Interiors Monthly September 2024

No way to treat anybody

The collapse of the retail pair has shown how not to do things when people’s livelihoods

are concerned

The collapse of Carpetright and The Floor Room has proved to be a demonstration of how not to handle the redundancy process. You can understand, to some degree, why administrator PwC chose to do it by Teams call, rather than in preferable one-to-one or group meetings: it would have required scores of meetings at stores or regional venues (some of which would be far from PwC offices) and dragged out the process. PwC is duty bound to keep spending down during the administration in order to maximise funds for creditors. At least the Carpetright staff will receive what they are owed, even if it will take well into 2025.

The same approach was adopted for TFR, but here what redundancy staff who had transferred from John Lewis (JL) will see is much less clear. JL says it’s a matter for PwC and not it, and the staff think their contracts mean they are still entitled to what they would have received working at the chain.

There has been some strange decision making at JL of late. It decides it wants to exit the flooring market and picks TFR as its concession operator; says it wants to improve customer service on the shopfloor so cuts staff numbers as part of the plan (while exploring if there are any roles it can offer the former TFR/JL staff) and promises to refund former TFR customers if they are out of pocket, even though it can’t then recover the money by selling them the flooring they had bought.

I’m no employment lawyer, and the staff should have sought external legal advice, but even to me ‘Under the Concession Agreement, TFR has commercially agreed with JLP that it will honour JLP's discretionary Partnership redundancy pay for 2 years post transfer,’ sounds clear enough.

As the former TFR/JL employee we are calling Sharon to protect their identity told me, staff believed what it said, otherwise they would have had it checked. She also scoffed at the prospect of returning to JL after their treatment. It’ll end up in the courts.

Sleep great, Britain. Visit: www.silentnight.co.uk

4 Staff made redundant by Teams call

Editor: Andrew Kidd

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Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull

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in

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PwC told Carpetright staff of redundancy by Teams call

Carpetright’s retail staff were told they would lose their jobs by a virtual Teams call with administrators PwC.

All employees, other than those on holiday or sick leave, were part of an ‘all employee’ call on 22 July in which PwC confirmed its appointment and Tapi’s purchase of store leases and stock.

Tapi paid £1.79m for stock; £1.72m for leases and £174,000 for equipment.

Branches were then emailed to confirm to staff that they had been transferred to Tapi under TUPE or that they were not part of the deal and stores would close and they would be redundant that day.

Absent staff were telephoned so they could be read the administrator’s message.

Representatives of head office staff were part of a separate

Flooring sees retail prices drop again

Retail prices for flooring dropped again in July, but the rate declined.

The sector saw deflation for the third consecutive month, but it fell from 0.9% to 0.6%, according to ONS data.

In January the inflation rate was 8.8%.

Smooth flooring continued to see significant deflation, its eighth consecutive month, though the rate fell from 4.1% to 3.6%. In January the inflation rate was 7.3%.

Carpets and rugs saw price increases reach 0.4%, compared with May’s 0.2% (there was no data for June), still well short of the 3.3% increase seen in April and 10.6% in January.

meeting following the Teams call.

Store managers at the stores facing closure were emailed asking them to stay on for a maximum of five more days: all were made redundant by 27 July.

Former employees have been told they will be paid what they are owed by the chain, but will have to wait at least six months.

PwC has told preferential creditors – mainly employees – that they are owed £2.2m but it will be able to pay them in full.

It also anticipates that HMRC should be paid in full, but this is dependent on how much money it can raise and recover above the Tapi deal.

Unsecured creditors such as consumers and suppliers will receive less than 1p in the £ as a maximum payout.

TFR follows Carpetright into collapse

The Floor Room, John Lewis’ flooring concession operator, has collapsed. Administrator PwC has closed the stand-alone Tottenham Court Road, London store and 34 John Lewis concessions run by Carpetright’s former experimental chain. Some

201 jobs will be lost, some of which are former John Lewis staff who transferred across when John Lewis switched business model.

Its collapse had been anticipated as it relied on Carpetright’s back office and logistics systems and would have been unable to function

Furniture deflation: month seven

Deflation continued in retail prices for furniture in July.

Prices were 2.4% lower than a year ago for household furniture. It was the seventh consecutive month that prices have fallen.

Prices began to drop in January, with an average fall

of 2.2% per month, according to ONS data.

In January the inflation rate was 6%.

Garden furniture again saw another severe drop – the fourth in a row – of 18.1%.

Furnishings fabrics and curtains saw the third

without finding a new owner.

Before the failure of Carpetright, former parent Nestware transferred ownership of the The Floor Room brand from Carpetright to itself.

John Lewis says it has yet to decide if it will return to the flooring market.

consecutive increase, rising from 3.6% to 4.3%.

Bed linen saw prices drop by 1.5% (there is no data for June), while table and bathroom linen saw inflation accelerate, from 1.4% to 2%.

The figures are subject to revision.

The Croydon store

Former TFR and John Lewis staff in redundancy dispute

A former John Lewis flooring department employee who transferred to its failed concession operator The Floor Room claims they are owed tens of thousands of pounds in redundancy payments, after being told the negotiated transfer arrangements did not cover TFR’s administration.

About 30 other former employees are in the same situation.

Sharon – not their real name as this has been changed to conceal their identity and career history – says she is owed more than £40,000 in redundancy and notice payments. (The figure would have been significantly higher until John Lewis halved redundancy terms earlier this year to a payment of one week’s salary per year’s employment as it looked to reduce costs.)

Sharon says she has been told the claims are not valid as she was made redundant after TFR had entered administration, not while it was still trading. She had expected TFR to pay the monies and claim them from John Lewis.

John Lewis has promised to refund former TFR customers if they have lost money and are unable to make a Section75 claim.

‘Our thoughts are with those impacted by this recent news. While queries about redundancy sit with The Floor Room’s administrators, we have already contacted our former Partners [John Lewis refers to its employees as Partners as the company is a Partnership] to offer support. This includes exploring roles back with the Partnership, the offer of help with CV writing and employment skills, and access to our wellbeing services,’ says a John Lewis spokesman.

It is undergoing a redundancy process with more than 150 staff after reorganising its shopfloor and back office functions.

The agreement between the former staff – agreed by a staff committee – states that pay, hours, continuous

service, notice period, holidays, sick pay and flexible working would not change.

A John Lewis document covering the transfer and benefits that that were outwith of the statutory TUPE arrangements states: ‘Having worked closely with TFR over the last few months, they have also agreed to replicate some of the Partners existing non-contractual benefits. Transferring partners will receive the following benefits from TFR: I matched pensions, II Partnership redundancy terms for partners made redundant immediately on transfer, III Partnership redundancy pay for a period of two years post transfer should a Partner be made redundant. This will be the equivalent to the Partnership redundancy pay at the time of redundancy.’

Sharon claims she and her colleagues understood that the terms above meant payments would happen as if they were still employed by John Lewis and so did not seek external legal opinion.

The differing opinion seems to centre on the interpretation of definition 82 of the transfer agreement: ‘Under the Concession Agreement, TFR has commercially agreed with JLP that it will honour JLP's discretionary Partnership redundancy pay for 2 years post transfer.’

Sharon and a number of her colleagues have now sought legal advice and expect an opinion in early-mid September.

‘We were never told that if TFR went bust we wouldn’t get our money, that was never in the paperwork. To suddenly reverse on redundancy when it was never discussed in committee meetings is beyond belief.

‘I and my colleagues trusted what the terms were. When TFR went under we were made redundant. Surely there is some way John Lewis can make payment to the staff, there must be,’ she says.

The former staff should receive statuary redundancy from the taxpayer.

High streets saw best footfall performance in past month

Shoppers proved largely undeterred by riots in some areas of England and Northern Ireland, as footfall held up in August.

Total UK shopper visitors dropped by 0.4% from 28 July to 24 August, according to the BRC, compared with a drop of 3.3% in July.

High streets saw the lowest drop, falling by 0.3% – a significant improvement on July’s decline of 2.7%.

Retail parks saw the highest decline, with numbers down 2.6%, compared with a 0.8% drop in July.

Shopping centres saw visitor numbers drop by 1.8%,

an improvement on July’s 3.9% fall.

Footfall fell by 0.5% in England and 1.8% in Wales, while rising by 1.4% in Northern Ireland and 0.7% in Scotland.

‘Retail parks saw footfall levels rise in the week following the riots as some

continued to avoid high streets and shopping centres. Footfall recovered across all destinations towards the end of the month when warmer weather and summer sales prompted shoppers to browse their favourite stores,’ says Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive.

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Furniture sales hit pre-lockdown levels as flooring shows annual rise

The retail value of furniture and lighting sales plunged in July, while flooring sales fell but were ahead of 2023.

Furniture sales in July reached £1,040,385,000 in England, Scotland and Wales according to Office for National Statistics data, but this was 22.48% lower than June 2024 and 18.16% lower than July 2023.

The performance is the lowest since February 2021 (£886,977,000), when the country was in the second month of the third lockdown, and a month before non-essential

Gary O’Donnell, Sterling Home buying director has retired from the chain after a third of a century. O’Donnell became buying director in October last year but had spent the previous two decades running five of the group’s retail brands: Forrest Furnishings, Martin and Frost, Archibalds, Thomsons World for Furniture and Anderson & England.

James Thompson, Ekornes senior vice president commercial Europe and Geoffrey Stafford, sales director for UK and Ireland have left the upholstery company after a combined 20 years’ service.

Andrew Davies, Ekornes head of finance Europe is managing the UK business while plans are made regarding hiring. Thompson had worked for Ekornes since 2017, with senior roles in the UK, France and Germany before becoming SVP in March 2020. Stafford had worked for the company since 2012, across its Stressless and IMG brands, initially in marketing, before becoming sales director in 2021.

Henge set for

Furniture and lighting brand Henge is to open its London flagship store this month.

‘The opening of this flagship represents a further step in the global presence and consolidation of the brand. Henge London will become a corporate space on the same level as the Milan showroom at 34 Via della Spiga and thus a new Henge hub for clients gravitating around central and northern Europe,’ says Paolo Tormena, Henge ceo.

‘This opening marks a major milestone in Henge’s consolidation in the international market. London is an important hub in the design world and also holds

retail reopened – and in effect lower than when stores did reopen (£1,095,646,000), thanks to inflation.

Retail flooring sales in July reached £241,764,000 in England, Scotland and Wales, but this was 9.83% lower than June 2024. However, it was 7.27% higher than July 2023.

Including July 2023, July’s sales figure was the fifth highest in the past 13 months.

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

‘northern European flagship’

significant value as a key link to our esteemed clientele on a global scale.’

The 6,456sqft store will open at 254 Brompton Road,

Ikea debuts peer-to-peer market

Ikea has introduced a marketplace for its second-hand furniture, similar to eBay.

Trials of Ikea Preowned have begun in Oslo and Madrid, ahead of a global rollout in 2025.

Mandy Coates as risk and compliance manager and Chris Whelan as head of claims and insurance services.

Customers provide their own images of the furniture and specify an asking price, while Ikea will add he

original retail price, product description and images.

The seller and buyer arrange delivery and the seller has the option of being paid with a voucher from ikea, which includes a 15% bonus.

Under the trial, listings are free but Ikea plans to introduce a ‘humble’ fee in the future.

Chelsea on 14 September.

The space will feature four living areas displaying two ‘monumental’ kitchens, iconic sculptural lights and boiseries.

ScS completes relocations

ScS has completed the closure of stand-alone Snug branches, with space opened in nearby ScS branches or in garden furniture and upholstery retailer Bridgman. Leeds, Bristol and Westfield stores have shut.

ScS bought sofa-in-a-box retailer Snug in January 2023 after it collapsed with debts of more than £4m.

Textile producer Christy has appointed Claire Hester as director of design, merchandising and sourcing.

Guardsman UK has named

Henge: a further step in the global presence

THE UK’S PREMIER FURNITURE EXHIBITION

16TH  18TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Located in the famous furniture town of Long Eaton, just one mile from Junction 25 of the M1.

View the latest collections from over 30 leading UK and International brands of Upholstery, Cabinet, Bedroom and Lifestyle accessories.

Exhibitors and showroom locations are available to view on our website. www.longeatonguild.co.uk

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ASSOCIATED WEAVERS

You selected Associated Weavers for two awards

BALL & YOUNG

GREENDALE

The Greendale team enjoy the buying groups’ award

MAZE OUTDOOR

Your votes saw Maze Outdoor be the inaugural winner of the Best Outdoor Furniture Supplier award

INTERFLOOR

Your votes saw Interfloor scoop a pair of awards

ORDORITE SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

‘Winning the Interiors Monthly award for Best Software Supplier (Furniture) for the third year in a row is an incredible honour,’ says Stephen Connolly, Ordorite Software Solutions ceo. ‘It reflects our team’s hard work, dedication, and our clients’ trust in us.’

Interiors Monthly Awards 2024 winners pay tribute to you for supporting them

Rachel Attwood, Ball & Young md celebrates its success

F BALL

Karl Brannigan, F Ball sales director with the company’s award

KELLARS

Jason Maguire, Kellars md celebrates the wholesaler’s win

HYPNOS

Richard Naylor, Hypnos sustainable development director marks the award win

SMG

The SMG team say thank you for your support

BFM

‘To be recognised by the readers of such a well-respected title as Interiors Monthly is a fantastic achievement and I am grateful to each person who cast their vote. I’d also like to congratulate the team at BFM, whose hard work has been recognised with these two prestigious awards,’ says Phil Spademan, BFM md.

METRO

Steve Depport, Metro operations manager reflects on the group’s latest award

STRESSLESS

Stressless reigned supreme in its category

CORMA R CARPET COMPANY

‘Being awarded Best Carpet Manufacturer for the twelfth consecutive year is a tremendous honour for everyone at Cormar Carpets. It’s great for the Cormar team to be recognised once again for the hard work and determination that they have put in,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Jessica Alexander with the Lifetime Achievement award

A very happy V4 team

CORE

Core Products’ Mike Rowley and Gavin Douglas share the company’s two awards. ‘We are delighted to accept these prestigious awards on behalf of everyone at Core Products and really appreciate the recognition of all the Interiors Monthly readers who voted for us,’ says Rowley.

