Monday, February 24, 2020
TOP STORIES
Bed conglomerate said to be close to Feather & Black sale
Swedish beds conglomerate Hilding Anders is in advanced talks to divest its U.K. retail operation Feather & Black according to Sky News.
Bed-in-a-box company joins battle for Dunlopillo in France
The German business behind the Emma direct-to-consumer mattress business wants to acquire the Dunlopillo brand rights in France after its current owner was placed into an insolvency process late last year.
British distributor of Stompa brand made further gains in 2019
The West Yorkshire company behind the kids furniture brand Stompa in the U.K. market recorded high six-figure cash and profit yields in 2018–19.
Housewares brand Joseph Joseph profits jump on global growth
Joseph Joseph Group, the parent company to one of Britain's most successful housewares brands, posted profits up more than a third last year as revenue growth accelerated.
Deadline looms for Furniture Industry Research Association design competition
Emerging designers have until this Friday (Feb. 28) to get their entries in for the inaugural 2020 Vision Design competition — the new contest organised by The Furniture Industry Research Association in partnership with Clerkenwell Design Week.
Hammerson continues retail parks exit with £455m asset sale
Furniture and flooring retailers nationwide will have new landlords after major retail property owner Hammerson sold nine retail parks for a combined £455 million.
In terms of furniture, Laura Ashley's roller coaster week could have been worse
There is no doubting the news maker of the week in the U.K. home furnishings sector: Laura Ashley.
Howdens Joinery awarded Manufacturing Guild Mark
Howdens Joinery, Britain's largest kitchens manufacturer, has been awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark by The Furniture Makers' Company.
Natuzzi Italia launches its first U.K. ecommerce platform
Italian sofa manufacturer Natuzzi has launched a first-ever ecommerce platform in the U.K. for its flagship Natuzzi Italia brand.
Price deflation deepened for sofa makers in new year, official data says
The price of sofas leaving U.K. factories declined in January according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Sales jumped 38% in final quarter for high-end etailer LuxDeco
Luxury furniture and interiors platform LuxDeco said it grew sales by more than a third during the final three months of 2019 as it bucked the malaise afflicting rivals.
Wren to replicate U.K. model in the U.S. with factory and retail showrooms
Fast-expanding kitchen maker and retailer Wren will this spring open a 252,000sqft U.S. factory ahead of launching its first overseas showrooms this summer.
INTELLIGENCE
Market Data
Detailed market information about each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors at suppliers' prices.
Discover the up-to-date value of:
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UK production
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Imports
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Exports
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Key Trading Partners
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Total UK market size
BEST READ IN THE PAST MONTH
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For the first time ever, IKEA will close a big box U.K. superstore
Retail giant IKEA will this summer permanently shut its Coventry store, the first time the U.K.'s largest home retailer has pulled the plug on one of its mammoth superstores. 352 jobs are at risk.
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The significance of IKEA closing a store could be easily misunderstood
The planned closure of IKEA Coventry this summer will, in theory, put a vast sum of money back into the furniture and homewares market for all to fight for.
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John Lewis channels its inner Thumper and who can blame it?
This is the first week in several years we haven't reported John Lewis & Partners' weekly sales figures after the department store chain decided it would cease externally publishing them.
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La-Z-Boy says U.K. arm performed well in challenging market last year
Revenue declined in low single digit percentages for the British arm of La-Z-Boy last year with the upholstery giant saying it is well placed after performing well in a challenging market.
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Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill named Sleepeezee brand ambassador
Sleepeezee has announced Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic and three-time world champion heptathlete, as its brand ambassador.
INTELLIGENCE
Retail Sales
Up-to-date monthly UK retail sales data spanning total furniture and lighting sales PLUS detailed breakdowns for each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors.
Proprietary granular data covering:
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UK retail sales value and y/y delta. Monthly and annual
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Breakdown by product category
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Historical data
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Monthly and annual figures
OPINION & ANALYSIS
In terms of furniture, Laura Ashley's roller coaster week could have been worse
There is no doubting the news maker of the week in the U.K. home furnishings sector: Laura Ashley.
It is business as usual for the Beales furniture website. Here's why.
The furniture ecommerce operation is unaffected by the department store retailer's insolvency.
The significance of IKEA closing a store could be easily misunderstood
The planned closure of IKEA Coventry this summer will, in theory, put a vast sum of money back into the furniture and homewares market for all to fight for.
Ponsford provides reminder of balance of power held by U.K. furniture independents
Trade is challenging and a number of hitherto heavily-lauded ecommerce furniture retail businesses have hit tough times in recent months. Figures from retailers like Ponsford serve to remind why the balance of power remains with established independents.
