 2023, you have got to be in it to win it! This year’s categories and details on how to enter will be released in May/June.

September is now synonymous with the Bed Show for the bed industry. The NBF’s annual exhibition is the go-to

event for anyone in the bed trade, from bed buyers and specifiers to purchasing managers of mattress manufacturers. This is the opportunity to discover the latest products and innovations ready for the autumn buying season. The exhibitors are predominantly UK and Ireland-based NBF manufacturer and supplier members, joined by several European component suppliers.

This year’s show will return to its familiar venue at Telford International Centre, where entry and parking are free of charge. Visitors and exhibitors will once again receive complimentary refreshments vouchers to use across the many on-site catering points and the NBF Bed Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner will return on the night of the first day of the show (26 September).

Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

The Bed Show and NBF Bed Industry Awards return in September

The NBF Pledge for Our Planet marks its anniversary in May

Sleep matters

Getting a good night’s sleep has never been more important

Our physical and mental health relies on our bodies feeling rested and rejuvenated, so making sure we sleep well is a necessity. On average, most people need around eight hours of good quality sleep to function properly. And in order to maintain good sleep, we need to invest in our sleep environment. From the all-important mattress to divan bases and the mood of the room, there are many factors that affect the quality of our sleep.

Sleepeezee’s array of products and services, alongside its team of expert craftspeople, can help you get the best possible night’s sleep. As Royal Warrant holders since 1963, the team is dedicated to combining innovative practices with market-leading designs to provide the right bed and mattress

solutions for customers. Established in 1924, Sleepeezee is best known for its popular mattress ranges, including the Travelodge Dreamer, as well as bedding, divans, headboards and even a pet bed range.

Sleepeezee has also developed its own technologies throughout its mattresses that target customer pain points. Its Staycool Gel provides pressure-sensitive support that immediately responds to your body shape and helps to regulate body temperature. ViroFresh is an antimicrobial technology that kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on contact for a more hygienic night’s sleep.

Of course, you can’t have a mattress without a luxurious divan base and headboard. Sleepeezee’s divan beds are

built to last and include many storage options to meet your needs. They come in a variety of fabrics and colours and can be tailored to your mattress and sleep space.

Sleepeezee products are made and manufactured in Rochester, Kent. With strong family values at the heart of the business, Sleepeezee aims to support national and local charities across the country. A recent donation saw the company contribute £60,000 to Sheffield Children’s Hospital in partnership with the brand’s ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill. The donation was funded by sales of Sleepeezee’s Jessica range: the company donated £20 to the children’s hospital with each sale.

Sleepeezee is also further committed to supporting sustainable efforts. Having been carbon neutral since 2017, it has continued to strive for sustainability. The installation of 591 energy-saving solar panels in 2021, as well as being the first UK bed manufacturer to receive the Planet Mark accreditation for taking action to stop climate change, reflect its commitment to a sustainable future. Beyond this, it offers a removal and recycling service that takes away customers’ old mattresses, packaging and divan bases for a hassle-free installation service.

Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Ortho Gold

Quality comfort, naturally

Triple crown

GNG Group has a trio of mattress brands

GNG Group is expecting another busy year in 2023 as the Komfi, Sonlevo and Nectar Sleep brands continue to gain momentum.

The Komfi brand offers retailers a range of mattresses featuring unique designs and innovative materials. These include Ecofoam, which has a reduced carbon footprint; breathable ViscoGel for premium comfort; and Neuform memory foam, as well as the new Unity vacuum-packed mattress collection which benefits from an affordable price point.

With a choice of more than 20 mattresses already under the Active, Sensory and Rhea brands, Komfi comprises a diverse range of foam and pocket-sprung hybrids, plus combination foam mattresses.

The Komfi range is complemented by GNG’s luxury Sonlevo mattress brand. Its exclusive TrueGel technology features a unique grid system: 80% air, 100% recyclable and hypo-allergenic, it gives maximum support while minimising pressure and ensuring that it is never too hot or too cold.

All five models within the Sonlevo collection are recommended by the Football Medicine and Performance Association to its members, as the products offer correct posture support and comfort, ensuring the best night’s sleep for, the best performance.

As an NHS-approved supplier, GNG manufactures to the highest standards at

its new purpose-built 40,000sqft factory in Yorkshire. All mattresses are made to National Bed Federation approved standards and come with a 10-year guarantee.

It also prides itself on being an environmentally responsible organisation, having embarked on its journey to become a carbon-neutral company in 2019.

GNG is continuing to extend its offering to retailers by developing partnerships with companies such as Nectar Sleep, the largest boxed mattress brand in the US. With a focus on exceptional comfort, combined with

a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty, Nectar Sleep mattresses are designed to meet the demands of modern living. Led by a data-driven global team of experts, Nectar Sleep is changing the way people buy and fall in love with their bed. With more than two million satisfied sleepers, the brand can help boost retail revenue by driving customers who want to ‘try before they buy’ directly to store.

GNG has combined the latest in mattress innovation with green technology to provide a reduced carbon footprint and fast delivery times, thanks to its UK production.

Tel: 01924 950 300

Far left: GNG’s Yorkshire factory Below: Nectar Sleep mattresses have many layers

The new Unity vacuum-packed collection

Next generation

Vita Group is focusing on creating long-term sustainable product ranges

The Vita Group is one of Europe’s leading providers of flexible foam solutions. It has developed the next generation of sustainable foams to ensure that a wider variety of highperformance and environmentally friendly furniture solutions are available.

As part of its ESG agenda, it is focusing on improving its environmental impact and creating long-term sustainable product ranges. It recycles all its excess trim foam, which is developed foam from more environmentally friendly raw materials, and innovates with its suppliers and customers to drive circularity and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Vita has created a range of foams that replace fossil fuels with sustainably sourced polyols. Orbis is a flexible PU

foam solution that turns post-consumer mattresses into foam. Novus is a highquality reconstituted foam made from post-consumer trim and Origin is a foam developed using bio polyols derived from plants.