LEBUS UPHOLSTERY

‘We are delighted to receive the Interiors Monthly Award for Best Fabric Upholstery Manufacturer. It is especially satisfying knowing that this has been voted for by the readers, who recognise the value, quality and strength of product which the company offers. A big thank you to everyone who voted for us in the awards process, we really appreciate the amazing support,’ says Karl Walker, Lebus Upholstery md.

ICONOGRAPHY

Delight from Mike Whitman, head of platform and Georgia Caird, senior account manager

JAY-BE

‘I’m really proud to accept this award on behalf of Jay-Be and would like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly We constantly strive to raise industry standards and push the boundaries of what we can achieve, so awards like this, voted for by our retail partners, really mean a lot,’ says Roger Durrans, Jay-Be ceo.

NBF

‘We are delighted that the NBF has not only been awarded Best Marketing Support (Furniture) for the sixth year running, but our annual trade exhibition, the Bed Show, has once again clinched Best Furniture Exhibition UK in the Interiors Monthly Awards,’ says Tristine Hargreaves, NBF executive director.

Paris - Put your feet up at the touch of a button with the power model, or a manual recline or static model, across the three and two seater sofa or armchair. Take your pick from a variety of high quality leather grades or numerous fabric styles.

Paris

Visit.www.caliaitalia.com 2 1

1 Moduleo LayRed is the ultimate renovation floor. With an integrated underlay and easy click installation, LayRed is fast and simple to fit, even over old floors and subfloors that are less than perfect. With excellent strength and stability, it bridges imperfections and resists shrinkage and expansion for a reliable click installation vinyl floor that has a lifetime warranty. Visit: www.moduleo.co.uk

2 Now bringing more realism, easier installation and even better soundproofing and comfort, Quick-Step’s Alpha Vinyl defines premium vinyl flooring. Available in four collections, Blos, Oro, Bloom and Ciro, with integrated underlay and

click installation, Alpha Vinyl can bring a fast and reliable solution in refurbishment projects.

Visit: www.quick-step.co.uk

3 With inspirational flooring designs that bring a unique sense of style and the supreme feel of Luxatex, LeoLine’s Comfytex PU and Comfytex Deluxe Pro welcome in a comfier home. LeoLine’s Luxatex high-quality textile backing makes installation easier and faster, while consumers enjoy the cushioning comfort that it brings to every floor.

Visit: www.leoline.co.uk

4 Porada’s Jig coffee tables have a base in blown glass and top in solid wood.

The glass is blown using the traditional Murano artisan technique, thus ensuring a lightweight aesthetic for the product. The thick top is made of solid canaletta walnut or ash wood, with a slightly recessed shape to create a perimeter moulding.

Visit: www.porada.it

5 Calia Italia has introduced Norman Outdoor, a new version of Norman guaranteeing the same features of comfort and design in outdoor spaces, such as terraces, verandas, gardens or the deck of a yacht. All design features contribute to offering maximum comfort, from the depth of the seat to the soft backrest cushion.

Stand A20

New for Autumn 2024, our best selling Universal range will be updated and we will launch a new collection; Universal Design. Coming to UK stores soon.

6 The Academy for Excellence in Flooring has launched two programmes for the installation of Moduleo dryback and LayRed luxury vinyl floors. Both courses cover a complete installation, with specialist content as required to ensure that every attendee is rewarded with knowledge that gives the confidence to make the most of Moduleo’s design flexibility.

Visit: www.quick-step.com/en/academy

7 Kriptonite’s Eta Beta bookcase is an exceptionally easy-to-assemble wall system. The design connects the horizontal shelves by means of pantograph-style lateral struts that work like a sort of accordion. The system is already assembled; the customer need only extend the lateral cross-braces and secure the bookcase to the wall.

Visit: www.kriptonite.com

8 LVT is flooring’s growth area, with homes and businesses embracing its easy-living nature. Yet, as any experienced floor installer will know, making sure you provide a high-quality LVT installation is not so easy and takes time, effort and expertise. With Floorwise at your side you can be confident your skills and expertise will be matched by tools, installation and finishing products that provide quality and Floorwise’s famous value.

Visit: www.floorwise.co.uk

9 Fratelli Boffi’s Nocina chair collection is composed of an armchair and dining armchair, the latter available in two variants: with an armrest and with a short armrest. The entire Nocina collection is defined by the use of walnut, which forms the supporting structure shaped from solid wood, creating a continuous line that embraces the backrest.

Visit: www.fratelliboffi.it

10 Abingdon Flooring will be sharing the newest developments to its Trade Portal at The Flooring Show. With access to real-time availability, anytime order placement and order tracking, the Trade Portal helps you to manage your account more effectively and improve the service you provide to your customers. Feature improvements include order history for the past seven days and custom filters helping you better search, and a dedicated account price list unique to your store.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Perpetual beauty

The Take Care Program sets out a path to recyclability, which means Louis de Poortere can make a circular product possible

When it developed the mono-material 100% polyester construction of its Ecorugs collection with the intent of achieving product circularity, Louis de Poortere had two significant challenges to meet. The first, to ensure it maintained the aesthetic qualities of its designs, and second, to make sure that Ecorugs could be recycled back into new rugs.

With the Belgian manufacturer’s experience in working with polyester, the first challenge was relatively easy to solve. The second proved more complex and has forced the company to create its own path to reuse and recycling through the launch of the Take Care Program.

‘We believe that circularity is a way we can reduce the impact of our products on the environment, but in order to do that properly, we need to make sure we’re in control of the product cycle.

Just producing a recyclable rug is not enough: we want to take responsibility

for the whole process. Take Care is our way of doing that and starting the journey to true product circularity,’ says Louis Dryon, Louis de Poortere coo.

The Take Care Program is based on two principles: a long life through the rug’s machine-washable construction

and a returns process that is simple for the customer and ensures that Louis de Poortere is in control of reuse and recycling.

Once the original purchaser has finished with their Ecorug, they simply scan the QR code which comes on every rug’s label to arrange free collection and return. The rugs are then returned to Louis de Poortere for re-sale or recycling into a new Ecorug.

Keeping the returns process simple and free for the purchaser was an important part of the development of the Take Care Program. ‘We knew that in order for our journey to circularity to reach its conclusion, we needed to ensure that as many rugs as possible were returned, and that we shouldn’t expect the customer to pay to return the rug. Take Care needed to be simple and free, so we created a service which is exactly that,’ says Dryon. Visit: www.louisdepoortere.com

Consumers simply scan the label or the back of the rug to have it returned for free

Richard Renouf

Decide: A or B

A ‘problem’ with a sofa-bed leads to forthright opinions

Mrs A was, shall we say, forthright from the moment she opened the door to me. The issue wasn’t the time it had taken for me to find the right house number after the retailer had given me the wrong one, but it was the un-usability of her sofa-bed. There was a huge gap at the back of the seat. The seat cushions disappeared down this gap. It was so bad she had stopped her family using it as she was worried her children would get stuck.

Two upholsterers had seen the issue but, when they sent in their reports, had stated there was nothing wrong. ‘It’s disgraceful.’ I got the messages several times as they looped round and round so often I wondered if I was ever going to be allowed to take a look for myself.

The sofa-bed was crammed up against a sofa with a chaise end that at first glance looked part of a suite, although most of it was covered with blankets, including ones that had obviously just been taken off the sofa-bed for my visit. The sofa-bed had loose seat and back cushions and, when these were removed, there was a gap between the seat platform (the fold-out bed) and the back. When I opened the bed, the gap allowed the frame to swing open, so this was a necessary part of the design.

I cleared away a few toys, crayons and a pair of glasses that had fallen between the cushions while the sofa-bed ‘wasn’t being used’ and took some measurements. The gap was 6cm tall, but if you measured at an angle you could make it 10cm, although you’d have to lift the front of a seat cushion about 30cm to wedge it in at that angle and that would be hard to do when you were sitting on it. The cushions were 15cm deep.

I put everything back in place and sat down to wiggle. No matter how boisterously I tried I could not recreate the problem. Fortunately, Mrs A was

Mrs A seemed not to be in the mood to take prisoners, so the report’s conclusion would be in the post

not in the room at the time or I would have looked very stupid and no doubt provoked more forthright comments.

In our final conversation before I left to prepare my report, Mrs A told me she had ordered the sofa-bed online and had not been to see it in one of the retailer’s many shops before choosing what to buy.

Consumers have additional rights when purchasing online, including the right to reject any purchase for a limited time after delivery without needing a reason. This is to overcome the limitations of not being able to ‘try before you buy’.

Retailers try creative ways to escape these obligations, such as by suggesting

every order is ‘bespoke’, but this is a grey area legally speaking.

Mrs A had not acted within the requisite time frame, so the right had run out. Now she could only reject the sofa-bed if it was faulty, and even then her right to a refund rather than a repair was limited.

Mrs A had two choices. Either accept the sofa-bed was not faulty and live with it, or try and find a problem in an attempt to get her money back. I'll let you decide which option she was taking.

Visit: www.richard-renouf.com

Richard Renouf is an independent furnishings consultant

FLOORING INSTALLATION PRODUCTS

LOOKING AFTER FLOORS AND REPUTATIONS FROM THE GROUND UP.

F. Ball’s System LVT range is a comprehensive subfloor preparation system that helps you achieve the best results when installing LVT floorcoverings. The range includes the full system of products that flooring installers need to ensure a perfect installation every time. Use the right products from the System LVT range and follow our installation guidance for a lifetime guarantee.

New look

ScS’ latest store format has arrived on the south coast

In its time, Unit 1 of Red Square Retail Park in Worthing, West Sussex has seen a lot of furniture sold. What it never saw was the furniture, as it was a branch of Argos. Now that has moved inside the Sainsbury’s next door, ScS has taken over the space and converted it to its latest format.

Spread across two floors, the branch is the first furniture store to be run by Daina Poderiene, after managing at Clarkes, Moss Bross and in the hospitality industry.

‘This showroom boasts over 190 fabric samples for guests to explore, offering more choice and customisation than ever before. Sample walls are stationed across both floors and in our fabric workshop on the ground floor,’ she says.

Enjoy a sneak preview of our NEW AW24 Accessories and Textile range.

Our latest collection embraces the essence of autumn and winter with a series of warm, inviting colour palettes. Expect deep reds, burnt oranges complimented with earthtoned neutrals and rich browns, perfectly suited to the cosy atmosphere of the seasons.

The AW24 range features heavy textures and intricate, exotic details that add a touch of global inspiration to your décor. From bold patterns to geometric designs, our embroidery and decorative finishes showcase artisan craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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View our full collection online at www.gallerydirect.co.uk

‘Also housed on the ground floor is our Caffe Italiano zone, a bespoke espresso bar to enjoy whilst making decisions on the perfect sofa configuration.’

The store employs seven staff and offers shoppers a clear, open-plan view: no potential top-sellers hiding behind a pillar. The upholstery is accompanied by the chain’s furniture offer of dining and occasional pieces, but following Italian furniture group Poltronesofa’s decision in the spring, not a flooring offer, though there is a plentiful choice of rugs.

It also has a large catchment: from Waterlooville, an hour’s drive west – an area with an absence of upholstery retailers the chain will hope it can take advantage of – to Tunbridge Wells, 90 minutes north-east.

Visit: www.scs.co.uk

Comfort rules

Earthy tones to bold statements via geometric patterns set the trends for Autumn

Autumn is all about incorporating warmth, comfort and sophistication into interior design. From warm, earthy tones and sumptuous textures to statement rugs, these trends

provide a variety of ways to update the home this Autumn. Whether the aggressiveness of maximalism or the calm of biophilic design, there is something for everyone to discover

WARM AND EARTHY

The warmth and richness of the season is reflected in the colour scheme. Deep browns, burnt oranges, moss greens and warm taupes are among the many earthy tones expected. Ideal for the chilly months, these hues give a home a feeling of cosiness and comfort that makes it feel tranquil and welcoming. The round Oslo Rug was inspired by Norway Snow, proving that it’s the ideal piece of flooring to add cosiness and comfort to any space. This meticulous design enhances the connectivity of the home so that it becomes a warm, luxurious haven, a place to unwind.

and appreciate. Rug Society’s Autumn 2024 trends incorporate warmth, richness and comfort, with rugs playing a pivotal role. Visit: www.rugsociety.eu

THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

Geometric patterns continue to be a strong trend. Rugs featuring geometric designs in muted or bold colours add a modern yet timeless appeal to any room. Rugs like Simba (top) and Mira (below) are one-of-a-kind creations that combine many graphic elements and patterns to make a statement in design.

CONNECTED TO NATURE

Agatha quartz is known for irregular shapes and its bluish-grey colour. Most agates occur like nodules in eruptive rocks and show their inner beauty when cut. The Agatha modern rug was born with a strong connection with nature and the two techniques present, hand-tufting and overtufting, enhance its beauty.

STATEMENT RUGS

Bold, statement rugs are a key trend. Rugs with intricate patterns, vibrant colours or unique designs can serve as the focal point of a room. The Deco rug draws inspiration from the Art Deco movement. A handmade rug full of glamour and sophistication, with an unusual shape and the addition of fringes.

Be smart

Jori has expanded two of its bestsellers

We are constantly looking for flexible solutions to meet the fast pace at which we constantly need to adapt our lifestyles. Joris’ answer is to add a number of extension options to its Eden and Longueville models.

Eden was debuted in Milan last year, meeting with immediate success as it combined two of the manufacturer’s strengths: adjustable seating and timeless design.

Now a chaise longue has been added, creating a compact corner sofa and a 260cm seat length, further underlining the generous character of its round shapes.

Longueville was introduced in 1998 and updated 20 year later. Because of its somewhat nonchalant look, paired with generous seating and the rotating armrest, it still meets the user’s new seating needs today.

A symmetrical corner element has been added, which allows balanced and commercial corner arrangements to be built, along with an additional 195cm seat depth, offering a wider lounge experience. A 95cm x 50cm footstool provides the solution for integration in more compact spaces. Visit: www.jori.com

Eden (above and top) and Longueville (below) have more options

Innovation

New products and an updated icon will be on show

F Ball and Co will use this year’s The Flooring Show to showcase its latest innovations in flooring installation products, including recently launched fast-setting, high-flow smoothing compound Stopgap 1400, and update its iconic buckets.

The show will see new designs for the yellow buckets used for its Styccobond adhesives. The designs have been introduced to modernise the look of the plastic buckets and simplify product selection, in keeping with new smoothing compound sacks introduced last year. While they retain the instantly recognisable F Ball branding, the buckets in addition now detail coverage rates, to help flooring contractors calculate how much adhesive they need for a particular project. The empty buckets can also continue to be disposed of for recycling, for free, at locations participating in the company’s recycling scheme.

