Interiors Monthly March 2023

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the face of a cost-of-living crisis, furniture and flooring retailers are delivering strong performances

Consumers have still been spending on their homes despite the higher bills we are all familiar with. January’s sales increases haven’t matched the retail inflation shoppers are experiencing but it’s still a tremendous performance by retailers to get such results.

Nothing stands still and especially when it comes to trade exhibitions. Rather than take place every two years, as many have spoken about for ages, Domotex will now have rugs and carpets one year and the full flooring offer the other. For many exhibitors this will remove the hassle of trying to be at Hannover and at contract and building show Bau in Munich at the same time every two years. Hopefully it’ll see them at both shows, giving buyers a full choice of products.

Dunelm often rightly highlights its online success in its trading updates, but it seems unable to find a solution to a problem that has plagued it for years. If you want to buy or arrange click and collect it all depends if the item is in stock at your local branch. If it isn’t, then sorry you can’t have it. I had this issue I’m guessing a decade ago, when the chain’s website operation wasn’t the best. Since then it has spent millions on online. Fast forward to 2023 and the problem is still there. Local store doesn’t have it so the website says no. Obviously going to another store that had the product would solve the problem, but with retail competition what it is (and being part of the 22% of households not owning a car) that’s not really an option. My solution: bought it online from Argos and had it delivered four hours later.

Everyone has their own online delivery disaster stories (as I write this I’ve had an email about how the choice of carrier –and we know which to avoid if possible – can impact a retailer’s reputation) but for Dunelm this seems self-inflicted.

Again, there is £2,000, and a heck of a reputation boost worth far more, on offer in the Fitter of the Year competition. Do encourage your fitters and those sub-contracted to enter.

INTERIORS MONTHLY MARCH 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NEWS

4 Sales rise and fall

6 End of a north- east era

10 Store had debts of more than £2m

FEATURES

14 New products

16 S ervice

18 Experiences

Disaster brings opportunity, Take my money

22 Sustainability

The best

25 Beds and bedroom

Join today, sleep space, winning start, firm, protection

36 Belgium

Beefed up, to the future, island inspiration

42 Software

Tech central, for today, new platform, one-stop

48 Hard flooring

Reborn, express yourself, on the road

54

58

66

Strength,

January

Editor: Andrew Kidd

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

Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden

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

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird

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

Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull

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

Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni

T: 0091 98390 35458 E: as_gianni@yahoo.co.in

In

Annual rise for furniture sales as flooring sees drop

Shoppers spent more on furniture and lighting in January than they did in 2022 but spending dropped on flooring.

The value of consumer spending on furniture and lighting rose by 8.78% in January compared with a year earlier.

Shoppers in England, Wales and Scotland spent £1,352,595,000, which is the 22nd highest of the 445 months since January 1986, when ONS began recording comparable data.

Compared with December 2022’s record-breaking month sales dropped by 22%.

Sales were 55.5% higher than January 2021, 5.2% lower than January 2020 and 21% higher than January 2019.

Flooring sales picked up in January after December’s seasonal dip, but were below January 2022.

Shoppers spent £225,171,000 in January, a rise of 11.2% on December 2022 but a drop of 2.6% on January 2022.

Sales were 547% higher than January 2021, 95.9% higher than January 2020 and 110.6% higher than January 2019. January 2023 ranked as the 49th highest since January 1986.

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

FFD confirms expansion

May’s Flanders Flooring Days event will see an expansion of exhibitors, with new participants.

Belysse, Betap, Condor Group, McThree, Osta Carpets and Real Ortex will join the returning exhibitors of Associated Weavers, Beauflor, Berry Alloc, COREtec Floors, Lano and Unilin for the 22-25 May event.

The companies will open their showrooms – which are within a 25km radius – to retailers from across the world. The debut event attracted more than 1,000 visitors from 55 countries.

Figures down and up

The rate of inflation for furniture fell for the fifth consecutive month in January, but remains well above 10%.

The rate for household furniture dropped from 12.1% in December to 11.4%. In January 2022 it was 14.1%.

The rate for furniture and furnishings also fell for the fifth consecutive month, dropping from 11.9% to 11.1%. In January 2022 the rate was 13.7%.

The rate of price increases for garden furniture also slowed, declining to 11.9% in January from December’s 12.2%. In January 2022 it was 7.6%.

Lighting prices continued to rise but saw the rate slow after December’s jump of almost a third. The rate dropped from 9.6% to 7.7%: still above November’s 6.9% but the lowest since July 2022.

The inflation rate for flooring rose again in January, for the second month in a row.

The annual rate for flooring and carpet rose from 10.5% in December to 12.2% in January. This is the highest rate in more than a year. The increase was driven by higher carpet and rug prices. The rate jumped from 9.4% to 12.1% – it has been rising since September’s 5.8%.

Ruben Desmet, Unilin ceo described the event as ‘like being invited to dine in the house of a friend versus being invited to a restaurant.’

Major new direction for Domotex

Flooring exhibition Domotex is to take a radical new direction.

Rather than host all product sectors at every show, the event will host non-carpets and rugs every other year.

‘After two years of hiatus due to the pandemic, Domotex 2023 was a full success. The successful show and the numerous exchanges we held with our exhibitors and the market showed us that the carpet and rugs segment in

particular needs an annual presentation platform which brings together all suppliers and buyers – and that Domotex in January offers an ideal platform for this purpose.

‘At the same time, due to longer innovation cycles, the flooring sector would like to see Domotex every two years as the industry's main platform. Therefore, both worlds will be brought together at the Hanover location in

Smooth flooring continued its pattern of the past year of accelerated increases followed by slower rises, with the rate dropping from 19.7% in December to 17.3% in January.

In the past year increases have ranged from 13.6% to 21%.

the future in a model with rotating focuses,’ says Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Domotex global director.

In even-numbered years the show will be billed as Domotex – Home of Flooring, with a full range of flooring, while in odd-numbered years Domotex – Carpets & Rugs will feature exhibitors from the range of handmade carpets and machine-made carpets and rugs.

‘Dining in the house of a friend’

The end of a north-east era

More than 25 years of retailing is coming to an end as Barker and Stonehouse prepares to close its central Newcastle store.

A closing down sale as begun at the chain’s Leazes Park Road branch before its closure on 12 March.

The store will be replaced by the £5m store being built in Gateshead. This is due to open on Good Friday (7 April), offering 50,000sqft across three floors. Barker and Stonehouse also has a 10,000sqft furniture department in Fenwick’s flagship Newcastle store.

‘It’s been a pleasure to serve so many of our wonderful north-east customers from our Newcastle store for the past 25 years. However, we hope they’ll love our new flagship store just as much as we’ve loved bringing it to life,’ says James Barker, Barker and Stonehouse md.

‘The new store is really starting to take shape and this is a huge milestone in what is a significant project for our business. Alongside other key investments in the area such as launching our concept store within Fenwick Newcastle, this represents our commitment to the region and to offering the best possible customer experience.

‘We were proud to be the first UK furniture retailer of scale to achieve Carbon Neutral Plus status and are constantly thinking about ways we can improve our

impact on the planet. This approach has certainly been foremost in our minds during the design and build of this store and we can’t wait to welcome customers.’

The Gibside Way store has been designed with sustainability in mind: using responsibly sourced timber frames rather than steel where feasible, a full roof of solar panels, and a green roof that will protect and promote local biodiversity.

The retailer’s existing unit at the Metro Retail Park will become an outlet store.

£2,000 prize for Fitter of the Year

This year’s Fitter of the Year competition is now accepting entries, with the winner taking home £2,000.

The 2023 competition, of which Interiors Monthly is a sponsor, focuses on LVT, and will switch to carpet in 2024. Entrants do not need to be a NICF member, but must be 18 or over on 30 April – the deadline for entering.

The initial entry will be in the format of a questionnaire, as in previous years. The top 10 fitters will progress to the

semi-final practical trials. These will take place on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June at the FITA Training Centre, Loughborough. The top five fitters will then take part in the final at The Flooring Show in Harrogate on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 September.

In July, finalists will be advised what will be required in the final and also the pre-set Judges’ Challenge task. The competition will again be judged by Ian James and Richard Renouf.

Flooring chain had debts of almost £400,000

A five-store flooring chain had debts of almost £400,000 before liquidators were appointed.

The Little Carpet Company, which operated five stores across Nottinghamshire, owed £388,270.46 when Begbies Traynor was appointed on 14 February.

The company, founded in 2010, had assets of just under £22,000, according to the statement of affairs by director Michelle Breslin, who

herself was owed £7,000.

Finance provider Funding Circle was the largest creditor, owned more than £187,000. Just over £124,000 was owed to trade creditors – including one debt for more than £50,000 – over £36,500 to employees and £26,000 to the company’s bank. One consumer was owed £500.

The company had branches in Mapperley, Gelding, Arnold, Wollaton and West Bridgford.

ScS enjoys order growth

ScS has seen growth in orders double since the autumn. Like-for-like orders in the 10 weeks to 28 January rose by 2.6%.

Orders had risen by 1.3% in the period from 7 October to 19 November.

Orders for the 26-week period were 4.7% lower.

‘Like-for-like order intake momentum improved significantly throughout the period,’ says the chain.

‘Despite the current economic climate remaining challenging and unpredictable, the board is encouraged by recent order levels. We continue to believe that the group's refreshed strategy, strong cost management and robust balance sheet place it in an excellent financial and operational position. The group remains on track to meet full-year market expectations.’

ScS says it is ‘pleased with the progress made through collaboration with the team at Snug since the acquisition on 10 January’ and the acquisition represents further progression in the group's strategy.

The new store will open in April

TO ALL FURNITURE BUYERS

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

16 – 17 MAY 2023 At

Comprehensive range of exhibitors

Easy to access venue Free parking Complimentary lunch

Relaxed environment to view the new season’s arrivals under one roof

We welcome new exhibitor enquiries

www.springfurnitureshow.co.uk

Eyres Home had debts of more than £2m

Derbyshire furniture and flooring retailer Eyres Home owed more than £2m when it went under.

The company closed the doors of its Chesterfield store in February 2022, saying it be undergoing a two-month refurbishment. However, in April it said it had been ‘unable to secure critical funding’ and ceased trading.

A statement of affairs from liquidators Leonard Curtis shows that debts were £2.4m.

Shoppers were owed £110,178

while trade creditors were owed £401,501. Staff are owed £81,269.

Allica Bank has a debt of £950,000 while HMRC is owed £420,812 from the company for VAT, tax and national insurance, in addition to a £50,000 bounceback loan.

Former director Alan Rees is listed as being owed £449,528. Rees is a director of Ms 001 which bought the store ‘in the sum of £1.15m, and the amounts owing to Shawbrook Bank, the lender at the time who was owed

Delivery option from JYSK

JYSK has introduced a payable nextday delivery service.

The chain has partnered with AnyVan and shoppers will be able to scan a QR code on in-store POS to book a delivery. Prices start at £33.