Origin was Vita’s first step towards achieving its vision of a new generation of sustainable foams, each using increased renewable content, with less reliance on petrochemicals. Origin is produced using polyols from plants such as sunflowers, soy and castor oil, and is developed explicitly for the furniture and bedding industries.

Novus takes these established products and processes to a new level for the comfort industry: it introduces post-industrial-derived trim waste content, which is developed and

stringently tested to ensure product standards are of the same high quality as other offcut-derived equivalents. It will be available in join-free, cut-to-size sheets for all mattress sizes at various thicknesses, ready to place within the mattress construction.

To drive circularity and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions all excess trim is recycled. The Vita Group works with mattress and furniture dismantling partners, develops foams from more sustainable raw materials, and innovates with its suppliers and customers.

Continual investment in its infrastructure and services allows customers to utilise its extensive network of sites across Europe. The Vita Group has four state-of-the-art innovation centres. The Middleton, Manchester centre combines its technical expertise in foam chemistry with the latest testing equipment and systems. The facility allows customers to follow a complete development programme, from initial concept and data analysis to finished foam core.

The company provides advanced tailored solutions for customers, enabling them to respond to fluctuating market trends and consumer demand. Its experience in the bedding, furniture and healthcare markets has further informed its understanding of this area, allowing The Vita Group to support customers with market-leading furniture and bedding solutions.

Visit: www.thevitagroup.com

Above: The Middleton innovation centre

Novus will be available in join-free, cut-to-size sheets for all mattress sizes

Maximisation

‘The January Furniture Show has often been a perfect time to access and review opportunities for the year ahead. With challenges facing the economy, 2023 may prove to be a year that retailers need to focus to maximise every sale,’ says Gowsh Shan, Protect-ABed national sales manager.

‘Protect-A-Bed has helped multiple retailers significantly grow sales in the bedding department. The success of

the Platinum Club rewards programme has been well documented and this January would be a perfect time to join if not already a member. A visit to our stand in Hall five could pay dividends throughout the rest of 2023.

‘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.

‘The Platinum Club is only one element – there are some significant differences between Protect-A-Bed and other mattress protectors. Every Protect-A-Bed protector also includes a 10 to 15-year product guarantee and when bought with a mattress, a 10-15 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 ProtectA-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,’ says Shan.

‘We can upskill your team and increase your sales revenue by maximising every sales opportunity. We can manage every step of the process for you and build a reward scheme through the Platinum Club.’ Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk

Making the most of each sale is key

For a new age

himolla’s latest design has been tailored specifically for the UK

‘While it is incumbent on us to be cognisant of what’s going on in the market, what you have to know about himolla is that quite frankly we don’t take any notice of the competition when it comes to design, gadgets, etc. We follow a single-minded view: the distinctive design strategy and brand architecture is, in our point of view, absolutely right for the himolla brand. Considerable creative intellect has gone into its creation. Clearly, we have to be flexible enough to respond to external factors which could impact that approach, but generally, we are not interested in following the latest

trends. Trends come and go. himolla is simply interested in a long-term approach,’ says Tamara Härty, himolla chief creative officer.

‘When the S-Lounger series was launched in the UK last year, instantly it became fast-selling and desirable. It brought a whole new generation of British customers to us. We have followed that up with something bold and progressive and tailored specifically for British customers: Seine.

‘Distinctive floating lines give the sofa its unique personality, combined with a solid stance, enhanced seating comfort and numerous functions,

fabrics and leathers. Design of the new model 4905 is distinctive, light and petit, has loads of ground clearance but never loses its stance. Its unique personality moves the design on in terms of modernity, sophistication and refinement.

‘The relax function is electrically or manually adjustable. Seine is available with electric-powered foot rest and reclining function as well as an electric adjustable headrest. Sitting in it is being cocooned by it and embraced by it. A great variety of options are available to the customer. The recliner is electric powered (foot rest) and turnable. Wooden plateaus, numerous variations, add-ons, accents, trapezoid supports and a small interconnecting table are available. The variety of options and variations is amazing. Extra comfort and a portable battery are now available too.

‘New fabrics and leather in fresh and bold colours round things up. A wide variety of options in surfaces, materials and new colour palettes can fulfil every customer’s need. The new himolla beige, nude and cognac palettes are particularly stunning.

‘It is a new collection for a new age, tailored specifically for the UK. We are confident that when people see the new Seine their emotions will be stirred. Especially when it’s dressed so fashionably. Simply a perfect fit in every living room.’

Visit: www.himolla.com

There are numerous options

Seine is a German Design Award winner

Seine is tailored specifically for British customers

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 Winter Sale has begun!

For today

Neri & Hu have reinterpreted Josef Hoffman’s iconic Club for the 21st century

‘We were positively surprised when Wittmann proposed a collaboration. We know the history and significance of the Vienna Secession and, as architects, have an almost emotional affinity to this era. The historical Josef Hoffmann archive in Wittmann‘s collection is of great interest and importance to us,’ say Lyndon Neri and Rosanna Hu.

‘Our designs are usually about detailed design, delicacy, lightness. So, reinterpreting the Club 1910 was

a challenge for us, because in some ways it‘s one of Hoffmann‘s simplest pieces. But when you look closely, you see how Hoffmann celebrated the fine stitching of the chair. Because of this fine craftsmanship, we felt there was no need to elaborate on the form itself.’

Never before had the two worked with such a solid piece of furniture. But the fact that the ‘simple’ basic form was embellished by these extremely fine and masterfully crafted stitches changed

their view of Hoffmann‘s design: he had focused on the subtleties. The result is the modular Blocks series.

‘We simplified and expanded Hoffmann’s design, creating a new generation. Through the different elements, one can configure their very own sofa landscape. So Blocks is a piece that can stand on its own, but can also be completely disassembled, making it unique in its appearance.’