Stopgap 1400, a two-component smoothing compound, with superior flow and self-smoothing properties, is walk-on hard from just 90 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from 12 hours. This makes it ideal for where flooring contractors need to work quickly and efficiently, perhaps across multiple areas, including new-build developments.

Visitors to the stand (B1) will see live demonstrations of Stopgap 1400 and other F Ball products delivered by the company’s training department.

Representatives from the marketing, sales and liaison teams will be on hand throughout the event to answer any questions visitors may have about F Ball products and technical support, including free training courses delivered at the F Ball Centre of Excellence in Staffordshire.

Contractors attending the show can also find out how to become a member of the Ball Rewards loyalty programme,

which entitles them to claim cashback each time they purchase F Ball products, as well as a range of exclusive benefits, such as the opportunity to enter regular competitions and earn extra cashback on promotional products.

Delegates are invited to attend the company’s popular drinks reception at the stand on the Monday afternoon of the show.

‘The Flooring Show is one of the most important events in our calendar, so we’re excited to be back and catching up with customers and seeing new faces. We’re also looking forward to sharing new developments to make flooring contractors’ lives easier, including our new smoothing compound, as well as refreshed designs for the yellow buckets, which help compare value with alternative products, especially where they are sold by weight rather than volume,’ says Darren Kenyon, F Ball md. Visit: www.f-ball.co.uk

Stay in control

Group membership is designed so that you get the best business benefits, on your terms

You’ve always enjoy catching up with your fellow retailers at an exhibition, talking over the state of business and catching up on the latest gossip, particularly over a good meal and a glass of a nice red. Over the years some of them have become firm friends, but part of you shrinks inside when some of them, as they always do, start extolling the latest deal, HR advice, access to suppliers they would never have come across in a thousand years and the general wonderfulness of it all achieved through their membership of a buying group.

You’ve thought about joining their ranks enough times, even had a few conversations, but every time there has been a product range or supplier you wouldn’t give floor space to, let alone do business with, that seemed part of the package. This is the thing: you don’t want to be told what to sell, you are

your own boss. After all you aren’t doing badly – you’re still in business, when so many people you knew have gone under.

This is the view of many retailers when the topic of buying groups comes up, but with Minerva Furniture Group there are no compulsory purchases: members are free to buy (or not) direct from suppliers.

When it comes to making those buying decisions, the group has an experienced and knowledgeable buying panel made up of fellow retailers who source all new suppliers.

The group has more than 100 approved suppliers from across the globe and products range the spectrum, from upholstery and cabinet to beds and accessories and services. These offer group members pre-negotiated terms and often exclusive products.

A Minerva online portal provides

information on discounts, terms and promotions, backed up by the head office team, while quarterly regional meetings allow you to discuss matters that interest you. The group also organises the Spring Furniture & Bed Show and Autumn Furniture Show at which it holds members’ seminars debating key topics of the day.

More than 150 retailers across the UK and Republic of Ireland have become members of either the full membership category for furniture retailers or associate membership for bed retailers.

According to the group, members can also benefit from notable rebates. It cites the example of about £160,000 of business with six suppliers generating a rebate of more than £3,800 for a full member and more than £1,100 for an associate member doing £47,000 of business with just three suppliers. Visit: www.minervafurnituregroup.co.uk

Product sectors cover upholstery and cabinet to beds and accessories and services

Track how suppliers help drive your profits

Group membership can introduce you to new suppliers

Use exclusive products to drive footfall

■ Leading UK Independent Furniture Buying Group

■ With over 150 prominent Independent Retail Members

■ With over 100 leading global Furniture Suppliers

■ Upholstery, Cabinets, Beds and Accessory Categories

■ Inspirational Spring and Autumn Furniture Exhibitions

■ Experienced and Knowledgeable Buying Team

■ Attractive rebate benefits

■ Preferential Supplier Trading Terms

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BEDS AND BEDROOM

An Interiors Monthly supplement in collaboration with the National Bed Federation

The ONLY place to see so many UK and Irish bed manufacturers and component suppliers all under one roof

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT

• Unprecedented gathering of UK bed manufacturers and suppliers

• Latest innovations, offers and promotions in one place

• Prime networking opportunities

• Supplier Zone

• Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony hosted by Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke

• Voted ‘Best Furniture Trade Show’ and ‘Best Furniture Exhibition’ 2023

Battle of the best

The BIAs will see eight winners while Bed Show will have a record number of exhibitors

The National Bed Federation has eight categories for its highly coveted Bed Industry Awards for 2024, honouring the brightest and best in the bed market.

The awards showcase the very best in inspiration, design and innovation among NBF supporting retailers, member manufacturers and suppliers. 2024’s lineup includes four awards for NBF member manufacturers and suppliers and four for retailers that predominantly stock NBF-approved member brands.

‘The NBF’s Bed Industry Awards are among the most coveted accolades for the UK and Irish bed trade. Winning

sets you apart from your competitors and is an excellent opportunity to further promote your business and achievements. Each year, we continue to be hugely impressed by the standard of entries, and we’re sure 2024 will be no different,’ says Tristine Hargreaves, NBF executive director.

The retailer awards will see battle between those participating in the NBF’s Retail Champions Scheme, which supports businesses whose product offer is at least 50% from NBF-approved member brands, across four categories. The Small NBF Retail Champion of the

Year is for retailers with four stores or fewer, recognising the contributions of the independent retailers. The Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year is for retailers with five to 20 stores, recognising the contributions of larger independent retailers. The National Bed Retailer of the Year is for businesses with more than 20 stores. The Online Bed Retailer of the Year is for businesses where at least 80% of the sales are via the Internet. The retailer awards are judged by Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail md; Dan Squires, Big Furniture Group editor, and Jarrod Bird, Interiors Monthly sales director.

The awards, gala dinner drinks reception and band are sponsored by HypnosMore than 70 brands will take part

There are also four manufacturing and supplier awards open to NBF members, ranging from individual products to achievements and innovations at a company level.

The Bed Product of the Year award includes mattresses, headboards, bed frames and sofa beds. Joanna Fielding, AIS beds category manager makes her judging debut this year for this award. Returning to the panel is Steve Adams, Mattress Online founder and ceo and Sue Davies, Sue Davies Design Solutions owner and BekaertDeslee agent. Joining them is James Dunne, Prestige Beds operations director and Paul Farley, Furniture News editor.

The Bed Manufacturer of the Year and Supplier of the Year awards recognise achievements and innovations at a company level. New to the panel for these awards is Brian Ahern, Furniture Makers’ Company master. He is joined by David Fitzsimons, director of circular economy consultants Oakdene Hollins and of the European Remanufacturing Council and Jonathan Hindle, British Furniture Confederation chairman, KI Europe md and president and founder of the Design Guild Mark.

The Component Product of the Year is awarded to the supplier with the most innovative component product or machine used in manufacturing a finished product. Returning for the award is a panel of NBF member judges: Natalie Armstrong, Sealy UK product and brand manager; Danny Blackmore, Silentnight operations director and Dave Morris, Sleepeezee purchasing director.

The theme for this year’s awards is all things ballroom and glitter, with Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke set to host the event – which this year features a live band and dancing for the first time since pre-Covid. There will be an element

of a busman’s holiday for Du Beke, as before he became a dancing professional he worked as a bed salesman.

The awards take place on the evening of 24 September, after the first day of Bed Show at Telford International Centre.

Voted Best Furniture Exhibition (UK) for the third year running by Interiors Monthly’s readers, the annual Bed Show is preparing once again to open its doors to the bed industry.

‘We are proud and delighted to be the recipients of this award for the third year running,’ says Hargreaves. ‘It is of course a tribute to the team’s hard work in putting together the show, the awards and gala dinner and awards ceremony. But it’s also an acknowledgment of just how central to the UK’s bed industry the event has become.’

This year will see a record number of exhibitors, with more than 70 brands showing their latest innovations and developments in products and marketing support. No other event gives access to such breadth and depth of representation, from all the biggest players in the industry – such as Airsprung, Deep Sleep, Dura Beds, Harrison Spinks, Highgrove, Hypnos, Millbrook, Relyon, Sealy UK, Silentnight, Simba Sleep and Sleepeezee – to smaller players such as Burgess Beds, H Living and MA Living, and plenty in between. From headboards to convertibles, pockets to foam, high end to budget, there are products for every sector of the market, and all are produced by members of the NBF, which must meet the conditions of the association’s strict Code of Practice. This is underpinned by rigorous independent auditing to ensure they are complying with the UK’s regulations on fire safety, cleanliness, trade descriptions and other legal requirements such as textile composition

labelling. Many are also signatories to the NBF’s Pledge for Our Planet and are therefore making strenuous effort to progress towards reducing their carbon emissions and making their products more eco-friendly.

As usual there will be celebrations: Sealy UK is marking 50 this year, Sleepeezee has clocked up 100 years, so there will be cakes. But cakes aren’t the only reason to be there. For everyone exhibiting, Bed Show is the major launchpad of the year – both in finished product but also the key industry suppliers exhibiting.

The Suppliers Zone is again a major feature, with the likes of Boyteks, CPS Group, Enkev, Flex 2000, Handy, John Cotton, Kayfoam, Leggett & Platt, Maes, Nestor Springs, Rawsons, Vita Group and Wolf Components revealing their latest developments, which will be making their way into the new bed products shown this year and in future. A select group of guest exhibitors will also be present.

‘The Bed Show is the flagship event of the industry. It’s great to see all the innovation that people have worked so hard to bring out. We get to bring that to our business and it make us more successful,’ says Mike Murray, Land of Beds md.

‘You get everything in one place, everything that you need. It’s easy,’ says Sandra Humble, Linthorpe Beds director.

‘We come every year. It’s a great place, with new products and good suppliers,’ says Zarar Aslam, Masterfoam director.

Once again, visitors will receive complimentary refreshment to use at the three in-hall cafes. The largest of these, in Hall 1, will offer a selection of hot and cold meals and caters for all dietary requirements, with light refreshments available from the cafes in Halls 2 and 3. Visit: www.bedshow.co.uk

Eight awards are up for grabs

Cut from a different cloth

We’re passionate about making luxury mattresses and beds in the most responsible way. And for us, that means caring where everything comes from. It’s why we grow comfort fillings on our Yorkshire farm, weave naturally FR Chemical Free fabrics in‑house and make our own award winning springs.

Our unique approach to luxury bed making makes us different. It’s why each and every one we lovingly handcraft is proudly cut from a different cloth.

HARRISONSPINKS . CO .UK

COME FIND US AT THE NBF BED SHOW!

Showcasing our new Harrison Spinks and Somnus collections. Every model on display is brand new, including our Bed Tailor 30th Anniversary model ‘The Pearl’. Find us on stand D30.

Celebrations

Sleepeezee is marking its centenary with a quartet of launches

As Sleepeezee marks its 100-year birthday, it is excited to confirm four range launches at the Bed Show, backed with fantastic marketing and in-store support for its retail partners as well as a promotional calendar for the new year.

The new collections planned for launch will be refreshes on some of Sleepeezee’s bestselling ranges, including Campaign for Wool, a priceconscious naturals collection that will feature enhanced spring counts with extra side support and additional natural comfort fillings, all with the Campaign for Wool branding. King Charles is patron of the Campaign for Wool charity.

Sleepeezee’s best-selling PocketGel Plus range will also be getting a complete overhaul in design, named ActivFlex Response, with upgraded features and new ActivFlex spring foam – a unique comfort material that takes the benefits of pocket springs and foam and combines them to create a comfort layer that is able to adapt and flex to your unique body shape, offering superior support.

Alongside these collections will be a new Graphite memory foam range and Cool Refresh Collection, which features Sleepeezee’s cool touch cover, designed to reduce body temperature to help achieve the ideal sleep temperature for a deep and undisturbed night’s sleep.

Finishing off the new launches for the show, Sleepeezee will also have new fabric options, headboard designs and divan offerings to go alongside

the new range launches.

‘It will be another exciting show for Sleepeezee, with four ranges launching for our retail partners as well as some new design options too. It’s been a fantastic year for the Sleepeezee team celebrating our centenary, so we look

forward to being able to see our retail partners again to show them what we’ve been working on for the past six months, and to raise a glass in celebration at the Sleepeezee bar on stand,’ says Amy Curtis, Sleepeezee head of marketing. Visit: www.sleepeezee.com

Fabric options include Oat (left) and Tweed in Mustard (above)

Quality comfort, naturally

Our extensive Highgrove Collection ensures that you can offer consumers the widest choice of sleep comfort, along with stylish base and headboard options.

Our latest models incorporate many unique features, ranging from our innovative Eco AdvantEdge® spring system to Coppersleep® , Chirogel® and Ergosense® with a real focus on healthier sleep.

We’ve added exciting new features and size options to our Ergomatic™ Adjustable Bed Collection, extended our range of fashionable Bed Frames and added a wide range of stylish new covers.

Highgrove use the finest quality components and fittings, combined with the latest sleep technology to ensure we continue to deliver the UK’s best value bed brand.

With our 7 day delivery service and high impact in-store support, this ongoing commitment provides stockists with a real competitive advantage and the opportunity for improved margins and increased profits. What’s not to love?

Don’t just take our word for it, Highgrove is delighted to win not one, but two Best Bed Supplier awards from two of the UK’s leading trade Furniture publications – Interiors Magazine and Big Furniture.

We’ve got some great show offers and look forward to you visiting our Stand C20 at The Bed Show, 24th - 25th September, Telford International Centre.

Building on success

Highgrove will have more than 30 models on display at the Bed Show

Highgrove will use the Bed Show as a launchpad for new products and innovations. The stand will feature 34 models, targeting almost all market sectors from entry level to traditional high end.

‘I’m confident that Highgrove continues to deliver the UK’s best value bed brands, combining the widest choice of comfort and support options with the latest sleep technology. The business continues to move forward and react quickly to new opportunities with a focus on meeting customers’ needs. There’s no doubt that the market remains challenging, but we are pleased with our progress and continue to take market share from our competitors,’ says Shane Harding, Highgrove head of marketing.