‘Within the UK our stores have been going from strength to strength and we’re delighted to be partnering with AnyVan to offer an improved delivery service to our retail customers. Logistics can often be a barrier to purchase when it comes to shopping for large homeware goods, and now

with AnyVan we’re making it easier than ever to shop with peace of mind. We are proud to offer an accessible –and competitively priced – solution for the industry which is available to our customers,’ says Ciaron Hearns, JYSK UK sales and marketing manager.

The move came as the chain opened its 30th UK outlet, a 10,222sqft store on the Lakeside Retail Park, Scunthorpe.

The chain says it will focus on updating stores this year, and has plans to refurbish six previous-generation branches.

Job cuts slice into retail sector

Almost 15,000 jobs have been lost in retailing this year already.

According to the Centre of Retail Research some 14,874 positions have been lost or made redundant since the start of the year.

While the majority – 11,689 – are from large multiples, almost 3,200 jobs have

gone from the independent sector.

‘The process of rationalisation will continue at pace as retailers continue to reduce their cost base. We are unlikely to see any respite in job losses in 2023 after a brutal start to the year,’ says Joshua Bamfield, Centre for Retail Research director.

£950,000, were repaid. Whilst £950,000 was paid against the sales price, by way of refinancing, a sum of £200,000 remains outstanding. Any recovery from Ms 001 will likely be dependent on its financial position, which will be fully investigated, along with the background to the debts, following the appointment of the joint liquidators. As such, the realisable value of these sums are currently uncertain,’ says the statement of affairs.

Dunelm pays another special dividend

Dunelm is to reward shareholders with another special dividend after growing its market share in furniture and homewares.

The chain will pay shareholders a special dividend on 40p (up from 2022’s 37p) as well as an increased half-year dividend of 15p (14p).

The moves comes after sales rose by 5% to £835m in the six months to 31 December. As the chain had previously warned, pre-tax profits dropped 16.6% to £117.4m.

The number of active customers was 5.7% higher, with 4.8% increase in shopping frequency. Sales were 43% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

It said it had a ‘strong Winter sale. Whilst customers have been resilient to date, the consumer outlook remains unpredictable.’

Hilco ‘explores Cath Kidston sale’

Furnishings and fashion brand Cath Kidston could be about to change hands yet again.

Owner Hilco Capital, which also owns Homebase, is exploring a sale of the retailer just eight months after buying it.

It has appointed PwC to advise on a sale after receiving several approaches, according to Sky News.

Hilco bought the brand from Baring Private Equity Asia in June.

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?

“I’M

SHOCKED AGAIN!

I have held fourteen of these Greenwood Sales over twelve years. I had a figure in mind for the total of our January 2023 Sale. We did it in the first five days! It works every time no matter what. War, pandemic, unrest, strikes, falling house prices, inflation, it just keeps working. It’s well worth it financially too, plus, we always win loads of new customers, and my turnover keeps going up every year. So, what’s not to like?”

Cy Fogel, M.D. You’re Furnished Ltd, Takeley, Essex. January 2023

The above retailer – a well-respected and highly successful furniture entrepreneur - has held FOURTEEN Greenwood sales over the last twelve years and enjoyed consistently excellent results – he wouldn’t keep coming back otherwise. You could too…

Find

Greenwood can offer you, without obligation...

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POS available to order now, contact the sales office to find out more. Tel: 01562 749300 / Email: sales@myvictoria.co.uk

1 Ruben de Hass has taken 12 of Moooi’s rug designs, including those by Studio Job, Claire Vos and Front, and remixed them with new shapes and colours to create the Mixing Pixels collection.

Visit: www.moooi.com

2 The healthier and safer way to spray, Floorwise F597 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive is the 100% dichloromethane (DCM) free answer to a range of on-site fixing challenges. The high adhesive content and web spray pattern ensure a great delivery and reliable hold, ideal for those quick on-site fixes.

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3 Floorfit is BerryAlloc’s new online floor visualiser, bringing floors for all lifestyles and interiors to a device near you. Take a photo of the room, select the floor you like and let Floorfit do the rest. Imagination becomes reality as customers can now see and select any of BerryAlloc’s wide range of flooring products in their own home.

Visit: www.berryalloc.com

4 The Academy for Excellence in Flooring’s new Knowsley, Liverpool facility has been accredited by the NICF, along with its Master Installer Wood & Laminate course, meaning those successfully completing the programme can also qualify for NICF Master Installer status.

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5 In a range of on-trend neutral tones and with a lifetime Stainfree promise, Abingdon Flooring’s Festival is a 18mm pile carpet that brings a practical floor to the home. In colours such as Oyster, White Smoke, Glacier Grey, Almond and Witch Hazel, the British-made carpet is the perfect backdrop to bold and colourful home accessories and soft furnishings.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

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Introducing our latest 2023 Autumn Winter Collections, there’s a style for every preference and we’re here to help you find the look that’s right for you. Whether that’s a fully coordinated range or simply an accent piece to complete your room. Finding the perfect fit has never been easier with our carefully curated 2023 Christmas Edit, enabling you to make informed product selections at ease.

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Christmas Edit

Richard Renouf

Problems in the attic

The phone beeped as I was pulling up to an appointment. I was the usual few minutes early and so I took a moment to check the email: ‘Blast from the past! Can you cast your mind back to the long ago days at Joshua Taylor? I hope you remember me. I was overjoyed to find your name when I was looking for an independent advisor to help me with some fitted furniture, and I know this is your field because I remember all that you used to do when we worked together.’

I replied immediately. My former colleague was at home and it would be a small detour from my return route to drop by.

Understandably, we spent a lot more time catching up than we did discussing her furniture, but we made sure there was time for me to look and advise.

Her home was one of a small number in a remote hamlet in the Fens. Originally a bungalow, the attic had been converted into an extra bedroom and she was getting it furnished. There was nowhere to stand a conventional wardrobe, so she’d responded to an advert from a ‘bespoke’ fitted bedroom supplier and paid what she thought was an eyewatering price for a made-to-measure unit with sloping tops to fit in the gable end of the room.

The furniture did make my eyes water, but not because of the price (actually, for what she had ordered, I think the charge was reasonable). There were poorly applied edge lippings that had clearly been fixed on site. Some were proud and would easily get snagged in use, and others had been poorly sanded so the chipboard was exposed. Drawers and doors were not opening smoothly and there were dents and scratches from careless handling.

When she had raised the issues with the installer, his reaction was that she

couldn’t expect better when the furniture had to be fitted in such a cramped space, where you could only stand up in the middle of the room, and he blamed the narrow stairwell, too. He left without finishing off and told her she’d have to wait for the remedial fitters the company always sent out to deal with ‘snags’. It seemed her experience was not unusual. Her real concern, however, and her reason for contacting me, was that the enthusiastic designer who had planned and sold her the furniture had specified a wide drawer unit that encroached into the area at the top of the stairs. As you turned into the room you had to squeeze between the unit and the stair post. It seemed to have been a case of the designer cramming as much in

as possible without thinking about the way the space would be used and accessed. The retailer was not willing to exchange the drawer unit for a narrower one. She was worried that the poor work would be put right and the retailer would then ignore this issue.

Contractually, she had received what she ordered. But I am in no doubt that a judge would consider that, as the furniture was made to measure, the designer had a duty of care to the customer that over-rode the designer’s wish to sell as much as possible to maximise the value of the sale.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

A duty of care is more important than maximising sales

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

The house in the Fens had some awkward corners

Be prepared

Flooding presents an opportunity for improvement, despite the hassle, and thank heavens for insurance, says our correspondent

with relevant samples. We checked our sales analysis to make sure that each carpet was worth putting in a prominent place. We took the opportunity of the blank sheet of paper to work out that all of the displays were in the right place and could be easily shopped by our customers.

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

Last month I mentioned one of our stores had been flooded. One of the heavy downpours just before Christmas caused an overflow at the Eastbourne branch and also provided water access to the store, courtesy of some damage in the drainage system that we share with Magnet next door. They also had some flooding and overall, it was a bad start to Christmas and things didn’t look good for the postChristmas sale.

The store is about 7,000sqft and the water got everywhere. It soaked through the carpet, under the laminate and rendered the wall units useless, as the water soaked through the MDF which then behaved like a bowl of Weetabix, soggy and crumbly. Some of the rugs and remnants also took some damage, as the water poured in through the ceiling tiles. We could not do very much about the repair to the gully as Christmas was right on us and so we had to make things as safe as possible.

I checked our insurance to see that this was an insured event and then put in the claim. We had a meeting with our loss adjuster and the insurer’s loss adjuster and went through the process of the claim. The first object was to wait for the roofer/builder to clear up the mess and get the wet carpet and laminate up, and make plans to get the store presentable and ready to trade safely.

The whole idea of an insurance claim is for the claimant (us) to get the store back

into the position that it was in before the flooding happened. Fortunately, we are also covered for business interruption, so any loss of business would also be claimed. We had to ensure that we followed the guidance of the loss adjuster and had documented all our expenditure.

Once we had all that in place, we turned our attention to redesigning the store. As I have mentioned previously, the best thing is to start with a blank sheet of paper. We created a plan which identified each display of carpet and smooth floorings in a particular area of the wall, accompanied

It is only when you have a major remarketing project like this one that you realise that you had previously got things in the wrong place. Also, you wonder how you have ended up with so many carpet samples – and how many of them are discontinued. Samples seem to multiply overnight.

The refurbishment has taken two weeks so far, and fortunately business has been reasonable, despite the jumble sale look of the place. Our manufacturers have been helpful with providing new samples and in a couple of cases some lecterns. While this all looks like a lot of fun, I can assure you it hasn’t been.

One thing that I have learned is that insurance is priceless. Take some time to check that you are properly covered and all should be well. Stay prepared.

Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

Despite the chaos, shoppers have still been buying

Take my money

Our correspondent found stores unwilling to help him buy a much-needed bed

THE SALESMAN Andrew Adamson

The time had come when my wife and I needed a new bed – or at least a new mattress. So I embarked on a search of bed shops in Salisbury. I found six. The results were truly unbelievable. Of the six, two of which were national chains, two ‘salespeople’ actually got up out of their seats to speak to me; three spoke and pointed me in the direction of their beds. One actually gave me the grand tour, but not one asked me any questions, not one. Not even about the size of bed I was interested in buying.

Surely in order to sell to a prospective customer the ‘salesperson’ should actually talk to them and put them at ease. At that moment in time, I was the easiest target they had ever had: I obviously needed a bed. I’m – how to put this? –showing signs of wear and tear. My hips, knees and back are all giving me jip, not to mention my shoulders and neck. Not only did these employees not speak to me or ask questions, they didn’t appear to notice I was struggling to get around the store.

I have often been told that selling is ‘just a numbers game’. It’s embedded in the marketing and advertising. Heavy advertising by the big names will get enough people into your stores, and enough will buy to keep you in business.

