Interiors Monthly November 2022

Increased spending is to be welcomed but it wasn’t enough to change the fate of some players

from month to month,

data did come as a surprise.

and lighting sales was almost a third higher than August and up 7% on 2021. This was the second-best

in more than three decades.

jumped by more than a quarter and were up almost a

on

for inflation

14.1% and 7% respectively –

are quite astounding performances, especially at a time of cost of living challenges for many and the impact of the now doomed ‘mini-budget’ that brought the change of occupancy at Downing Street. Were shoppers really mindful of previous extended lead times and so brought forward purchases to make sure things were sorted before Christmas?

As I write, Made.com hasn’t yet filed for administration but it almost certainly will have done by the time you are reading this. It has abandoned its sale process and stopped accepting consumer orders, leaving it with no income. Inevitably there will be suppliers left with bills and shoppers without their products. I also expect the brand and IP will be snapped up, in the same way Bensons did with Eve Sleep post-administration. (Will Frasers Group extend its passion for buying etailers from fashion to interiors?)

That supply chain issues, which applied to all retailers, could bring Made to its knees so quickly when sales dropped shows how weak its foundations really were.

As with the demise of all players, it creates space in the market for others to try to capitalise on. Eve was different: in the branded mattress-in-a-box sector marketing is so important and Eve never had the funds to profitably compete with rivals. Its customer acquisition costs were simply too high for it to survive. The strategy might work if you have deep enough pockets to see off the competition, at which point you expect profitability to arrive, but Eve was never in that position.

Pimlico from Cormar Carpet Company: made from 50% New Zealand wool in a premium quality, three ply yarn Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk portal.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Furniture and flooring sales jump in September

The value of furniture and lighting retail sales in England Scotland and Wales jumped by almost a third in September, registering the second-best September performance in more than 35 years.

Average weekly sales reached £1.474bn, a rise of 32.6% on August 2022. Sales were 7.25% higher than September 2021, 1.68% lower than September 2020 and up 1.24% on September 2019.

The Office for National Statistics data shows that September 2022 enjoyed the seventh best level of sales of 441 months since comparable records began in January 1986, and the best since June 2021. It is topped only by March 2022 (£1.598bn); December 2020 (£1.53bn); June 2022 (£1.52bn); December 2018 (£1.51bn); December 2019 (£1.507bn) and September 2020 (£1.499bn).

The value of flooring retail sales jumped by almost a quarter in September, registering the second-best September performance in 15 years.

Average weekly sales reached £265.6m, a rise of 23.1% on August 2022.

Sales were 18.7% higher than September 2021, 29.6% higher than September 2020 and up 89% on September 2019 figures.

September 2022 enjoyed the fifth best level of sales of 441 months since comparable records began in January 1986, and the best since March 2020 (£291.1m); March 2008 (£290.4m); September 2007 (£270.75m) and March 1997 (£266.4m).

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

Inflation eases in furniture and flooring retail

The rate of inflation in the furniture and flooring retail sectors eased in September.

The annual rate for household furniture fell from 15.6% to 14.1%, its lowest rate since January.

In September 2021, the rate was 10.5%, according to ONS data.

The rate for garden furniture dropped from 16.3% to 14.2%, while the rate for lighting fell from 8.5% to 7.6%.

The rate for furniture and furnishings dropped from 14.2% to 13.7%.

In September 2021, the rate was 10.3%.

The annual inflation rate for carpet and other floorcoverings dropped from 8.1% to 7%: the lowest rate for more than a year.

The drop was led by carpets and rugs which dropped from 7% to 5.8%. In September 2021 the rate was 7.6%.

Smooth flooring continued to show much

higher rates but the rate dropped from 15.1% to 13.6%. A year ago the rate was 17.8%.

Household furnishings saw price increases fall to their lowest level in months in September, with some products becoming cheaper.

Textiles saw the annual

inflation rate fall from 6.2% to 4%. This is the lowest increase since January 2022. In September 2021 the rate was 0.8%.

Furnishings fabrics and curtains saw prices fall for the first time in a year, with the rate dropping from 3.4% to -1.6%.

Bed linen also saw the rate decline, from 7% to 6%.

Table and bathroom linen was the exception, with the rate increasing from 9.7% to 10.8%.

The furniture, furnishing and carpets rates dropped to 12.7% from 14%. A year ago the rate was 12.7%.

Online murmur

Bedding brand murmur has begun selling online. The Bedeck-owned brand has moved online to offer national coverage, outwith its stores in Banbridge, Livingston, Portsmouth and London, with plans to roll out more across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

‘murmur has captured people’s imaginations. People are looking for quality, luxury bedding and homeware to help make their house a home,’ says Sarah Little, Bedeck brands and marketing director.

‘We’re proud to draw on our Irish roots, and with the latest murmur collection proving so popular, it’s the perfect time to launch the website.’

Retailer and suppliers see increased profits

Tapi saw a £10m turnaround in profitability last year. The flooring chain saw a pre-tax loss of £5.26m become a profit of £5.43m as sales grew by 37.7% to £137.4m in the year to 25 December 2021. In 2019 the loss was £17.5m.

Cash rose by 26% to £27.19m. After increasing gross margin by 3.3 points to 59.5% in 2020, it rose by a further 4.8 points to 64.3%.

In common with all retailers, its financial results and performance were impacted by the pandemic, government support including business rate relief and furlough payments, and by rent concessions. Support rose by £1.08m to £3.849m but in contrast, store lease costs rose from £16.4m to £21.89m as Covid-related rent concessions fell from £5.4m to £1.86m.

Staff numbers grew from 695 to 841.

‘Continued investment post-period end in digital and instore attraction and customer experience, alongside further new store openings have resulted in positive revenue growth in the first half of 2022. Growth in the period Q2 onwards has slowed but is ahead of reported market trends for DIY and homewares and gaining share of market. The board expects revenue in 2022 to finish ahead of the prior year,’ says James Sturrock, Tapi ceo.

Housing Units saw profits and sales jump in its most recent financial year. Sales leapt from £25m to £35.46m in the year to 27 March at the Failsworth, Manchester retailer.

Pre-tax profits rose from £2.78m to £4.8m. Dividends rose from £850,000 to £2m.

The company says that ‘the distorting impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on trading activity makes like for like comparisons to the prior year trading performance difficult. The business's retail store was closed during the initial weeks of the trading period, but strong online sales performance levels combined with high levels of in-store demand once the store was allowed to re-open resulted in turnover for the period

increasing by 42%. To support the growth in order intake volumes and turnover the business invested in maintaining higher levels of stock in its warehouse so that customer orders could be fulfilled as quickly and efficiently as possible.’

Stock rose from £4.6m to £6.35m.

Topps Tiles has seen record sales for the second consecutive year and raised its profit forecast. Sales increased by 10.6% to £247.3m in the year to 1 October.

The Topps Tiles chain saw like for like sales increase by 9.4%, helped by a successful store closure programme: sales per store are a quarter higher then early 2019.

The group says it now expects profits to be nearer £15m than the previous range of £13m-£15m.

‘We are delighted to have delivered a second successive year of record sales, with profits expected to be towards the upper end of market expectations. All parts of the group are making good strategic progress as we develop and diversify the business,’ says Rob Parker, Topps Tiles chief executive.

Furniture, lighting and accessories supplier Gallery Direct saw profits almost treble last year. Pre-tax profits rose from £987,290 to £2.822m in the year to 31 December 2021. Sales jumped by 38% to £49.26m.

‘During 2021 the company continued to trade and perform well, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. The strategy, investment and continued strong performance of the company has created a strong platform upon which the directors are working to take the company forward,’ it said.

After growth in September and early October, Sanderson Design Group says it is on course to deliver on full-year expectations. It comes after the fabric group saw increased licensing income, a boom in demand for the Morris & Co brand, and stronger US sales. This saw pre-tax profits rise by 12.2% to £5.5m as sales edged 0.7% higher at £57.9m in the six months to 31 July.

Sales of the Morris & Co brand rose by 20.8% in the UK and by 53% in North America (42% at constant currency).

‘Thanks to the group’s strong and rich portfolio of valuable brands, and the creative design talent and agility of our teams, we have managed to navigate the trading challenges of the first half, taking opportunities where possible to support the strategic progress of the group. I am delighted to see positive developments in North America, where we have been underdistributed in the past and where management continues to focus. The UK performance of our top customers is encouraging, whilst challenges abound in the wider economy,’ says Dianne Thompson, Sanderson Design Group chairman.

‘We continue to anticipate meeting board expectations for the full year. We have a high-quality brand portfolio, growing US presence and strong cash balances to support ongoing investment,’ she added.

SMASH ALL YOUR SALES RECORDS...?

“IT’S A RECORD!

David Carroll. M.D. Abey Furnishings Ltd, Humberston, Lincs.

“We’re averaging

have

James Fraser, M.D., Blackbridge Furnishings. Inverness, Elgin and Fort William.

“This [2022]

by a

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”

Adam Tomlin. M.D. Jones & Tomlin Ltd. Horsham, Worthing and Chichester.

Dorado , Tigris , Ganges

FusionBac

names of famous and

all are threatened by plastic and

contributing to solve this problem

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a unique

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Text COMFORT to 85258 for support

Anyone in the furnishing industry can get free and confidential support through a new text-based service. The industry’s charity, the Furniture Makers’ Company, has teamed up with fellow charity Mental Health Innovations and its support service Shout: a silent and anonymous service that can help with issues such as anxiety, bullying, depression, loneliness or isolation, money worries, relationship problems, self-harm, stress and suicide. Shout volunteers are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is struggling to cope.

To start a conversation, text the word COMFORT to 85258. You’ll receive four automated text messages before you connect to a trained Shout volunteer. This will usually be within five minutes, but at busy times it can take longer. The volunteer will introduce themselves via text message and ask you to share a bit more about what’s worrying you. They will listen and talk with you silently, all via text message. The goal of the conversation is to help you reach a calm and safe place, with a plan of how to support yourself going forwards. As well as listening without judgement, volunteers may provide you with further

Made abandons sale process

Made.com has called a halt to its efforts to find a buyer after potential purchasers said they could not meet Made’s deadline of the end of October. The etailer has stopped taking orders and was expected to appoint administrators as Interiors Monthly went to press.