Visit: www.wittmann.at

Blocks is modular and has an optional loose cover Blocks

Above: Blocks Above left: designers Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu

PHOTO: JIAXI YANG & ZHU ZHE

Golden giveaway

50 copies of RAG will contain winning tickets

F Ball is celebrating the launch of the 50th issue of its acclaimed Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG) with a prize giveaway. Golden tickets have been hidden inside 50 copies of the 2023 edition, with the lucky recipients entitled to claim one of a range of prizes. Copies will automatically be sent to members of F Ball’s Ball Rewards scheme and can also be requested for free.

‘It is always recommended that flooring professionals check the compatibility of chosen floorcoverings and adhesives to ensure that the resulting bond will perform as required for the lifetime of the installation. For 50 years, the RAG has made this process effortless. We wanted to celebrate the milestone by giving fitters the chance to win a range of prizes,’ says Darren Kenyon, F Ball sales director.

Since 1974 F Ball has published an update to the original RAG, which has

evolved into the industry’s leading guide to floorcovering adhesive compatibility.

It enables contractors and specifiers to quickly check the compatibility of F Ball adhesives with more than 6,000 branded floorcoverings from over 200 leading international flooring manufacturers, offering flooring professionals the most comprehensive guide to adhesive compatibility available.

In addition to an A5 printed book, a constantly updated version of the guide is available on the F Ball website, and as a mobile app, free to download from the Apple App store and Google Play.

Recommendations are only included in the guide after the completion of a rigorous 56-day testing programme at the company’s state-of-the-art testing facilities and following endorsement by the relevant floorcovering manufacturer. Every recommendation listed guarantees the resulting bond performance for

the entire lifetime of the flooring installation – as long as the advised subfloor preparation and installation procedures are followed – giving flooring professionals peace of mind.

Visit: www.f-ball.co.uk

Show guide Furninova Frog

has

Highgrove is delighted to unveil its 21st Anniversary Collection at The January Furniture Show, with the launch of several exciting new models.

These range from stylish bed frames to innovative new comfort and support specifications, including our new AdvantEdge Plus® Pocket Spring System, health promoting CopperSleep®, temperature controlling ChiroGel® and an exciting new Highgrove mattress in a box.

Total Support all the way.

Our business continues to grow as we expand our range and provide our customers with total support all the way. There has never been greater customer choice from Highgrove. Each of our beds has clear benefits for better sleep and is backed up by high quality in-store point of sale supplied free of charge to our appointed stockists.

Whatever your customers want, we’ve got it - and all available with our Express Delivery Service.

We look forward to you visiting our Stands E20, F20 and G22 in Hall 5

Highgrove Beds, Headlands Road, Liversedge WF15 6QA T: +44(0)1924 406 600 highgrovebeds.co.uk

January Furniture Show

Back home

The 2023 edition will focus on sustainability and new international appeal

The January Furniture Show returns to the NEC this month, welcoming more than 350 brands and an expected 15,000 quality buyers from 22-25 January.

Across four halls, visitors can explore contemporary furniture, innovative design concepts and homewares to suit all retailer and customer styles. There will be over 50,000 products, 10,000 of which are new, and exclusive launches from the best brands in the industry.

The show is becoming increasingly diverse, with companies from more than 18 countries exhibiting, including Australia, USA, Italy and Germany. International pavilions will represent Vietnam, Portugal and Poland.

The Furniture Talks stage will see a

number of engaging topics across the four days, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, trends and insights. The schedule features masterclasses, panel discussions and interviews with renowned makers and designers, industry trailblazers and recognised thought-leaders.

Following the success of last year’s showcase, the Young Furniture Makers will return, bringing even more emerging designers and new talent in the industry. There will also be a focus on sustainability, with live furniture making and demonstrations from renowned designers, with further details to be announced imminently.

The four halls: Premium Design;

Interior Accessories & Furniture; Living, Dining & Bedroom and Upholstery & Beds will see many brands return following previous successful years, such as Abbeylands Furniture, Buoyant Upholstery, La-Z-Boy UK, Highgrove Beds, Tetrad, Breasley UK, Forte Furniture, Alpha Designs, Bluebone, Mindy Brownes, Pacific Lifestyle, Kettle Interiors, Wiemann, Rauch, Lebus, Mlily and Westbridge.

Plenty of exciting new names will also be in attendance, including 3C Candy, Aquinos Sofas, Pole Position, Merlino International, Arredoclassic, PF Furniture, Duxiana, Gruppo Mastrotto, Composad, Harrison Spinks and Idzczak Merle.

Visit: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

The Young Furniture Makers showcase will return, including Lydia Huntington

Global Home Ireland

Yearn Mirrors

Venjakob

January Furniture Show

Taking part

More than 350 brands will be on show

Orbital Vision is an award-winning, creative CGI agency. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, it is a one-stop shop for the furniture industry, supplying clients with everything they need to sell a product online: animations, 360s, product stills, 3D product configurators and lifestyle images.

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers, Lebus Upholstery offers luxury sofas with quality and value in mind. Lebus is looking forward to returning to the show, where it will welcome new and familiar faces. This year it has a large open-plan stand where customers can walk through and view the range of new sofa collections. All the sofas have been carefully handcrafted in the UK by its dedicated

design and development team over the past few months.

The Buoyant stand is usually one of the largest at the show and this year will be no exception. The Buoyant design team has been hard at work conceptualising and creating exciting

new products that are very different from its usual offering, whilst maintaining the same levels of comfort and quality it is known for. About 25 models will be on display, as well as accent chairs and footstools to support all collections.

Tancredi Salotti

Buoyant

Lebus

Orbital

January Furniture Show

Clear focus

There will be new products across all home furniture categories

Despite the many challenges of the past year, the team at Julian Bowen has worked hard developing new products across all home furniture categories.

There is a clear focus on innovation, with brushed gold, smoked glass and velvet dining chairs in a wide range of colours, velvet beds and comfortable, deep-buttoned upholstery all a key feature at the show. The company is an acknowledged leader in children’s furniture and this remains central, with modern and functional new designs.

