Cabinet Maker articles from April 2008

Cabinet Maker archives from April 2008

The Sleep Depot calls it a day.(The Sleep Depot )(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Bed retailer fails leaving concession space to fill in LoL and Paul Simon stores The Sleep Depot has closed its 112 stores including concessions after being placed into administration, resulting in 367 redundancies. Nine independent...

Stancroft ups LoL and ScS stake.(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Investment company Stancroft Trust has increased its shareholding in Land of Leather (LoL) and ScS. The Trust has gradually grown its stake in both firms since the beginning of the year, and further increased its share in the past week. ...

Briant weary of City life.(Paul Briant has departure as chief executive of Land of Leather )(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Paul Briant has blamed his departure as chief executive of Land of Leather (LoL) on a weariness with listed life and the endless unflattering comparisons with rival ScS. Briant, who founded the company and doubles as the buying director,...

McLaren Interiors buys Arthur Brett.
April 4, 2008... The business and assets of Arthur Brett & Sons has been sold to McLaren Interiors as a going concern for an undisclosed sum. Arthur Brett went into administration on 5 March. Administrators Deloitte & Touche finalised details late last...

Primark in copy wrangle.
April 4, 2008... Ashley Wilde accuses high street chain of copying bedlinen design Boutique design-house Ashley Wilde has threatened to take retailer Primark to the High Court over the alleged copying of one of its designs. Ashley Wilde, which...

YP Furniture fined.
April 4, 2008... YP Furniture has been ordered to pay almost #9,000 for breaching safety regulations. The Lincolnshire manufacturer pleaded guilty to three charges of exposing employees to a hazardous substance. Gainsborough magistrates were told that...

Ash panache.(Home furnishing form Frank Hudson)(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Kura is the latest bedroom collection from High Wycombe furniture supplier Frank Hudson. The range is spearheaded by the 6ft and 5ft sprung slatted beds and also includes a range of bedside tables, three- and five-drawer chests, a two-door...

IN BRIEF: Outsider for HJ Berry.(HJ Berry has appointed John Woodruffe as its new managing director)(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Britain's oldest chair manufacturer, HJ Berry, has appointed John Woodruffe as its new md. He will be the first non-family member in five generations to head the Lancashire-based firm. HJ Berry began producing furniture in 1840 and continues to...

IN BRIEF: Brits top online poll.(Survey)(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... British consumers use online retailing more than any other nationality in Europe. A survey by Mintel found almost #13bn was spent on Internet shopping in the UK compared with second-placed Germany with #9bn. Richard Perks, Mintel director of...

IN BRIEF: Tax change guidance.(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Tax rules that will affect small businesses in the UK are being introduced by the Government. From 6 April the lowest corporation tax will rise to 21% while the ceiling for large firms falls from 30% to 28%. There will also be changes in...

IN BRIEF: Retail sales gloom.
April 4, 2008... Retail sales in the furniture and household sector were down almost industry-wide in the first half of March. The CBI Distributive Trades Survey found that 77% of household retailers had seen a drop rather than a rise in volumes compared with...

London still key to Natuzzi shop plan.
April 4, 2008... Italian firm to open Cardiff and Manchester stores Natuzzi is to open stores in Cardiff and Manchester after struggling to find suitable locations in London. It has been two years since the business decided to focus its operations on...

Stage stars in John Lewis adverts.
April 4, 2008... John Lewis has launched a TV advertising campaign to promote its spring homewares collection. The campaign marks the first time in three years that the department store has used TV advertising for its spring collection. The drive,...

LEGALS: Liquidator appointments.
April 4, 2008... Gateway Interiors Ltd, supplier. Co no: 1942664. Liquidator: Nigel Fox and Stanley Burkett-Coltman, Tenon Recovery, Eastleigh, Hampshire. Appointed: 18 March. Bremen (Fitted Furniture) Ltd, retailer. Co no: SC092876. Liquidator: Ewen...