On 17 October Made said it had invited would-be buyers to begin talks. ‘Having considered the nature of ongoing discussions with interested parties as part of the company's strategic review process, the board has concluded that there is no reasonable prospect that an offer will be forthcoming,’ it said.

Shareholders were warned that administration could happen.

‘The board will continue to look to preserve value for its creditors and shareholders as part of the ongoing strategic review,’ the company said.

resources or tools to help you get more expert support. Your text conversation will only end when the volunteer is sure you are calm and feeling better. Conversations tend to last around 40 minutes.

Bensons snaps up Eve brand

Benson for Beds has bought the Eve Sleep brand. Hours after it was put into administration, Bensons bought Eve Sleep’s brand, website and intellectual property.

Bensons will keep Eve Sleep as a separate brand as it looks to attract younger shoppers, and says it plans to relaunch the Eve Sleep website in October.

‘Eve Sleep is a brand that we know

resonates strongly with key customer groups and we’re looking forward to unlocking its full potential as it takes advantage of our scale and reach,’ says Nick Collard, Bensons ceo.

Eve Sleep was valued at about £140m when it was floated on the AIM stock market in 2017 at 101p a share, raising £35m from investors. When it announced its plans for administration, shares were valued at 0.5p a share.

ScS sees double-digit decline in orders

ScS has warned of significantly lower orders in recent weeks amid lower footfall.

The chain warned that in the 10 weeks since 31 July, like for like orders were 14.4% lower than a year ago. Compared with 2018, orders were down 7.8%.

‘Trading since the start of the new financial year has been subdued, with the challenges of high inflation

impacting consumers' disposable income. As previously reported, the sector is seeing softening demand as consumers defer spend on big-ticket discretionary purchases,’ says Steve Carson, ScS ceo.

In the year to 30 June sales rose 8% to £344.7m, but pre-tax losses dropped by £6.3m to £16.4m as gross margin slipped from 46.1% to 45.3%.

The scheme is designed to help you reach a calm and safe place

Our trade showroom is home to many different ranges all of which are running on 8 weeks or less as a lead time, below are just a small selection of what is available to view. Find us at 23-27 king St, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1NX

BOZZA BEDS – 6 – 8 week lead time, extensive range of fabrics and colourways, bedsteads built to contract standard rarely seen in the UK domestic market. Stunningly unique concepts that give the WOW factor. Brendan says ‘Never before have I seen a solution for bedsteads that is as good as this!’

FLAM & LUCE – A large selection of table, floor and pendant lighting, created by several different European designers. With a standard and custom choice available on all pieces as well as wide selection of shade and base finishes and colours. Brendan says, ‘Great to have such a variety and choice to work with, making it a perfect product for and showroom or home.’

NOVIBELO – Portuguese, artisan design. Manufactured to the highest quality with luxury finishes. 8 week lead time with bespoke options available. Brendan says ‘with the choice of luxury veneers including, walnut, eucalyptus and ebony. How can you go wrong?’

GRAFU BALDAI – Grafu have been serving the UK domestic market for many years, offering a huge range of sofa ranges, sectionals and statement chairs. Whether you want a statement chair for a small corner or a 20 seat corner sofa for a cinema room Grafu has the solutions. Massive range of different contract level fabrics, all with extensive colourways. All this delivered in 8 weeks! Brendan says, ‘Being able to offer such a well-made upholstery solution guaranteed 8 week delivery in today’s climate is just fantastic!’

Source from the best, says James Howard, January Furniture Show show manager

‘As the only dedicated European furniture event of its kind taking place in the first quarter of 2023, at January Furniture Show buyers will be able to source from some of the very best and most stylish interior accessories brands and furniture manufacturers from the UK and beyond. This year’s show will take place at the NEC from 22-25 January 2023.

‘Companies from around the world will gather to launch collections alongside fresh new names. With over 10,000 new and exclusive products from 350 premium exhibitors, there is a huge choice of products and inspiration from some of the best brands in the industry.

‘The January Furniture Show attracts a dedicated international audience across both the buy and sell sides, so it is the perfect place to visit your suppliers at the start of the new buying season. The introduction of international pavilions will give visitors the opportunity to meet furniture companies from Poland, Portugal, Vietnam and beyond.

‘Returning for a second year, the Furniture Talks stage will be the home of masterclasses, panel discussions and interviews with renowned makers and designers from all corners of the industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn from the experts, listen to industry trailblazers and look ahead with recognised thought-leaders.

‘The 2023 show will also see the return of The Furniture Awards. Plus, meet the raising stars of the industry at the Young Furniture Makers presentation in collaboration with The Furniture Makers’ Company: this show area is ideal if you are looking to discover up-and-coming talent.’

Visit: www.thefurnitureshows.com

YOUR 2023 SUCCESS STRATEGY?

5 ESSENTIAL WAYS TO MAXIMISE YOUR SALES AND PROFIT

● ADVERTISING – Most advertising does not work very well. If yours isn’t, stop wasting your money now. Don’t blame the media, blame the message. Re-design your advertising in a benefits-orientated-style. Call Greenwood for effective copywriting know-how.

● PRODUCTS – Be ruthless with your precious floor space. If a product or collection isn’t performing after being given a fair trial, then clear it and replace it with a faster selling line. Test and measure the selling potential of all your products in a Greenwood Sale.

● SELLING SKILLS – Get good at selling. Most retailers don’t employ a proper retail sales process for big ticket goods. The most successful ones do. Invest time and money in quality sales know-how. Call Greenwood to arrange an effective sales training course for your team.

● COMPETITION – Check your competition to find out what they are offering. Avoid all-out price wars. Outperform your competition on the most relevant beneficial points including choice, quality, value and service. Call Greenwood to mystery shop your competitors.

● PROMOTION – Promote your business effectively. Every good retailer from Aldi to Harrod’s does. Consider using a Greenwood Sales Promotion to increase sales, turn stock into cash and win future market share, while protecting your profit at the same time. Call Greenwood!

FIND OUT MORE

ABOUT GREENWOOD SALES...

Take a look at our website or call me now on 07771 700247, or, send an e mail enquiry, and I’ll gladly call you to discuss the exciting possibilities we can offer you, without obligation.

We are now booking Greenwood Sales right across the UK and Ireland from Winter to Summer 2023 on a first come first served basis.

Book your sales event early to guarantee exclusivity for your business.

Why not find out more today?

Call Bernard Eaton on 07771 700247

UK & Ireland’s Leading Experts in Retail Sales Promotion sales@greenwoodretail.com www.greenwoodretail.com

1 Woodman Chairs is a highly experienced UK chair, table, stool, bench, settle and occasional manufacturer and wholesaler. It also has a bespoke and a new off-the-shelf frame service including tub, arm and sofa frames, aimed at medium to smaller UK-based upholsterers seeking simple, lower-volume and cost-effective frame supply solutions.

Tel: 01884 841 789

2 Louis de Poortere has expanded its Mad Men collection with Dedalo (pictured) and Stellar. For Dedalo the company has looked to the mythological architect of the Labyrinth, in a design inspired by winding, interconnecting and never-ending passages, while Stellar is inspired by the flashes of light and gas mists of interstellar journeys.

Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

3 The Flooring Show in Harrogate was an exceptionally busy one for ADP Distribution , project managing the distribution, installation and after-care service of exhibition stand designs for an array of flooring companies including Kahrs, Balta Group, Tarkett, Lano, Likewise, ACG, Millennium Weavers and Penthouse Carpets. With years of experience, no job is too big for ADP.

Visit: www.adp-distribution.co.uk

4 The Academy for Excellence in Flooring has opened its Autumn/Winter 2022 courses, the first to take place at its new purpose-built Knowsley training centre with improved facilities. Foundation courses are available in LVT (one day) and wood and laminate (two days) and Master Installer courses in LVT (two days) and wood and laminate (three days).

Visit: www.quick-step-academy.co.uk

5 Floorwise marked the 40th anniversary of making Floorwise the start of fantastic floors in style with a gala dinner attended by members (including founder members) and suppliers. The group returned to the Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate where it marked its 20th anniversary.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

Jones - with deep-fill cushions, a high back, and full chaise leg rests, relaxing is easy with Jones. Available as a power recliner, manual latch recliner, static three seat & two seat sofa or chair with a storage or standard footstool completing your room.

Richard Renouf

Variations

Sometimes you have to say no to potential customers

‘Dear Richard,’ read the email. ‘I’m looking to have a furniture report about a new sofa we wish to return to the shop because of a defect in one arm. It looks and feels as if there is less filling towards the front of the RH arm and the piping is 2cm lower than on the opposite arm. I’ve enclosed some photos. Can you help me? Thanks, Anastasia.’

I looked at the photos and her description of the sofa. This is what I replied.

‘Dear Anastasia,

‘Thanks for your email and for the attached photographs. I’m sorry you’re unhappy with your sofa and hope I can provide some observations that will help you to decide what to do.

‘Upholstery is still a hand skill, and although upholsterers have tools to make their job easier, every piece is the result of their own skill and experience. Simple things, such as the amount of tension placed on a cover before it is stapled in place, can affect the tautness of the covering fabric, the straightness of seams, and other characteristics.

‘With arms, the cover has to be tensioned the opposite way on them, and so even the difference between pulling with the left hand or the right hand can result in natural variances which show the hand-made nature of

the finished piece. On the same production line, using the same fillings and covers, one upholsterer’s piece will be different from another’s, and each piece may have variations from one side to the other, or from front to back.

‘There isn’t an “industry standard” that says how much variance is acceptable, so when I’m called on to give an opinion I work on the basis that seams, etc, that are clearly meant to be aligned should be aligned, but features that will never be side by side, such as the two arms, should look similar but could vary when measured accurately.

‘In the photos, one arm is about 2cm lower than the other. Even if they were on two different sofas placed alongside each other, I doubt the variance would be noticed by anyone looking at them (unless, perhaps, they’d been told what to look for). As perfection is not going to be achieved by hand skills, the question is whether this slight variance would be acceptable to a “reasonable customer”. This is the way a court would consider your complaint if you raised it with them.

‘Technically, the way upholstery is made means that the arms will have the fillings on each side, and if something had been missed out the variance would be very noticeable. I’m confident that in this case the upholsterer has simply

made the cover slightly tighter on one side. Based on your photographs alone, I would not encourage you to spend out on a site visit and report as I think the likelihood of this being a fault is very low.