No one knows how many potential buyers enter stores on a daily basis, or weekly even. No one. No company knows the conversion percentage, certainly not the ‘salespeople’. Most salespeople will convert between 10% and 20%, if you are lucky. The fact is that no owner or senior manager knows the rate for the company, a single store or an individual.

I know that a competent salesperson will convert 40% come rain or shine.

You may be worrying about turnover

being down. Maybe you have nightmares about it. Close your eyes now and picture this: your store is heaving, as it did before the pandemic. Listen to the chatter. Now look at 40% of that crowd buying – that’s just four in 10. That would be a nightmare. All that administration… jammed warehouses arranging deliveries…

Think of all the money spent on advertising to bring all those hordes into your stores and 80%-90% walk out without buying. What a nightmare. Combine that with your discounts and it could be the end of your business. Your biggest sale could be your closing-down sale.

The first thing you need to know is how many people (prospects) are coming into your stores. The obvious answer is to get your sales team to count their contacts and record the sales obtained. I hate to say this, because I have worked with salespeople for 40-plus years, and in that time I have come across perhaps five who

were totally honest. Few actually have much product knowledge, and those who do, don’t know how to use it. The rest make it up as they go along, relying on numbers not selling skills.

I never lied to a prospect, there is no point. Apart from the sale, the most important objective of getting the sale is gaining a customer – that is a point usually missed. The greatest satisfaction for a salesperson is for a previous buyer to return to them and say they were so pleased with their sofa/bed/mattress that they would like to buy their next item from you. This relationship could last the rest of your selling career. That is the ultimate goal: repeat orders from the same customer and recommendations to their friends.

I retired in 2009 and I still meet people who bought from me and are still pleased with their purchase.

Andrew Adamson is a retired furniture salesman

Sales staff seemed uninterested

The best

Recognition for a very green factory challenges others to follow suit

Vestre’s The Plus factory won the Sustainability Award of the Year in the Scandinavian Design Awards at last month’s Stockholm Furniture Fair.

The 75,000sqft factory in Magnor, Norway, near the Swedish border, is the only furniture factory to achieve the BREEAM Outstanding environmental certification. The plant cost £27.7m, including £4.9m to achieve the standard.

‘A role model for sustainability. A great dedication and determination in achieving ambitious sustainability objectives, while engaging over 100 partners in a multi-disciplinary collaboration, has resulted in the development of a variety of innovative solutions and the establishment of the most sustainable furniture factory in the world. There has been a strong focus on creating an attractive and beautiful building that is open to visitors and engages the local community. By setting high sustainability objectives and taking full responsibility for the entire value chain, Vestre serves as a role model for climate transition, with

sustainability and business going hand in hand,’ says the awards jury.

The street furniture manufacturer built The Plus because it needed a factory with more space for assembling furniture and its own premises for woodworking and polyester powder coating – The Wood Factory and The Color Factory at The Plus. It replaces its 10-year old factory in Torsby, Sweden which will now focus on the production of steel and aluminum components.

The four production areas – The Wood Factory, The Color Factory, the assembly department and the warehouse – are arrayed around a central courtyard that forms the very heart of the building. The geometry provides an open and efficient workflow, while allowing all four wings of the factory to be in direct contact with the forest that surrounds it. At the centre of the building lies the experience centre, which provides 360-degree views of the whole production process.

Because the junction between the four wings needs to accommodate all

production-related traffic smoothly and efficiently, it has been designed in the shape of an indoor roundabout. This leaves space for an open-air central courtyard where Vestre can showcase its furniture collections. A colourful staircase leads visitors and employees up to the experience centre and office.

By raising one corner of each wing of the factory, the architects created a view from the roof that alternates between the forest canopy and the production halls. The view from the roof shows how the factory’s propeller-like wings form a reciprocal system that creates not only a logistical hub but a structural nexus. The four wings will have a 21m, free-spanning gluelam frame construction. A 3m-wide braced service corridor houses the technical infrastructure and provides structural stability for each wing. Ducts in the factory floor allow power, compressed air and ventilation to be routed to the relevant machinery, ensuring that as much of this infrastructure as possible is hidden away.

The factory is unique in having a BREEAM Outstanding rating

To add a sense of playfulness to the factory, each machine is coated in one of Vestre’s RAL colours, which spill out over the floor to create an archipelago of colours that link back to the central roundabout. Since each factory wing has its own colour code, this mapping of the machinery provides an orientation system in an otherwise completely symmetrical space. With this visual reference, it is easy to identify, trace and explain the workflow. Vestre wants to create a new perception of what manufacturing looks like and, as part of that, the colours are intended to be particularly appealing to children.

The building’s facade material is charred larch timber cladding. The aim is to make the tree almost maintenancefree and it is also fire and fungal retardant.

‘Everything is possible for Our Lord and a mechanic,’ was Johs Vestre’s motto when he established his first engineering workshop in a former German barracks in Haugesund in 1947. ‘We will now prove that it is possible to achieve profitable and environmentally friendly manufacturing in a high-cost country like Norway. The Plus is the largest single investment in the furniture industry that Norway has seen for decades. And if Vestre can, so can others. We believe this project will inspire others to initiate similar projects. The Plus will have a huge symbolic impact and extensive ripple effects,’ says the company.

The Plus generates 55% less greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional factory. These substantial cuts in emission levels are possible because The Plus has a building shell that meets Passivehaus standards and a load-bearing structure that is constructed from solid wood, as well as low-carbon concrete and recycled reinforcing steel. In addition, a combination of fossil-free and emission-free machines were used during construction.

In theory, less than 1% of all new non-domestic buildings achieve the extremely high BREEAM Outstanding classification, although in practice it is even more difficult. There are currently no industrial projects in the Nordic region that are close to qualifying as Outstanding. Through this project, Vestre is aiming to show that industrial

projects can also be global innovators in the environmental field.

The Plus qualifies for the highest energy efficiency rating A. The building scores maximum points for energy efficiency and Passivehaus standard, under BREEAM Ene 1 and Ene 23. The factory has an exceptional insulation rating, windows with minimal energy loss and an advanced energy supply system combining solar power, heat exchangers and a series of geothermal wells. It has a supplied energy requirement of 13 kWh per sqm and meets FutureBuilt’s near-zero energy definition of 30 kWh per sqm by a large margin. In practice, the building will not need any heating until the outdoor temperature falls below 5degC.

The factory will generate around 250,000kWh of renewable energy per year, from more than 1,200 solar panels installed on the roof and in the area around the factory. In addition, it uses surplus heat from production to heat the building. The surplus heat system is connected to an ice-water plant for cooling, as well as heat and cold storage tanks, heat pumps and geothermal wells that provide storage support. Together, this means the building’s energy requirement is 90% lower than that of a similar conventional factory.

Vestre was one of the first companies to order the world’s first fully electric truck, the Tesla Semi. Through 100% emission-free transport between the Magnor and Torsby factories diesel consumption is cut by more than 55,000litres a year, equivalent to 71,000kg of carbon dioxide.

Over 90% of the water used in production is recycled.

Originally, an industrial development was planned for the Magnor site, which would have seen the felling of about 75acres of planted pine forest. The Plus occupies just 5% of the site and Vestre is working with the local council to draw up a plan to preserve the area’s natural environment and gradually develop a greater diversity of flora and fauna, including covering the roof with vegetation that corresponds as closely as possible to that currently growing at the site and allowing the forest to grow wild, without the introduction of nonnative species or – as today – forest management and clearing activities.

Vestre’s products come with a lifetime warranty against rust and a 15-year guarantee on their surface coating and woodwork. But the company is not stopping there.

Vestre’s vision is to not make a single product that cannot live forever. This is possible through correct use and maintenance and a scheme whereby worn-out furniture can, after many years of use, be returned to the factory for restoration and reuse. The Plus has a dedicated circular production line, which has been set up to handle such tasks in an efficient and energy-saving way. As a result, the factory will continually produce circular products – some for the first time, while others will be at the factory for the second or third time. This kind of circular furniture production enables the company to dramatically reduce its energy consumption.

Visit: www.theplus.no

Machinery is colour coded

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

THE 2023 COMPETITION FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fitter of The Year LVT 2023 Competition is kindly sponsored by

national institute of carpet & floorlayers

Beds and bedroom

Sleepeezee

Sumptuous sleep solutions

Join up

NBF membership brings a multitude of benefits

‘The National Bed Federation (NBF) is often referred to as the conscience of the b ed industry. We set the standard by driving ethics, transparency and responsibility – creating a level playing field that is fair for everyone, no matter the size of your business,’ says Simon Williams, NBF head of marketing and membership.

‘Whether you are an established bed manufacturer that knows the trade like the back of your hand or a new start-up

business that is seeking guidance and alliance with an authoritative voice in the industry, you can apply to join the NBF and we’ll do our best to help you grow; after all, we have been supporting our members for more than 100 years.

‘Join us to enhance your credibility and benefit from compliance with our audited Code of Practice, recognised as Assured Advice by trading standards. The Primary Authority agreement we have in place with Wakefield Council

(West Yorkshire Trading Standards Services) covers our members, allowing us to get answers to any questions or queries on trading standards issues on your behalf, wherever you are based.

‘To help you comply with our Code of Practice and understand relevant standards and regulations, we provide a comprehensive guidance hub in the members’ area of our website and offer a dedicated technical support service including training, in partnership with research and test house SATRA Technology Centre.

‘Join us to save the planet. The need to address the climate crisis is growing in imp ortance and urgency, and we are leading the way in ensuring the UK bed industry is ready with the best solutions to become a more sustainable sector –from setting up the NBF Circular Economy committee to guide and advise us on what is important for the industry and publishing the internationally recognised EcoDesign Principles guide, to working with government and keeping tabs on

The Bed Industry Awards and gala dinner is the highlight of the Bed Show

how many mattresses are disposed of and what happens to them with our mattress end-of-life surveys. In 2022, we launched our Pledge for Our Planet and complementary assessment tool to help signatories stay on track with their sustainability journeys.

‘Join us to showcase your products to all the key trade buyers. One of the biggest and most desirable benefits of NBF membership is the opportunity to exhibit at the highly successful Bed Show, which is held annually in Telford and takes place this year from 26-27 September – make a note in your diaries. Now in its 13th year, the show is the only bed-specific exhibition in the UK. Joining our unique mix of British and Irish bed manufacturer members are the UK and European suppliers in our Suppliers Innovation Zone – a must-visit for any purchasing managers for bed manufacturers or those that run a mattress production unit.

‘The first night of the Bed Show is also home to the highly anticipated annual Bed Industry Awards and gala dinner. A highlight in the bed trade calendar, the evening celebrates NBF manufacturer and supplier members and supporting retailers who are all doing exceptional things in the bed industry. We know these accolades are highly coveted by our members and retailers and bring real kudos to the marketplace, alongside our “Made by an approved NBF member” logos.