DATA & LISTS
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The Insolvency Report: Appointments in the week to February 21, 2020
Nine insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period from February 15–21, 2020.
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The Debt Report: Creditors owed £10k+ plus by insolvency industry enterprises
Today's list contains six insolvent companies leaving combined debts of c. £1.1 million. Names all 13 creditors owed £10,000 or more.
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Insolvency: Furniture company winding up orders, administrations & liquidations between Feb. 8–14, 2020
Nine insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period from February 8–14, 2020.
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Who's owed what by insolvent furniture trade companies: The Debt Report, Feb. 14, 2020
Today's list contains seven insolvent companies leaving combined debts of c. £2.8 million. Names all c. 50 creditors owed £10,000 or more.
TOP STORIES
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Bed conglomerate said to be close to Feather & Black sale
Swedish beds conglomerate Hilding Anders is in advanced talks to divest its U.K. retail operation Feather & Black according to Sky News.
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Bed-in-a-box company joins battle for Dunlopillo in France
The German business behind the Emma direct-to-consumer mattress business wants to acquire the Dunlopillo brand rights in France after its current owner was placed into an insolvency process late last year.
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MattressOnline profits jump on higher sales, wider gross margin
Profits almost doubled at online beds retailer MattressOnline last year as the company returned to top line growth and achieved wider margins.
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Furniture sales inch forward but retailers struggle for volume growth
Higher prices helped retailers find value growth in January as sales volumes across furniture and lighting flatlined compared with the same month a year ago.
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Laura Ashley accelerates CEO promotion after posting £4m interim loss
Former Habitat head of trading Katharine Poulter has taken up her new post as CEO at fashion-to-furnishings chain Laura Ashley earlier than planned, the retailer said today.
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Axminster Carpets placed into administration but underlay division sold
Axminster Carpets has been placed into administration for the second time in seven years as efforts to find a solvent solution for the heritage carpet brand failed.
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Spike in furniture insolvencies last year as creditor shortfall topped £169m
Bust furniture, furnishings and flooring companies left creditors facing an average shortfall of £3.25 million per week through 2019 as the number of businesses falling insolvent spiked year-on-year.
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Remaining 11 Beales stores will also close as buyer hunt fails so far
Administrators handling the insolvency of Beales say the department store chain's remaining 11 stores are also now earmarked for closure.
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MBO deal value disclosed for fitted furniture specialist Hammonds
Inaugural group accounts for the new holding company of fitted furniture specialist Hammonds disclose the deal value for its 2019 management buyout.
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Ekornes hires new CEO from outside furniture sector
Ekornes, the Norwegian company behind the Stressless recliner brand, has named Roger Lunde as its new chief executive.
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OTHER NEWS
British distributor of Stompa brand made further gains in 2019
The West Yorkshire company behind the kids furniture brand Stompa in the U.K. market recorded high six-figure cash and profit yields in 2018–19.
Housewares brand Joseph Joseph profits jump on global growth
Joseph Joseph Group, the parent company to one of Britain's most successful housewares brands, posted profits up more than a third last year as revenue growth accelerated.
Deadline looms for Furniture Industry Research Association design competition
Emerging designers have until this Friday (Feb. 28) to get their entries in for the inaugural 2020 Vision Design competition — the new contest organised by The Furniture Industry Research Association in partnership with Clerkenwell Design Week.
Hammerson continues retail parks exit with £455m asset sale
Furniture and flooring retailers nationwide will have new landlords after major retail property owner Hammerson sold nine retail parks for a combined £455 million.
Howdens Joinery awarded Manufacturing Guild Mark
Howdens Joinery, Britain's largest kitchens manufacturer, has been awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark by The Furniture Makers' Company.
Natuzzi Italia launches its first U.K. ecommerce platform
Italian sofa manufacturer Natuzzi has launched a first-ever ecommerce platform in the U.K. for its flagship Natuzzi Italia brand.
Price deflation deepened for sofa makers in new year, official data says
The price of sofas leaving U.K. factories declined in January according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Sales jumped 38% in final quarter for high-end etailer LuxDeco
Luxury furniture and interiors platform LuxDeco said it grew sales by more than a third during the final three months of 2019 as it bucked the malaise afflicting rivals.
Wren to replicate U.K. model in the U.S. with factory and retail showrooms
Fast-expanding kitchen maker and retailer Wren will this spring open a 252,000sqft U.S. factory ahead of launching its first overseas showrooms this summer.
Longtime sales director at fabrics group leaves for Prestigious role
Experienced soft furnishings industry executive Rob Surtees has joined West Yorkshire based fabrics supplier Prestigious Textiles as U.K. sales director.