Dining has been a particular area of focus, with the launch of several discrete ranges alongside additions to established bestsellers, including Olympus: a printed marble on glass dining, coffee and lamp tables. The Bali bedroom range in oak and black has a unique ‘Threespine’ click-to-fit assembly which removes the need for a fittings kit. This clever system reduces cabinet assembly time by 60%.

Huge attention has been paid to supply chain management to mitigate

the ongoing industry-wide dislocations, and Julian Bowen is consequently very well-stocked across these key ranges.

Given the fast-changing nature of the industry, the company recognises the meaningful and varied challenges its customers face and has continued to invest significantly in staff training, IT and additional warehousing in order to provide the most efficient support. A new JB portal will give customers direct access to all the key information they require, including stock, orders and payments. Stock control, order management and distribution have been upgraded over the past year to benefit its extensive customer base and tailor individual solutions as required.

Julian Bowen’s emphasis on bespoke solutions and customer support has been a key factor in the development of its direct container business, which offers a one-stop solution from product development through to quality control, shipping and in-bound distribution and

ongoing stock management support, while leveraging the firm’s buying power to its customers’ advantage. Across the business, the emphasis is on making the buying process as straightforward and efficient as possible. It remains committed to offering the best quality and value at all of the many price points at which it supplies the marketplace.

‘Everything we do is designed to get the best possible outcome for our customers. Everybody in our business knows the customer comes first, and we work together to continually enhance our proposition, be it a wider and better product offering, flexible distribution solutions, stock availability, bespoke development, even project management. We were proud to win the Interiors Monthly award for Best Customer Service again, but our customers can rest assured that we will keep on working hard to serve them better,’ says Emmett Lenaghan, Julian Bowen md. Visit: www.julian-bowen.co.uk

Brooklyn dark oak nesting coffee tables

Montero table and Harper chairs in Dusky Pink

Bali chest of drawers

Frida Grey Bed shown with the Padstow Bedroom Range in Black & Rattan Finish

January Furniture Show

Statement

Alpha Designs will reveal its Spring 2023 collection at the show

Alpha Designs is a progressive UK upholstery manufacturer at the forefront of design and fabric, which it will once again show with its new Spring collection, launching at January Furniture Show.

These new Spring 2023 ranges, which have been designed and developed with a leading furniture designer, will continue the growth of Alpha Designs in the marketplace, alongside its current successful commercial ranges, by offering a breadth of styles, with total flexibility on all fabrics available across all models, from a company with a can-do attitude, therefore offering an extremely enticing proposition.

Tel: 01902 492 937

Farah

Furnico are back once more, displaying a range of best selling and new to the market sofa designs. This range of traditional and contemporary styles, available in new eye catching fabrics, are sure to be a great addition to any shop floor.

Spectator - This manual, handle-operated rocker recliner comes in five different colours and there are even two handy cup holders built into the chair for added convenience and comfort so now you’ll never miss a moment of the match.

January Furniture Show

Five alive

New collections will debut alongside several updates

German bedroom manufacturer Wiemann will launch five ranges at the show. The award-winning company, known for products which offer a total bedroom solution to suit any home, is also set to reveal updates and additions to at least six of its existing collections.

The new products, on show in Hall 4 stand C50, will complement Wiemann’s premium VIP ranges including Monaco and Quito, which all show commitment to driving increased value for retailers.

There will be four new VIP ranges on Wiemann’s stand, all with on-trend looks, functionality and style. There will also be a special promo range making its debut at the NEC, offering all the Wiemann quality at an entry-level price.

Look out for updates and accessories across six ranges, including Monaco, reflecting the latest trends and designs. Monaco, which comes in four VIP versions – 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 –is a previous award winner at the show and consistently heads Wiemann’s bestseller list. The collection is to be expanded, with all-new options set to be unveiled at the show.

Monaco 1000 offers hinged doors, Monaco 2000 has bi-fold doors, Monaco 3000 is the sliding-door option and

Monaco 4000 is the collection’s wide range of complementary furniture including bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and beds.

Other ranges set to enjoy new accessories, colours or finishes include country-cottage look Cambridge; All-In, with its comprehensive interiors storage fitments; Tampa; the sliding-door Miami Plus; the value Berlin; and the hingeddoor Cairns. In total, around 17 ranges from the Wiemann catalogue will be on display at Birmingham.

‘We have some fantastic new products lined up for launch. Our stand is not to be missed, with around 28 wardrobe and two bed displays on view. All Wiemann products are known for their excellent design, quality and value and are backed up with our five-star customer support service. We are excited to share all this with existing friends and new at the January Furniture Show,’ says Simon Hewitt, md of Wiemann’s sole agents for the UK and Ireland, Litmus Furniture. Visit: www.wiemannuk.co.uk

Above: Monaco Below: Quito

January Furniture Show

See it first

Months of design and development work will be unveiled

‘We are really looking forward to the January Furniture Show so we can showcase our exciting new collection to the industry at the start of the year. We will be introducing more than 500 new lines across our product categories, including over 125 furniture pieces. All are designed to offer style, quality and affordability,’ says James Hudson, Gallery Direct commercial director.

One of the key new ranges is Madison, a living and dining furniture collection which offers a ‘new traditional’ look, combining timeless style with a modern touch. It is crafted from sustainable Mindy ash and features marquetry with

inlaid book-matched veneers, in a choice of two contemporary finishes.

Other new furniture includes Eton, which offers an updated farmhouse look; apartment-living style tables and chairs; new occasional chairs; and extensions to the Wycombe and Hudson ranges.

Of the made-to-order options from Gallery Direct’s Wiltshire factory, the new offer includes a bed in a box that can be used as a footstool or additional occasional seating and contains an easily opened, fold-out bed with mattress. There is also a new mattress collection designed to make it easier for

retailers and end users to choose the right one for their requirements.