‘Join us to receive industry data and market intelligence with access to current consumer bed-buying habits through our regular research reports. Gain insights into the UK’s most popular

types of bed products and consumer demographics, as well as how much they are spending and how they are disposing of their old mattresses. Members also benefit from quarterly bed market sales data via the NBF Tracker, which enables them to benchmark their business performance against the industry and receive a UK and global economic review from the NBF’s resident behavioural economist, Roger Martin-Fagg.

‘Join us to protect your business and staff. In the past year, we have hugely expanded our member benefits with a business support package for UK-based members: NBF Protect. In collaboration with Quest Services, UK members have access to four vital services to support their business around the clock: HR, legal, health and safety, and tax. As well as a dedicated helpline, a free library of over 750 documents and templates, and a free one-to-one review service to compare your current support offering

with NBF Protect are available.

‘Membership of the NBF is open to bed manufacturers and suppliers to the trade, with associate membership categories for start-up businesses or existing businesses new to the UK/Irish bed market. We launched our Brand Associate Membership category last year for brands whose beds, mattresses and related products are made by NBF members and sell B2B to UK/Irish retailers. We are always keen to welcome new members.’

Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

‘Made by an approved NBF member’ POS brings kudos to the marketplace

Perfect sleep space

Mattress quality and the look and feel of our sleeping environment influence everything

Products are made at its Rochester, Kent factory. 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 £57,000 to The Children’s Hospital Charity in partnership with the brand’s ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill. The donation was funded by sales of Sleepeezee’s Jessica range, in which the company donates £20 to the children’s hospital with each sale.

Creating a supportive and sumptuous sleep environment has never been more important for getting a good night’s sleep. Mattress quality and the look and feel of our sleep space influence everything from our energy levels and health to our overall mood. From how the bed is positioned and fitted within a room to the comfort and durability of the mattress itself, there are several aspects to consider when creating the perfect sleep space.

British bed and mattress manufacturer Sleepeezee recognises this and provides an array of products and services to aid the best night’s sleep. As a Royal Warrant holders since 1963, its team of expert craftspeople are 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 a pet bed range.

Sleepeezee also understands that choosing the right mattress can be crucial to improving sleep quality. The

company offers a wide range of mattresses with a variety of fillings and technologies to suit consumers’ needs. From pocket sprung and Graphite memory foam to its Staycool gel technology or natural fillings, Sleepeezee provides users with everything they need to curate the perfect sleep.

The company is also further committed to supporting sustainable efforts. Having been carbon-neutral since 2017, Sleepeezee has continued to strive for sustainability in all it accomplishes. The installation of 591 energy-saving solar panels in 2021 has produced more than 300MWh of electricity and Sleepeezee’s commitment to using zero electricity from fossil fuels since October 2019 reflects its commitment to a sustainable future.

Beyond this, Sleepeezee offers a removal and recycling service that takes away customers’ old mattresses, packaging and divan bases for a hasslefree installation service.

Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Sales of brand ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill’s Jessica range contribute to The Children’s Hospital Charity

Travelodge Dreamer

Quality comfort, naturally

LEAVE THE REST TO US

Winning start

2023 has begun well for GNG Group

After another phenomenal year for GNG Group, which saw the business integrating the luxury Sonlevo mattress brand into its varied portfolio and opening a 40,000sq ft factory and warehouse dedicated to its fast-growing mattress division, 2023 began with a bang as it won the Best of British category in the Furniture Awards.

Named as a finalist in the NBF Bed Industry Awards last Autumn, GNG’s 40-year heritage and reputation as a

UK manufacturer was recognised in the Furniture Awards 2023. All of the company’s products are developed and made at its Yorkshire site. In addition to its consumer brands, it is one of the largest indirect suppliers of medical mattresses to the NHS.

‘We are very proud to have been given this industry accolade, which is a real tribute to the hard work and commitment of the GNG team. The judges commended GNG for our

impressive growth, job creation, enviable green credentials and brand delivery, as well as for our advanced R&D innovation that helps us stay ahead of the crowd. To achieve this recognition marks another important milestone in our evolution,’ says Darren Potterton, GNG Group md.

‘We’re looking forward to another busy year with a strong order book and lots of new contracts driving further growth. People are increasingly looking at sustainability and wanting greener products. Fortunately, we started our journey to become a carbon neutral company a few years ago, so we are in a strong position to continue innovating in this area.’

The GNG team enjoyed a successful January Furniture Show, showcasing models from its three British brands, including the Komfi range which features Ecofoam, providing a reduced carbon footprint; the Unity vacuumpacked mattress collection and Sonlevo.

GNG has also partnered with Nectar Sleep, the largest boxed mattress brand in the US.

‘Combining the latest in mattress innovation as well as using green technology, GNG is the natural choice for UK retailers. With all mattresses made here in Britain, customers are assured of fast and efficient delivery times as well as British quality,’ says Potterton. Email: info@gng-group.co.uk

Perilli

Above left: Nectar Above: Komfi Sensory-Hybrid

Sonlevo

Being firm

Optimum Support offers a firmer sleep

Harrison Spinks has launched a mattress collection specifically designed for those who prefer a firmer sleep, whilst keeping comfort, sustainability and luxury at the heart of the collection.

The Optimum Support collection features the company’s Quad-core springs, along with plush mohair for versatile temperature regulation. All fillings are natural, environmentally friendly and recyclable. The mattresses are also entirely foam-free and feature Harrison Spinks’ in-house woven natural ChemFRee mattress covers for a clean and healthier night’s sleep.

The range has four mattresses, including two turn-free models and two seasonal turn models, incorporating a warm side with wool for the winter months and a cool side for summer.

With sustainability and back support at the forefront of the design, this features fully sustainable materials that provide the sleeper premium firmness, without compromising on comfort. All mattresses and fillings are ethically sourced and fully recyclable at end of life.

‘Our new specialist collection has been created for people who prefer a firmer mattress. The Optimum Support Collection features the best of Harrison Spinks in terms of our spring technology and our uniquely designed hemp and fillings. This collection, like all our mattresses, has comfort and sustainability at the heart of the design,’ says Nick Booth, Harrison Spinks md. Visit: www.harrisonspinks.co.uk

Above: Amethyst (left) and Onyx

Below: Peridot and Citrine ((bottom)

The True Bedmakers

We have been creating the ultimate in luxurious comfort since 1840, making mattresses that have been lovingly homegrown and handmade in the heart of Yorkshire.

From growing our own natural fillings, to designing glue free spring systems and weaving our own fabrics, we are passionate about leading the way in luxury sustainable sleep.

HARRISONSPINKS . CO .UK

Protection

‘National Bed Month is a great time to focus on the importance of sleep. It’s also a time to reflect and review missed opportunities within the retail environment. After a very strong 2022, it’s clear from early signs in 2023 that maximising every customer will be increasingly more important,’ says Gowsh Shan, Protect-A-Bed national sales manager.

‘The average person sweats up to a pint of fluid a night. With mattress fillings being highly absorbent, your mattress if unprotected will absorb hundreds of pints of sweat in its first year of use alone. All of our mattress protectors use a Miracle Membrane, which is waterproof yet breathable and allows body heat to easily pass through, whilst preventing any sweat from entering the

mattress. The protectors are machine washable, meaning you can keep your sleep zone healthy and hygienic.

‘Every Protect-A-Bed protector also includes a 10-15-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. Supporting this is an award-winning claims resolution and customer service. Ultimately, in-store it’s about creating value for the customer.

‘It’s in both the customer’s and the store’s interest to purchase mattress

protection, and 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. Every customer who walks through the door, if buying a mattress, needs to buy a mattress protector. It’s in their interest to do so for many reasons.

‘Protect-A-Bed is a specialist in the mattress protection category. Nobody else in the category has the same passion, drive and focus to grow sales, and that’s why we are the leading global brand in healthy sleep. The importance of every customer and every sale has grown significantly. Protect-A-Bed can help retailers maximise every sale.’ Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk

Converting sales opportunities is ever more important

Protectors come with a 10-15 year guarantee

Stronger than ever

An expanded product offer is matched by improved service

Under the ownership of Victoria Group, carpet manufacturer Balta Carpets is promising value-focused carpets with an eye on stock and fast service.

Through several new ranges planned for the first half of 2023, Balta Carpets is offering customers a collection of exciting carpet styles from its reinvigorated Made in Heaven and Woolmaster lines. Yet this is only half the story, as the company has also worked hard to improve service to its UK customers.

Balta Carpets has transformed stock levels and service, providing its most popular styles – including its StainSafe collection featuring new addition Pinnacle – on next-day delivery with the Alliance transport network. Thanks

to better stock levels on all ranges, it has also cut lead times across its entire collection.

‘The Balta Carpets name has always stood for exceptional value, and we’re committed to ensuring this remains close to the heart of our business. However, in an age when customers expect goods on an almost on-demand basis, we also know that service must come front and centre. Through a new next-day delivery service for our most popular carpets, and with high stock levels in the UK, Balta Carpets is now able to back exceptional value in our products with service that will leave even the most demanding of customers satisfied,’ says Filip Poelman, Balta Carpets sales and marketing director.

For the Made in Heaven soft carpet line, Balta Carpets is releasing three new qualities: Sublime, Eclipse and Crescent, with each style carrying the silk-like quality of Balta Carpets’ polyester yarn. Bringing luxury, comfort and a stainresistant carpet at various price points, the new styles will help more homes enjoy the heavenly feel of Made in Heaven.

Over recent years, wool has been making a strong return. Natural, renewable and sustainable, wool’s reasserting popularity is indicative of a broader and stronger public consciousness of the environment. As the climate change challenge is certain to become ever more important, it’s expected that growth in demand for wool carpets will continue. So, Balta Carpets is also launching new styles next to Prestige Twist, Prestige Design and Luxury Weave in its long-running Woolmaster line, to correspond to the increased demand and a need for wider choice in wool carpet.

‘Providing great value in our carpets is at the core of our business and our new introductions throughout 2023 will demonstrate this,’ says Poelman. ‘We’ve sought out improvements, looking for new ways to bring extra value. Now, with these new styles in Made in Heaven and Woolmaster and our established lines like Stainsafe we are ready for today’s customer, bringing better service and a stronger product offer than ever.’

Visit: www.balta-carpets.com

Manor

Gambit

Prestige

To the future

Mc Three is embarking on its next chapter

‘Worldwide there is a significant demand for rugs made of partially or fully recycled material, so at Domotex we launched the Cloud and Mellow collections, which are high-pile wovens made out of recycled PET bottles. A 160cm x 230cm rug contains 750 PET bottles,’ says Peter Desmet, Mc Three ceo.

‘The beautiful and colourful flatweave ranges Spring and Summer were also presented at Domotex. During the pandemic, outdoor living was obviously an important topic, and since then the demand for outdoor ranges has only been increasing. Craft is a beautiful wool flatwoven, combined with a recycled polypropylene pile for a high/low effect, in a few soft, natural colours and offering a range from geometric through linear to traditional patterns.

