Saturday, April 21, 2018
TOP STORIES
Harrison Spinks wins two more Queen's Awards for Enterprise
Bed maker Harrison Spinks has doubled its tally of Queen's Awards for Enterprise, receiving another two on top of those already awarded four years ago.
Furniture courier ceases trading, leaving retailers seeking fallback
The specialist furniture logistics company trading as Home & Retail has ceased trading, leaving customers with a longer wait for orders and retailers with a distribution headache.
Commentary: London stores lift Natuzzi in early 2018 trading
Big gains in selected stores for southern Italian sofa giant
IP issue made it hard to sell Warren Evans business, says administrator
Potential suitors put off by current status of IP rights registration.
Bedroom retailer records shortfall, issues shares
Return to profit short-lived for multi-store bedroom business.
Fitted furniture maker says London showroom will arrest sales slide
Sales fell for the first time in five years for fitted furniture maker Strachan in 2016–17 with the direct-to-the-consumer vertical planning showroom expansion this year.
Irish demand prompts Shire to widen sales remit
Shire Beds has widened the sales brief of one of its sales executives after a spike in demand from customers in Ireland.
Organisers make registration live for Bed Show 2018
Registration is live for the ninth Bed Show, which takes place September 18–19, 2018 at the Telford International Centre.
Dwell proves job creation engine for DFS group
Dwell was responsible for more than 40 percent of new jobs created within the DFS Furniture group last year as it expanded its store network.
Mi-Bed owner takes steps to minimise impact of external factors
Furmanac, the company behind the Mi-Bed, Mi-Chair and Hestia brands, implemented lean manufacturing techniques and outsourced transportation as it cut costs last year.
Millbrook Beds names Edward Bacon sales agent for North West, selected Mids. counties
Hampshire bed maker recruits new agent.
Home shopping group bullish on earnings after strong Christmas period
Studio, Ace brand owner pulled in more customers over festive season.
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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Upturn in big ticket sentiment, says consumer confidence survey
Consumer sentiment towards investing in major purchases is improving though remains adrift of intentions this time last year, according to a closely-followed survey.
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Factory move payback as Parker Knoll profits jump
Efficiency gains from its new factory helped boost profits at heritage upholstery maker Parker Knoll in 2016–17.
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Buying expert departs fast-growing Tapi Carpets chain
One of the launch directors of fast-growing flooring retailer Tapi Carpets has left the business to pursue a new challenge.
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Analysis: DFS and ScS — Nine key takeaways for rivals and suppliers
The pre-Easter fortnight saw half-year figures from sofa leaders DFS and ScS. Beyond the headlines, what were the key learnings lurking below the surface?
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Early Easter boosted John Lewis weekly sales to nearly £100m
John Lewis sales jumped nearly a quarter last week as it made the most of the earlier fall of Easter, promotions and colder weather.
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
Commentary: London stores lift Natuzzi in early 2018 trading
Big gains in selected stores for southern Italian sofa giant
Analysis: WorldStores delivers Dunelm with hidden benefit
Dunelm released a third quarter trading update last week that revealed 5.1 percent growth in total sales including a 4.6 percent like-for-like uplift.
Commentary: Battling to be Britain's biggest sofa maker
Who is the number one sofa manufacturer and distributor?
Smaller homes doesn't mean lower furniture sales
But it does result in big changes in design.
DATA & LISTS
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Home furnishings insolvencies in the week to Apr. 19, 2018
Seven insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period Apr. 13–19, 2018.
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Debt Report: who was owed what by retailer Warren Evans
Today's list regards Designer Ideas Limited, trading as Warren Evans, for which statutory filings estimate a creditor shortfall north of £6 million including nearly 50 creditors owed sums in excess of £10,000 each.
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Home furnishings insolvencies in the week to Apr. 12, 2018
Nine insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period Apr. 6–12, 2018.
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Debt Report: Apr. 13, 2018
Today's list contains six insolvent companies leaving combined debts of £960,293. Names all 25 creditors owed £10,000 or more.
TOP STORIES
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Harrison Spinks wins two more Queen's Awards for Enterprise
Bed maker Harrison Spinks has doubled its tally of Queen's Awards for Enterprise, receiving another two on top of those already awarded four years ago.
-
Furniture courier ceases trading, leaving retailers seeking fallback
The specialist furniture logistics company trading as Home & Retail has ceased trading, leaving customers with a longer wait for orders and retailers with a distribution headache.
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Dreams adds fourth ex-Warren Evans store with Camden HQ
Bed specialist Dreams has picked up a fourth former Warren Evans store, acquiring the now-defunct retailer's London showroom headquarters.
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Maggie Throup, MP in high-end sofa stronghold, is new chair of All-Party Furniture group
Maggie Throup MP is the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group, succeeding Stephen McPartland MP, who has stood down after eight years in the role.
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Debenhams to exit 'own-bought' furniture categories
Debenhams' partnership with third-party operators in the furniture sector marks the beginning of a phased exit from it selling 'own-bought' furniture lines.
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Cost pressures remain despite ease in furniture retail price inflation
Furniture retail price inflation narrowed to a 12-month low in March but producers remain under intense input cost pressure according to BFM, the lead trade association for UK furniture makers.
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Painted furniture maker downsizes to reflect tough market
One of the directors of The Children's Bedroom Company says the manufacturer is now on sound financial footing after undergoing a restructuring and downsizing exercise.
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John Lewis blames poor weather for home decline
Sales declined at John Lewis last week with the retailer pinning the fall at the door of poor weather and the annualising of Easter promotions.
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Ex-DFS, Dreams and Furniture Village exec eyes global markets and category expansion
Greg Suthern has returned to Studio Moderna Brands International as CEO with a brief to drive its foam spring technology into new geographical markets and into different product sectors.
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In Pictures: Inaugural 2D Design Guild Mark Holders
Industry charity The Furniture Makers' Company (TFMC) has announced the inaugural holders of the Design Guild Mark's new 2D category.
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OTHER NEWS
IP issue made it hard to sell Warren Evans business, says administrator
Potential suitors put off by current status of IP rights registration.
Bedroom retailer records shortfall, issues shares
Return to profit short-lived for multi-store bedroom business.
Fitted furniture maker says London showroom will arrest sales slide
Sales fell for the first time in five years for fitted furniture maker Strachan in 2016–17 with the direct-to-the-consumer vertical planning showroom expansion this year.
Irish demand prompts Shire to widen sales remit
Shire Beds has widened the sales brief of one of its sales executives after a spike in demand from customers in Ireland.
Organisers make registration live for Bed Show 2018
Registration is live for the ninth Bed Show, which takes place September 18–19, 2018 at the Telford International Centre.
Dwell proves job creation engine for DFS group
Dwell was responsible for more than 40 percent of new jobs created within the DFS Furniture group last year as it expanded its store network.
Mi-Bed owner takes steps to minimise impact of external factors
Furmanac, the company behind the Mi-Bed, Mi-Chair and Hestia brands, implemented lean manufacturing techniques and outsourced transportation as it cut costs last year.
Millbrook Beds names Edward Bacon sales agent for North West, selected Mids. counties
Hampshire bed maker recruits new agent.
Home shopping group bullish on earnings after strong Christmas period
Studio, Ace brand owner pulled in more customers over festive season.
Carpet imports inch forwards in February
The Netherlands and Turkey sent more carpets to Britain as February imports gained on the same month last year according to new HMRC data.