LEGALS: Final meetings.
April 4, 2008... Foundry Home Furnishing Ltd, retailer. Co no: 05113035. Venue: Begbies Traynor, No 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, 29 April, 2.15pm and 2.30pm. Tel: 0151 227 4010. Welwyn Interiors Ltd, shopfitters. Co no: 05062662. Venue: AVCO House, 6...

Laura Ashley sees furniture languish.
April 4, 2008... Category hit worst by tough trading conditions Furniture was the weakest growth category at Laura Ashley in the year to 26 January with like-for-like trade showing the biggest dip. Its UK business is split into four categories; home,...

Kaymed reflects growth in board.(Kaymed has appointed Andrew Clarke and Rosemary Turley to its board as part of its national and international expansion )(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... Kaymed has appointed Andrew Clarke and Rosemary Turley to its board as part of its national and international expansion. Turley, head of marketing, joins the board as an executive director. Her appointment will add to the board the...

B&Q to take stock.(Kingfisher's sales and earnings)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
April 4, 2008... Profits dip after store revamp programme After B&Q's store modernisation programme and updating of product ranges, owner Kingfisher now plans to keep costs down as the revamp affected profits. In Kingfisher's preliminary year-end...

Summer boost.
April 4, 2008... Next has launched its summer Directory catalogue. At 660 pages, it has a homeware section that sees the introduction of a range of outdoor and conservatory furniture which is inspired by the summer's `calming serenity' and `rustic charm'. The...

Views by Shaun Davies.
April 4, 2008... The British Airways' Terminal 5 fiasco is yet another example of corporate misjudgement in a long line of recent corporate PR disasters. Quite often it's the companies that can afford the very best PR that do not use it when it is most needed....

Talk - What effect has fallen prices had on the industry?
April 4, 2008... A report by Price Waterhouse Coopers found the real price of household items has fallen by almost 50% over the past 30 years. What effect has this had on the industry? `The whole buying culture has changed from something you'd keep for...

COMMENT: Interesting timing for unconnected events.
April 4, 2008... Maybe the resignation of Paul Briant as chief executive of Land of Leather has nothing to do with the administration of The Sleep Depot or the stakebuilding by investment company Stancroft Trust in LoL and ScS. To speak to an obviously...

ANALYSIS: Action needed on stolen timber.(The Environmental Investigation Agency )
April 4, 2008... Until laws are enforced to stop illegally logged timber turning up in the UK as furniture, retailers can innocently sell the products, as Deven Pamben finds out Retailers, consumers and, more importantly governments, are being urged to do...

STORE MANAGER: Be careful to avoid risk.
April 4, 2008... Companies must make sure that staff, customers and contractors are not subjected to health and safety risks. Stuart Ponting offers some tips In today's litigious society, businesses must ensure that duties to their customers under civil...

RETAIL UPDATE: Realities of Middle England.(West Midlands )
April 4, 2008... There are some bright spots for furniture sales in the West Midlands where the retailers have strong opinions on what the future holds and where the blame lies, says Caroline Munro With less money in the average consumer's pocket it is the...

RETAIL UPDATE: WEST MIDLANDS FACTS.(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... * An extra 400,000 homes in the region are planned over the next 20 years. * The West Midlands Access to Finance website offers a comprehensive regional database of financing for West Midlands small and medium sized firms. Visit...

MARKETING SPONSORSHIP: Blue sky thinking?
April 4, 2008... Furniture businesses are increasingly undertaking high level sponsorship activities, including TV deals in the case of Harveys with Coronation Street and Dreams' Christmas promotion. Sophie Albinson examines the medium Sponsorship is a...

CONSUMER RESEARCH: What does British made furniture mean to shoppers?
April 4, 2008... Cabinet Maker Research Survey Is furniture made on these shores high quality and value for money? The great British public has a few surprises when in comes to made in Britain The summer of 1966 was not just a great success for English...

CONSUMER RESEARCH - BRITAIN: Facts and figures.
April 4, 2008... Which of the following statements, if any, best describes what `British Made Furniture' means to you? * Furniture of superior quality * Furniture that is expensive * Furniture of old-fashioned design * Furniture that is poorly...