Highgrove’s Eco AdvantEdge models will feature strongly at the show, with the introduction of four 4,000 pocket

sprung, deep pillow-top specifications to the collection, utilising the same health-focused attributes. Zenith Copper, Nexus Gel, Quantum Latex and Celeste Natural each have their own unique selling story and the added benefit of glue-free construction to enable easy end-of-life recycling.

Several Ergomatic Adjustable beds will be unveiled, ranging from massage and sleep enhancement functions to smartphone operation that reduces the need for traditional handsets.

The ever-popular ErgoSense range has also been expanded, with two pocket single-sided deep pillow-top options making an appearance and taking this specification to a new level of comfort.

Base enhancements include a new contemporary base on legs and fashionable new covers, with additional stylish headboards added to the range

to give a more designer-focused appeal to consumers. There will be a selection of stylish bed frames, including electric ottoman storage designed to be a profitable addition to any bed shop floor.

The entry-level HG Collection now provides consumers with a ‘Rolled to Go’ option for added convenience, with a choice of Bonnell, pocket and foam specifications.

High-impact in-store displays, associated POS and sales aids are available free of charge to qualifying Highgrove stockists and these can be viewed on the stand.

To keep pace with changing customer needs, Highgrove has invested a further £1m in 2024. Capital projects include a 20,000sqft extension to its headboard and bedstead manufacturing operation, plus £600,000 in green initiatives, ranging from additional solar panel technology to state-of-the-art on-site waste disposal that will also help heat the factory – one of the largest and most modern in Europe.

All products are manufactured at the company’s Liversedge site, which Harding believes is a major competitive advantage. ‘With 98% of all orders delivered within seven days of receipt, it’s no coincidence that Highgrove has won not one, but two Best Bed Supplier awards from trade publications this year, made more special because they are voted for by our customers. This recognises the dedication of the entire Highgrove team in striving to achieve the highest standards of quality and service.’ Visit: www.highgrovebeds.co.uk

Side lift ottoman

The Ergomatic Adjustable range has more models

The Coppersleep range has been expanded

& Manufactured in the UK. Stitched Arm Detailing Sumptuous Hybrid Seating as standard. Available in high back.

Tel: 0191 4954600 Email: orders@bentinckfurniture.co.uk

RECRUITMENT

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

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

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

Costs for larger recruitment adverts are available upon request.

Please contact Jarrod on E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk T: 01565 631 397

A brand evolution

Sweet Dreams will target seven sectors as it looks to reach new heights

Sweet Dreams, a respected name in the bed industry, stands at a pivotal juncture. With a history stretching back to 1988, the company has cultivated a reputation for quality, customer focus and product innovation. Now, as the sleep landscape evolves, so too must Sweet Dreams. The brand is embarking on a significant refresh to align with the contemporary demands of a discerning clientele.

At the heart of Sweet Dreams is a commitment to crafting exceptional sleep experiences. Through meticulous design,

premium materials and an unparalleled dedication to customer satisfaction, the company has built a loyal following. The impending rebrand is a testament to Sweet Dreams’ aspiration to ascend to new heights, positioning itself as a purveyor of luxury sleep solutions.

A cornerstone of this evolution is the introduction of a new product line encompassing beds, mattresses and bed frames. This expansion is driven by a desire to offer a comprehensive range of sleep options, infused with cutting-edge

technology and opulent materials.

‘By placing a premium on personalised comfort, Sweet Dreams aims to cater to the diverse preferences of its target market. The new bed range focuses on seven new collections.

‘The Premium range features our bestselling pocket spring systems with sumptuous knits, pillow and box tops,’ says Nick Williams, Sweet Dreams UK sales manager.

‘The Landmark collection, successfully launched at last year’s Bed Show,

Sydney

Linzi Krystal Health

features FR-chemical free, eco-friendly, sustainably sourced materials that are 100% recyclable at end of life. Using our quality pocket spring systems, Landmark comes in a range of 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 spring counts with tufted and quilted choices. The bases and headboards are FSC compliant and made from 100% recyclable fabric.

‘The Defined Edge range gives a high quality encapsulated finish with a wide choice of pocket counts. This year there are both quilted and tufted options.

‘New for the Bed Show is the Naturals collection. Luxurious high pocket counts of 4,000, 4,500 and 5,000 feature 24mm latex to the full FR-chemical-free sleep surface, matched with a combination of wool, lamb’s wool, cashmere and mohair.

‘New for 2024, a refreshed and revitalised Well-Being collection offers high-quality quilted knit and tufted beds featuring a range of health-promoting well-being properties. All are based on our bestselling pocket spring systems. Increasing the comfort factor, a selection of memory foams complete the range.

‘The Traditional range has long been a strength for Sweet Dreams and the 2024 collection really delivers. Fabulous new tickings along with our high quality pocket spring system really hit the mark on premium value and price.

‘The Premium, Defined Edge, Naturals, Wellbeing and Traditional Collections all come with a luxury FSC-compliant base and matching full-size and strutted headboards, with wide choice of storage and fabric options.

‘The Bonnell collection features both ortho and comfort Bonnell springs, focused on value for money and a great entry price point. Bonnell offers a choice of quilted or tufted, with memory options. For 2024, the Bonnell collection will continue to use the FSC Ridley base and matching headboard collection, with a choice of three value-led fabrics.’

A selection of the new collections will be seen at the Bed Show, and visitors can pick up their copy of the new product catalogue. which encompasses the whole Sweet Dreams’ range including beds, mattresses, frames, TV beds,

sofa-beds and sofas.

Recognising the environmental implications of the sleep industry, Sweet Dreams is focusing on sourcing fabrics and fillings from more UK-based suppliers.

‘Our UK-made bed frames, hybrid beds and TV beds remain a priority for further development this year, with several new products being launched for 2024. A commitment to the NBF’s Pledge For Our Planet in 2022 has put in place a drive to a more sustainable cradle-tothe-grave product offer, highlighted by our first sustainable, eco-friendly range, Landmark,’ says Williams.

To complement its product offerings and elevate brand perception, Sweet Dreams continues to provide speedy delivery. Covering the whole of the UK, and investing in fit-for-purpose vehicles to improve accessibility into inner-city areas, Sweet Dreams is now able to offer more efficient and easy deliveries to customers where delivery space is at a premium.

The Bed Show presents an opportune platform to unveil Sweet Dreams’ rebranding and introduce the new product line.

‘The new range offers an everyday low price and has very commercial floor display discounts, allowing customers the opportunity to display great new product at an attractive price. Following on from the Bed Show, look out for Sweet Dreams’ dedicated bed and mattress show van. Designed to maximise space, it enables customers the opportunity to review key products in the range at their leisure and at a time to suit them.

‘The Sweet Dreams rebrand is a strategic move designed to elevate the brand’s stature, expand its product portfolio, and enhance the overall customer experience.’

Visit: www.sweetdreamsuk.com

The show van with new livery

Ashridge

Felix Opulence Royal TV bed

Sustainability rules

GNG will expand Komfi with sustainable innovations and a premium offer

At the Bed Show, GNG Group is set to expand and enhance its Komfi brand by introducing collections that combine sustainability with cutting-edge sleep technology.

Building on the success of the KomfiMed range, which was a finalist for Product of the Year in 2023 at the Bed Industry Awards, GNG will launch three collections designed to cater to a variety of sleeping styles, incorporating sustainable materials and advanced sleep solutions.

The first, Infinity, leverages GNG’s sleep technology, featuring True Gel for breathability and cooling alongside True Air foam for airflow. Each mattress is tailored and upholstered in a luxurious, breathable cover that adapts to body movements, enhancing the pressurerelieving benefits of the core materials.

One of Infinity’s standout features, and a first for this sector of the market, is the ability to customise a single mattress to suit two different firmness levels and sleeping styles, thanks to zip-and-link options available across the entire range.

Harmony further solidifies GNG’s commitment to sustainability, emphasising the use of eco-friendly materials that are both affordable and environmentally responsible. As a carbon-neutral collection from a carbon-neutral manufacturer, Harmony features Seaqual covers paired with

Ecofoam to create the Ocean model.

The KomfiMed collection will see a new cooling technology: SensICE. Additionally, the new Gel Med Hybrid mattress will combine medically proven foam, True Gel technology, and pocket springs with a SensICE cooling cover. This combination is designed to deliver a mattress with a superb feel, appealing to a wide range of consumer preferences and sleeping styles.

‘We have worked tirelessly over the past year to build on the success of our current collections, with KomfiMed proving highly popular among both retailers and consumers. Our goal was

to further elevate our offerings with a premium collection while advancing our sustainable development initiatives. The three new collections cater to different price points and create a clear hierarchy of product offerings, each with its own unique selling points,’ says Richard Gretton, GNG commercial director.

The Komfi Unity collection also continues to expand. Retailers can benefit from short lead times, UK manufacturing and ease of delivery –eliminating the need for container costs and reducing capital tied up in stock.

Visit: www.gng-group.co.uk

Supreme Excel

KomfiMed and Unity will be expanded

Chris Lester All of Ireland.

Tel: 00353 87 7779993 chrislester2000@gmail.com

Edward Bacon North West & East Midlands. Tel: 07976 061173 edward.bacon@icloud.com

Graham Dickinson North East & Yorkshire. Tel: 07734 853473 grehamd@aol.com

Alan White Scotland.

Jason Hillier South East & East Anglia.

Nigel Hillier South West, South Wales & West Midlands. Tel: 07971 484550 nigel@nhillier.co.uk Please

Tel: 07733 883611 alan.arredi@btinternet.com

Tel: 07876 508913 rosethornagencies@outlook.com

komfi.com A division of the GNG Group. NHS Approved Supplier www.gnggroup.co.uk

Email: richard.gretton@gng-group.co.uk Telephone: 01924 950 300

Silentnight, with its illustrious history of nearly 80 years in the bed industry and Superbrand status for almost two decades, proudly announces its latest campaign, ‘sleep great, Britain.’

Visitors to The Bed Show will be emersed in the bold celebration of Silentnight’s position as the industry leader.

Showcasing the breadth of Silentnight’s product offering, stand G100 will feature an eclectic mix of comfort layers that cements the brand’s mission to offer a solution for every sleeper. Memory, Geltex®, Health & Wellbeing, Eco, Plant and British Wool can be explored, presented on the latest in trend-led bedframes, fabrics and headboards. Extensive expertise and unparalleled commitment to advancements in sleep technology allow Silentnight to meet the diverse sleep needs of the nation.

Also on the stand, Silentnight launch investment into instore experience. Acknowledging that buying a mattress is a personal and tactile decision, shopping environments are revamped to echo

the modern-day feel of the brand into immersive, interactive experiences that give shoppers elevated contact with the brand.

Recognising the importance of appealing to the next generation of sleepers, Silentnight has successfully harnessed the power of social media. Award winning viral campaigns are displayed, underscoring Silentnight’s ability to resonate with the everchanging social landscape and connect with a younger audience.

Celebrating ‘sleep great, Britain’ Silentnight invites sleepers far and wide to explore its latest offerings and discover the benefits of tailored, restorative sleep. Whether through visiting The Bed Show or exploring online at Silentnight.co.uk, there’s never been a better time to join the pyjama army and experience why Silentnight is comfortably the best.

Milestone

Sealy is celebrating 50 years of manufacturing in the UK

Sealy UK is celebrating the 50th anniversary of manufacturing in the UK. At this year’s Bed Show, it will be showcasing a wide range of products, with each range featuring one of its patented spring systems. Designed to target different market segments, this varied offering features different and unique coil technologies, ensuring everyone can experience Sealy’s level of support and comfort.

Since its inception, Sealy has grown to become a leading name in the industry, synonymous with exceptional quality and cutting-edge technology. The journey of Sealy Posturepedic is based on a clear and simple mission:

to provide the best quality sleep to everyone, everywhere. Its design of coil geometry is informed by research from the Orthopaedic Advisory Board, and the central premise is to provide correct support for the body during rest. Over the decades, this mission has remained steadfast, with constant invention at the core of its activity. This commitment to research and development has placed Sealy Posturepedic at the forefront of the industry, promoting its position as the world’s number one brand in sleep.

Among the highlights at the Sealy stand will be the flagship Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite collection. This ultra-premium range exemplifies the brand’s dedication

to performance and luxury, marrying the next generation RestSupport coil with bespoke materials, to provide the finest in correct support and conforming comfort.

The 50th anniversary product range, Sealy Posturepedic Elevate UltraLux, will also be showcased. This collection presents the latest thinking from Sealy, and demonstrates its commitment to using advanced materials in sleep technology.

Sealy UK will also celebrate the brand’s journey over the past 50 years as it focuses on the future and its core values of genuine support, true comfort and dependable durability teamed with a commitment to continuous innovation.

Visit: www.sealy.co.uk

Above: Indulgence Below: There is new 50th anniversary POS

Try and buy

Nectar Sleep is directing keen shoppers to stockists, and most trade up

In a world where a good night’s sleep is increasingly recognised as vital to overall health and well-being, Nectar Sleep has emerged as a game-changer in the mattress industry. Since its foundation in 2016, it has risen to prominence by offering a combination that has struck a chord globally with millions of satisfied customers: high-quality mattresses, comfort, affordability and an industryleading trial period and guarantee.

Despite the length of the sleep trial, 52% of Nectar customers express an interest to try the product before they

buy. Nectar Sleep is an online business with no aspirations to open retail outlets, so to cater for these customers it founded the Nectar Retail partnership in 2018. Since then, retailers who stock the Nectar Retail range have had those customers sent into their stores using the online store locator.

The customers have done their research 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. Extensive in-store training documents are available

for stockists, so upselling the customer from the online products to the exclusive in-store products could not be easier. On average, 95% of customers switch to the in-store range when they are in-store, allowing retailers to maximise their margin. The concept is simple and unique.

Nectar has created the exclusive retail range with sustainability as a core focus, which is why it has partnered with Climate Partner to measure, reduce and offset its carbon footprint. The ethos when creating a product is to make it once, use robust materials and make it so that the customer is happy with it. It is so confident that the mattresses do all this that the Forever Warranty and 365-night sleep trial apply to all products.

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

Nectar will be exhibiting at the SWMARF show on 10-12 September and Bed Show from 24-25 September. Visit: www.nectarsleep.co.uk

95% of customers switch to the in-store range

It’s The Easiest Sale Of The Day

Our 365-Night Trial Means Your Customer Can Never Make The Wrong Choice!