‘I’m sorry the technician who visited you from the manufacturer seems to have given you a false impression during his visit and has since submitted a report that does not support your complaint. Sadly, technicians are under a lot of pressure and do not have time to discuss details with a customer as they are engaged to advise the retailer and/or manufacturer about whether there is a fault or not; they’re not engaged to take customers’ questions and defend themselves against reactions and accusations of bias. I’ve followed up many such visits and it’s extremely rare to find they have missed an obvious manufacturing fault, especially on an issue like this.

‘I hope my advice will be helpful. I wouldn’t encourage you to spend out on another inspection, even though I will be the one missing out on business.

‘Yours sincerely, Richard Renouf.’

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

The height difference was within acceptable limits, as was the comparative tautness of the arm coverings

a

when it comes to

an

With

on a fun-to-

The heat is on

Fitting is still available and large orders are key, says our stalwart correspondent, pondering who will be heading for the bonfire

THE RETAILER Fludes Carpets

Our main office at Newhaven, East Sussex is close to Lewes. Each year the bonfire night event brings more than 5,000 people to the town. The highlight is the huge bonfire where effigies of unpopular figures are burned on top. In past years these have included Donald Trump, David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson.

This year there are plenty of candidates for the Lewes Bonfire Societies to choose from, including a number of politicians. Whoever is to blame for causing the continuing hike in prices and the lack of consumer confidence must surely be in the running.

It does seem that we lurch from one bad month to a better one where we can see the light shining through a tunnel, mostly fuelled by fewer but larger valued orders. People who have been working on a home project are still out there in good numbers. Unfortunately, the rise in prices – and sometimes the long lead times for delivery – means that we have to work hard and with care to ensure that we don’t sell product at the wrong price, and that we get the goods in plenty of time prior to the fitting date.

We are now beginning to receive sampling for carpets that were on display at The Flooring Show. The soft palette of colours is a change from beige, grey and strong blues. Shades of green, red, coral and baby blue look very good on the wall units – they brighten up the showroom. Even if the customer doesn’t buy them, it brings a talking point into the sales pitch conversation.

We are receiving more requests for eco-friendly and green products and the higher prices are not putting people off as they have done previously.

Despite being careful when we sell super-softs, we are still having issues with customers complaining that ‘the

footmarks show’ and ‘you can see the marks made by tracking lines throughout the house’. We always arrange for samples to go to the customer’s home, and we are now making notes on the receipt advising the customer about the nature of the carpet. Usually by now we would be thinking of closing the fitting book for Christmas, but not this year. We still have number of weeks with very little work on. As per normal there will be customers turning up the week before Christmas requesting us to measure a five-bedroom house and fit it by 23 December! With a bit of luck, they might start the process in late November or earlier.

Some manufacturers’ representatives are advising us that there are a number of flooring retailers that are closing down

due to lack of business. Another reason given is retirement from the industry, with no-one around to take over and continue to trade. This too is a sign of how hard things are getting in our trade.

We have found that some customers are looking to buy flooring at low price points, and a number of flooring retailers appear to chase lower value orders. It really means that you work harder for smaller reward. We are fortunate that in our part of the country, the majority of customers are in the older age bracket and have a satisfactory amount of disposable income, so we aim at that market. Larger orders of good quality product is the way to survive in these difficult trading times.

Stay safe on fireworks night. Andy Laird, Fludes Carpets md

Generating warmth – or going up in smoke?

Long way to go

Mattress target set to be missed despite recycling increase

The level of mattress recycling has jumped by more than a quarter in the past four years, but industry targets on diversion from landfill look set to be missed.

The 2022 End of Life Mattress Report, produced on behalf of the National Bed Federation by environmental consultant Oakdene Hollins, shows that the rate of mattresses sent for recycling increased from 19% in 2017 to 24% in 2021, with about 6.4million mattresses reaching end of life. In 2012 10% of mattresses were sent for recycling.

However, the reports warns that while some mattresses recyclers are achieving high rates and demonstrating best practice and the potential capabilities of the sector, others are focusing only on recovering springs. This, the report says, brings the ’real’ rate of recycling to 14% (there are no historical comparisons).

This means that, as the most common method of managing the 76% of end of life mattresses not going for recycling is still landfill, the NBF’s target of 75% diversion from landfill by 2028 looks set to be missed without significant intervention in the form of an extended producer responsibility scheme (EPRS).

‘The positive take from this new report is that, in the eight years since we have been looking at the data, the proportion of end of life mattresses sent for recycling has more than doubled – from just 10% to around 24%. Less good news is that the real rate of recycling is significantly lower and we are still a long way short of our target of 75% diversion from landfill in the next six years. It is clear to us that intervention in the form of an extended producer responsibility scheme is required,’ says Simon Spinks, Harrison Spinks Group chairman and NBF circular economy committee chairman.

The report looks to identify the opportunities and challenges involved in accelerating the pace of change to achieve the NBF’s 75% diversion from landfill goal in the next six years. Based on detailed analysis of published data plus surveys and interviews carried out with local authorities, manufacturers, retailers and recyclers, the report identifies key areas for improvement include collection, reprocessing, developing end markets for recovered materials and designing with end of life in mind.

The report also aims to show how an EPRS would facilitate a more comprehensive and harmonised approach to the management of mattress end of life, providing the revenue and incentives to develop the collection and reprocessing infrastructure, achieve a more environmentally sound treatment of collected products and increased material recovery rates for all materials, and drive product design improvements.

In the report, collection of end of life mattresses was deemed one of the most crucial areas to be addressed. Although take-back schemes operated by retailers are expected to continue to grow, the bulk of end of life mattresses are handled by local authorities. Their performance around the country remains haphazard, with the lack of incentives to recycle mattresses frequently cited.

A third area the report addresses is how manufacturers can improve end of life fates by designing their new products with increased circularity in mind – for example, by using more recycled materials and by designing for ease of assembly.

Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk

Too many mattresses are going to landfill

READY TO GO VINYL?

Coming home

Natuzzi’s

region

The latest incarnation of Natuzzi’s flagship showroom takes the company back to its origins. Milan’s Via Durini has long been the spiritual home of the city’s interiors design sector and the place to make a statement.

This revamp takes the brand home to Puglia (Apulia in English) in south-east Italy, ‘celebrating the culture, colours, traditions and atmospheres in every single element’.

The company turned to Puglian architect Fabio Novembre for the new concept. ‘There is a deep connection between Fabio and Natuzzi: we share

the love for our roots, for what Apulia taught us,’ says Pasquale Natuzzi Jr, Natuzzi Italia chief creative officer.

‘When we decided to rethink the concept of our showrooms we immediately thought he would be the right choice, as he has a unique ability to translate into architecture those values we share: hospitality, warmth, Mediterranean beauty.’

Novembre saw a new way of imagining space, designed to make the furnishings stand out, but also to create a memorable encounter with the brand and its founding values:

Mediterranean flair, design, harmony, Italian character, innovation and comfort.

‘Natuzzi is the perfect interpreter to narrate Apulia to an international audience,’ says Novembre. ‘Places have a soul, and Apulia has always been a crossroads of different cultures living together in harmony. We are a symbolic bridge over the Mediterranean.’

The heart of the project is the central area – an ideal square surrounded by the iconic lights typical of the Apulian culture and defined by a series of arches that recall 

the traditional architecture of the region; the space hosts a multifunctional lounge which is available for meetings with customers and for the virtual 3D experience.

Different environments grow around it, with one open and fluid setting that allows continuous flow between the spaces: the sets – four dedicated to the living area and three to the total living

proposals – that evoke the typical elements of the Apulian landscapes, the farms, the olive trees, the warm light on the sea.

Visit: www.natuzzi.com

The right stuff

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for underlay

Underlay is well-known for its ability to minimise the effects of wear and tear, extending the lifespan of carpet by up to 50% and providing heat and sound insulation. However, to many customers, the primary reason to use underlay is for the superior underfoot feel.

As Europe’s largest producer of quality underlay, lnterfloor has unrivalled experience within the industry, built on more than 70 years of manufacturing.

‘Flooring is integral to making the first and best impression but, as many fitters know, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Knowing and understanding the unique challenges presented by different environments is what drives us to constantly diversify our product offering. It’s for this reason that we offer one of the largest underlay ranges available, as part of our well-regarded Tredaire and Duralay brands,’ says Lynn Bamber, lnterfloor head of marketing.

‘Luxury PU foam underlays such as Tredaire Premier offer unrivalled underfoot cushioning and durability, as well as outstanding sound insulation. Softwalk, part of the Tredaire Premier

range, continues to be a favourite for domestic use. Its lightweight design not only makes it easy to fit, but tiny air pockets inside the foam create a luxuriously springy feel when walked on, which is why it’s perfect for bedrooms.

‘Sponge rubber similarly offers outstanding comfort, but the denser, more flexible design means it excels at absorbing impact and airborne sound. A traditional choice that has been available since the 1950s, sponge rubber is a highly versatile option for a range of spaces, from living rooms to bedrooms or even home offices. The specialist underlays Duralay Heatflow and Tredaire King are low tog and are ideal for use with underfloor heating.

‘In high traffic spaces, durability is essential. Treadmore offers exceptional resilience in these interiors and can help to extend the life of carpets in hallways and landings that often show wear sooner. This type of underlay also makes excellent use of waste materials. The crumb rubber underlays manufactured by lnterfloor are made

of recycled car tyres, to give end users a more sustainable and environmentally friendly flooring product.

‘While many underlays are designed to be used with carpet, Duralay also offers solutions for hard flooring and laminate. Floating floors can be susceptible to warping and movement and this is where a good underlay such as Silentfloor Gold makes all the difference. A wood and laminate underlay will help to support the floor to reduce movement in the joints, and can significantly reduce impact noise.’

Another important factor for consumers when selecting underlay is environmental impact. For the energyconscious individual, selecting an underlay is essential to making a home more thermally efficient.

‘Products like renu, which uses 98% recycled materials and is itself 100% recyclable, also help consumers select eco-friendly options that benefit both their home and the planet,’ says Bamber. Visit: www.interfloor.com

Softwalk is well suited for bedrooms

Sponge rubber Heatflow

renu

Open plan

Functionality continues to grow in importance

Core Products has added an extensive range of products to its award-winning flat-packed furniture collections, which are in stock and ready for quick delivery.