The SS23 collection also offers a vast range of accessories, with about 250 new lines offering a wide choice of designs and styles, from soft subtle colours to bold striking pieces. There are also new ranges of textiles and wall decor. The company’s outdoor selection will be expanded with a wide offer including more furniture, pergolas and a pizza oven.

Gallery Direct will be exhibiting on stand E20/22 in Hall 4. It will also be showing at the Spring Fair in February. Visit: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Above: SS23 accessories selection

Above left: Allegra armchair

January Furniture Show

Strength to strength

If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well

Shire Beds is celebrating more than a quarter of a century of innovative British furniture manufacturing. A British success story, the company started as a cottage industry in 1997 and has become a multi award-winning British brand, winning the NBF Bed Product of the Year in 2021 and The Furniture Awards Best of British trophy in 2022. It’s a family business that’s built on strong British values: if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. With this basic principle at the core of its manufacturing, Shire Beds has continued to go from strength to strength.

Its bestselling products have seen huge sales uplift this year. The Shire Artisan collection answers the call of the company’s retailers seeking to maximise margin while still offering customers a top-quality product. The cream of this range has proved to be Picasso.

The Picasso is a luxurious selection of handmade mattresses that combine the comfort of memory foam with the temperature-control capabilities of cooling gel. The products are available in pocket spring counts of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000. Foam encapsulation is added to these layers to increase the useable sleeping surface and give the slumbering occupant a feeling of complete safety, even up to the edge of the bed. The differing spring counts offer the sleeper the choice of feels from softer to firmer.

‘Picasso has been developed to achieve high shop-floor margins comfortably with its cost price, while still being considered good value and below the cost of larger, well-established brands. In

this trading environment this is exactly what retailers and end consumers are looking for: quality products at great value,’ says Fara Butt, Shire Beds sales and marketing director.

‘The Signature Range, winner of the NBF Bed Product of the Year 2021, is a high quality, high specification, handcrafted, hand-stitched mattress collection

that has also achieved excellent sales. The high-spec mattresses are a logical development for Shire Beds. As a company we have seen tremendous success in the mid-market with the Artisan collection and the award-nominated Constable.

‘The New Spectrum Range offers great value in these very challenging economic times. Spectrum ensures we are providing products to ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep. The quality offering in line with eco design principles has elevated the Shire Beds’ brand with a wider range of retailers.

Shire Beds has now become FSC certified, and signed the NBF Pledge for the Planet to further our sustainability journey. Shire Beds is a multi-awardwinning, quality manufacturer that offers added extras of own label, exclusive fabrics and extended guarantee on its eco-designed products, making us a must-have brand in furniture retailing.’

Visit: www.shirebeds.co.uk

Spectra

Signature

January Furniture Show

Next stage

Ordoconnect will launch at the exhibition

‘Software innovation, like almost every other kind of innovation, requires the ability to collaborate and share ideas with other people, and to sit down and talk with customers and get their feedback and understand their needs,’ Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder said in 2007 in an article for the BBC.

‘Ordorite has taken those words to heart,’ says Stephen Connolly, Ordorite Software ceo. ‘We have spent 10 years developing our product and listening to our users’ feedback in order to improve both our product and service, and we are so excited to be able to unveil our latest innovation for furniture and bed retailers at the January Furniture Show.

‘Ordoconnect is a new platform that takes all the benefits from each of the dozens of Ordorite modules and centralises them in a single hub to view all areas of the business. It uses a combination of latest generation technology and advanced algorithms to take the strain. Our aim is to enable

clients to receive the benefits of Ordorite immediately and get a ROI quicker.’

Ordoconnect utilises drag-and-drop and graphic visualisation applications for warehouse management, distribution, marketing, ecommerce and ticketing.

‘When goods arrive at the warehouse they are scanned and put away into specific locations, so no paper moving around there. The system then knows which goods are for which customer order and compiles a list for the retailer. The customer is notified by text or email and invited not only to pay any balance via a secure online link but to then book delivery based on their postcode, size of the product and vehicle capacity.

‘Ordoconnect gives the retailer a graphic overview of the delivery fleet, whether one vehicle or 100. At a glance they can see the percentage of delivery capacity reached by an individual vehicle or route. They can see whether a load is fully picked, a vehicle is loading or en route. There is the ability to click

into individual orders via Ordoconnect to add notes for the delivery team or the customer.

‘The customer can track their order through these processes, vastly reducing inbound calls. As an order is delivered and digitally signed for, Ordoconnect invoices and closes that delivery, so no action is required by staff.

‘The story doesn’t end there,’ adds Connolly. ‘Customer reviews are so important now. When the goods are delivered, Ordoconnect triggers an email to the customer inviting a service review on Trustpilot, then a specified number of days later a further email requesting a review for the specific product received.

‘We are confident that globally there is no other product for this industry that will deliver the benefits of Ordoconnect. We look forward to introducing our latest innovations and the team at the show, on stand A12 in Hall 4.’ Visit: www.ordorite.com

Ordoconnect takes elements of each of the dozens of Ordorite modules and centralises them in a single hub to view all areas of the business

January Furniture Show

After-sale care

Supporting customers doesn’t end once the transaction is done

‘When Staingard was launched in 2006, it was a new venture into an extremely established market and we knew we could not afford to be “just another warranty provider”,’ says Paul Aiston, Staingard md. ‘The FCA hadn’t long been involved with furniture warranties at that stage, and it’s fair to say the reputation of the industry could have been better. So, with Staingard, we aimed for a policy without ambiguity, with exceptional service and supported by outstanding care products. If we introduced clarity for both customer and salesperson, we would have a product that delivered the very best service.

‘Over the past 16 years, we have retained those values, precipitating

growth in all areas and allowing us to diversify with so many different care products.

‘For a furniture retailer, Staingard is now the place to go for all value-added products, creating more value to their customers’ purchases and supporting their margin. Whether they need

insured care plans, Mattressgard mattress protectors, Floorgard floor protectors and glides, furniture repair products or leather care kits from the most extensive range, we can provide the solution. We hold extensive stock in the UK and – in most cases within 48 hours – we can receive your order, fill, label, assemble, pack and dispatch products, personalised to your brand if required.