‘With sustainability being a very hot topic, a lot has been put in place here to offer more and more environmentally

friendly rugs. This not only reflects in the rug collection, but also behind the scenes in the production plant, with investments in solar energy, waste management and a switch to recycled packaging material, for example.

‘As a vertically integrated company, innovation is not only at the level of weaving techniques, design and colour, but also when it comes to the yarn extrusion and finishing. Producing large ranges of polypropylene yarns enables us to ensure our own yarn supply. During the pandemic this allowed us to keep on producing and ensure the supply chain. In addition to that, we also develop and supply polypropylene yarns to partners active in the flooring industry and the more technical applications of the textile industry.’

Desmet took up his role six months ago and is convinced that production in Belgium is a strength, despite the challenges of massively higher energy costs and economic turbulence.

‘We have started to write the next chapter, based on a strong belief in a highly skilled and passionate team, in constant innovation and a manufacturing footprint in Belgium. In the past couple of years proximity and flexibility have proven to be a strong USP. With highly skilled in-house design and production teams we are convinced we can guarantee craftmanship and a “Made in

Belgium” quality label. Investments are in place to ensure production in Waregem for years to come, and to ensure a quality Belgian label.

‘As a strong private label producer, our business model in the UK remains with the end consumer only, exclusively through our local distributors. We offer made-to-measure collections and develop exclusive collections with the leading UK distributors. New collections are launched twice a year, during Domotex and the pre-Summer in-house trend event in our showroom, which this year will be part of Flanders Flooring Days.’ Visit: www.mcthree.be

Peter Desmet, Mc Three ceo and Rafael Verlooy, Mc Three international sales manager

Above left: The foldable and washable Origami collection Above: Craft B263

Mellow 2144

Connecting

Tribu’s 2023 collection is designed to maximise time together

For Tribu, prioritising time well spent is key this year. According to the Belgian manufacturer, the most memorable moments are those spent together. But it’s not all about the furniture: accessories are essential to their enjoyment.

The Gobi baskets were inspired by Ilia Eckardt’s innovative handmade crochet technique, an enlarged version of a heritage knit stitch. The baskets are made from recycled yarn, with the collection the start of an accessory line, bringing a family of shapes used for decoration, storage, planters and more.

Gathered outside as the light begins

to fade, the Luna lamps – Tribu’s first lighting range – create an environment that unites people. Versatile contemporary design does what it’s meant to do, after the founders of design studio Yabu Pushelberg gained inspiration from having friends for dinner.

When visiting Japan, designer Monica Armani was fascinated by the classical architecture, by signs and shapes, from votive temples to everyday objects. Curved lines like brushstrokes, precise and ethereal at the same time, also incorporated into the writing system, were inspiration for the Ukiyo collection.

‘I was inspired by the signs and the sophisticated Japanese culture, especially their eye for detail which also describes my design aesthetic. I worked on the balance between curved and taut lines and the visual weight of each element that concludes this collection,’ she says.

The range also includes a dining table, low table, lounge chair and lounger.

Armani also completed the Nomad collection with a new armchair. Emphasing Tribu’s skill with teak, it has shaped cushions which dress the seats like a tailor-made suit.

Visit: www.tribu.com

Gobi baskets

Luna lamp and Ukiyo armchair

Nomad chair

Tech central

RTS will have more than 250 providers

Increasingly, interiors trade exhibitions such as January Furniture Show, Spring Fair and the Bed Show are seeing software companies lining up alongside product manufacturers and suppliers as the importance of software in running a retail business grows.

Next month sees the return of Retail Technology Show, the event devoted to retail technology and software. If you

are looking for the right tools, solutions and advice on how to enhance customer experience, increase operational effectiveness and drive sales RTS is for you. It is relevant for those responsible for taking or influencing purchasing decisions, including IT, ecommerce, payments, marketing, loss prevention, finance, supply chain, profit protection, operations, HR and security.

More than 250 exhibitors will take part in the 16-17 April show at Olympia London, with specialists in customer experience; data and analytics; ecommerce; marketing; payments; IT security; supply chain and fraud prevention. Almost 40 companies will be explaining their payment technology, whether for in-store, online or mobile. Visit: www.retailtechnologyshow.com

ON STAGE BNPL – PROTECTING THE CONSUMER

The show has an impressive line-up of speakers including Mary Portas; Peter Cowgill, former JD Sports executive chairman and United Carpets chairman; Maxine Blackwell, Bensons for Beds chief people officer; Paul Kendrick, Studio ceo; Krista Nordlund, Marks & Spencer chief digital product officer; Alison Hutchinson, DFS senior independent nonexecutive director; Mel Chen, Alibaba Group senior director international business; Mike Broughton, Furniture Village business development and IT director; Cassandra Bergsland, John Lewis omichannel director; Lynn Beattie, B&Q technology director and Hakan Nordkvist, former head of sustainability and innovation at Ikea.

Cowgill will be a keynote speaker, drawing on his career and role at online perfume seller The Fragrance Shop as he discusses what is needed from retail leaders looking to steer businesses through the cost-of-living crisis and beyond. He will explore which leadership strategies will enable businesses to exploit opportunities, how to evaluate innovations in cost reduction, pricing strategy and demand forecasting, and assessing which investments will give the best investment return when consumer confidence is low.

Many small retailers have turned to buy now, pay later (BNPL) finance providers where purchases are divided into a small number of monthly payments, in an effort to encourage shoppers, especially those that may struggle to obtain traditional IFC or face high interest rates due to their credit history or financial situation.

At the moment these providers are unregulated, but this is likely to change, although not immediately. The UK Government has launched a consultation on the BNPL sector, saying it would be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The consultation will outline the kind of rules that BNPL providers, including companies such as Klarna, Clearpay and Laybuy, would have to abide by, including the information they would have to disclose about their loans to customers. The UK Government estimates that the new rules could help protect about 10million consumers from ‘unconstrained borrowing’.

Traditional consumer finance providers such as V12, Creation and Novuna, and retailers using them, are already regulated by the FCA.

Pen and paper no longer cut it

For today

Are you really relying on legacy retail software to help you compete and grow in the 2020s, says the director of Iconography

‘We work with plenty of independent furniture and homewares retailers and truly believe only the innovative, efficient and agile will thrive in the 2020s. The two essential ingredients for success in the future, in our view, are developing the right mindset for modern retailing – essentially an agile hybrid approach to online and storebased retail – and then deploying the right software to help you achieve it. These are the twin foundations upon which to build for the future,’ says Wayne Robbins, Iconography director.

‘If you’re fed up with integration fault lines between your online and store-based retailing – inefficiency, duplication of effort, mistakes, errors and delays – we have the solution.

OMNIS Retail facilitates modern retailing and removes the disconnect

between ecommerce, store-based EPOS and legacy head office retail software, which hold back and frustrate so many retailers. The key is a single comprehensive database powering online, in-store and back-office retail operations, purchase ordering and warehouse operations for example.

‘It is a solution conceived of and developed for retail as it is today –not a physical store system from a previous era trying to remain relevant via piecemeal upgrades and patching, reliant on problematic integrations to deliver any sort of web and ecommerce capability. All the features, functions, information, insight, reporting and data required from a retail management system is available in real-time. There is no duplication of effort. No re-keying of data or pulling

Effective & efficient omnichannel retailing

information relating to areas such as product, stock, orders, online sales, store sales from different systems to “get things done”.

‘OMNIS is agile omnichannel retailing, unified commerce – delivering intelligent workflows, automations, efficiency and accuracy across all sales channels and day-to-day operational aspects of retailing today.’

Visit: www.iconography.co.uk

by Visit iconography.co.uk

New platform

OrdoConnect is designed to centralise all the benefits from each of the dozens of Ordorite modules

The January Furniture Show was a highly anticipated event for Ordorite, and it did not disappoint. The company was able to introduce its latest innovation for furniture and bed retailers: OrdoConnect, a new platform that centralises all the benefits from each of the dozens of Ordorite modules in a single hub to view all areas of the business.

OrdoConnect is designed to help retailers receive the benefits of Ordorite immediately and get a quick return on investment. It uses the latest generation technology and advanced algorithms to take the strain off the retailer, and offers drag-and-drop and graphic visualisation features, as well as apps for warehouse management, distribution, marketing, ecommerce and ticketing.

OrdoConnect is not just a standalone platform for furniture and bed retailers. It is designed to easily integrate with a variety of ecommerce, accounting, marketing, and customer relationship management platforms, making it a versatile and powerful solution for businesses of all sizes.

A full warehouse management system gives retailers control of inventory. Moving stock from supplier vehicles or containers to specific warehouse locations, then picking and loading to individual delivery vehicles at carton level via handheld barcode scanners increases efficiencies. With its advanced technology, OrdoConnect offers real-time

tracking of deliveries, providing retailers with up-to-date information on the status of their orders. This allows them to make informed decisions about delivery routes, vehicle capacity and other critical factors that can impact their bottom line.

Automated delivery confirmation and signature capture is another key feature of OrdoConnect. This allows retailers to see deliveries confirmed and signed for in real-time, even seeing customer service issues logged with photographs at point of delivery.

OrdoConnect also offers drag-anddrop and graphic visualisation features, allowing retailers to easily manage and

visualise their inventory, delivery routes and other key business metrics. This makes it easy to identify bottlenecks, optimise delivery routes and streamline operations, all of which can help businesses save time and money.

OrdoConnect offers a wide range of benefits for furniture and bed retailers. From route planning, real-time delivery tracking, automated confirmation and signature capture to easy integration with multiple payment platforms and other business tools, it is designed to help businesses save time, increase efficiency and drive more sales.

Visit: www.ordorite.com

Above left: The Ordorite team at JFS

Above: OrdoConnect is designed to save businesses time, increase efficiency and drive more sales

One-stop

Envision means shoppers can see what they are buying, online and in-store

Orbital Vision, the award-winning CGI agency, prides itself on being a one-stop shop for the furniture industry, supplying its clients with everything they need to sell a product online.

With online shopping more popular than ever, consumer expectations are growing when it comes to buying online, so showing a piece of furniture in all available fabrics is no longer enough to secure a sale. Customers want to experience an online ‘try before you buy’ approach, and if businesses aren’t keeping up with technology trends, customers will go elsewhere.

Orbital launched its 3D product configurator Envision last year. It comes with an array of features ready to be plugged in to any website, so whether your site is built in WordPress, Magento, Shopify or any other platform, Orbital can integrate it. Envision allows customers to fully customise, rotate, zoom in or out, and view the product on any device. Users can fully customise the product with running costs and have access to many more useful features, such as adding product dimensions or animating each product to open and close. Envision also allows customers to view products in their own home with the built-in, app-less AR viewer.

All of this runs as a website plug-in, meaning set-up is quick and easy, with added CSS to make sure Envision fits with a client’s individual branding and

website style. The ‘add to basket’ feature means Envision can be seamlessly integrated into existing online stores.