With open-plan living becoming a key element of many new or re-planned homes, the demand for functionality in furniture has become even more important. Dining space and seating have changed significantly to meet changing consumer tastes, with benches making a return. High-level sets add additional social seating to kitchens.

Colour is now playing an important role in bringing life into furniture, with grey remaining as popular as ever, combined with the character you will only find in real wood. Natural wood is an ideal choice for sustainability, sourced directly from established, wellmanaged plantations where proven replanting programmes exist. Core has taken an active role for many years in ensuring all materials used to make its furniture are from proven sources with many customers also participating in its tree-planting initiative.

The new Linea casual living collection features clean lines and subtle plank top detailing across a range of pieces that are ideal for open plan, casual living. A choice of dining table sizes is available, and chairs and benches can be mixed and matched to your customers’ choice.

Where breakfast bar height seating is preferred, there is a choice of breakfast sets, along with compact sets with table leaves to provide additional surface area, ideal where space is at a premium.

There is also a compact nest of tables, ideal for after-dinner drinks.

The collection is manufactured from solid pine with a subtle grey washed wax finish that reveals the natural textures of the wood, combined with antique wax effect tops and gunmetal hardware.

Linea forms part of the extensive Corona Grey collection, which features a whole variety of pieces for throughout the home. Stock is held in the UK for quick delivery to retailers nationwide and a DHD service is also available, with no minimum order requirements.

Visit: www.coreproducts.co.uk

Linea

Winter warmers

Flooring to help combat the cold

With the weather getting colder, styles from leading vinyl flooring specialist Moduleo offer a number of benefits that help combat the drop in temperature in the winter months.

Moduleo LayRed engineered vinyl floors feature a strong core and are designed to be warm underfoot compared to their natural counterparts. This means mornings in the kitchen are kinder on feet, and style-conscious customers can have a beautiful, functional floor that helps to contend with the cold.

LayRed can be laid over underfloor heating with minimal preparation. The product is simple, clickable engineered vinyl, which removes the need for

adhesive. Without extensive levelling required, Moduleo LayRed is ideal for renovation projects and can transform a room in no time at all.

The flooring combines design, strength and comfort. It feels soft, dampens sound and features integrated underlay, as well as offering waterproof properties and a premium protective layer, making it even more resistant to scratches and stains.

The Moduleo LayRed collection is manufactured to look and feel like real wood and stone but with all the additional benefits engineered vinyl can offer.

Retailers can now offer customers a host of different designs, in a

selection of shades from light to dark, which complement the aesthetics of a home’s most important rooms.

Moduleo newest addition is the Moduleo LayRed Herringbone range: reinventing a flooring classic with a modern twist. This collection features five wood designs in 12 colours and brings a modern take on a flooring shape that has been around for centuries.

The timeless feel and geometric design of Herringbone can add a splash of grandeur and warmth to any room.

The new styles join the existing range, which consists of wood and stone effect floors in two plank sizes, two tile formats and a range of colours and designs.

Tel: 01332 851 500

Moduleo LayRed Country Oak 24918

Moduleo LayRed Herringbone Blackjack Oak 22205

MAKES MORE SENSE TO MAKE

MODULEO

What inflation?

Prices have been reduced on more than 725 products

Gallery Direct has cut the price on more than 725 lines, including a substantial assortment of its key ranges, with an average reduction of 24%. The company has also maintained prices across the majority of its other products.

There will be no price increases at this stage on the House Collection sofas

and Sofa in a Box products, plus five entire categories: furniture, outdoor, wall decor, accessories and textiles.

In addition, the amount for carriagepaid orders also remains the same: £250 for textiles, lighting and accessories and £750 for all other product categories. There remains no minimum order. To

help with single parcel deliveries, two new weight brackets have been introduced: under 1kg and under 5kg.

Gallery’s full offer features more than 6,000 lines, with the vast majority of its stock lines ready for quick delivery from its warehouses in Sittingbourne and near Chesterfield. There is still time to order for the festive season and winter sales. Customers can still have sofas and sofa beds for Christmas, including the UK-made Sofa in a Box collection.

The price drop products include a selection of dining and occasional tables, and storage and display pieces. These include the Melbury coffee and side tables, which feature a removable traystyle top. The tray top and base are made from metal with a painted finish. Both tables are offered in a choice of six colours, from eye-catching tones designed to add a pop of colour to room, to softer colours for those who prefer a more subtle look.

Gallery’s Pippard collection, which features occasional tables along with cocktail cabinets and open display units, has also had price drops. This range offers contemporary style, with its combination of bevelled mirror tops and angular metal frames in a choice of black or gold.

Seating, from dining chairs to upholstered sofas and chairs, is included in the reductions, including the Neyland armchairs and sofas, which are offered in leather or linen with a choice of colours. Mirrors, wall art, cushions and throws are also featured in the price cuts. www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Melbury coffee and side tables

Neyland sofa in Heritage Green leather

Pippard console table

Autumn Drops

There’s a style for every preference and we’re here to help you find the look that’s right for you, whether it’s a curated range or simply an

to complete

are pleased to offer

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want to lounge

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Celebrating the best

‘A big thank you from the NBF team to everyone who participated in this year’s Bed Show at Telford International Centre, from 20-21 September. Additionally, a special thanks to all our official sponsors – without them The Bed Show couldn’t be the success it is today,’ says Jessica Alexander, NBF executive director.

The Bed Show honours the coming together of the best in British and Irish bed manufacturing and their component suppliers. It is a significant annual event in the trade calendar, where exhibitors present their latest innovations, offers, promotions and sales support for the UK market.

‘We had really positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors, as they made the most of the valuable opportunity to connect and network after such a remarkable year –economically, politically and historically. It was our 12th Bed Show, and what an amazing event it turned out to be,’ said Alexander.

“The buzz we felt in the halls is backed up by the numbers. We were

really pleased with the visitor numbers in a year when many exhibitions are seeing a 20% downturn. Our numbers were on a par with the last few years, with well over 1,200 attendees over the two days. Most of our exhibitors were reporting plenty of interest and buying going on. The Bed Show is now well

established as the preferred launchpad of new collections, innovations and marketing plans for the majority of companies in the sector.’

The annual gala dinner and awards ceremony was also a success, with newcomers to the awards scooping top accolades, and past winners

The gala dinner

To find out more

list

How?

By setting standards and driving ethics, transparency and responsibility.

By championing excellence in bed-making and selling.

By supporting sustainability through the NBF Pledge for the Planet and an ecodesign framework for mattresses.

And by educating consumers on how to improve their sleep.

In other words, we’ll keep on making sure our members do the right thing. Because when we do, everyone sleeps better at night.

for the bed industry in 2022 and beyond is clear – we want to make it right.

continuing their reign.

TV and radio broadcaster, and current Countdown quiz master, Colin Murray, revealed the 11 winners across retail, supply and manufacturing to an audience of more than 400 people in the bed trade.

‘We are delighted that Dreams has been recognised once more by the National Bed Federation as the National Bed Retailer of the Year. Every one of our colleagues at Dreams has continued to help us go from strength to strength, even in tough times. I am exceptionally proud of our colleagues and this award is a huge testament to everyone’s hard work,’ says Jonathan Hirst, Dreams ceo.

‘We are thrilled that Glasswells has won not only the Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year but also the Outstanding Bed Store of the Year in the National Bed Federation industry awards. My grandfather started the business in 1946 and we have always strived to be the best home furnisher. To be described by the judges as “one the finest furniture retailers not just in the UK but maybe all of Europe” makes me very proud,’ says Paul Glasswell, Glasswells md.

‘Winning the Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year Award reflects all the hard work and dedication our team at Now to Bed has put in over recent years. This award will make a huge difference to our business going forward and will give the consumer even more confidence to shop with a successful, family-run, award-winning company,’ says Paul Burnet, Now to Bed owner.

‘To have been recognised as the winner in the Online Retailer of the Year category for the fourth successive time, and finalists in the Marketing Campaign

category feels incredible. We appreciate the effort and time the judges put in each year. The accolades reflect the stellar work of every employee at Mattress Online. I am proud of them all,’ says Steve Adams, Mattress Online ceo. Sealy won Bed Product of the Year for its Elevate Ultra Turing Plush. ‘This win is an acknowledgement of all the design and development work that went into the new range. It is also a tribute to our factory teams for building this greatlooking, great-performing product. To be recognised for producing and selling the Bed of the Year feels like the first step in a new era for Sealy UK,’ says David Trimble, Sealy UK general manager.

‘To be crowned Bed Manufacturer of the Year is an incredible achievement and testament to the amazing work, passion, commitment and innovation from everyone across the business. We have worked hard to create a business where the quality and comfort of our

products are underpinned by continuous innovation and a sustainable approach,’ says Nick Booth, Harrison Spinks Beds md. Hypnos won Component Product of the Year for its Himalaya Nettle, Cotton and Kapok Fibre Comfort Layer. ‘Hypnos is committed to luxurious sleep, sustainability and achieving net zero by 2030, so it’s fantastic to have been recognised for this design partnership and receiving [this] award,’ says David Baldry, Hypnos group md.

John Cotton Nonwovens won Component Supplier of the Year. ‘This win provides us with a huge sense of confidence that we are doing all we can to provide our customers with innovative, quality performance products that are highly credible within the industry,’ says Mark Baron, John Cotton Nonwovens sales and marketing director.

The 2023 edition will take place from 26-27 September.

Visit: bedshow.co.uk.

Very happy

Bed Show exhibitors praised visitor quality and number, engagement and the gala dinner

‘The Bed Show was brilliant. Whilst last year was still very Covid-centric, this year was like old times. There were some great stands, lots of attendance and it was great to see everyone back to “normal” and integrating with each other again. The gala dinner was fantastic, Colin Murray was a great host and it was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.’

Wendy Williams, Harrison Spinks central sales support manager

‘This year was the first time Emma exhibited at the Bed Show now that we’re a Brand Associate Member. It was nice to be back in the fold. The show is both quality and quantity; you get some very, very big customers, you get some very good independents, but there is a real volume coming through the show that makes attendance so worthwhile.’