‘That’s another area where Staingard leads the way. After years of development, our brand is strong. The Staingard name inspires confidence, but so too does your brand. That’s why we championed personalisation for short-run orders, be it care kits or mattress protectors, to enable you to have the benefits of our products carrying your company name.

‘It hasn’t always been an easy journey, but our loyal customers have supported us so well and I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for that support, and to my family who all work in the business, and to my fantastic employees for their hard work and dedication.’

Visit: www.staingard.co.uk

Staingard offers a wide range of products

New home

Core has moved show location

Core Products will be launching its 2023 collection from its new stand located at the top of the stairs in Hall 4 on stand A26. New for 2023 will be an extensive range of affordable casual dining furniture along with new bedroom and living additions.

Real wood continues to form an important part of Core’s offer and there will be new ranges and additional products on show to further enhance its established collections. Cotswold, the real-wood, country-styled bedroom collection, has also been updated and this new version will be on show for the first time.

The painted, contemporary and modern living collections will also be on show, along with the traditionally inspired Highland Home ranges.

Core’s significant commitment to stockholding in the UK, backed up with direct customer access to stock information, product ordering and order tracking, allows for quick and efficient deliveries to store or direct to your customer’s home. The dedicated customer sales and service team is always available to assist, and an after-sales website makes customer care so easy for you too.

Visit: www.coreproducts.co.uk

Cotswold

January Furniture Show

Love story

Sofa Factory will debut multiple models

‘Everyone at Sofa Factory, part of the Bentinck Group, is delighted to be exhibiting at the show. To increase our growth, we are launching multiple new models across our pricing strategy from Modern Living to Designer Living. Our rise with independent retailers and groups alike has been due to our drive for quality, commercial pricing and speed of delivery. Last year was a challenging one due to the supply-chain issues that affected fabric, timber and latterly foam, but we have managed to fulfil our order bank for 2022,’ says Sham Alaq, Sofa Factory commercial director.

‘Although 2023 could be a difficult year due to market conditions, we anticipate continued growth in all sectors and are ensuring our supply chain is robust to ensure a seamless service to our valued retail partners. The new models are aimed at volume sales, with great quality and commercial pricing. The market is

evolving, as are we, and we look forward to producing a net carbon zero range in the coming year. So, from price, style and sustainability, with the added security of a market-leading delivery time, I believe we have something for all retailers. In addition, we will have offers on new floor

stock models to ensure our retailers get off to a flying start,’ says Alaq.

‘We look forward to seeing all our retail partners and new customers at the exhibition, where the team will be delighted to present the range to them.’

Visit: www.sofafactory.uk

January Furniture Show

Be positive

Making your sale exciting is key

‘Considering the main news events of the past five years, both national and global, one could be forgiven for thinking that we might be nearing the end of the world,’ says Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail md.

‘Bad news grabs and holds our attention infinitely more so than good news. However, the reality is not nearly as apocalyptic as it sounds. As my grandfather pointed out to me, there has always been trouble in the world. War, revolution, famine, plague, terrorism, slavery, violence, crime and poverty have always been a part of human history and always will be –along with peace, love, prosperity, charity, friendship, heroism, bravery, honesty, decency, dignity, hope,

beauty, success, achievement, joy, happiness and fulfilment.’

Since the sales promotion company was founded in 2002, Eaton has observed a pattern of consumer behaviour during periods of uncertainty. ‘First you see a sudden drop in footfall and sales as people start holding back, but that undeniable pent-up desire to buy builds and, as we have proved time and again, people will spend during downturns if they are convinced that a sales event is truly genuine. If you make your sale exciting enough and real, they will come to your event and buy your goods with a vengeance,’ he says.

Greenwood’s clients have seen their Greenwood sales events generate sales ranging from 25% to 100% of their

annual turnover (depending on the nature of the event and other variable factors), with high margins maintained in just 17 days’ trading – even during economic and political turmoil, according to Eaton.

The company specialises in organising high-profile sales events on behalf of quality independent retailers all over the UK and Ireland, many of which are AIS or Minerva members. ‘We utilise the most effective marketing methods and channels from traditional to state-of-theart, including the new Greenwood digital marketing campaign to ensure your maximum return on budget,’ he says.

Greenwood will be exhibiting at stand 1 in Hall 1 at the show.

Visit: www.greenwoodretail.com

Above and below: shoppers queue at Greenwood sales events

The Spring Furniture & Bed Show

All covered

The show features all furniture sectors and more

More than 60 exhibitors are expected at The Spring Furniture & Bed Show in May. Confirmed exhibitors already include Abacus, Alstons, Ashwood Designs, Bluebone, Carlton Furniture, Celebrity, Data House, Dunlopillo, Highgrove, Hjort Knudsen, HTL, iSM Furniture Services, La-Z-Boy UK, Limelight Beds, Ordorite Software, Peressinicasa, Protect-A-Bed, Relyon, Sealy, Sherborne, Smart Occasional, Spaceworks, Staingard, Value Mark Furniture, Vintage Sofa Company and Wiemann.

The show will again return to the NAEC, Warwickshire, offering easy access

from all over the country and abroad.

Visitors can expect exhibitors covering dining and living; beds and bedroom furniture; upholstery; lighting; occasional; decorative accessories; software; soft furnishings and home office.

The show is organised by buying group Minerva Furniture Group but there are no members-only days: both days are open to all retailers.

The group offers substantial financial benefits to its members through an experienced and knowledgeable buying panel and management team

who negotiate advantageous terms. Suppliers and products are researched to ensure adequate coverage in all furniture categories. There is no compulsory purchase. Membership comprises of quality independent furniture and bed retailers throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

A rebate scheme, based on member purchases, is administrated through Minerva head office. Some group exclusives are available at the discretion of the supplier and there are container sharing opportunities.