PROFILE: COCOON YOURSELF - Brave new world.(Cocoon Yourself )(Company overview)
April 4, 2008... Belfast entrepreneur Sonja Lowry tells Ruth Pringle how doing the right research developed the success of her giftware and accessories outlet A relative newcomer to the home interiors circuit, Sonja Lowry launched Cocoon Yourself two years...

CM OFFCUTS: Driving a message considerately.
April 4, 2008... Mark Preston is Kaymed head of marketing UK How did you get started in the industry? Before joining Kaymed, I worked for a number of other manufacturers in the bed sector, including Silentnight - my first job after completing a degree...

CM OFFCUTS: Waste not.(pilot furniture )(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... A pilot furniture recycling scheme in Dorset has been so successful that Dorset Council is considering adopting it permanently. The Furniture Reuse Credit Payments Scheme involves local charities collecting people's unwanted furniture,...

CM OFFCUTS: Lessons in flatpack.(Brief article)
April 4, 2008... We've seen flatpack housing, now there's a flatpack school. The remote Scottish village of Acharacle in west Scotland is to receive an entire flatpacked, prefabricated school. Manufactured in Austria, it was designed by Howard Liddell of...

Fire regulations to be amended.
April 11, 2008... Cabinet Maker on BERR panel looking at new draft legislation to enhance already strict UK rules The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), is consulting on amending the guidelines for the Furnishings (Fire)...

Urban gloss.(Burbidge has launched three colourways for its Opus Gloss kitchen)(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... Kitchen frontals manufacturer Burbidge has launched three colourways for its Opus Gloss kitchen. The new finishes are Morello Red, Latte and Black - all of which are bold contemporary gloss looks aimed at urban home dwellers. The company has...

Bensons for Beds appeals to Boyzone fans.(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... Retailer Bensons for Beds has broadened its marketing horizons with the help of comeback pop band Boyzone. The agreement will see Bensons for Beds sponsoring a series of interviews on the Boyzone tour website with the band, whose reunion...

Ex BF staff call in experts.(Bevan Funnell )
April 11, 2008... Specialist advice being taken on the valuation of Bevan Funnell Former Bevan Funnell (BF) staff are getting specialist advice on the company's valuation to strengthen their case against the company's trustees. As reported last month,...

Masters of risque.(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... The French Bedroom Company's latest range of elegant boudoir furniture has a feeling of feminine burlesque naughtiness played out in a range of colours including gold gilt and powder blue. Almost 200 designs have been added to its collection...

IN BRIEF: Rate cut urged.(The BRC has urged the Bank of England to cut interest rates )(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... The BRC has urged the Bank of England to cut interest rates by as much as half a percentage point when it meets later this month, or face a wave of job cuts across the sector. The slowdown in lending to consumers and uncertainty about house...

IN BRIEF: Peter Jones slump.
April 11, 2008... Peter Jones, the upmarket department store in Sloane Square, London, has suffered its worst sales slump this year. The store, part of the John Lewis group, said the six-day Easter week to 29 March had seen a year on year sales slump of 20.9%....

IN BRIEF: French fine Ikea.(Ikea's one of its Paris stores open on Sundays)
April 11, 2008... Ikea's battles with government are not confined to the UK, the Swedish retailer proved this week. The store has fallen into hot water in France too, as it was fined the equivalent of #400,000 for keeping one of its Paris stores open on Sundays....

IN BRIEF: Tesco plans eco-store.
April 11, 2008... Tesco has applied to anchor the retail portion of an `eco-town' proposed by the Government. The supermarket plans to build a large, environmentally friendly store in the centre of the proposed town in Cambridgeshire. Part of the land is owned...

IN BRIEF: Rent struggle.
April 11, 2008... Landlords have been asked to delay acceptance of rents as retailers encounter worsening conditions on the high street. At least two clothing chains, Ethel Austin and Ossien Retail have requested relief, while others including Debenhams and Next...