Nectar Sleep is one of the largest mattress brands in the world. Each of our mattresses is informed by real customer insights and designed to meet the demands of modern living with comfort, quality and style. Led by a global team of industry experts, we’re changing the way people find and fall in love with their mattress, night after night.

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New direction

A strategic switch to white label production has paid dividends

The Shire Beds brand has seen a significant boost since it became a white label high street manufacturing partner.

Whilst the economy was still reeling from the cost-of-living crisis, Shire took the decision to change the company’s strategy and direction. The transformative effect of a new team, new products and new customers has had a positive measurable impact a year on from the changes. In addition, focusing on own-branding for many of its existing and new customers has seen an increase in its own-brand recognition.

Shire made a strategic move to disrupt the market in the traditional hand side-stitched mattress sector and has increased its market share and has a greater presence on the high street. By analysing market trends, it focused on innovation and developed products that have expanded its presence in the traditional handcrafted mattress sector. With hand side-stitched products being the preserve of a few, it realised a gap in the market to offer this more widely. And it was able to offer this under the customer’s own label and branding.

Own-branding required Innovation at several points: everything in the process had the option of being personalised to allow protection of IP and give an

exclusive product. The opportunities of margin and personalisation have been seized by retailers. Own-branding is now offered to almost 100 retailers and continues to grow.

The ability for Shire to innovate and put in structural and organisational changes to enable this has been key to the success of the own-brand policy.

The Capri and Ravello brands have been developed further. Additional models are now offered with higher spring counts, pillow top and zip and link options. The Solitude collection is a natural, high spring pocket collection that has been a hit. The development of these ranges has been meticulous. The differentiation of feels was achieved through regular testing and market feedback, so the products were an immediate success.

Shire also invested in upskilling its workforce to become one of the leading hand side-stitched manufacturers.

It has created a seamless sales journey from product selection, delivery and after service. A retailer visit programme has seen the best use of its showroom, and with extended and no quibble returns guarantees there is greater confidence in Shire’s products.

It has developed its ability to produce marketing materials in-house and

personalise them without any cost to its customers. This has been a gamechanger for own-branded options.

Shire Beds set out to be the white label supplier of choice with its quality hand side-stitched products offering retailers significant margins. It has achieved commercial partnerships with excellent retailers in a short time scale, becoming a major supplier of own-label products for the domestic and contract sector.

The Bed Show will see Shire Beds unveil further inspiring products. It will launch a new range of innovative mattresses as well as exhibiting its trendled headboards, divans and ottomans as it remains committed to sustainable manufacturing.

Visit: www.shirebeds.co.uk

Ravello has been developed further

Climate care

Vogue’s latest development builds upon its Vegan collection

The Vogue Beds Group has been constantly innovating with different products and ideas ever since its inception and has been determined to provide its customers with a place they can buy mattresses and all types of bases and headboards. It wanted to create a one-stop for its customers, giving them the opportunity to have a variety of mattress ranges from traditional to an eco-friendly sustainable range.

The journey for the new Climate mattress collection began with the development of Vegan mattress back in 2022, when Vogue was the first NBF member to make a The Vegan Society certified mattress. Over the past two

years, learning and understanding the market through customers and retail research, it has progressed this mattress to the next level.

The Climate mattress collection has a new recyclable fabric, which is constructed from polyester and Repreve, yarn extracted from plastic bottles from the ocean. The fillings also consist of recycled plastic, from the spring insulated pad to the specialist fibre fillings offering support and comfort. This brings it in line with circular economy attributes, where materials never become waste and are regenerated.

There is a choice of three types of Climate mattresses featuring 1,000

pocket, 1,500 pocket and 2,000 pocket spring counts. All the pocket springs have been approved and certified by The Vegan Society, ensuring no animal content is used in the manufacturing process. This moves Vogue beyond just ‘Vegan Friendly’, offering retailers and consumers the very best of sustainable, recyclable and comfortable mattress choices.

The three mattresses offer a different comfort/tension level: Meadow 1,000 offers a medium-soft feel; Floral 1,500 offers a medium-firm feel and Forest 2,000 offers a firm feel. All three Climate mattresses will headline at the Bed Show and have a dedicated area to showcase the collection.

‘More importantly, we realised over the past few years that although the Vegan story was powerful, the end user/consumer message required a better explanation of the benefits of these mattresses. The Climate mattress website is also being update and new images will be uploaded the week of the show,’ says Ebrahim Patel, Vogue Beds Group founder.

The company operates from its head office and factory in Barwell, Leicester. The factory was previously one of George Ward’s shoe factories, one of the UK’s largest shoe and boot manufacturers, and ledger books from the 1920s can still be viewed in the factory.

The Vogue Beds Group started to repurpose the factory in 1993 and has continuously improved and worked on the site to develop the 60,000sqft centre of manufacturing excellence it is today. It now also features its own photography studio, research and development area and Factory Direct shop.

Patel has spent all his working life in the bed and mattress industry, becoming National Bed Federation president in 2015. The group is very family orientated, with other members of his family working within the business, and many members of the manufacturing team have worked for The Vogue Beds Group for more than 25 years.

Visit: www.voguebeds.co.uk

Consumers want a lifestyle more attuned to nature

Recognition

PureCare celebrates Good Housekeeping success

‘Since its successful launch at the January Furniture Show, PureCare has continued to make waves in the industry. The brand’s momentum carried into the year, when PureCare proudly joined the Minerva buying group as an approved supplier, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for retailers. This accomplishment was celebrated at the Spring Furniture Show, where PureCare made its debut as an official supplier, drawing significant attention and praise. Furthermore, Purecare is now an official supplier to the AIS buying group and the brand has already been received with great success,’ says Johan Bosman, Purecare senior vice president of global business development.

‘Excitement has only grown with the announcement that our OmniGuard Advance 5-Sided Mattress Protector has been recognised with the Good Housekeeping Approved Award 2024. This coveted accolade further highlights PureCare’s commitment to excellence and innovation in sleep technology, cementing our leadership in the industry.

‘The OmniGuard Advance 5-Sided Mattress Protector stands out for its exceptional protective features, creating a barrier against moisture, allergens, dust mites, mould and mildew. This comprehensive protection ensures a cleaner, healthier sleep environment,

which is essential for maintaining a hygienic bedroom space. The mattress protector is designed to fit like a fitted sheet, making it compatible with both adjustable and standard bases, and accommodating various mattress depths.

‘The five-sided protection of the OmniGuard Advance Mattress Protector offers unparalleled coverage, shielding not only the top but also the sides of your mattress from spills, stains and allergens. This extensive safeguard is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers and those who prioritise maintaining a clean and comfortable sleeping environment. By extending the life of your mattress, this protector is a wise investment for any bedroom.

‘The Good Housekeeping Institute’s rigorous testing process evaluated the OmniGuard Advance 5-Sided Mattress Protector across several key parameters,

including durability, effectiveness and ease of use. The protector excelled in repelling liquids, resisting allergens and maintaining its quality even after multiple washes. This recognition assures consumers that PureCare’s products not only meet but exceed industry standards, offering reliability and peace of mind.

This Good Housekeeping award is a testament to PureCare’s innovative approach and the superior performance of our products. We are proud to add this honour to our growing list of accolades as we continue to deliver sleep solutions that prioritise health, comfort and quality.

‘You can see PureCare’s award-winning products at the Bed Show in Telford on 24-25 September. You are invited to visit us to learn more about how we can help your store significantly grow sales with our top-tier mattress protection solutions.’

Email: www.purecare.com

Breakthrough

A major development in boosting circularity is set to be revealed

A mattress insulator pad that helps to re-life mattresses and tackle mattress circularity at a cost-effective price is the latest development from John Cotton.

Earthkind will make its debut at the Bed Show.

The company is constantly striving for innovation and finding ways to produce products that reduce the harmful impacts on the environment at an economic price. Recently this has been elevated higher up the agenda due to the targets set by the UK Government and customer requests

to help design products that can reduce their carbon emissions and contribute towards a circular economy.

In the past year John Cotton has been working with several high-profile recycling companies and mattress brands to develop an insulator pad made from 50% used mattress materials. Until recently, it has proven difficult to provide a cost-effective solution for removing unwanted contaminants and metal components, due to limitations in the processing techniques.

However, the company has now developed a cost-effective system using a technically refined re-fibrisation process and high pressure through air heat treatment. This has enabled it to produce materials fit for reuse within a mattress as an insulator pad that adhere to the required cleanliness standards of BS 1425 and a generalpurpose bioburden test and that don’t cost the earth.

Thanks to being made from 50% used mattress materials and post

manufacturing waste, Earthkind is designed to be the blend of choice when companies consider their environmental impacts, as it has a carbon footprint 75% lower than virgin materials and is 100% recyclable at the end of life.

The high pressure through air heat treatment, allowing penetration to all fibres, ensures Earthkind adheres to the required cleanliness standards of BS 1425 and a general-purpose bioburden test looking for a range of bacteria.

John Cotton is the only component supplier of mattress fillings to offer this type of product to the market. Until recently the white insulator pads used in mattresses have been manufactured from post-manufacturing waste, such as the edge trims of mattresses. Although these products offer a way to re-use this waste, Earthkind is now offering mattress manufacturers a chance to include materials from used mattresses, which is helping to tackle the challenge of mattress circularity within the industry. Visit: www.johncotton.co.uk

A high pressure through air heat treatment is used

Earthkind adheres to the required cleanliness standards of BS 1425

Earthkind

Earthkind contains 50% used ma ress materials and post manufacturing waste and is helping tackle the challenges of ma ress recyclability within the industry.

Earthkind is the blend of choice when considering your environmental impacts. With a carbon footprint of 75% less than virgin materials, and 100% recyclable at the end of life.

Using a high pressure through air heat treatment, allowing penetration to all fibres, Earthkind adheres to the required cleanliness standards of BS 1425 and a general-purpose bioburden test looking at a range of bacteria.

For our planet

Natural fibres are central to Enkev’s alternative to fossil-fuel based foams

Enkev has been turning natural fibres into quality products for more than 90 years. Since 1932, it has become one of the world’s leading processors of natural fibres, transforming them into new and innovative products for use in almost limitless applications. The demands of manufacturers and consumers have never influenced these products more than they do today, especially via social media. Ethical sources, traceability, carbon footprint, end-of-life stories and fully biodegradable materials are all key features required by consumers.

Enkev offers products that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations, and with an eye on the future is always looking to develop new materials with its manufacturing partners.

PURE is a natural and recyclable option for use as a PU foam replacement. Matched by density to a wide range of foams it offers customers a simple way to reduce their reliance upon PU foams, taking strategic steps to move them towards a more sustainable product build.

Produced using either plant fibres or animal fibres, blending and bonding using latex results in a product that is 100% plastic free. PURE products have between four and 20 times lower carbon footprints compared to PU foam. The collection is available in FR, non-FR and a The Vegan Society approved option offering fully certified products for today’s most demanding customers.

The Enkev Group has immense pride and passion for its position as a supplier of high quality, high integrity, responsible filling solutions, and its partnerships with Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and The Vegan Society help it take its ethical and traceable supply chain to truly unique levels.

Using and sourcing only the very best natural materials, Enkev makes its products using coir fibre, horsehair, cotton, wool, silk, flax, hemp, bamboo and mohair, blending these to produce materials unsurpassed in their resilience, durability and ventilation, enabling Enkev to supply a completely environmentally friendly alternative

to many synthetic materials.

‘We don’t just believe in the sustainable development of our products, we also have a sustainable responsibility for the people who work for us, and the people we do business with,’ says the company. Visit: www.enkev.com

How parts of Enkev’s Bed Show stand will look

Our PURe product is a natural and recyclable option for use as a PU Foam replacement, produced using either plant fibres or animal fibres, skilfully blended, and bonded using Latex then matched by density to range of PU foams resulting in a product that is 100% plastic free.

The PURe product collection is available in FR, Non-FR, and even a Vegan Society approved option offering fully certified products for today’s most demanding customers.

PURe ingredients are 4 to 20 times less CO2 polluting than PU foam. With an open celled structure for ventilation, durability, comfort, and flexibility.

Best of both

Leggett & Platt takes a worldwide and local approach

Leggett & Platt manufactures success through innovation, scalability and family values, utilising advanced bedding technology and a ‘global, yet local’ approach to service to provide superior comfort products to customers across the bedding and furniture industries.

With its corporate IDEA centre in Missouri, USA serving as an incubator where bedding and furniture solutions are designed, Leggett & Platt has established itself as a leading provider of advanced component technology.

Focused design and signature variablerate geometry give smart coil pocket springs their distinctive appearance and progressive performance. Initial softness and an immediate feeling of comfort are followed by responsive, lasting support as the intricately designed geometry of the spring is engaged.

Multi-layer innerspring innovation achieves a superior level of comfort not possible with firmer, single-layer, highcoil-count units. This technology reduces environmental impact and improves sustainability with efficient layer-to-layer welding, removal of additional steel clips and foam filling layers, and application of high-performance, leaner coils. It also provides enhanced durability and unit strength because every other coil is ultrasonically welded to the coil above rather than being perimeter clipped and/or glued alone.

Through various zoning configurations, such as conventional, partner, side and bespoke/anatomic, Leggett & Platt’s multi-layer products provide comfort and support precisely where it’s needed, allowing it to create a unique and compelling comfort story with expanded specification, range and height potential.

By combining purpose with potential, the company can discover how its combination, semi-finished and finished compressed mattress products can improve your proposition, performance and process. Its industry-leading technologies, innovative spring solutions and game-changing speciality foam capabilities offer something genuinely different while providing real value and advantage to customers. With enhancements across the entire surface and a reinforced, four-sided perimeter that reduces roll-off and delivers consistency all the way to the edge, ActivEdge helps customers streamline processes and increase recyclability.

Leggett & Platt’s worldwide capabilities make it the go-to source for many companies looking for semi-finished and foam-encapsulated solutions that provide higher value propositions. These builds, combined with the glue-free NanoCoil comfort layers, create the ideal compressed, foldable, rollable hybrid bed-in-a-box mattresses

that can be shipped anywhere in the world. Pairing state-of-the-art, vertically integrated businesses with world-class professionalism, Leggett & Platt delivers manufacturers a personal, flexible, local service. This ‘global, yet local’ strategy drives it to meet the challenges of an ever-changing and evolving landscape as it looks to energise the market and help customers succeed.