Neil Robinson, Emma retail sales director UK & Ireland

‘It was fantastic to be back at the Bed Show. We had a really successful show and were pleased to be recognised as a finalist in the Bed Manufacturer of the Year category. We were grateful to have the opportunity to meet up with our retail partners, old friends and colleagues at the industry’s biggest trade show.

The Sleepeezee team worked extremely hard in presenting a truly excellent stand, which remained busy throughout and we received great feedback on all new product launches.’

Amy Curtis, Sleepeezee head of marketing

‘What we really like about the Bed Show is it is a fantastic place to launch new products into the market: we launched a Sealy Posturepedic product new to the UK market, and we wanted to show it to people at the Bed Show.’

Edward Kirk, Sealy account executive

‘The show is just such a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with all our colleagues, customers and friends in the industry. It’s such a great experience to bring us all together and it’s just so cohesive for us. Brilliant.’

Paul Little, Airsprung Beds md

‘It was great to connect with so many industry decision makers at the Bed Show. We were delighted by the response we received to the new products we introduced. Our designprotected inner tufting system was seen as the obvious solution to end of life mattress recycling and the desire to remove adhesives, particularly energyintensive hot-melt glue, of all types from the mattress assembly process. The visitors to our stand were looking for products that would enable their shop-floor models to stand out from the crowd. To that end, samples of our Italian-produced fire retardant tape edge range were in great demand, as was our range of ottoman box ventilators. These items along with our wide range of tuft options are seen as key visual elements when consumers make their retail mattress selection.’

Nick Harland-Smith, Handy md

‘The best thing about the Bed Show for Enkev is our ability to be able to provide sustainable, traceable and natural materials to the wide range of trade that is there over the two days.’

Chris Francis, Enkev UK UK sales manager

Homegrown

Harrison Spinks mattresses start life on its farm

Fifth-generation British family bedmaker Harrison Spinks manufactures its luxury mattresses sustainably in the heart of Yorkshire. The business has been paving the way for a perfect night’s sleep since 1840 and has become one of the most innovative and vertically integrated bed manufacturers in the world.

Harrison Spinks meticulously blends nature and technology to create sleeping comfort, which is ethically produced, sustainable and hand-made using the finest raw materials.

Every mattress is made with natural materials, starting life at Harrison Spinks’ very own 300acre farm in North Yorkshire, where sheep are reared on rich, untreated pastures, and hemp and flax crops are grown on fertile fields, without the need for pesticides. This allows every mattress made to be 100% foam-free, glue-free and fire-retardant chemical free, which ensures a healthy and safe night’s sleep, kinder to both people and the planet.

One of the key natural fillings used within a Harrison Spinks mattress is hemp, which is one of the strongest natural fibres and is known for its fresh and extremely absorbent properties. The company recently expanded its North Yorkshire farmland to increase hemp production, and in doing so became the largest grower of industrial hemp in the UK. The hemp crop also has extremely high environmental benefits, absorbing more CO2 per hectare than any other forest or commercial crop.

Both the specialist spring technology and the growing of natural fillings by

the business have been recognised with three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation, Sustainable Development and International Trade, and in September, Harrison Spinks won the Bed Manufacturer of the Year at the National Bed Federation Awards.

Harrison Spinks also champions British farming and was the first to partner with British Wool on its traceable wool scheme, which guarantees all wool used within the mattresses has been ethically sourced from British farms.

Bed technicians have worked to create innovative and unique spring technology, with the business drawing its own wire

to create the Cortec pocket springs. The mattresses also contain thousands of micro springs, which contour to the body during the night for targeted support across the full sleeping surface. This allows customers to be cradled as they sleep, thanks to the mattress responding to individual movements of the body, while keeping the spine in alignment.

Harrison Spinks produces a host of luxury and hand-crafted collections, including the Bed Tailor Pillowtop Collection, Synergy Collection, Somnus Collection and Harrison Spinks Collection. Visit: www.harrisonspinks.co.uk

From farm to factory to homes

are proud to be

of the Year

Perfect dozen

Sleepeezee has introduced four ranges

Sleepeezee had a great Bed Show and received positive feedback and response to showcasing multiple new products (alongside some delicious refreshments for its visitors). The Sleepeezee stand featured 12 new beds including the upgraded Cooler Collection, a refreshed Backcare range and three additional new ranges.

Made up of three models, the Cool Rest range features a Cool Touch cover and unique TemperatureSmart technology, both proven to reduce body temperature during the night. Situated just under the cover, the technology helps to conduct excess heat away from the body: naturally and continuously. The cooling strips work across the entire mattress, helping maintain that ‘just right’ temperature all night long.

The refreshed Backcare collection, Ortho Bespoke, features three beds containing luxurious natural fillings and offering a firmer level of comfort for those who prefer extra support.

Showcasing alongside these two new collections were three new ranges based on memory foam and natural latex fillings stories, which have been designed exclusively for independent retail partners. Offering them a wide range of products available only in store, this will help retailers differentiate their ranges from online offers.

Sleepeezee was pleased to achieve finalist status in the Bed Manufacturer

of the Year category at the NBF Bed Awards. After working hard over the past 12 months to ensure the highest standards of service, product and support for its retail partners, it was delighted to be recognised.

‘It was fantastic to be back at the show at Telford and we’re pleased to have been recognised as a finalist in this category. We were grateful for the

opportunity to meet up with our retail partners, old friends and colleagues at the industry’s biggest trade show. The Sleepeezee team worked extremely hard in presenting a truly excellent stand, which remained busy throughout, and we received great feedback on all new product launches,’ says Amy Curtis, Sleepeezee head of marketing.

Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Agility

Distinct ranges have been created

As Shire Beds celebrates 25 years in the bed industry this year, it remains the manufacturer that puts the needs of its retailers at the heart of everything it does. In today’s trading conditions and with the rising cost of living for consumers, Shire Beds’ response has been to launch two separate ranges that will offer its high street and online retailers quality products that are also commercial winners, enabling all its retailers to sell with confidence at profit.

Shire Beds developed the ranges to address the company’s wide-ranging and distinct markets. Understanding the distinct needs of these two markets in the current climate has resulted in the innovation and fine tuning of the two distinct ranges to give each market protection and the opportunity to maximise sales.

Spectrum is designed for the high street. ‘The high street retailer we understand desperately needs to attract footfall – attractive-looking and attractively priced product will be one factor that will do this,’ says Fara Butt, Shire Beds sales and marketing director.

‘Spectrum Online Only is designed for etailers and addresses the needs of the busy and competitive ecommerce market. Whilst the online retailers have

seen greater traction in terms of sales, the opportunity to sell a quality product and make margin remains the ultimate aim for them.

‘The foundation of these two ranges was to provide distinct product for the high street and Internet yet remain true to Shire Beds’ values of quality across all price ranges – quality that needn’t cost the earth. Through Shire Beds’ pricing

structure, both ranges address the immediate and pressing key problem of the nation: the cost of living crisis. The complete range of price points ensures every retailer and etailer will have a product that will enable them to maximise sales.’

Both ranges have six mattresses each. Both ranges start with 13.5 and 12.5 gauge Bonnell spring mattresses and move up to wide range of pocket sprung mattresses including 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 springs.

‘We have worked closely with our local suppliers to design and produce bespoke borders with eye-catching coloured ribbons and complementary tape to stand out from the rest. We have also created new specification fabrics to enable us to produce attractive products at affordable price points, to provide options to all customers to suit their budget,’ says Butt.

‘We remain highly responsive to the current manufacturing and retail climate and have tremendous ability and the agility to make commercially strategic decisions. The launch of the two distinct ranges meets the need for a great night’s sleep without it breaking the bank for both the high street and online etailer customer. As a quality small manufacturer Shire Beds always overdelivers on our product promise. The latest ranges enable everyone, no matter what their budget, the opportunity to get a great night’s sleep.’

Visit: www.shirebeds.co.uk

Spectrum Online Only

Spectrum

Partnership

Increasing skills can boost add-on sales while earning rewards

‘Given that this year has seen footfall decrease compared with 2021, we are extremely proud to be such an important partner for retailers, helping to increase average order values in-store through our reward and training programmes. The foundations of our success lie in the fact we are unique specialists in the category, with methods of growing sales that outperform the competition,’ says Gowsh Shan, Protect-A-Bed national sales manager.

‘We can see this from our successes at the recent AIS, Minerva and Bed Show trade shows, with many new customers

taking advantage of our TV displays, and both existing and new customers signing up to the Protect-A-Bed Platinum Club rewards programme.

‘All of these customers recognise the importance of driving sales together, which we’re experts in. We build frameworks that are simple for retailers to implement in order to achieve extremely high attachment rates. We know we can help any store reach a 50% attachment rate of one protector sold for every two bed sales or higher. We provide specialist training, which is vital to unlock sales potential, and our

Protect-A-Bed team are highly adaptive to support this in any retail environment.’

The Platinum Club has been designed to build, recognise and reward success with unique promotional and discount opportunities, sponsored incentives and tailored POS solutions as well as membership rewards.

‘Retail partners know our ability to upskill their team and increase sales revenue by maximising every sales opportunity. We can manage every step of the process for you and build a reward scheme that works for every store.’

Visit: www.protectabed.co.uk

Try then buy

Driving pre-sold customers to your store is the aim

‘Nectar Sleep will drive pre-sold customers into your stores from our website. The customers are pre-sold on the brand, price, quality, value, warranties and reviews: the only thing they want to do in-store is to try the product before they buy. The extensive in-store training documents are at your disposal, so upselling the customer to the exclusive range could not be easier. The concept is simple and completely unique,’ says Darren Crowshaw, Nectar Sleep UK sales director.

This unique in-store concept has grown prolifically since it was launched in the US in 2018 and has been successful in the top five American retailers, with more than three million people sleeping on a Nectar mattress.

‘We have had a great response to the range so far, which is unsurprising

because it is a unique and exciting concept. The training assets and experience we can draw down from the US team are a huge advantage for us and we are already seeing an accelerated sell-through in-store. It’s a critical step towards linking the gap between online and in-store trading,’ says Crowshaw.

Nectar has created the exclusive retail range with sustainability as a core focus, working with Climate Partner to measure, reduce and offset its carbon footprint. Its ethos when creating a product is to make it once, use robust materials, and make it so that the customer is happy with it. The company is so confident that the mattresses do all these things that it offers a unique, industry-leading Forever Warranty and a 365-night sleep trial on all products.