Visit: www.thespringfurnitureshow.co.uk

All in one

More than 600 exhibitors are set to take part

The 14th edition of VIFA EXPO, the Vietnam International Home Furniture & Accessories Fair, is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in March 2023 under the theme ‘Bigger, Better, Bolder’.

In the trend of increasing demand for wood products, VIFA EXPO has become a familiar and reliable place for stakeholders in the wood industry, providing a solid bridge between wood manufacturing and trading companies –potential customers looking for wood products of high quality to be distributed and consumed.

More than 600 exhibitors will cover 44,000sqm with thousands of products, from indoor and outdoor furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, shelves, kitchen furniture) to home decor products; handicrafts; gifts and souvenirs; hardware and fittings; timbers, and woodworking machinery.

Visitors can also participate in seminars and professional conferences related to the wood industry, as well as workshops connecting businesses in the furniture industry together. The exhibitors will also offer factory tours to buyers to factories in Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An provinces (between one and three hours’ travel). Beside the physical exhibition, business matching sessions will be set up to help international buyers who can’t visit Vietnam to connect with the exhibitors.

UK visitors can travel to Vietnam without a visa.

Visit: www.vifafair.com

The show promises to be ‘Bigger, Better, Bolder’

Minh City

Global link

CIFF will have new sections and an updated layout

The 51st CIFF (China International Furniture Fair) Guangzhou will take place in two phases organised by product sectors, according to a new exhibition concept and updated layout.

The first phase, from 18-21 March, is dedicated to home furniture. The latest novelties in home furnishings proposed by leading Chinese and international brands will be on stage. An area will be fully dedicated to companies that offer OEM/ODM services and ‘one-stop’ solutions requested by international buyers, to underline once again the role of CIFF as a link between the furniture production and global markets.

Homedecor and Hometextile will focus on the new trends in interior decoration: furnishing accessories, lighting, paintings, decorative elements and artificial flowers. While Outdoor Furniture, Sunshade and Leisure will focus on the presentation of outdoor furniture such as tables, chairs and sunshades for the garden, equipment and decorations for leisure time.

The second phase, from 28-31 March, will feature Office and Commercial Space, the world’s largest exhibition dedicated to the office and contract sector: systems and seating for the workplace; trends and solutions for

the smart office and for public, school and commercial spaces; furniture for medical assistance and for the needs of the elderly. At the same time, CIFM/ interzum Guangzhou 2023 will host the main Chinese and international brands that offer the most innovative technologies, machinery, materials, surfaces and components essential for the increasingly innovative and intelligent development of the furniture industry.

With the motto ‘Design trend, global trade, entire supply chain’, CIFF will promote high-level companies and products of interest both to the rapidly evolving domestic market and to meet ever-increasing export needs. It will organise a huge number of design exhibitions, seminars and conferences that will enrich the fair with content of a high cultural level, and B2B meetings and matchmaking activities to be held both at the fair and online.

The integration and necessary synergy between the traditional trade fair event and online activities is part of the 8+365 project launched by CIFF in 2022, which has already allowed hundreds of international buyers to meet numerous Chinese producers virtually, creating profitable business relationships otherwise impossible during a period characterised by limitations on travelling and meeting physically.

Visit: www.ciff-gz.com/en/

The first part of the show will focus on furniture and furnishings

One-stop shop

AP+ offers end-to-end third-party logistics, storage and fulfilment

Third-party logistics company for the furniture and homeware industry AP+ says adaptability and the personal approach are the keys to success.

AP+ offers end-to-end third-party logistics, storage and fulfilment solutions, using the latest technology to ensure an efficient, high-quality service. Working with retailers and manufacturers within the furniture and homeware industry, the company acts as a one-stop shop for businesses that don’t operate their own warehouse and distribution facilities.

This year AP+ is further expanding its small high-volume pick and pack services, ideal for clients who sell homeware items and want to outsource order fulfilment. And in March, its storage capacity will increase with a new energy-efficient building, which will include warehousing space for stock of all shapes and sizes, including bulky items and fragile products.

Its state-of-the-art order management system can integrate with more than 60 shopping carts and e-commerce marketplaces, while its warehouse management system offers full traceability with real-time stock updates and complete inventory management.

Intelligent carrier comparison software compares quotes from more than 80 carriers, ensuring orders are distributed in the most cost-effective way possible.

Catherine Byrom, AP+ business development director, says the company prides itself on offering a cost-effective package of services to meet each client’s unique needs. As the company charges by the cubic metre rather than by the pallet, clients only pay for the space they use and this can be adjusted to reflect seasonality and changing demands.

‘AP+ is able to pivot and adapt with the ebb and flow of a business. We take

time to really listen to what businesses need and our customers value the personal approach we offer. This includes looking at their KPIs and sending useful up-to-date reports in real time so they can make intelligent and informed decisions based on what is happening within their business,’ she says.

AP+ will be making sustainability a priority in 2023 to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. This will include taking steps to minimise waste, increase recycling, reduce packaging and using eco-friendly packing where possible.

Visit: www.apfulfilment.com

Expanded, energy-efficient storage will be available from March

Covering storage, fulfilment and everything in between, we’re proud of our ability to dynamically scale our operations as your business needs change over time.

Our carrier management software finds you the most cost-effective delivery method every time whilst our expertise in reverse fulfilment operations minimises waste, helping to maximise saleable inventories.

If your furniture business needs flexible, efficient and bespoke fulfilment that champions your business growth and will be with you every step of the way then please contact us.

Catherine Byrom Business Development Director

Delivering on promises

Technicians carry more than 3,000 items to try to get repairs completed on the first visit

‘Our Furniture Care Network is a key element of our protection plan offering and a customer-facing part of our business. As such we take enormous care to employ only the best colleagues to deliver that service in your customer’s home,’ says Martin Napper, Castelan Group ceo.