With an emphasis on scalability, it maintains a vast product capacity on-site to ensure it can meet peak demand while maintaining just-intime delivery. This proven, reliable and supportive supply chain provides an added benefit to customers requiring flexibility. Committed to success through innovation and efficiency, Leggett & Platt adapts to market changes to deliver sustainable product solutions. Its continued investment in the bedding and furniture industries, leading technologies and dedicated teams strategically positions it to react to customer requirements with flexibility and ensure it provides value-adding comfort innovation and support in line with their needs.

Visit: www.beddingcomponents-intl.com

Multi-layer inner springs

The IDEA centre in Missouri, USA serves as an incubator where bedding and furniture solutions are designed

high-spring-count hybrid mattresses.

Hassle-Free Hybridity

As a strategic ally and beacon of British manufacturing excellence, Leggett & Platt delivers advanced bedding technology and superior comfort and support to customers across the UK. Our semi-finished and foam-encased product capabilities, combined with our NanoCoil® comfort layers and game-changing speciality foam technologies, create high-value hybrid mattress solutions ideal for today's omni-channel market space.

2024 Leggett & Platt Incorporated

Leggett & Platt Springs UK and Kayfoam on Stand F90 at The Bed Show

Dream come true

Carpenter’s latest technology will be on show

Carpenter has a state-of-the art polyurethane foam pouring facility in Glossop, Derbyshire, complemented by its Richbond block production, Carpenter underlay and conversion and bedding divisions servicing the mattress, upholstery, leisure and mobility sectors with comfort solutions.

The Carpenter team has listened to what is foremost in the mind of the consumer and has developed exciting new products. In this ever-changing climate, consumers are looking for a cooler, temperature-regulated night’s sleep using products that are easier to recycle.

Visitors to Carpenter‘s stand at the Bed Show will be able to experience its graphite-infused foams. These aid the transfer of heat away from the body using melamine-free technology and are available in two grades. Celsius+ memory foam contours to the body for personalised comfort; provides cushioning to aid correct spine alignment, and can help ease pressure on sensitive areas. Aurora+ graphite foam has a soft feel and great resilience, with enhanced bounceback support, while the graphite cell technology targets increased air-flow. Both foams can be used as the top layer in a mattress or as a topper for a cooler sleeping environment.

The Podz foam spring mattresses are designed to mimic a metal spring to offer the comfort and support needed to enjoy a great night’s sleep. Podz foam springs are able to respond to body movement; minimise motion transfer and have a spring-like performance with excellent durability to give an exceptional feel. Unlike metal springs, they are a recycler’s dream as no separation of the mattress layers is required at the end of life – simply remove the cover and the mattress can be recycled or the layers re-purposed.

Podz offers a unique proposition, being available in the company’s full foam range, offering soft, medium and firm feels, and can be produced

at varying heights.

Carpenter’s latest mattresses, designed to be ‘clicked’ together, feature interlocking layers, allowing continuous support along the whole body, but without the need for adhesive, making it easier to recycle the mattress layers at the product’s end of life.

The mattresses use a combination of Richguard Extra foam for support and durability and a softer foam for comfort and bounce-back.

The stand will feature a mattress that has been designed by Sixth Form students at Ashton College, Greater Manchester. They received a design project to develop a new mattress, brand identity and logo. Their innovation is impressive – a fabulous mattress with a cover featuring the latest colours and a thoughtful brand name. Visit: www.carpenter.com

The Podz foam spring mattresses are designed to mimic a metal spring

Graphite-infused foams aid the transfer of heat away from the body

Carpenter provides innovative solutions to offer consumers more choice and to help them create comfortable and supportive surroundings. In this ever-changing climate consumers are looking for products which offer a cooler environment, are easier to recycle, but do not compromise on feel and comfort. Visit our stand to see our collection of innovative mattresses designed to meet the consumers’ latest wishes. We are also excited to show a mattress designed and developed by the students at Ashton 6th Form College as part of their Project Week, sponsored by Carpenter.

Think testing

SATRA will be at Bed Show and The Flooring Show this month

SATRA‘s furniture and floorcoverings testing facility is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for assessing the safety, quality and durability of manufacturers and retailers’ products.

With more than a quarter of a century of experience testing products for the furnishings industry, and impressive ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, SATRA has become established as one of the foremost market leaders in the testing of domestic and contract furniture, beds and mattresses, and flooring.

SATRA is an Approved Body for the certification of flooring under the Construction Products Regulation, and

assists with the UKCA marking process. Under current Government guidance, the UK will end recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain at the end of June 2025 for construction products. This significant regulatory change means that manufacturers must transition to the UKCA marking system to continue selling their products in the UK.

In response, SATRA continues to assist flooring manufacturers to prepare for this deadline by providing expert guidance and testing services to ensure their products comply with the new requirements. By offering this level of support, SATRA helps manufacturers

navigate the complexities of changing regulations and to remain competitive in the marketplace.

Assessing products for the UK domestic market, where all domestic upholstered furniture must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (fire)(safety) Regulations, is a key part of SATRA’s testing service. This is in addition to testing upholstered furniture for use in contract situations against specifications such as BS 7176.

The durability and safety testing of products including seating, tables, wardrobes, cabinets and beds has seen a surge in enquiries during 2024. This increased demand reflects the growing importance that manufacturers and consumers alike are placing on product quality and longevity.

SATRA’s dedicated furniture test laboratory can assess a wide collection of products to an impressive range of standards. This includes domestic, contract, outdoor and furniture for the educational sector.

In addition to the physical and flammability testing capabilities, SATRA also has an extensive chemical testing laboratory to assist with customers’ restricted substances testing, and to help demonstrate their compliance with legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) and POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) regulation.

A selection of SATRA’s experts will be exhibiting at the upcoming The Flooring Show from 15-17 September. This event is a key platform for showcasing the latest developments in flooring technology and also provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about SATRA’s comprehensive range of services.

SATRA will also be present at the Bed Show in Telford on 24-25 September, offering visitors the chance to find out more about its services, or to find out how it can support your business with its testing and certification needs. Visit: www.satra.com

Circularity rules

Innovation and sustainability are key

At the heart of innovation, The Vita Group consistently pushes the boundaries of progress and sustainability in European flexible PU foam solutions.

With an unwavering commitment to pushing forward on sustainability and circularity, The Vita Group produces a revolutionary range of foams under its Orbis brand. Orbis: a ground-breaking development in flexible polyurethane foam available in the UK.

This dedication to excellence and environmental responsibility earnt The Vita Group winner of the Component Supplier of the Year Award at the Bed Show 2023, reaffirming its leadership in the industry and contribution to a more circular future.

Orbis is Europe’s first flexible PU foam integrated with recycled raw

materials, sourced from post-consumer foam mattresses. By utilising postconsumer foam in Orbis, the group effectively mitigates the need to send to landfill or incineration. Orbis has enabled a reduction in its environmental footprint by utilising waste as a valuable resource while retaining the unmatched quality, durability and comfort inherent in traditional flexible PU foam mattresses. It expands the lifecycle of the foam, reducing reliance on the virgin raw materials.

Its commitment to product stewardship means substituting materials, improving their environmental performance, and reducing reliance on virgin, petrochemicalderived raw materials. The group’s expanded R&D capabilities have enabled it to tune the chemistry and cell structure

for different applications, making it one of the most versatile advanced materials around. Product stewardship to Vita is an environmental management strategy that places sustainable innovation at the heart of product design. The transition to renewable and recycled feedstock at scale is a high impact area for the industry.

A key challenge is understanding the true environmental impact of the raw materials used to manufacture products. In 2024, Vita made advancements in its products’ life cycle analysis meaning it now has a science-based approach to measuring the environmental impact of each of its products. The furniture industry must maintain the utilisation of science-based data to support understanding. Vita invests in innovation, embraces product stewardship and pursues the use of materials and technologies that create reduced environmental impacts. A fundamental part of its innovation journey is finding ways to make products that can help solve existing societal problems, for example by extending the life of foam, diverting waste from landfill and unlocking the value of waste as a raw material.

Vita’s dedication to innovation and sustainability extends beyond its products, embracing transformative partnerships and affiliations. This commitment aligns seamlessly with its overarching mission: to drive positive change in the furniture industry while leaving a lighter environmental footprint. Visit: www.thevitagroup.com

Airsprung Group - Airsprung Beds; Gainsborough Beds D80

Apropa Machinery E50

Boyteks F110

Breasley - Uno; Salus G70

Burgess Bedding Company B50

Carpenter - sleep better A10

Circom F60

CPS Group F80

Deepsleep Beds G80

Deluxe Beds - Hamilton & James; Modern Living; Pennine Beds G20

Dura Beds - Brooklands; Heritage D40

Enchanted House G60

Enkev UK

Flex 2000

GNG Group - Komfi

H Living - The Natural Collection D60

Handy - Simalfa; Encore Hartco; Astor Berning

VISIT OR ENTRANCE

VISIT OR ENTRANCE

The Past, Present and Future of Sleep

We’re celebrating 50 years of Sealy UK. Join us at the 2024 NBF show as we reflect on five decades of achievements, and look forward to a bright future of innovation.

Experience first-hand the wide range of products, each one featuring the patented coil systems that set Sealy apart. This year, we will unveil Elevate UltraLux. The latest in the Sealy Posturepedic line up, designed to deliver the exceptional support and comfort performance for which Sealy is renowned.

We’ve been putting the ‘Heart & Soul of Sleep’ into every mattress we’ve made for the last 50 years, and we will be doing it again today, tomorrow... ...and everyday thereafter.

Experience the difference: Stand D10 www.sealy.co.uk

The Flooring Show Guide

Showcasing Universal Design Fishbone - Nordmann

The Flooring Show

All in

Abingdon Flooring will have a host of introductions

Abingdon Flooring returns to The Flooring Show with exciting entries into the retail flooring market, along with updates to collections across its StainFree, Love Story and Wilton Royal families.

This year’s The Flooring Show is promising to be a big one for Abingdon Flooring as the UK carpet manufacturer brings new entries into the market and introduces colour updates that keep its StainFree, Love Story and Wilton Royal carpets at the forefront of stylish affordable carpets for today’s home.

On a new-look stand, Abingdon Flooring will show retailers how its reputation in great value remains at the heart of its new market entries. It will also use the show to reveal how it

is responding to the growing need for carpets that provide a more sustainable buying choice.

‘We’re really taking on the market with our new entries. For a long time, our carpet families have been considered as the benchmark of value that doesn’t compromise on everyday usability. We’ll be using The Flooring Show to show how that’s exactly the same for all floors from Abingdon Flooring and also how we’re looking towards creating a better future with products that are more sustainable,’ says Charlotte Coop, Abingdon Flooring head of marketing.

The brand will also be sharing the newest developments to its Trade Portal. With access to real-time availability,

anytime order placement and order tracking, the Trade Portal helps retailers to manage their account more effectively and improve the service provided to their customers. Now through new functionality updates, the Trade Portal is better than ever.

The feature improvements include order history for the last seven days, and custom filters helping you better search, and a dedicated account price list unique to your store. Logic too has been improved, with the ability to input multiple lengths once the width of the chosen carpet has been selected. On the horizon, Abingdon Flooring will also be implementing an info hub, specification sheets and a marketing area where you’ll be able to download materials to support your store’s promotion.

‘We’re excited about the improvements to the Trade Portal as they respond to functionality requests from its users –retailers across the country. With much better flexibility and anytime availability, the Trade Portal is a more effective way to manage your Abingdon Flooring account,’ says Coop.

The Abingdon Flooring team will be demonstrating the new Trade Portal, so simply ask one of the team to see it in action. And no appearance at The Flooring Show would be complete without presenting future product launches, exclusive reveals and updates to popular ranges.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

Above left: Country Weave in Biscotti Above: Country Herringbone in Paloma

CHOOSING THE BEST UNDERLAY FOR UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Recommendations from Ball & Young.

Underfloor heating systems require specific considerations when selecting the appropriate underlay. The right choice can enhance comfort, extend the lifespan of your flooring, and ensure efficient heating. Ball & Young offers a range of underlays specifically designed for use with underfloor heating systems, ensuring optimal performance and comfort.

Sustainable PU Underlays

Ball & Young’s PU underlays are renowned for their sustainability and efficiency. These underlays are designed to allow warm air from the underfloor heating system to pass through effectively, ensuring a comfortable and evenly heated space. Unlike typical insulation products, these underlays have lower Tog ratings, which is crucial for underfloor heating applications.

Recommended PU Underlays:

• Cloud 9 Radiance

• Cush’n’wood

• Silver Woodlay

• FR4 & FR6 (IMO certified for ships)

Among these, the Radiance underlay stands out with a Tog rating of 1.3. It is lightweight and fitter-friendly, making it an excellent choice for both residential and commercial applications.

Cush’n’wood and Silver Woodlay are both great choices for using under wooden floors which are always popular when using underfloor heating in open plan spaces downstairs where heating the room is a priority.

Rubber Underlays

Rubber underlays from Ball & Young are known for their durability and high performance. These underlays also support underfloor heating systems by allowing efficient heat transfer.

Recommended Rubber Underlays:

• Venice

• Rome

• Olympic 5

• Olympic 6.5

The Roma underlay, with a Tog rating of 0.8, is particularly noteworthy. Roma offers exceptional performance and durability & at a roll size of 10m² makes it easier to handle.

KEY BENEFITS OF BALL & YOUNG UNDERLAYS

Comfort Underfoot

Ball & Young underlays provide a thick, spongy, yet dense layer of cushioning. This additional layer of comfort absorbs impact, offering a luxurious feeling of premium flooring across the entire room. The underlays are designed to preserve the appearance of your carpet and extend its lifespan by acting as a protective layer against high footfall, particularly in areas such as stairs and hallways.

Sound Insulation

Adding a Ball & Young underlay can significantly reduce noise within a room by up to 30%. This feature is especially beneficial in multi-story dwellings or apartments, where sound insulation is essential to maintain peace and quiet for occupants below.

Anti-Microbial Protection

Ball & Young’s Cloud 9 underlays are equipped with anti-microbial technologies. These technologies protect against fungi and bacteria caused by spills and leaks, helping to prevent unpleasant odours and ensuring a healthier living environment.

Choosing the Right Tog Rating

When selecting an underlay for underfloor heating systems, it is crucial to consider the Tog rating. A lower Tog rating indicates better heat transfer, which is essential for the efficiency of underfloor heating systems. Ball & Young recommends using underlays with a Tog rating not exceeding 1.5. The Roma (0.8 Tog) and Radiance (1.3 Tog) underlays are excellent choices that meet this criterion.