Nectar also creates a second life for

its mattresses. Any trial mattresses that are returned good-as-new are refurbished and re-sold and the rest donated to the British Heart Foundation, giving the products second homes and funding life-saving research. Nectar’s used mattresses have raised £430,000 for the charity.

Nectar has partnered with GNG Group to manufacture the products. The range features its graphite-infused, breathable Nectatex foam, manufactured by Vita Comfort UK. The products also contain Spinks’ Nectacoil springs.

‘There is so much to talk about and it is so easy to become a partner. Become a stockist now to make sure your staff are trained and engaged, ready to maximise the opportunity in the January sales,’ says Crowshaw.

Visit: www.nectarsleep.co.uk

Hybrid Luxe

Hybrid Pro

Natural fibres in Originals

Pioneer

Hypnos has become the first company to join the Responsible Wool Standard

Hypnos revealed its vision for sustainable bed design at the Bed Show with its carbon-negative concept mattress, Project Zero, and launched two collections that feature uniquely traceable, natural-based, award-winning materials.

Hypnos’ Origins Pillow Top and Luxury No Turn collections have been developed to enhance sleep comfort, and feature new sustainable initiatives and fibres that are ideal for mattresses thanks to their natural, breathable and temperatureregulating qualities. Both are supported with dedicated marketing and POS.

In a pioneering move by Hypnos, both collections feature traceable British wool certified by the internationally recognised Responsible Wool Standard. New to British farming, the standard will drive expertise and improvements for the textiles industry and Hypnos is the first brand in any sector to join the standard.

A luxurious and responsive feel is achieved with a careful combination of fillings and pocket springs. All Hypnos mattresses are free from any chemicalbased foams, and these models feature responsive and breathable Talalay latex layers.

The four Pillow Top mattresses see the addition of the innovative plant-fibre layer developed by Hypnos and awarded Component Product of the Year at the NBF Awards. Nettle fibres, also known as allo, are wild-harvested by the Himalayan Wild Fibers social enterprise, which supports indigenous farmers in

the foothills of Nepal and protects this unique environment. These strong and absorbent fibres are combined with treegrown kapok and responsibly sourced cotton fibres from the CottonConnect farmer programme. By successfully working with social initiatives, fibres derived from nature can add real value; not just to the comfort of a mattress, but to the local communities and the planet.

‘The Bed Show is a fantastic platform to introduce new collections and garner feedback. For me, it provided an excellent opportunity to meet many of our customers in person. Our new

collections have been well received by the industry thanks to their great luxury feels and handcrafted details. As one of the most searched for mattress brands on Google, Hypnos is in a unique position to offer retailers a strong portfolio of sleep solutions. It’s clear that our strategy of comfort with integrity is hitting the right notes with consumers and retailers alike, with retailers fascinated to find out about Project Zero and intrigued to learn more about our approach to reducing carbon,’ says David Baldry, Hypnos group md. Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com

Originals has traceable wool under the Responsible Wool Standard scheme

Project Zero concept

Being greener

The bed industry is thinking more about end of life use

‘Creativity, comfort and style continue to be the words to watch for the UK bedding industry, and this was clearly in evidence at the National Bed Federation’s Bed Show. In the continued effort to stand out from the crowd, bed and mattress manufacturers are tinkering with both the internal construction of products as well as the external aesthetics,’ says Nick Harland-Smith, Handy md.

‘Our industry is working hard at manufacturing mattresses and beds with ever-increasing ecologically friendly credentials. This is, of course, worthy and to be applauded, as is the National Bed Federation’s new green initiative, NBF Pledge for Our Planet, and its target of 75% of new mattress sales being diverted from landfill by 2028, which we are proud to have committed to.

‘An ever-increasing amount of thought is going into what will happen to a

mattress at the end of its life. Critically, how easy will it be to break the mattress down into its component parts for the ease of recycling its component elements?

This makes great sense and explains why we are starting to see internally tufted mattress cores and a move away from energy-intensive hot melt gluing even when the mattress may have a removable cover or quilted panels top and bottom. The tufting elements themselves can even be recycled.

‘We are aware that non-chemically treated FR fabrics and fillings are increasingly sought after, and we have seen a significant hike in demand for mattress tape edge with inherent FR properties rather than the post-production chemically treated alternative. Sustainably sourced, FSC approved timber for bed base construction and bed legs is becoming de rigueur. These and other green initiatives often come at a cost, and it will be interesting to see how the end consumer balances their budget with their eco-conscience, particularly in these uncertain times,’ says Harland-Smith.

‘Whilst comfort should ultimately drive any mattress or bed purchase (and

I continue to be amazed by the number of consumers that are happy to purchase the surface they spend a third of their life lying on without testing in-store) our manufacturers know that the styling and appearance of their product on the shopfloor forms a key part of the consumer’s decision-making process.

‘We are now supplying narrow woven fabrics that incorporate lurex thread and have recently sampled a tape edge incorporating the colours of the Ukrainian flag as well as being asked to produce a narrow-woven tape edge in the rainbow colours of the Gay Pride flag, to create a mattress that could appeal to the LGBTQ+ community. Likewise, our range of legs, castors, ventilators and tufts grows ever wider as customers seek to differentiate price points or themselves from competitors.

‘We continue to be invited on various customers’ journeys as they embark upon their next product development. We love it and consider it a privilege. It is this particularly creative drive within the UK bed industry that sets us apart from our overseas competitors.’

Visit: www.handyltd.co.uk

Above: Handy’s Stoke distribution centre Below left: Nick Harland-Smith

Multiple choices

There was plenty for buyers to focus on at the Bed Show

Burgess Bedding Company introduced piping on its mattresses to differentiate its five collections, including gold for the Grande and black for the Lancastrian. The company, celebrating its 95th anniversary, also launched nine bedsteads. Hannah, an art deco style in cool pastel mint, and the geometric emerald Harvey were the star attractions.

Deep Sleep Beds made its Bed Show debut and marked the occasion with the launch of several mattresses including, under the high-end GiltEdge banner, the Natural Collection Pure 1000, Rise 1500 and Shine 2000 and, in the Natural Elements range, Latex Cloud, Cool Dream and Classic Pocket.

Deluxe Beds’ new Repreve ECO 50 luxury sprung mattress, which is over 50% recycled, was introduced to the independent market.

‘We have the certification to prove the Repreve’s sustainable credentials –no green-washing here,’ says James Appleyard, Deluxe Beds sales director. ‘And we’ve tied its launch in with the NBF’s Pledge for our Planet eco-design tool, which is all around creating

mattresses at the design stage that are easier to recycle at end of life and won’t go into landfill.’

Sharing the limelight was the Majestic Shallow under the Hamilton and James banner, which features hand-stitched mattresses with natural fillings. Unlike some other high-end offerings, it promises a lead time of just one week for collection and one to two weeks for delivery.

‘Buying mattresses has changed. People used to do their research quickly and happily wait four to six weeks for delivery: now they spend that four to six weeks doing their research and as soon as they’ve made a decision they want their mattress fast,’ says Appleyard.

It was all about technology for Duvalay, with the introduction of labels with barcodes across all its mattresses.

‘The mattress’s whole identity is revealed in this barcode, including care instructions and traceability information,’ explains Liz Colleran, Duvalay sales and marketing director. ‘And we can tailor the bar code to retail buyers so, for example, it can lead customers to their website.’

The Revive collection of mid-price mattresses is made from 40-plus plastic bottles, and the Flowtex range contains graphite particles in a cooling foam to draw heat away from the body.

‘This is the busiest show we’ve been to with lots of people visiting,’ said Colleran.

The show also beat expectations for Dan Porter, ENKEV UK UK md, who had anticipated, in the light of the market, a quiet affair but was pleasantly surprised. ‘It’s been really good. We’ve even had conversations with some horticultural manufacturers, which isn’t what you expect at a Bed Show,’ he said.

‘What we won’t and don’t do is green-washing,’ says Chris Francis, ENKEV UK sales manager. ‘If we say something is traceable we have an independent auditor verifying that – we won’t make a claim we can’t substantiate independently. That due diligence gives our customers a level of trust.’

At the 2021 show, Mamoona Akbar, MA Living commercial director told how she’d spent lockdown designing bright and beautiful bedstead patterns. This year it was all about the fabrics.

Duvalay Revive

MA Living updated its fabric offer

‘Boucle is popular right now, soft and cosy – people want to relax in bed as well as sleep,’ she says.

The Coco bedframe provided a tactile turn on the stand alongside the velvet Atlanta and Ohio ottomans. ‘Retailers appreciate the fact that we pair our bedframes with mattresses so they arrive with the customer at the same time.’

There were timeless classics on the Norfolk Feather Company stand, including the luxury Princess range of goose-down pillows, the Triple Comfort collection and the Deeper Sleeper range designed for side-sleepers. The majority of models on display were king size because, as Russell Parsons, Norfolk Feather Company head of sales and marketing explains: ‘Put two king-size pillows on a display bed and, when a customer lies down, their head is on something the retailer can actually sell them rather than a bolster. Beds look good with bolsters but customers don’t actually buy them.’

Relyon drew the crowds with a craftsman hand side-stitching a mattress. ‘We’re renowned for hand-crafted, traditional pocket sprung beds and these are all the skills used,’ says Dave

Wescomb, Relyon sales director. ‘There’s virtually no machinery at Relyon – it’s all people like Angus today, with these fantastic craft skills.’

The new Storaway divans feature a just over suitcase-sized 30cm shelf covered by fabric flaps. ‘It’s a simple piece of design – the divan is engineered to be as low as possible but with all this space for storage to fit bulky items,’ says Wescomb. Other innovations were the fitting of pillow tops to three existing mattress ranges, including the Natural Luxury collection’s 2,150 pocket spring Henley. On top-end ranges, the eightyear guarantee has been extended to 10.

For Shakespeare Beds, its existing organic mattresses were the focus. ‘Our most popular products right now are our organic mattresses with natural fibres

and fabric,’ says Mo Zahoor, Shakespeare Beds md. ‘That’s the trend – natural.’