Benefits to retailers include offering an upgraded shopping experience, an increase in sales, reduced returns and an overall improved customer–business relationship. Orbital has received fantastic feedback on the configurator so far, with clients seeing an average increase of 30% in sales. As Envision runs seamlessly on any device, a number of clients have implemented 42in touchscreens into stores, with the retailers being able to sell models that aren’t physically in the showroom. Staff are also able to show customers their desired product combination, which in turn gives customers the confidence to place an order.

According to Orbital, manufacturers can expect to see sales increase as they will be able to supply retailers with exceptional digital assets, and should expect to see an increase in customer uptake as they will have more to offer than their competitors.

Envision allows customers to have a more personalised and interactive shopping experience as well as feeling more involved in the design process. According to Forbes, brands using configurators reduced their online return rates by 80%.

Orbital is now able to offer clients imagery and marketing assets alongside its complete digital sales package, so clients have everything they need to sell a product online. Visit: www.orbital.vision

Envision also allows customers to view products in their own home with the built-in, app-less AR viewer

Reborn

BMK’s Firmfit is growing

Traditionally a wool carpet brand, in recent times BMK Flooring has reinvented itself as a supplier of engineered wood, laminate, LVT and SPC. To mark the switch it has unveiled new branding and expanded its SPC offer.

Having enjoyed success with the Firmfit Original range, it has introduced the Firmfit Pre-grout and Encaustic Tile collection, along with Firmfit Silent, which encompasses all the best elements of the original Firmfit products but adds larger planks and herringbone, with a specially designed nature trend finish for an even more realistic matt look and feel whilst keeping its waterproof qualities.

These new launches are available on toast rack stands that help shoppers get the full effects of the range.

BMK’s engineered wood and laminate products are branded Chene, and an improved engineered wood offering is due to be introduced soon.

Visit: www.firmfitfloor.com/uk

Firmfit Encaustic Tile collection

The new BMK branding

Firmfit Silent

The range is supported by toast rack stands

Firmfit Pre-grout tiles

Express yourself

Forma allows customers to Create your Masterpiece

Kellars’ Forma laminate collection was developed with the idea of creating a brand that represented a masterpiece and adding artistically inspired concepts for a unique and modern approach.

Now the company is urging consumers to Create your Masterpiece, with the collection’s 74 colours and decors.

Thicknesses range from 7mm to 12mm so retailers can offer both quality and

realistic price points to their customers. Forma offers one 7mm range; four 8mm ranges; two 10mm ranges and two 12mm ranges, each suitable throughout the home, with a water-resistant layer, easy-install click system and durability in areas with high foot traffic.

A large selection of the boards are finished with an embossed texture, providing the look of real wood without

the real wood price.

The company’s Forma branded display stands have proved popular with retailers since their introduction in 2021, and in September a circular floor stand was introduced to enable smaller stores to showcase the collection. Double-sided sample boards ensure that a wide selection of products are on show. Tel: 0161 443 0970

Perilli

Turcano

Bonetto

Display stands

On the road again

COREtec Floors will soon resume its touring

Following the great success of its UK tour last year, COREtec has created a new show van that will be travelling the country from this month, bringing its new floors, displays, designs, colours and concepts to retailers.

The number of COREtec floors stocked in the UK has grown from 94 to 122, all

available exclusively through Likewise. The existing range of wood, stone and contemporary finishes across three collections: Essentials, Naturals and Megastone, has been joined by the COREtec XL-End and New Naturals.

XL-End is a high-end collection of wood finishes with a 15mm thickness,

0.8mm wear layer and 2,100mm x 228mm plank size. Each board has ultra-realistic registered embossing, high-definition printing and is backed with 3mm of sustainable cork underlay.

New Naturals is an extension of the best-selling collection and almost doubles the size of the Naturals range. It comprises larger 1,500mm and 1,800mm planks, an innovative multi-series design, six new herringbone styles and two new wood planks with pressed bevel technology.

As with all COREtec UK floors, they benefit from the security of a lifetime warranty, the back-up of a complete suite of waterproof matching accessories, the reliability of multiple UK stock locations and the convenience of the Likewise delivery network.

COREtec XL-End is presented on a dramatic retail display wall unit and New Naturals is displayed on a stylish toastrack, both complementing the existing suite of in-store displays. The new collections are installed in the COREtec tour van along with the existing COREtec Essentials wall display. Email: discover@coretecfloors.co.uk

Flora

XL-End planks are 2,100mm long. Pictured is Chantilly

A new tour van has been created

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.

Pushing boundaries

Innovation and sustainability are combining

With Spring fast approaching, Condor Carpets is preparing to update its collection as it continues to ensure that it pushes the boundaries with innovative and value-for-money products.

The latest example will be Birma – a heavy, luxurious polypropylene Saxony suitable throughout the home, with a key price point and available in 4m

and 5m widths for seam-free fitting on all options.

Birma will be joined by Castile Twist and the polypropylene twist Phoenix. Both combine heavy durability with comfort, are suitable throughout the home and available in 4m and 5m widths.

As well as its heavy investment in products, Condor has long invested in

sustainability. Its goal is to produce sustainable products and also make its manufacturing process greener and eventually energy-neutral. It is already more than 50% energy-neutral in its electricity consumption, with the aim of reaching 100% energy-neutrality in 2025.

Visit: www.condor-group.eu/en/carpets

Condor’s Hasselt plant has more than 13,300 solar panels Phoenix

Birna

Choice

There is a product for every floor

When it comes to range, there are few UK brands that can manage the same level of choice in underlay as Floorwise. With recycled PU, rubber sponge, rubber crumb, wood and laminate, combination felt, acoustic, underfloor heating and LVT, the supplier has one of the widest collections available, giving installers and retailers a quality option for any domestic or commercial work. The collection is renowned for delivering added value and long-term performance in solutions for every type of floor.

While lightweight recycled PU underlays now dominate domestic carpet installations, there are still homes that prefer a more traditional

option. With a long track record in delivering quality and affordability in sponge rubber waffle and combination felt and rubber, Floorwise has options here. From the wool felt of Symphony and felt rubber combinations of Duet, through to the 8mm thick rubber crumb of Champion; made from recycled materials, these underlays deliver the best in longevity and recovery.

PU foam underlays have become the default choice of material for flooring installers. Lightweight, comfortable underfoot, with excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties and in a wide range of densities and thicknesses, PU foam can be made into an underlay for almost any carpet requirement.

Great long-term performance beneath carpet comes in a balance of comfort and support. The density of the underlay plays a key role in getting this balance right, which is why Floorwise offers densities from MD+ (Medium Density Plus) right up to UHD+ (Ultra High Density Plus). This approach ensures that comfort expectations can be met, and long-term support delivered in line with budget.

The supplier is also keen to promote a system-based approach to carpet underlay, highlighting the importance of choosing suitable grippers. Floorwise’s Diamond gripper enjoys an enviable reputation among installers as an option for high-quality underlays, working well to hold carpet over thick 11mm products, as well as giving a better hold over the carpet’s lifetime.

It’s not just carpet that Floorwise caters for, with the supplier also providing a range of underlays for use beneath wood, laminate and LVT floors. The all-round Acoustica rubber range has been designed to combat one of the key issues of these floors – acoustics – delivering a quieter home across a broad range of price points.

The high-density PE foam of the Whisper collection is also designed for reducing sound, delivering up to 23dB performance. At 5mm thick and featuring a built-in water vapour barrier, Whisper Gold tops the range, while Whisper 3mm offers a value alternative.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

Floorwise has a broad underlay offer

Acoustica

Strength Warehouse capacity means greater buying power

In 2022, Greendale Carpets & Flooring celebrated 60 years as a buying group. From humble beginnings it has grown into one the most respected buying groups. It owns its warehouse, capable of stocking 2,800 rolls of carpet. The superior buying power this allows enables its members to access stock exclusively for them at year-round low prices.

‘The warehouse allows us to go to suppliers and buy 40 to 50 rolls of carpet at a time. No other group has this type of buying power because they don’t have a central warehouse with stock exclusively for members. This buying power enables us to offer

year-round low prices for all our members. After all, why wait 12 months for rebates when you can benefit from lower prices from day one?’ says Eamonn Prescott, Greendale chief executive.

Greendale also offers central ordering, meaning that members can place all their orders through the group, allowing them to pay just one invoice.

‘We deal with all the major suppliers so members place all their orders through us and pay just us. We settle the accounts with the manufacturers, so they don’t have multiple bills to pay.’

This system also includes a fully dedicated customer service offer.

‘As the member is buying from us, we

provide a full customer service on each order. If there is any issue, it is Greendale that will liaise with the member and the supplier. This dedicated service is unique to Greendale, as far as I know.’

Greendale is a member-owned group, with new members buying a share into the co-operative. ‘We are run as not-forprofit and as such we are here to make money for our members, not from them,’ explains Prescott.

The group has exclusive membership availability in Aberdeen, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia, Essex, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. Other areas may be available.

Email: eamonn@greendalecarpets.co.uk

The group is able to utilise its buying power thanks to its warehouse, while all products can be rebranded

SALLY CORRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

Covered

An unique marketing service is combined with a subsidy

In the decades since Metro conceived the concept of pooling buying power to compete against national chains, a lot has changed in the marketplace. The Metro Group has been expanded dramatically to also assist its members to sell the best performing products in the marketplace at a profit.

What has been developed is a group of independent retailers, from the smallest one-man operation to multiple-outlet businesses. Retaining independence is important to Metro members, who are always given the opportunity to participate in group activity, which is always optional and very rarely compulsory. This allows them to use all of the best benefits of group membership while being 100% in control of their own businesses.

Nine years ago the group undertook a major redevelopment of its marketing service, recognising that each member is individual with different types of premises, size, location, marketplace and style. Plus, of course not every member needs new displays, signage or a marketing campaign at the same time. This is where Metro’s marketing service is unique: each member has the opportunity to have professional advice, design, manufacture and installation of pretty much anything a retailer needs to promote or improve their business whenever they need it.

As an addition to this the group also provides members with a £600 annual contribution to any project completed by the marketing service, meaning not only does a retailer have access to this huge resource but it’s also heavily subsidised and the £600 doesn’t have to be spent in one go. Unlike most ‘grants’ the Metro subsidy is 100%, so if the project costs £600 then the member’s subsidy covers the cost entirely – another unique benefit only available to Metro members.

In January members received the latest portfolio to show the multitude of options available – some of which members will never have thought of –and quite literally no job is too large or small, from an iron-on label to a

complete shop frontage. Pretty much anything can be printed and the services and products range from a simple sticker and business cards to substantial signage.

With a studio in the north-east of England, the team travels the four corners of the UK working on-site with members on whatever project they need assistance with, backed by a group that also negotiates the best prices and terms for its members from the leading products sold in the UK today.

Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

Carpet Style – CNC cut manager’s special stand

Metro’s latest marketing portfolio

Country Carpets – full replacement signage

Island inspiration

Designed to cope with the Scandinavian climate, Saltholm is equally at home indoors

Just six square miles in size, Saltholm is an extremely sparsely populated island between Denmark and Sweden and formed the inspiration for Skargaarden’s latest outdoor furniture collection, which is equally at home indoors. Like all Skargaarden furniture the teak collection is designed to weather the most demanding of environments and the harsh Scandinavian climate.

Saltholm is just a mile from the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen to the west and the Malmö skyscraper Turning Torso to the east, with just a few residents living on the island all year round under spartan conditions.

‘When we designed the collection, we wanted to highlight the contrast between being close yet far away. Close to a glass of cava and small talk on a June evening when the sun hardly sets, and at the same time far away from everyday life and its demands. However, we have to admit that we didn’t fully succeed in incorporating the spartan feel of the island. The furniture is instead generously sized and undeniably

comfortable,’ says Jari Visuri, Skargaarden founder and ceo.

The Saltholm collection includes a sofa, lounge chair, lounge table and an ottoman. The straight lines and timeless design make the furniture suitable for any outdoor environment, on the terrace

or in the garden. But it doesn’t look out of place in a cosy living room either.

The seating pieces have an elegant, restrained shape that is balanced by the soft, swelling cushions that invite you to curl up for a moment of relaxation.

Visit: www.skargaarden.com

Saltholm is at home indoors and outside

Scottish favourite

Northpoint returns to Edinburgh in springtime

The Northpoint Furniture Show will be at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 April. For more than 30 years the agents and representatives of the furniture industry at the SFRA have shown their latest models to furniture retailers throughout Scotland, Ireland and the north of England at Ingleston. Although interrupted by the pandemic for 18 months, the show has been enjoyed as a relaxed arena to see all the latest products from key manufacturers, with time to discuss all aspects with agents and representatives.

There are already more than 30 manufacturers being represented for 2023, and more promised. These will include Lebus Upholstery, whose Scottish agent Peter Westbrook says: ‘This is an important show to us as we have some fantastic new products we would like to showcase to Scotland and its retailers.’

Other upholstery companies attending include Divania, Call Salotti, Varimatic and West Midlands Upholstery.

Silentnight also returns with its latest models and innovations. ‘We always have an excellent show in Edinburgh and a great response from Scottish retailers,’ says Stuart Law, Silentnight national sales manager. Other bed manufacturers will include Highgrove Beds, Hyder,

Sleepeezee, Dura Beds, Deep Sleep Beds, Kayflex, NHC, Giltedge and Kayflex.

Cabinet will be shown from Wiemann, Core Products, GFL, Annaghmore and Taylors. Weimann offers a huge selection of contemporary wardrobes and other manufacturers will offer contemporary and traditional cabinet furniture from living and dining to a full range of bedroom cabinets and products.

A new addition is Abacus, the furniture website company, and there will be supporting roles from Protect-A-Bed, Staingard and Mattressgard.

‘The show has been ongoing for more

than 40 years, and for over 30 years in Ingleston. The RHC is a great hub for us to show a wide and comprehensive range of furniture in a relaxed atmosphere and everyone enjoys the surroundings, being easy to reach from all parts of Scotland, Ireland and northern England,’ says Gavin Douglas, Northpoint organiser.

‘This year’s President’s dinner will also coincide with the show, on the Monday night, and will combine the SFRA and the charity SFTBA for the first time.’

Visit: www.thenorthpointshow.co.uk

Wiemann

Deep Sleep Beds

The show returns to Edinburgh

WAKE UP

Wake Up to Northpoint 23

23RD - 25TH APRIL 2023

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh

Sitting next to Edinburgh Airport with great road links to the rest of the UK. Northpoint is the destination for all retailers looking to do business in a relaxed setting and with an opportunity to enjoy the City of Edinburgh during their stay.

Attractions

January Furniture Show had plenty to interest returning buyers

It was all about vamping it up for Bentincks – revamping it up, to be exact, with old favourites updated to satisfy today’s trends. Dorset, a revamp of the Verona range, drew the crowds with upgraded hybrid foam seat cushions for that sink-in-and-bounce-back factor. New Rimini, likewise, was an upgrade of a bestseller from a few years ago now restyled with fresh fabric, detailing and metal legs. Both ranges come in Kensington fabric in muted shades, including grey and mink.

The modular, chunky Loft, aimed at younger shoppers, also starred – in a creamy teddy fabric.

There were two notable debuts on the stand: Flynn, in the up-and-coming waffle fabric and Bentincks’ first Chesterfield-style sofa. Victoria, a three-or-four-seater, is a grand and stately piece, reminiscent of its royal namesake, and caused quite a stir. It comes in Aston fabric, again in greys and coffee colours.

There’s a bit of stardust sprinkled across London Rug Company’s wares –designer Dawn Ward became a celebrity on reality show The Real Housewives

of Cheshire. But, away from the TV cameras, she’s been an award-winning interior designer for 25 years and chose JFS to launch her new venture London Rug Company.

‘Over the years, I have designed hundreds of rugs and I wanted to launch a quality, affordable range for B2B business,’ she says. ‘Most of my rugs are 100% polyester, which gives the texture and sheen of silk but at an affordable, mid-range price. We’re competitive on price as my business partner is a manufacturer and our Turkish factory produces over 80 million rugs a year. So the interior designer or retailer can make a healthy profit.

‘I’m trying to educate people to buy bigger rugs – we’re promoting that through video content for our retailers. It’s a very British thing to go for a 160cm x 230cm rug hidden under a coffee table, but actually you want a 240cm x 340cm you can sit your threeseater sofa, armchair and coffee table on. That’s how rugs should be used –to make a statement.’

There was a strong Polish presence at JFS, with Amarotto making its British

show debut and full of beans. Beanbags, that is – designed for children and teenagers in the shape of fat footballs and slouchy seats. Currently operating in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, Amarotto is hoping to break into the UK market with its collection, full of primary colours and powerful patterns, and the reaction at the show augured well.

Bought by Actona Group last year, high-end sofa manufacturer SITS boasts 80 families of sofas and 300 fabric colours. Sadly there wasn’t room for them all at JFS but Ross, a new armchair designed by Ian Archer, was centrestage alongside the Milou modular sofa featuring visco foam and Alice, an armchair with an instantly recognisable Scandinavian look, inspired by the first letter of the alphabet.

SITS has been a presence at UK shows for several years now and has learnt the Brits’ number one priority when choosing furniture is comfort, while current trends lean towards a natural look, sustainability and washable fabrics, all exemplified in the perennially popular Brandon sofa – simple, elegant

Furnico’s Cantwell

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

Lennox

and drawing compliments, as ever, at JFS. Luxury was the order of the day for the Ultimate Rug Company. Building on the success of the Luxe range, launched two years ago, Ultimate introduced Tipped Luxe Faux Fur and Quadruple Luxe. It’s all about the soft silky feel and the colours, with blush, greys and forest greens proving winners.

Italian flatpack producer Composad was making a very stylish debut at JFS –in 100% recycled wood. At Composad’s factory, pre-used wood is cleaned and turned into sleek but hard-wearing melamine boards from which the company’s pieces are created.

‘Visitors were particularly interested in our office and bedroom settings,’ says Mirko Bernardi, Composad commercial director. ‘They appreciate the Made in Italy design-led furniture ethos.’

Furnico highlighted Hudson, Buxton and Longton, offering a choice of traditional and contemporary looks and recliner options.

Business was booming at Think Rugs, with the Apollo swirl design rug artfully placed on the exterior of the stand to

entice visitors in. The swirl is one of several new patterns added to the Apollo range, which has proved a bestseller with its metallic shimmering blues, greens, golds, silvers and roses in polyester and polypropylene yarns. The new Creation shimmering metallics range is also building on Apollo’s success, with the leaf design proving particularly popular.

Think Rugs is also thinking sustainability: it is in discussions with Innovate Recycle in Northampton to work on a circular economy for its rugs at end of life, and with Ocean Works to manufacture rugs from waste fishing nets that otherwise clog the seas.

In line with this, the Solace rug, made from traceable recycled bottles, will be the first of many sustainable launches. A new range – to be launched within the next six months – will have recyclable backing as well as recyclable pile, meaning it can be 100% recycled at end of life.

Whitemeadow showcased a clutch of new launches including Idris. Available in three sofa sizes, a cuddler, standard

and accent chair as well as a footstool, it epitomises the cutting-edge contemporary look Whitemeadow is famous for and racked up the orders.

The company is also keen to make its mark in the more every day, familyfriendly market with sofas Echo

Think Rugs’ Creation

Composad

Asiatic Historia

Whitemeadow’s Idris

Ultimate Rug Company’s Ultimate Luxe

and Fairfax in the new neutral colour palette with scatter cushions in pinks and purples.

GCL Furniture UK’s 1970s Italian-style white dining table and chairs with gold geometric patterns wowed the crowds.

A newcomer to the UK market, Portuguese company Made in Aquinos, part of the Aquinos Group, enjoyed its

show debut with its solutions-based furniture. Aquinos Group has been making furniture for 37 years and boasts 20 factories across Europe.

‘The reaction has been very good,’ says Joao David Pereira, MIA business development manager. ‘Our collections are fresh and contemporary with new mechanisms, but we don’t compromise

on comfort. And considering the quality of our products, our prices are competitive.’

The models attracting attention were the ones with single-button mechanisms like the Valery – a stylish corner sofa that extends into a sofa bed – and Saint, a three-seater sofa that extends forward to become a four-seater corner sofa.

Tamarisk showcased 10 new models including the fixed back, delicate-armed Windrush, and Claudius – a Tamarisk star for years but updated for 2023 to offer a corner sofa option.

Timeout is Conform’s most popular armchair, not just in its native Sweden but across the world and now a button-stitched version has been launched, in fabric and leather, with matching footstool.

Lebus Upholstery introduced new models and fabrics to compliment its existing sofa collections. Pasha and Perth were given a makeover with the introduction of jewel-like colours in plum and teal velvets. To compliment the rich tones, striking accents have been designed featuring botanicals and geometric patterns. The third collection, Madena, was designed with the move to natural colour palettes in mind, with soft textured fabric accents emphasising the organic nature of the model.

La-Z-Boy previewed a host of models including Paris in static, manual or powered options and six fabric and 12 leather choices; the UK-manufactured Lennox offered static and powered options with chrome feet and seven fabric choices; Harrison included a leftand right-handed chaise end on the three-seater with built-in storage, a lamp and wireless charging.

Visit: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

GCL Furniture

Lebus Upholstery’s Madena

Aquinos

Orbital

La-Z-Boy’s Lennox

Looking out

The SS23 offer saw more outdoor living

Gallery Direct launched its SS23 collection at the January Furniture Show, then followed this up at the Spring Fair, where it also introduced its Christmas 2023 offer.