Ball and Young – the clear choice

Selecting the right underlay for underfloor heating systems can significantly impact the overall comfort and efficiency of your flooring. Ball & Young offers a range of high-quality, specialised underlays that cater to these specific needs. Whether you prioritise sustainability with PU underlays or durability with rubber underlays, Ball & Young has the ideal solution to enhance your underfloor heating experience. For optimal performance, consider the Roma and Radiance underlays, which offer low Tog ratings and superior comfort.

For more information on Ball & Young’s premium underlays, visit ballandyoung.com or contact a flooring specialist.

The Flooring Show

All together

Several parts of Condor Group will be at the Majestic Hotel

Condor Group’s research and development and sales team is excited to present Condor Group’s new collections at this year’s The Flooring Show! It will be a mix of affordable classics, new products in stunning designs and a wide palette of sustainable collections.

‘For decades, Condor Group has

been known as a solid partner with a long history in carpet. We can guarantee short delivery times and high quality, thanks to full in-house production. The family-owned company has proven to be able to respond quickly to our partners and leads the way in its sustainable development,’ says Kim Konig, Condor

Group marketing manager.

‘This year at The Flooring Show, Condor Group will be represented in the Drawing Room of the Majestic Hotel by Condor Carpets, VEBE, Timzo and Condor Grass, among others. All members will showcase their latest innovations and sustainable solutions.’ Visit: www.condor-group.eu

Zaragoza Bridgetown

Condor’s Hasselt, Netherlands manufacturing facility

Add THEM TO YOUR POS DISPLAY STANDS

For your home or business, accessories add the finishing touches

touches

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

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

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

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

I’m delighted with our castor cups as I needed to protect our just laid new wooden floors from the legs of heavy furniture.

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2 Floor Repair Kits have 4 shades of hard wax

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Furniture Grey Furniture Light Furniture

The Flooring Show

To be revealed

Cormar Carpet Company’s newest collection is under wraps until the show

Voted Britain’s Best Carpet Manufacturer for the past 12 consecutive years by Interiors Monthly readers, Cormar Carpet Company is delighted to return to The Flooring Show this year with a selection of enticing new ranges.

Cormar will be showcasing its high quality, great value ranges that meet the demand of today’s consumers, with the recently launched wool loop range, Shetland. Made with 100% pure new wool, this durable wool loop carpet comes in 10 trend-leading shades for the perfect blend of style and practicality. Further extending the choice for homeowners, Shetland sits alongside Cormar’s Fairisle range, which has soared in popularity since its launch, offering the same desirable quality with the option of a more level finish. Manufactured in a chunky Brussels weave design, Shetland is made using a moth-resistant three-ply yarn.

Alongside the latest addition to the wool collection, the recently relaunched Inglewood Saxony range will also be on display at the show. Manufactured using 100% Excellon polypropylene, Inglewood Saxony is a heavyweight, deep pile carpet offering comfort, warmth and luxury in time for the colder months. Now available in an updated palette of popular heather

shades, this hard-wearing and resilient British-made carpet also comes with a 10-year stain and wear guarantee for added peace of mind.

Together with the opportunity to view other recent launches, such as Primo Textures, displayed alongside Cormar’s extensive product portfolio, The Flooring Show will also see the unveiling of a new range for Autumn, which will enjoy the spotlight.

With significant investments made this year in developing new ranges, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and expanding the delivery fleet, Cormar Carpets remains

committed to advancing its position as leader in the industry.

Once again, Cormar will be exhibiting at the front of Hall A, with the team providing live demonstrations of the award-winning Trade Portal, showcasing the latest features and giving customers the opportunity to sign up and register at the show. Having gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2011, more than 65% of Cormar’s customers are now benefitting from 24/7 access to order processing, stock checks, invoicing and statements, making it the place to go for online trading for carpet retailers.

‘We are delighted to be attending The Flooring Show once again and look forward to showcasing the latest range developments we have been working hard on over the past 12 months. We strive to meet the evolving needs of our customers and homeowners with stylish, durable and affordable carpets, and this year’s showcase is testament to our continued ambition to be the carpet manufacturer of choice in the UK. We look forward to sharing our latest innovations and engaging with our valued partners and customers,’ says David Cormack, Cormar marketing director.

Visit: www.portalcormarcarpets.co.uk

The portal

Inglewood in Venetian Marble

Shetland in Hilltop Haze

Inglewood Saxony by

A heavyweight, deep pile carpet suitable for all areas of the home. Made from 100% Excellon Polypropylene using a 2-ply, specialised yarn.

The Flooring Show

Installation innovation

New products and an updated icon will be on show

F Ball and Co will use this year’s The Flooring Show to showcase its latest innovations in flooring installation products, including recently launched fast-setting, high-flow smoothing compound Stopgap 1400.

A two-component smoothing compound, with superior flow and self-smoothing properties, Stopgap 1400 is walk-on hard from just 90 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from 12 hours. This makes it ideal where flooring contractors need to work quickly and efficiently, perhaps across multiple areas, including new-build developments.

Visitors to the F Ball stand will see live demonstrations of Stopgap 1400 and other F Ball products delivered by the company’s training department. Also debuting at the show will be new designs for F Ball’s iconic yellow buckets used for its Styccobond

adhesives. The new designs have been introduced to modernise the look of the plastic buckets and simplify product selection, in keeping with new smoothing compound sacks introduced last year. While they retain the instantly recognisable F Ball branding, the buckets now in addition detail coverage rates, to help flooring contractors calculate how much adhesive they need for a particular project. The empty buckets can continue to be disposed of for recycling, for free, at participating locations in the company’s recycling scheme.

Representatives from the marketing, sales and liaison teams will be on hand throughout the exhibition to answer any questions visitors may have about F Ball products and technical support, including free training courses delivered at the F Ball Centre of Excellence in Staffordshire. Contractors attending the show can also find out how to become

a member of the Ball Rewards loyalty programme, which entitles them to claim cashback each time they purchase F Ball products, as well as a range of exclusive benefits, such as the opportunity to enter regular competitions and earn extra cashback on promotional products.

Delegates are invited to attend the company’s popular drinks reception at the stand on the Monday afternoon of the show.

‘The Flooring Show is one of the most important events in our calendar, so we’re excited to catch up with customers and see new faces. We’re also looking forward to sharing new developments to make flooring contractors’ lives easier, including our new smoothing compound, as well as refreshed designs for the yellow buckets, which help compare value with alternative products, especially where they are sold by weight rather than volume,’ says Darren Kenyon, F Ball md. Visit: www.f-ball.co.uk

The Allora Lux range offers multiple benefits. To name a few: 8mm SPC, a 5G click system for easy installation, compatibility with underfloor heating, and durability that ensures lasting luxury within a family home.

iD check

The Flooring Show will see the full debut of Greendale’s latest brand

Greendale Carpets will be launching its iD brand in full at The Flooring Show. This concept will see the award-winning Greendale brand venture even further by bringing to market an on-trend portfolio of 10 ranges under a new name. iD stands for Interior Design and is based around mid to high end carpets. These carpets are presented in a sample box, pattern books, tombola and, for the first time, consultation table.

The brand will have its own website and be fully supported across all the major social media platforms.

‘After winning Flooring Brand of the Year last year with Interiors Monthly, we thought about how we can keep moving forward,’ says Latona Potter, Greendale marketing manager.

‘We are always thinking about how we can keep improving our offer for our members and for us the logical

step was to bring in a new brand under the Greendale umbrella and create something that would cause a buzz and be exclusive for Greendale members. Hence the inception of iD.’

Greendale is not unused to innovation. It was the first buying group to rebrand carpets into its own name, the first to build its own warehouse, the first and only group to bulk buy its own carpets for members’ exclusive use and the first to appear in mainstream consumer magazines.

‘Our mantra is what’s next? Our warehouse and brand awareness allow us to think bigger for our members,’ says Eamonn Prescott, Greendale ceo. ‘We want to create a brand that transcends retailers and consumers, like Crucial Trading, Alternative Flooring, ITC, The Woven Edge. iD can do that for us.’

Greendale is a member owned, notfor-profit company, so the advantages of running ranges with slender margins for the benefit of members can be applied to iD. ‘This is an in-house brand made up of ranges that are either exclusive to us, have exclusive colours or are stocked by us. This means we also offer full customer service across all the ranges, as well as our own Greendale branded products.’ Visit: www.greendalecarpets.co.uk

iD will make its full debut at Harrogate

individual | inspired | identity | interior design

New and Exclusive to Greendale members

Brand showcase

Six brands will showcase exclusive launches, collections and more

Headlam, the UK’s leading floorcovering distributor, will showcase its exclusive brand portfolio at The Flooring Show, with each brand highlighting its latest innovations and collections, and selected brands will feature show-exclusive competitions.

Connect with industry leaders and explore how the Headlam brands can help you shape your business in the flooring industry.

Lifestyle Floors will have six new collections on show, including Rolling Hills and Platinum Plus. The team will also host an interactive competition where participants can win an Apple watch by identifying products using feeler boxes, adding a tactile dimension to the stand.

Telenzo will preview the new Delft

Square Herringbone design, crafted from New Zealand wool. The refreshed Barbican collection will also be displayed with its new colours and designs. The team will also inform customers of the Telenzo Promise, ensuring support and peace of mind for retailers and partners.

Kingsmead Carpets will be presenting its latest collections, including Hawford and Hallow.

Attendees can also attend live cleaning demonstrations by a WoolSafe certified expert, who will offer practical tips on maintaining carpets made from wool, wool mix and synthetic materials.

Everyroom will showcase seven of its new floorcoverings, including the Cedar Falls and Trinity Sands collections. Visitors can also get a preview of the new laminate range. Guests can engage

in a Nintendo Switch challenge for a chance to win the console, and there will be complimentary refreshments to enjoy.

Visitors to the Fells Carpets stand can explore its luxurious Wilton carpet collections. Highlights include a commitment to quality, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, allowing visitors to discover the rich heritage and excellence that Fells brings to the flooring industry, supported by an expert team.

Manx Tomkinson will introduce six new colours in its Puerto Rico collection. Known for blending natural elegance with durable craftsmanship, the brand will also feature a daily pina colada treat, adding a splash of refreshment to its luxurious offerings.

Visit: www.headlam.com

Lifestyle Floors’ Divine Decadence in Charming

Manx Tomkinson’s Puerto Rico Areabo

Telenzo‘s Delft Square in Canvas

Kingsmead Carpets’ Kaleidoscope Poppy

The Flooring Show

Independence plus support

Product rebranding and unique merchandising are two key aspects of Metro membership

The Metro Group negotiates on behalf of independent flooring retailers across the UK, to get the best possible terms. These net terms are passed on to members for them to manage their own prices. This puts retailers firmly in control of their own pricing, without having to wonder what level of rebate they might get at some time in the future.

Retailers who experience the frustration of having a customer who wants a specific carpet from a supplier they don’t have an account with can simplify this and save time and money in the process: Metro has a Central Order System with group suppliers and can order on the retailer’s behalf.

This means retailers can quickly and easily get the products they want, at the best prices, and have them delivered to their store. All it takes is a telephone call to the Metro office. In many cases this has led to accounts being opened with members who may have struggled to open accounts before.

Many major retailers offer products under their own exclusive brands. The Carpet1st label has been developed for members of the Metro Group that want to take advantage of an own label. The decision on whether to show a product under the manufacturer’s name or the Carpet1st name is left entirely to individual members to decide. That decision is always theirs: they remain 100% independent and manage their business the way that they want to.

The Carpet1st ranges are rebranded products agreed with the major UK and European manufacturers. The cost pricing is the same, whether you choose the manufacturer brand name or Carpet1st.

Metro’s merchandising service is unique and is one of the main benefits of group membership. It is a subsidised, personalised service that can do everything from design and print a business card to revamp an entire

shopfront – and everything is bespoke. Every Metro member has a £600-plus VAT free allowance to spend each year with the service. This is the group’s

commitment to give members access to the best marketing and merchandising support in the market. Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

Laser-cut acrylic indoor signs plus vehicle graphics fitted on-site at Carpet Connection, Sudbury

The Flooring Show

ABINGDON FLOORING HALL A – STAND A25

On a new-look stand, Abingdon Flooring will show retailers how its reputation in great value remains at the heart of its new market entries. It will reveal how it is responding to the growing need for carpets that provide a more sustainable buying choice. It will also be sharing the newest developments to its Trade Portal. With access to real-time availability, anytime order placement and order tracking, the Trade Portal helps you manage your account more effectively and improve the service you provide to your customers.

Visit: www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

ASSOCIATED WEAVERS HALL C – STANDS C63/C44

This year is one to celebrate as Associated Weavers turns 60. As one of the leading European manufacturers of tufted wall-to-wall carpets and a challenger to be reckoned with in the world of luxury vinyl flooring, with its award-winning brand Invictus, the company is always a leader in innovation. The highly anticipated ReVerse range will be one of many exciting products being showcased at this year’s show.

Visit: www.associated-weavers.co.uk

ASSOCIATED CARPET GROUP HALL C – STAND C11

ACG is a not-for-profit, member-owned buying group of more than 315 member stores. It brokers the best trade pricing, and with access to the highly successful group rebrand Smart Choice, members can secure more orders and compete with price comparisons without fear of eroding margins. ACG offers an outstanding portfolio of member benefits including supplier rebates; annual product and unitary promotions; marketing, financial partnerships, subsidised social events and the group’s Platinum Supplier Trade Show.

Visit: www.acgcarpets.com

BALL & YOUNG HALL M – STAND M27

Ball & Young’s PU underlays are renowned for their sustainability and efficiency, while rubber underlays are known for their durability and high performance. Both underlay types have lower tog ratings, which is crucial for underfloor heating applications by allowing efficient heat transfer.

Visit: www.ballandyoung.com

BETAP

MAJESTIC HOTEL – READING ROOM

Visit Betap’s stand at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate to explore its latest carpet developments. Come and see its new products and colours, and experience the future of flooring close up. Everyone at Betap looks forward to the opportunity to meet you in person and discuss potential collaborations.