Smeaton Brothers’ Healthbeds stand was packed with products making their trade show debut, including a chemicalfree Talalay latex range of mattresses, a chemical-free, no-turn micro-quilted Naturals collection and, in the Essentials collection, a Vegan Society approved mattress. ‘We’ve had vegan mattresses for three years but, with a tough winter ahead for some people, we’ve brought the price point down on this by taking the latex out,’ says Steve Congreve, Smeaton Brothers sales and marketing director. ‘It’s been very popular.’

There was a revamp on the Genoa with the addition of a micro-quilted Tencel cover and the Freeze Ultimate Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, featuring a breathable honeycomb memory foam shell with a hollowfibre filling.

Vogue Beds’ Vegan Mattress brand garnered interest and the Phoenix range, launched seven years ago, had enjoyed a revamp with the removal of foam encapsulation units and a streamlining of the collection down to 15.

‘Foam prices are going up and, because of that and issues around sustainability, we’re steering away from foam encapsulation units,’ says Bilkis Patel, Vogue Beds marketing director. ‘The mattresses still have our blue core memory foam, latex and gels, but we’ve found a new method of encapsulation.’

Visit: www.bedshow.co.uk

Norfolk Feather Company’s Princess pillow offer

Burges Bedding Company’s Lancastrian

Healthbeds

Full-fledged

MIFF returns as a full physical show

South-east Asia’s largest furniture trade show, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair, returns fully fledged in 2023, from 1-4 March at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Buyers from more than 140 countries and regions are expected to converge on MIFF to explore its extensive range of domestic and commercial furniture, as well as components. New design trends, market demands, potential business leads and an array of price points means a rewarding experience for visitors.

More than 500 industry players such as Artwright, Ecomate, Favourite Design, Future Manufacturer, Heveapac, Isella Sofa, Ivorie International, Johann & Joann Concept, Living World, Luxury Sleep, Mobilia International, Oasis Furniture and Zenith Projects will be exhibiting and showcasing their latest furniture products and reconnecting with buyers during the March Asia furniture sourcing season. With Malaysia opening up its international borders and granting quarantine-free measures to travellers, international buyers can freely immerse themselves for their furniture-sourcing trip. For first-time international buyers the show offers a three-night complimentary hotel stay via the MIFF Valued Visitor Privilege programme. Visitor registration is now open: register before 15 February to gain free access to the show, International Buyers Lounge, Gala Dinner and competitive hotel and airport transfer rates. Visit: www.miff.com.my

Spring

Marketplace

The leading event for wholesale home, gift and fashion

Spring Fair is where bestsellers are found, relationships forged and curiosity piqued, with a treasure trove of new ideas and new trends just waiting to be discovered and displayed in your store.

Spring Fair is the ‘shop for shops’, the largest marketplace for newness and innovation across home, gifts and fashion, putting the most sought-after products and industry creative thinkers under one roof. The key buying destinations are: Home, which includes Home, Living & Decor and The Summerhouse; Gift, comprising Christmas, Floral and Seasonal Decorations; and Moda, showcasing the latest womenswear, footwear, fashion accessories, watches and jewellery, all presenting much-loved and established favourites as well as an array of sustainable and new brands showing for the first time.

Within Home, Living & Decor and The Summerhouse, buyers will discover the most stylish and on-trend furniture, textiles, housewares, art and decorative interior accessories from UK, European and global brands including Coach House, The Libra Company, Bloomingville, Gallery Direct, Mint Interiors by Kettle, Art Marketing, Ascalon, Chic Antique, Malini and Hill Interiors.

Spring Fair is delighted to welcome back an array of home lifestyle brands for the 2023 event including Fifty Five

South, VanillaFly and Native Natural. Personality in any brand is key and the show welcomes back Matt Buckley, Edge Sculptures’ designer, who offers a striking collection of emotionally evocative and fiercely modern figures of animals and mythical creatures.

Serving up the best in culinary must-haves, from the latest innovations in cookware to the most beautiful tableware decor, visitors to Housewares will encounter kitchenware and dining ideas from Apollo Housewares, Captivate Brands, David Mason (Design), Goodtobee, International Cookware, Juice and Jam, Kuhn Rikon, Olivawood,

Pendeford Housewares, T&G Woodware and Ulster Weavers.

New to the show is Pure Table Top. Pitched as ‘the home of beautiful tablewares’, its collections feature much-loved brands including Joules, Olly Smith and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, each with their own signature style.

The burgeoning gift market continues to offer everything you want to gift and be gifted with. Curated to create special moments from the show floor to your shop floor, explore an array of best-sellers, contemporary designs, and unique and personalised gifts in the gift sector.

Visit: www.springfair.com

Come on in

Showcasing

by

Comeback

VIFA EXPO will return in March

Following the success of August’s VIFA EXPO, the 14th Vietnam International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair will be back from 8-11 March 2023 in Asia’s furniture exhibition chain.

VIFA EXPO 2022 gathered 175 exhibitors covering 15,000sqm, including 34 exhibitors from overseas. The show attracted 11,156 visitors, including 4,652 from overseas.

With such successful comeback after the pandemic, VIFA EXPO will return to its traditional March slot at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center. The

2023 event is expected to recover to its pre-pandemic scale, with more than 600 exhibitors occupying 44,000sqm.

VIFA EXPO is an important part of the annual furniture fair chain of South East Asia and Asia in March, including: MIFF and EFE (Malaysia), IFEX (Indonesia), 3F and CIFF (China). This will make it easier for international visitors to arrange their trips to visit all the fairs in the chain.

Exhibitors include Ashley Furniture, Scancom, MFC Group, Koda, Casarredo, Sourcebynet, Eurofar, Lyprodan, Zago Store, 2-Connect, Donata, Eurowood

Vietnam, Fukui, Woodnet, Allingham, Square Home, Farm House, Megahome, Livax and Greenstone, showcasing furniture, with new designs from indoor to outdoor, home decor and handicraft, and in various styles including modern, contemporary, industrial, Scandinavian, transitional, country, classic and rustic.

Beside the physical fair, the organiser Lien Minh Company is also developing a platform to help maximise the experience for buyers by matching them with VIFA EXPO’s exhibitors.

Visit: www.vifafair.com

RECRUITMENT

100%

Domotex will happen in January

The organiser of Domotex has hit back at rumours suggesting the 2023 edition of the show will not take place, insisting the exhibition will go ahead on 12-15 January.

‘In the last few days and weeks, we have received increasing numbers of concrete indications that rumours are being spread in the market. Rumours, that Domotex 2023 will not take place as planned or that significant [visitor] groups will not attend. Apparently, certain interest groups deliberately launch misinformation in order to pursue their particular interests. We expressly distance ourselves from such an approach, in

terms of both content and manner.

Rumours about a cancellation cause great uncertainty among the entire community, on both the exhibitor and the visitor side. I am therefore giving you the certainty that these rumours are simply not true,’ says Sonia WedellCastellano, Domotex global director.

‘Domotex 2023 will take place from January 12th to 15th.

‘Of course, we are aware that the framework conditions are very challenging: the war in Ukraine, inflation and increased energy costs are causing problems for all of us. It is all the more important that Domotex, as the leading trade fair for floorcoverings and carpets,

offers a reliable platform in this difficult environment and the opportunity for personal exchange, networking and the initiation of new business opportunities.

‘Already 700 exhibitors from around 50 countries in eight halls see it the same way and will use Domotex 2023 to present their new products and innovations – not least on the subject of sustainability – to all interested trade visitors.

‘My team and I have worked hard for this over the past 12 months and we are proud to finally be able to offer the industry its deserved platform with great highlights again,’ she says. Visit: www.domotex.de

Sonia Wedell-Castellano

The show is set to be the first physical Domotex since 2020

Supply chain resilience in the spotlight

After a surge of interest in interiors during lockdown, followed by disruption and delays in shipping, the cost of living crisis is creating new supply chain pressures

‘Despite the economic turmoil caused by the Government’s recent plethora of fiscal plans, there’s been little immediate sign of the housing market dipping. As the cost of living continues to impact households, we could see the market begin to slow, which may well dampen the consumer appetite for spending on interiors,’ says Caroline Ellis, Advanced Supply Chain Group’s commercial director.

ASCG surveyed more than 1,000 UK consumers in September 2022 and found that 75% are planning to spend less than usual on home furnishings in 2023.

Retailers are also concerned about the outlook for the sector, with furniture identified as one of the top three areas where sales are likely to fall, behind jewellery and fashion accessories. Alongside consumers, ASCG surveyed 100 UK retailers in September and the research reveals that brands are

not planning to wait passively for the downturn to pass.

‘Retailers are aiming to reduce their operating costs and improve cashflow by making improvements in the supply chain. This is particularly important in the furniture and interiors sector, which has been dealing with close to three years of disruption, with a surge in sales when people were spending all their time at home during lockdown, followed by the jump in shipping costs when economies re-opened and a shortage of finished goods and raw materials worldwide,’ says Ellis.

‘Among retailers in our survey group, 40% plan to review their supply chain to find efficiencies, 37% will renegotiate terms with suppliers, and 29% expect to replace suppliers entirely and find new ones. These actions were identified ahead of reducing sales and marketing budgets

(24%) and cutting staff (20%) as ways to reduce operating costs and improve their cash position.’

DATA-DRIVEN IMPROVEMENTS

‘ASCG works with retailers to enhance their supply chain agility using our bespoke software solution, Vector. It draws together data from all the key points in a retailer’s supply chain, including sales channels, warehouses and order fulfilment sites, as well as tracking freight status. The integrated overview the software creates lets companies see where bottlenecks are occurring and where costs are mounting up. This means improvements are targeted where they are most needed.

‘As the peak trading season starts, and deadlines loom for delivery before Christmas for larger items such as sofas, many interiors retailers will be looking at discounts and promotions to drive

Advanced Supply Chain Group

sales. This is in line with the broader retail sector, with 46% of survey respondents planning to add new, lower-priced products and 31% to invest more in promotions.

‘However, doing so makes demand even more volatile and challenging to manage, and retailers will need accurate, accessible supply chain data in order to respond to changes and protect their margins. Using Vector lets our customers make quick, profitable decisions, such as moving stock out of an online warehouse and into a high street store, to match where demand is coming from.’

INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE

ASCG’s research shows habits have changed already, even before winter energy bills arrive or higher interest rates push up monthly mortgage payments. Some 32% of people surveyed said they are already spending less on non-food shopping due to the cost of living crisis, and 29% have traded down to cheaper versions of the items they normally buy.