‘Our protection plans include the widest amount of cover on the market today, so it’s also important that our Furniture Care Network technicians are fully equipped with all of the items they need to complete the job on the first

visit, if at all possible. This not only demonstrates our skill and ability to solve problems but also reduces the inconvenience for the customer. That’s why our technicians carry more than 3,000 items of stock in their Castelan vans with which to carry out a swift and effective resolution to the visit.

‘With almost 100 technicians, we have all areas of the UK and Republic of Ireland covered and are delivering an average lead time of five working days in most areas. This is the kind of service your customer has come to expect,

and we are committed to growing our network of technicians as the volume of our work increases. We make 120,000 home visits a year and are experts in all types of furniture products and repairs.

‘The servicing of our protection plans is just half of the story though. Many of the UK’s leading retailers and manufacturers trust us to be the face of their own customer service function, regularly selecting Furniture Care Network over other providers based on our ability to deliver better resolutions to the customer and better cost efficiency for the client.

‘We also have an eye on the future and are proud to be facilitating a standard, fully qualified furniture repair technician two-year apprenticeship. We believe in developing potential and using the people who are best placed to train and educate: our own technicians.

‘We are totally committed to delivering on our promises – and yours – and we would be pleased to discuss our schemes and service provision with any potential partners, demonstrating why we are the trusted name to provide extensive and compliant services to the furniture industry.’

Visit: www.castelangroup.com

Furniture Care Network technicians make 120,000 home visits a year

Looking forward

New clients and investment are providing encouragement

Last year was a turbulent one for many, with economic and political instability, but furniture warranty provider Guardsman is encouraged about 2023.

‘It was a year of ups and downs, but the Guardsman UK team undeniably ended 2022 on a high. We have increased our customer portfolio with two new accounts, one of which breaks away from the traditional bricks-and-mortar model and sells predominantly online. Working with different shopping experiences really helps us to further grow our understanding of retailers’ requirements, and shows how easily we can adapt our support and expertise,’ says Zeyn Kassam, Guardsman head of sales and business development.

The company is also expanding its commercial team with four new regional field-based retail development executives. ‘The new roles guarantee that we not only continue to provide face-to-face training in stores but that we will actively work with each store, focusing on improving knowledge, increasing confidence and maintaining strong partnerships when it comes to furniture protection plans,’ says Kassam.

‘Customer service at all levels of the business is so important, not only at end consumer level but also for those retailers who choose to work with us. Our many years of experience allow us to understand what retailers want, and face-to-face training and support is an intrinsic part of our service. Investing in new recruits and combining them with the strengths of our current team means that our focus can continue to be on

partnerships, compliance, training and development, ensuring we maintain strong and supportive collaboration with our retailers.’

Guardsman is also investing in its

customer support by introducing new

functionality including live chat and live text updates to complement the successful introduction of the customer claims portal.

‘We are always looking for innovation and improvements, and introducing these two features means we continue to develop our end customer experience. I am excited for the next steps in our improvement journey,’ says John Glaysher, Guardsman UK project lead.

‘The Guardsman package is about the people, the partnerships and the end customer, and you need all of these to succeed. Life throws us all challenges, but we learn from those and grow and become even better, so we look forward to 2023 and what it brings,’ adds Kassam. Tel: 07508 007 786

In at the start

Helping you bring your new products to market

The January Furniture Show is the big event of the year for the UK furniture and bed industry, and the team at SATRA –which is exhibiting there – is looking forward to seeing all the innovative products showcased.

‘It is always exciting to see new product launches and fresh trends and designs. However, have you considered what should be taking place in the design and development stages behind the scenes to bring these new products to market? There is much to think about first,’ says Johnny Worthington, SATRA head of furniture testing.

‘We work closely with customers to ensure that product design is considered right at the start of the process. Product safety regulations require that assembly, maintenance, use and disposal are all taken into account and evaluated, along with identification of categories of consumers at risk when using the product: for example, children and the elderly.

‘The design stage is therefore vitally important to ensure that safety-critical dimensions or structural integrity have been factored into the product specification. Selection of the correct materials is also crucial to ensuring compliance with flammability regulations for upholstered furniture and beds, as well as to ensure product performance. It is important to consider the end use of the product and the environment in which it will be utilised, such as for domestic or non-domestic applications.

The decision-making process can then take into account which standards and regulations might be applicable to the product, and the correct route taken to ensure and demonstrate compliance.

‘Testing of products can help to identify any areas that may not meet the safety levels required in the relevant standards. Such testing can also be used to make product improvements and design modifications where needed. Of course, the task of bringing safe products to market does not end there. Several regulations, such as for chemicals and timber, need careful consideration when selecting partners in the supply

chain to provide raw materials.’

Consideration should also be given as to what will happen to the product at the end of its life cycle, and how easy it is to re-use, repair, recycle or dispose of it.

In addition to furniture and flammability testing, SATRA has expertise in many other areas. These include floorcovering assessment and certification, and sustainability. SATRA also has a chemical analytical testing laboratory at its premises in Kettering, Northamptonshire, for chemical evaluation.

SATRA will be exhibiting on stand A37 in Hall 5.

Email: furniture@satra.com

Flammability testing

Chair testing

Drawer testing

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

Agents required

Due to retirement of longstanding agents Core Products are looking to recruit agents to service existing retail & e-commerce accounts and develop further opportunities the areas have to offer.

Core Products is family run business based in Perth, Scotland. Established in 1986. We are established as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of flat packed furniture with numerous industry awards.

An ongoing programme of exhibitions, trade advertising and magazine editorial content assists in brand recognition.

To support sales the company carries a large inventory of stock in its dedicated distribution centre for quick delivery either to trade premises or DHD.

Commissions are automatically paid monthly against goods delivered ensuring prompt reimbursement for your services.

Please visit our stand at the January Furniture Show Hall 4 - A26 to discuss opportunities available or if you are unable to visit email your CV to mike@coreproducts.co.uk

UK & Ireland’s Leading Experts in Retail Sales Promotion