Tel: 00 31 038 386 1060

CORMAR CARPET COMPANY

HALL A – STAND A28

Cormar Carpet Company is delighted to return to Harrogate and unveil its fifth range launch of the year. The award-winning product portfolio will be on display, including the latest addition to its wool loop collection, Shetland, alongside the recently relaunched Inglewood Saxony range. Cormar will also be providing live demonstrations of its industry-leading Trade Portal and showcasing its latest features.

Visit: www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

CONDOR GROUP

MAJESTIC HOTEL – DRAWING ROOM

Condor Group will be represented in the Drawing Room of the Majestic Hotel by Condor Carpets, VEBE, Timzo and Condor Grass, among others. All members will showcase their latest innovations and sustainable solutions from a reliable partner for affordable, sustainable solutions.

Visit: www.condor-group.eu

EVERYROOM

HALL B – STAND B60

Everyroom will showcase seven of its new floorcoverings, including the Cedar Falls and Trinity Sands collections. Visitors can also get a preview of the new laminate range. Guests can engage in a Nintendo Switch challenge for a chance to win the console, and there will be complimentary refreshments to enjoy.

Visit: www.every-room.co.uk

The Flooring Show

F BALL AND CO HALL B – STAND B1

F Ball and Co will use The Flooring Show to showcase its latest innovations in flooring installation products, including its recently launched fast-setting, high-flow smoothing compound: Stopgap 1400. A two-component smoothing compound, with superior flow and self-smoothing properties, Stopgap 1400 is walk-on hard from just 90 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from 12 hours. Also debuting at the show will be new designs for F Ball’s iconic yellow buckets used for its Styccobond adhesives.

Visit: www.f-ball.co.uk

FURLONG FLOORING HALL A – STANDS A22/A36

Furlong Flooring will be showcasing its latest innovations at this year’s The Flooring Show. Visitors can explore the new EcoSense range of sustainable carpets, along with the latest advancements in LVT and hardwood flooring. Discover the full range of innovative solutions for every room and enter the Carefree Cup on the EcoGreen on stands A22 and A36.

Visit: www.furlongflooring.com

FELLS CARPETS

HALL C – STAND C73

Visitors to Fells Carpets can explore its luxurious Wilton carpet collections. Highlights include a commitment to quality, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, allowing visitors to discover the rich heritage and excellence that Fells brings to the flooring industry, supported by an expert team.

Visit: www.fellscarpets.co.uk

GREENDALE

HALL C – STAND C66

Greendale Carpets will be launching its iD brand in full at The Flooring Show. This concept will see the awardwinning Greendale brand venture even further by bringing to market an on-trend portfolio of 10 ranges under a new name. It is based around mid to high end carpets that carpets are presented in a sample box, pattern books, tombola and, for the first time to be seen, consultation table.

Visit: www.greendalecarpets.co.uk

INTERFLOOR

HALL B – STAND B22

The Tredaire-nauts are landing at this year’s The Flooring Show on their mission to bring luxury and comfort to homes across the universe. They will guide you through the dynamic TV, radio, and digital advertising campaign. Retail customers can explore the latest sampling and POS materials available for their stores.

Visit: www.interfloor.com

KINGSMEAD CARPETS

HALL C – STAND C42

Kingsmead Carpets will be presenting its latest collections, including Hawford and Hallow. Attendees can also attend live cleaning demonstrations by a WoolSafe certified expert, who will offer practical tips on maintaining carpets made from wool, wool mix and synthetic materials.

Visit: www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

KELLARS

HALL A – STAND A17

Kellars is the largest independent flooring wholesaler and strives to have customer satisfaction as its number one priority. This has led to the innovation of multiple products that are now a household name within the flooring industry. With the largest stand of the show, Kellars is ready to showcase these products to you.

Visit: www.kellars.co.uk

LANO

HALL M – STAND M24

Lano will show the re-launched evergreens, Star Twist and Heather Twist; add Scala Combinations to Scala Solutions; showcase the high-end segment X A touch of Luxury and the made-to-measure rug options for X A touch of Luxury and SmartStrand. Harrogate will steal a march on the rest of the world with the presentation of the SmartStrand Living Colours III collection, which will be officially launched in early 2025.

Visit: www.lano.com

The Flooring Show

LIFESTYLE FLOORS

HALL B – STAND B29

Lifestyle Floors will have six new collections on show, including Rolling Hills and Platinum Plus. The team will also host an interactive competition where participants can win an Apple Watch by identifying products using feeler boxes, adding a tactile dimension to its stand.

Visit: www.lifestyle-floors.co.uk

MANX TOMKINSON HALL C – STAND C72

Manx Tomkinson will introduce six new colours in its Puerto Rico collection. Known for blending natural elegance with durable craftsmanship, the brand will also feature a daily pina colada treat, adding a splash of refreshment to its luxurious offerings.

Visit: www.manxtomkinson.co.uk

METRO HALL M – STAND M53

MasterPiece for an on-site estimator and in-store operations system that is easy to run with. It supports initial customer visit with ballpark, customer own measure and import of Builder/Rightmove floorplans. It provides LVT estimating with Amtico and Karndean products and a scheduling dairy for salespeople, fittings managers and fitters. It enables a bookkeeper to check off payments into the accounts system. Visit: www.masterpiece-system.com

The Metro Group negotiates on behalf of independent flooring retailers across the UK, to get the best possible terms. These net terms are passed on to members for them to manage their own prices. This puts retailers firmly in control of their own pricing, without having to wonder what level of rebate they might get at some time in the future. Product rebranding and unique merchandising are two further key aspects of Metro membership, where again it is up to the retailer how much they make use of the services.

Visit: www.carpet1st.co.uk

STROOLMOUNT

HALL B – STAND B44

Stroolmount understands the challenges its customers have to overcome to keep their clients happy, which is why it is 100% committed to supplying the very best products and accessories for protecting their furniture and flooring. Stroolmount is a family-run business with more than 30 years’ experience in the furniture industry.

Visit: www.stroolmount.co.uk

VICTORIA

HALL A – STAND A20

Victoria’s focus for the show this year is its LVT refresh. The popular Universal range sees a colour update, whilst the introduction of Universal Design welcomes stunning new wood designs across plank, fishbone and parquet. Head over to stand A20, where you will find further range launches showcased on brand new POS.

Visit: www.victoriacarpets.com

TELENZO

HALL C – STAND C30

Telenzo will preview the new Delft Square Herringbone design, crafted from New Zealand wool. The refreshed Barbican collection will also be displayed with its new colours and designs. The team will also inform customers of the Telenzo Promise, which ensures support and peace of mind for its retailers and partners.

Visit: www.edeltelenzocarpets.co.uk

WESTEX

HALL C – STAND C41

Westex was originally founded by a master dyer who wanted to offer a wider range of colour and quality within carpet manufacture. It still draws on and develops that legacy today, weaving luxury and durability into its carpets by utilising the best blend of wools, spinning techniques, dyeing and tufting processes. Every style and every colour is designed in-house. Visit the stand to see seven new collections.

Visit: www.westexflooring.com

The Flooring Show

Hall B

Changzhou

Changzhou

Chiping

Hall C

LEADIN GTO THE KING’S SUITE & HALL

DEMO ZONE

The Flooring Show

Hall M

Anglo Flooring M15

Anhui Otai New Material Co M49

Ball & Young M27

Carpenter M38

Carpetline Direct M23

Changzhou Lingda Special Fibre Co M48

COREtec Floors International M35

Darekaou (Changzhou) Decorative Materials Co M54

Elliott Anti Slip M58

Floors N Carpets M36

Gekko Flooring Adhesives M7

Gooch Oriental Carpets M60

K ährs M12

Kerlux M39

Lano M24

Likewise Floors M28

Matale Industry and Tech Co M5

Mattex M50

Melrose Interiors M14

Metro Group M53

Ravanda Carpets M47

SATRA Technology Centre M9

Supreme Rugs M1

The Canopy Flooring Co M63

UK Display Stands M52

Vita-Style Floors & Walls M16

Yangzhou MG Textiles Co., Ltd. M49A

Zhejiang Kingdom New Material Group Co M2

Zhejiang Ousikai New Material Co M14A

The Flooring Show

King's Suite

Hotels

HCC, HARROGATE

AFT Aerosol K14

AYM Syntex King's Suite Lounge

CFV Direct K2/K15

Changzhou Dege Decorative Material Co K19

Damar Marcin Damięcki K18

Dongha Wood K6

Fosham Shengmeirui Aluminum Indsutry Co K4

Handsaeme Machinery K20

Hangzhou Jiyunfengxing Import-Export Trading Co K22

Jiangsu Langyue New Materials Technology Co K17

Jiangsu Zhongxinhe New Material Technology Co K5

KC-CP K10

Smartful Home Tekstil K16

Betap The Reading Room, Majestic Hotel

Classis The Billiard Room and The Regency Suite, Majestic Hotel

Condor Carpets The Drawing Room, Majestic Hotel

Gaziflex The Majestic Room, Majestic Hotel

Ibexx Flooring Group The Buxton Suite, Majestic Hotel

iDEAL

The Bath Suite, Majestic Hotel

Southeast Anatolian Exporters' Association

MEDIA HUB

The Harewood Suite, Crowne Plaza

Tumer The Harrogate Suite, Majestic Hotel

SUITE

DESIGNED FOR THE FURNITURE AND FLOORING TRADE

Alsa Flooring Q44

Bjelin UK Q86

Brooks Bros (UK) Q88

Cardinal Global Logistics Q32

Changzhou Baosheng Wood Industry Co Q20

CPS Group Q16

Digital Plus Q34

Dolphin Rubber Industries Q75

Evolve Flooring Q51

Fablon Fine Carpets Q42

Fiximer Q50

Floor Master Q52

Gümüşsuyu Q66

Innov8/Realitex Q10

Jiangsu YMK Floor Co Q76

Jiangsu Zhen Rui Furniture Material Co Q56

Kowary Carpets Q102

Ningbo Narts Import & Export Corp Q54

O Jia He Home Textile Co Q28

Peri Q94

PlusFloor

Outside Royal Hall

Rainbow Whipping Q12

Rakata Technology Q64

SELIT/NMC UK Q77

Sichuan Zhongsu Polymer Materials Co Q98

Suzhou Swan Lake Felt Co Q58

Terratsa New Material (Liaoning) Co Q70

The UK Flooring Podcast Q110

Truu Tools Q92

Tuftco Q14

Turkel Fair Organizations Q62

UK Industrial Tapes Q46

Veeuze Q87

Wellness Point Q82

Zhangjiagang Yihua Rundong New Material Co Q48

Zhejiang Ballun Ecological Household Technology Co Q30

The

Ultimate comfort and protection

Experience luxury underfoot with Ball & Young’s Charleston underlay. It keeps your carpets feeling freshly installed, providing superb comfort, heat insulation, and soundproofing.

Relish the thick, spongy cushion underfoot— the perfect underlay when covering those chilly floors. Charleston underlay cuts noise by up to 30% and protects high-traffic areas

with its durable, shock-absorbing properties, protects your carpets’ life and look.

Consult professionals for the perfect fit for your space and invest in Charleston by Ball & Young.

Visit us at The Flooring Show HarrogateStand M27 Hall M.

Attention central

More than 30 companies will make up Long Point

Long Point will see 33 companies taking part across 10 locations in or near the town from 16-18 September, with the majority at Harrington Mills and West End Mills.

Wiemann will debut New York, a semi-solid wood, contemporary collection featuring hinged door wardrobes plus a full selection of chests, bedsides, beds and accessories.

Ashwood’s Maxwell is designed to

proclaim visual value, with a deep pile velvet with modern herringbone detailing, complemented by featherfilled scatter cushions in cognac amber, along with a pair of bolsters.

Artistic Upholstery’s Camden corner sofa has a beechwood frame, coil sprung seating and is available in any size and configuration.

Ramaro will show its latest modern and contemporary upholstery designs in

modular and fixed versions, along with dining chairs and bar stools.

Hartmann Möbel will be showcasing its solid wood collection, from timber from sustainably managed forests. The company plants about 7,000 trees a year.

At The Helm will open its new showroom at West End Mills, highlighting its latest contemporary, British-inspired designs with its characteristic boldness. Visit: www.longeatonguild.co.uk

Ashwood’s Maxwell

At The Helm’s Kensington

Hartmann’s Caya in oak and white

Gascoigne Designs is marking its 35th anniversary

Artistic’s Camden

Central attractions

The Autumn Furniture Show returns in October

The Autumn Furniture Show returns to the Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre next month, from 8-9 October.

Stoneleigh Park offers extra-large show halls, a highly rated on-site restaurant, and is centrally located near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, making it easy to reach by car, train or air.

This year’s event features exhibitors from across the globe presenting their latest upholstery, cabinet, bedroom, beds and accessory ranges for the Autumn/Winter season along with service providers. All suppliers will be presenting curated product ranges specifically selected to meet market trends and the current commercial

climate. More than 40 exhibitors have already booked for the exhibition.

The Autumn Furniture Show is an open show, open to all retail businesses. Pre-registration is encouraged to eliminate queuing, but not required.

The Autumn Furniture Show is open from 9am-5pm on 8 October and 9am-4pm on 9 October.

The show is an excellent opportunity to meet current, and new, leading suppliers, as well as to network with other business colleagues.

All visitors to the show are invited to enjoy a complimentary hot or cold lunch at the on-site Strollers Restaurant. Visit: www.theautumnfurnitureshow.co.uk

Sealy, Staingard, PureCare and Wiemann are among the confirmed exhibitors

Kenilworth has excellent transport links

ACTONA JOINS FORCES WITH FURNITURE TO GO

We are delighted to introduce the Roxby collection, a harmonious blend of elegance and practicality. Crafted with precision, each piece boasts lacquered oak veneer or lacquered rubberwood finishes.

FTG your one stop shop, with more than 1500 high quality, best-selling furniture pieces. All in stock for Next Day Delivery.

ROXBY

Come and meet the team

The Tredaire-nauts will be landing at The Flooring Show in Harrogate this September.

They’re here to show you how our pioneering campaign is bringing the UK’s favourite underlay brand to new audiences yet to discover the incredible feeling of Tredaire’s product range.

Feels like nothing on earth.

National TV and radio campaign

A dynamic trio of TV, radio and digital advertising to educate consumers about the inimitable feeling of Tredaire underlay.

Groundbreaking retailer support

Propelling POS into a new dimension with brand new sample range designs, display units, banners, floor mats, window stickers and much more!

Don’t miss out Contact your Territory Manager for more information and your mission pack.