‘This cautiousness is also unlikely to change any time soon: 40% of consumers

expect to spend less for the whole of 2023, and 34% to rein in spending until energy prices return to more normal levels,’ says Ellis.

‘Yet there is no doubt that interiors and home furnishings are of far greater interest to consumers than in the past, with the homewares market in the UK forecast to grow to £14.2bn in 2022, compared with £11bn in 2015, according

to GlobalData. Only 12% of consumers in the survey identified furnishings as one of the top three areas where they would be seeking to make savings next year. Instead, eating out and takeaways, grocery shopping and holidays were most commonly identified for spending cuts.

‘With such a high degree of uncertainty facing both interiors retailers and their customers, brands need to be armed with the most accurate, up-to-date information, and the ability to draw meaningful insights from the data, in order to respond and make the right decisions quickly.’

Visit: www.advancedsupplychain.com Email: marketing@ advancedsupplychain.com

Advanced Supply Chain Group

Special

Stockholm Design Week returned for a unique autumn event

Think Scandinavian design is all cool minimalism? Think again. September’s Stockholm Design Week shone in a riot of colour as bright as Sweden’s midsummer sun and in patterns as elaborate as the islands dotting the capital’s archipelago.

Highlights of the week were the collaboration between French/Iranian interior designer and architect India Mahdavi – often dubbed the Queen of Colour – and upmarket Swedish interiors store Svenkst Tenn. Founded in 1924, Svenkst Tenn owns all of Austrian architect Josef Frank’s designs. Frank moved to Sweden in 1933 to escape growing antisemitism and designed 160 textile prints, celebrations of colour and nature, for Svenskt Tenn. Mahdavi is a worthy successor, and the pewter vase and tray she designed for the company were displayed against a backdrop of swirling wallpaper and fabrics of unabashed colour – Frank’s Vegetable Tree.

‘The joy that I myself constantly strive for in my projects is apparent in the Vegetable Tree. Colours have conversations,’ she says.

The lime vase in Hem’s Design Week exhibition was certainly having a conversation: a loud one over some old-school rave music. The Acid Vase, designed by Gustav Winsth, is part of Hem’s quirky, tongue-in-cheek collection of limited-edition pieces curated by interior design firm Arranging Things

and it’s more than a pretty face – the welded lines are edges of the vessels that hold the water and blooms. Also receiving rave reviews in the collection was the Globos Neon lamp, a balloonshaped squiggle of coloured glass pipes on an aluminium base. Designer Josefin Eklund says her work is all about spreading positive energy and Globos powers good vibes aplenty.

It’s not all about the showstopper pieces, though. There are the little things too – quite literally at the Massproductions studio, where design director Chris Martin has taken the humble devices we take for granted in our everyday lives and turned them into objets d’art. The Little Things collection includes a door wedge, wine rack and wall hook, tweaked with humour. Massproductions has released the Silo wine rack through Stockholmbased store Esteriör in four colours inspired by Le Corbusier’s summer

cottage in the south of France.

All things bright and beautiful reigned at woven vinyl flooring innovators Bolon too, with 10 new hues added to its Artisan Collection for Design Week –‘ready,’ the company pledged, ‘to give all spaces a heart-beating splash of colours.’ The new palette includes deep green, sizzling orange, fiery red and a bluey-black, for a colour combo that’s anything but monotone Scandi-noir.

The future is bright too, as illuminated by pieces curated to show the direction of Scandinavian design in the Moving Forward exhibition at iconic Stockholm department store NK. Finnish designer Joanna Laajisto exhibited stools constructed from durable ash and imprinted with pattern – one resembling the cork of a wine bottle, another a teen’s scrapbook with skull and sun drawings.

Sustainability with a smile – that’s the pattern for posterity in Scandi design.

Visit: www.stockholmdesignweek.com

Acid Vase, designed by Gustav Winsth for Hem

India Mahdavi’s Fat Peanut for Svenskt Tenn

Bolon’s Artisan

Verk showed first samples of an all-Swedish pigmented surface treatment for indoor use, something that has not existed in Sweden for decades. Development is ongoing but the company hopes its work with iron oxide and copper oxide will provide it with viable colour options.

Gemla’s Open (a nod to its tennis racquet heritage) combines steam-bent ash and paper twine, with horsehair and wool in the cushion

Straight out of Stockholm

Autumn’s Design Week in the Swedish capital had plenty to excite visitors

Josef Frank’s Vegetable Tree print is central to the ‘Frankly Yours’ India Mahdavi exhibition by Svenskt Tenn. She describes the exhibition concept as a conscious ‘exaggeration’, with the print dominating the space in order to offer visitors several different perspectives on it.

The war in Ukraine has seen Vandra move its production from the south of the country to Kosiv, in the west, with the majority of weavers and staff choosing to relocate

Garsnas’ Dino looks to fill a space in the meeting room market for a chair that is compact and comfortable with 1960s style. The cover is fully removable, and templates can be provided so it can be reupholstered without being sent back to Garsnas.

Dusty Deco, an antidote to minimalistic Scandinavian design, added to its upholstery, including Alba by Atelier Alba and a new edition of Elias Svedberg’s 1937 design Paris

Massproductions showed

The Little Things collection of

left)

Swedish Design Movement invited visitors on a tour of a virtual version of the 20-storey wooden Sara Kulturhus, featuring 18 Swedish design companies covering furniture, fashion, architecture and product design

Wastberg had six debuts, including the w221 pendant, by Claesson Koivisto Rune, designed to fit between the w151 and w201 models

Wendelbo extended its Ovata upholstery collection, including the large edition

Founded this year, Ekbacken Studios showed its debut collection of upcycled sustainable furniture

Bemz stepped out of its Scandinavian comfort zone with the Grounded Heritage fabric collection with tartans, tweeds and stripes and greens

Made by Choice showcased its latest launches at the Finnish ambassador’s official residence

Interesting

Poodle by Anna Hermann and Alexander Lervik for Johanson

Being greener

Sustainability was a key theme at Decorex

After four years of development, Linwood debuted its more eco-friendly version of its best-selling Omega velvet. Omega III uses recycled plastic bottles, has no chemical back coating and avoids PFAs.

‘We’ve just started weaving Omega III velvet with recycled polyester in the pile, removing 10 large plastic bottles from the environment for every metre woven. There are 75 new colours and early next year the current 100 colours will switch to the new recycled quality,’ says Warrick Gloyn, Linwood sales director.

‘The final part of the jigsaw puzzle, and maybe the most important, is the removal of the chemical back coat for fire retardancy. This is not only kinder to the environment but it also produces a softer, more luxurious velvet.

‘Omega III feels even more like expensive cotton velvet than before and it’s also fully washable, so it can be used for loose covers as well as fixed upholstery and curtains. It’s taken four years of research to develop Omega III, but we wanted to produce the best velvet in the market – a velvet that feels good, looks good and doesn’t harm the earth.’

Naturalmat looked local for its latest bed design. Known for its sustainable and local production, the Devon-based company went further with the Devon Oak Bed, with timber from locally managed oak woodland.

The timber of the Devon Oak Bed has been sourced from woodland on the banks of the River Tamar. On maturity, it is felled, planked and left to air dry naturally for 22 months before being crafted into its contemporary form.

‘Through our marine heritage we have long been fascinated by how the timber we source evolves into the beds we make and it is this link between nature and craft that we are so keen to restore

in people’s minds. In the same way that shipwrights would comb the woodland to find branches with the right shape to fit the ribs and components of the boats they were building, we have identified the ancient Devon oak forests to source the timber we need to create the furniture of tomorrow,’ says Mark Tremlett, Naturalmat founder.

Carpet and rug manufacturer Sylka showcased the next step in its

Above left: Sylka’s EcoSylk yarn is made from recycled nylon Above: Naturmat’s Devon Oak Bed Below: Linwood’s Omega III in Rouge

We

INVICTUS

If

Our

If

The ideal applicant will have proven detailed experience of Luxury

with a good understanding of the market, ideally living on the territory, you will be required to visit existing INVICTUS

customers as well as sourcing

sustainability journey, highlighting its EcoSylk yarn, made from recycled nylon. It will replace its NuSilk yarn, which used virgin yarn, across its product offer.

The company also says it will recycle all of its previous carpets provided that they are returned. The nylon is extracted from carpets, cleaned and extruded into EcoSylk, while polypropylene is sold to the car industry for injection moulding and calcium from the backing goes to the building industry.

‘The world is changing. Sustainability is a key issue for our clients and so we felt that now was the right time to take an innovative approach and create carpets and rugs that help eliminate waste. To our knowledge, no other luxury carpet brand has made as big a commitment to sustainability as we have, especially not a pledge to recover

and recycle existing products. We are really proud of what we have managed to achieve with EcoSylk, which retains the beauty and luxury feel of our previous carpets,’ says Steve Farrell, Sylka founder and md.

Beaumont & Fletcher’s Duke collection of solid walnut coffee, side and console table can be customised with starburst veneer, ebonised roundels and inlay, while the console and side table have an optional low shelf.

Among Crucial Trading’s debuts was Collage, a melange of pattern and texture in a choice of five colourways inspired by modernist art. Soft Focus, Modernity, Juxtaposition, Paper Layer, and Mixed Media are woven from 100% New Zealand wool in a six-ply tufted loop pile.

Eighteen years after it was introduced,

Mississippi saw eight new colourways, bringing the offer to 16. The new palette is inspired by natural dyes, providing softer, more muted tones for an earthy feel, with pale blues and greys combining with gentle tones of green, red and brown.

Domkapa’s latest upholstery and bed designs took centre stage at the show. The Juliet sofa is characterised by its smooth curves and balanced proportions, while minimalist Margot bed has an enveloping headboard. Other introductions included the Parker sofa, Alexander, Ruth, Anna, Charter and Louise chairs and Kelsi and Shelby beds.

Riviere Rugs showcased Trevi X, with its opulent, raised gold silk pattern overlay, alongside its Collage collection of Auray, Biot, Èze, Paloma and Prado.

Visit: www.decorex.com

Beaumont & Fletcher’s Duke

Domkapa’s Margot bed, Juliet sofa and Grant pouf

Riviere Rugs’ Trevi X

Mixed Media from Crucial Trading’s Collage collection

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