The range offers more than 500 new lines, including outdoor living products. These include the Ancona range of outdoor lounge and dining sets, along with a sun lounger, in a choice of two colours. These contemporary aluminium pieces have the seats upholstered in all-weather fabric, which is stain, mould and fade resistant, and padded with quick-drying foam. The dining and coffee tables have glass tops with a ceramic-effect finish. Four of the dining sets have a table with a built-in bioethanol fire pit, to help keep you warm on cooler days or as the sun goes down.

Designed so outdoor spaces can be enjoyed for longer, is the Messina pergola. The roof louvres can be tilted using a handle winder, allowing in the sunshine, or closed to offer shade and cover from rain. It incorporates a drainage system: with the louvres closed rain runs into the frame and then down the inside of the legs. Slatted side screens in two sizes are available separately to accompany the pergola, with different options for positions.

To complement the outdoor furniture,

Gallery has a range of accessories, textiles and mirrors that are suitable for use outside. These include the Tremiti LED solar lanterns which have three light-intensity settings. Designed to add interest and ambience, Tremiti features ridged glass paired with aluminium and teak and is available in two sizes.

The Winter 2023 Collection features a varied selection of accessories and textiles, including Christmas trees and baubles, candles and holders, faux stems and vases, wreaths and garlands, decorative and practical pieces, and cushions and throws. Whether you are looking for traditional or contemporary, subtle or colourful, or sophisticated or rustic, the range offers a large choice of Christmas products.

Along with the festive lines, there are many items that can be used all year round, including faux stems, candle holders, ornaments, and table and kitchenware.

As well as all the new products, Gallery also launched seven category guides at the shows, along with an SS23 Edit and a Christmas Edit. The guides are designed to make it easy for customers to find the products they are looking for, with dimensions, materials and other key features

highlighted. They present every product in the category, both new and current, in a clear way within one publication.

The SS23 Edit focuses on Gallery’s new lines across the categories, to give customers ideas for how to put products together to give the look required.

The Winter Edit showcases all the festive products.

Visit: www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Christmas cushions and throws

Tremiti LED solar lanterns

The Messina pergola and screens are made from aluminium with a contemporary black powder-coated finish

Faux stems in warming winter colours

Home Care

Feel good and do good Sustainability

is gaining traction

Shire Beds debuted the EverLife collection with the slogan ‘Feels Good and Does Good’.

Shire Beds believes in the circular economy model as a vital element in protecting our precious planet. It employs ethical and sustainable practices and processes in its manufacturing, and in line with this Shire Beds has attained FSC certification as a company, and signed the NBF Pledge for the Planet to further its sustainability journey.

Shire Beds’ EverLife sustainable range saves bottles from going to landfill and polluting the oceans. The range combines comfort and sustainability to aid a

restful night’s sleep. The EverLife soft touch sustainable fabric is made of 76% upcycled plastic bottles and is 95% recyclable at the end of the mattress life. It also uses eco clean chemical-free FR.

The world’s precious resources are saved in the manufacture of EverLife as it reduces the need for virgin polyester and reduces the quantity of plastic bottles going into landfill. EverLife complements the biodegradable Heaven 7 range.

Shire Beds’ strength and leading edge comes from its ability to respond to market demands and put retailers and their customers at the forefront of everything it does. It is with this in mind

that Shire Beds manufactures products that are an ‘easy sell’ for their stockists. It does this through its quality, pricing and speedy delivery. The NBF Product of the Year Signature Collection of luxury high-count pocket spring mattresses have all been hugely successful, while the bestselling Artisan range continues to lead the market, especially in the encapsulated sector.

Shire Beds supplies nationally to a wide range of high street, online and contract retailers and with the sustainable EverLife range, it now has a growing range of sustainable products. Visit: www.shirebeds.co.uk

The range saves bottles from going to landfill and polluting the oceans

A precious planet worth saving

AWARD WINNING SIGNATURE RANGE

BEST SELLER - Picasso 3000

BEST SELLER - Sphere 2000

Casual growth

As we move away from formal dining, ranges have been updated

Core Products has significantly increased its dining offer to encompass the move towards more casual dining.

With the trend towards combined kitchen and living space, the desire for both conventional and unconventional places to sit, study and eat has changed considerably. Core initially embraced this with the addition of breakfast sets to its wood furniture portfolio. Such has been the success of these products that for 2023 the range has been

extended to incorporate both table height and bar height sets in a variety of sizes. There are also bench sets and compact high-level dining sets.

The Linea range is new for 2023 and is made from solid wood with a wood and grey wash finish. Table tops are made from solid wood with a plank effect, and the breakfast table set can be used alongside k itchen units or as an island table, supplied complete with four matching high stools.

The Corona compact breakfast set is ideal where space is at a premium, with a fold-down leaf to provide additional surface space when needed. Made entirely of real wood with an antiqueeffect top, it has a choice of white, grey or antique underframes.

The new Texas dining set is a combination of solid wood and metal. Available in two sizes, the solid wood table top is set onto a black stove-paint metal underframe, while the simple lines of the chair are accentuated with the contrasting antique and black finishes. The dining table can be teamed with new upholstered chairs to create a more formal dining set.

The revitalised Aspen dining collection offers a mix and match selection of tables and chairs. The chairs are available in a comfort option, fully upholstered in a choice of covers, and a practical, easy-to-clean option which is ideal for kitchens or busy households. All are manufactured from precision moulded plastic with tapered metal legs.

The Aspen grey oak-effect dining table features soft rounded corners and strong metal legs and can be combined with the Curve dining chair to make a dining set suitable for everyday use.

All products are held in stock in the UK for quick delivery either direct to your customer or to your store. Core stock is supplied unbranded and a full inventory is available to authorised sellers, alongside an online ordering facility. Visit: www.coreproducts.co.uk

Texas

Aspen

Corona

Francesca Colombo’s Landscape No1 porcelain plate collection can be used as art as well as for dining

The Coco modular seating system is MUT Design’s first for Ames

Casalgrande Padana’s Fusion tile collection replicates the effects of metal oxidation, and comes in four sizes up to 120cm x 278cm

Ceramiche Refin’s Canal Grande tiles are inspired by the mahogany traditionally used to build boats in Venice

Ethimo again turned to teak for its Cross coffee tables

ANGEL SEGURA

A Competition To Crown The High Street In The Wonders Of Wool

To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, we are asking all Independent Flooring Retailers to create an outstanding window or in-store display featuring wonderful wool.

1st Prize

Overnight accommodation and Spa Day for 2 people, including a tour of all things woolly

2nd Prize

2 x tickets to visit one of the Royal palaces or residencies + afternoon tea

3rd Prize

3 runners up will receive a gorgeous wool throw each

#lovewoolcarpets

Competition Entry Details:

This display should be in place for the Coronation Day of 6th May 2023, ideally from the beginning of April through to the end of the celebration month of May.

• The display must be original and showcase at least one benefit of using wool as a floorcovering.

• Entries and images should be submitted by COB Friday 28th April on to your own retail social channels.

• To enter you must use the hashtag #lovewoolcarpets and mention at least one benefit of wool

• Judging will take place the first week of May and the winning retailers will be announced at the Buying Group Show on the 10th May.

• One entry per independent store, per location permitted.

• All winners will also be notified by email.

Supported by The Campaign for Wool, British Wool, SMG, Stocklists and Interiors Monthly and the following wool manufacturers:

Abingdon, Adam, Alternative Flooring, Axminster Carpets, Brintons, Brockway, Cavalier, Cormar, Danspin, Hugh MacKay, Penthouse, The Real Shetland Company, Ulster, Victoria and Westex.

An initiative of the Wool Carpet Focus Group.

Edelgrund’s Alasht comes from Mazandaran in Iran where the rugs were originally created by artisan women in the late 19th century. The designs are based on minimalistic geometric patterns combined with stripes and varied colour combinations.

Gervasoni’s Saia has a removable cover with discreet piping, while the slight downward curvature of the arms invite you to sit snugly

Illulian’s Love was designed by Mattar Bin Lahej, known for his use of Arab calligraphy in his works. The word Love (حب) decorates the whole rug.

La Manufacture’s Oaze collection contains upholstery, tables and rugs characterised by organic shapes and soft edges

Nanimarquina’s Tones collection is made up of four designs, including Pieces, where colour drives the design

Fermob’s Luxembourg compact bench is at home in a hall, at the end of a table or on a balcony

SWIVEL RECLINER & FOOTSTOOL

The Boden has it all - Chic contemporary Scandinavian style with the supportive comfort of moulded foam cushioning. This beautifully crafted fabric swivel chair has a high back with adjustable headrest and stylish manual lever. We love the striking light wood casing on both the chair and footstool, commanding authority in any room.

Features

Stylish Manual Lever | Adjustable Headrest | Moulded Foam | Light Wood Casing | Footstool Included

Martinelle Luce has added floor and suspension versions of Cabriolette

Think the Addams family with Pulpo’s Little Monsters chair collection

Sahrai’s Green Dry range, designed by Carlo Colombo, is inspired by Italian art of the 1930s and includes Romanic Wall

Seletti’s Magna Graecia is the family of outdoor/indoor terracotta objects inspired by the stylistic features of the ancient Greek colonies of southern Italy. ‘Terracotta is, apparently, a very poor material, but one can do magic with it,’ says designer Antonio Aricò. Wewood’s Amos is available as a variety of tables, while Nido has two chair styles

Potocco made its Maison & Objet debut with outdoor and indoor designs, including the Bon Bon table

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Residential Sales Executive

Ulster Carpets’ is one of the world’s largest and most progressive carpet manufacturers, servicing global retail and contract markets. We currently have a vacancy within our Residential Sales team. The successful applicant will have responsibility for developing sales through our Independent retail accounts covering the following areas:

West & South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire, Humberside

We offer a competitive salary, company car, medical cover, contributory pension scheme and profit related pay, along with good development and progression opportunities.

To apply send your tailored CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the following criteria:

1. Sales experience ‘on the road’ as a manufacturer’s representative (ideally a minimum of 2 years);

2. The ability to achieve sales targets, provide details of results and achievements;

3. The motivation and enthusiasm to grow and increase sales in the territory.

Applications should be emailed by Monday 6 March 2023 at 12 noon to recruit@ulstercarpets.com, or by post to The Monitoring Officer, Ulster Carpets, Castleisland Factory, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 1EE. To speak with a member of our team telephone 028 38334433.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer

SMG The National Furnishing Group are the largest flooring buying group in the UK and support nearly 450 of the best Independent Retailers.

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to lead and work with the SMG team to develop its membership base and services. This role will require experience of retail and/or sales in the flooring sector and will involve regular travelling throughout the UK.

The ideal candidate must have the following skills…

• A strong communicator who is well presented with excellent interpersonal skills

• The adaptability to work alone as well as with a small team

• Strong written skills and proficiency in office IT systems including Excel, Outlook and CRM packages

• Be flexible and resourceful when supporting own brand installation and industry shows and events

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, then please email your C.V. to lthomas@smg-group.co.uk

RECRUITMENT

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

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

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

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are available upon request. Please contact Jarrod on E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

T: 01565 631 397