One-stop-shop in UK for Thai firm.(3 Dimension sets up new company 3DUK)(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... 3 Dimension sets up new company, 3DUK, vowing to cut out the middleman and offer fast delivery Thailand upholstery manufacturer 3 Dimension has formed a UK company with the aim of selling direct to the British retail trade. The firm was,...

Halo having a ball for FTBA.(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... Furniture supplier Halo is to launch a Spring Ball in aid of the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association (FTBA). The event, which will take place on Sunday 11 May at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Manchester, is open to all members of the...

City: Sofa retailers put on a brave face.
April 11, 2008... Analysts urge ScS investors to sell despite a lift in share price Laura Ashley gained 6p to 26p on full-year pre-tax profits increased by 62%, although UK like-for-like furniture sales fell by 12.8%. Relatively few shares are available to...

Stores in China for Italsofa.
April 11, 2008... Manufacturer says it has no plans for retail outlets in the UK Italsofa is to open up to 30 stores in China over the next two years, but the Natuzzi subsidiary has assured UK partners that the move will not be rolled out across the rest of...

Concern for UK house prices.
April 11, 2008... The FTSE 100 Index gained 452 points in the two-week period, as investors judged the sub-prime crisis to be quantifiable. The turning point was a twin announcement from UBS of a first-quarter loss of around #6bn, and a rights issue to restore...

Brandes backs Rose.
April 11, 2008... Marks & Spencer has the support of its biggest shareholder over the elevation of Sir Stuart Rose to executive chairman. The retailer has been battling with some shareholders who view the moulding of chairman with that of the top executive...

Online sales grow in homes and gardens.
April 11, 2008... High street stores lost out as March's bad weather boosted Internet trading Internet sales for the homes and garden sector boomed during March while the high street shops continued their downward spiral. A survey by Hitwise revealed a...

Views by Rhianwen Roberts.
April 11, 2008... We are all familiar with the idea of the `compensation culture', and also with returning goods if they don't meet our expectations. I'm even familiar with the `crooked' customer from the retailer's perspective. In a previous job I once...

How has the slowdown in the economy affected your advertising budget?
April 11, 2008... `We spend less on advertising when sales are down, simply because there is less money coming in. But because we haven't really had a sustained period of bad times this hasn't lasted for long. We also change where we advertise according to...

CM COMMENT - Leader: What do you think about the fire regulations?(The Department for Business, Enterprise)
April 11, 2008... The Department for Business, Enterprise, and Regulatory Reform's (BERR) decision to update the Guide to the Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations by issuing a consultation letter is a positive step for the industry (see p3). The...

ANALYSIS - Carbon trail tracked down.(Furniture Industry Research Association)(Best Foot Forward )
April 11, 2008... Assessing a carbon footprint will soon become easier, reports Deven Pamben Next week will see a carbon footprinting revolution for companies in the domestic furniture market. On Thursday 17 April FIRA will launch its carbon...

STORE MANAGER - Reflecting the changes.(Companies Act 2006)
April 11, 2008... Businesses need to think about how they will adjust to a whole series of alterations in the law that take effect this month, says John Davies If you run a limited company, or own property that has remained unoccupied for a long period, you...

SHOP WINDOW: Leather furniture - Wade Upholstery.
April 11, 2008... Rio is a leather sofa from Verana by Wade Upholstery. Launched in January at Interiors Birmingham, it proved to be among the firm's most popular new products with buyers. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Leather furniture - Darlings of Chelsea.
April 11, 2008... The Knightsbridge three-seater sofa from Darlings of Chelsea is in a full aniline leather with a hardwood frame. Featuring detachable arms for access, it also comes as a sofabed. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

PROFILE - WADE UPHOLSTERY: Brand new tactics.
April 11, 2008... Richard de Melim finds out how a well-known company broadened its horizons while retaining its core values There are obvious benefits to enjoying a strong brand name. It can engender loyalty, trust and the knowledge in a customer's mind...

UPHOLSTERY - FABRIC: Complementary territory.
April 11, 2008... Fabric upholstery is boldly going into brighter colours and designs and there's a move towards teaming up with leather, reports Caroline Munro Leather upholstery continues to have a strong presence in the market with its durability and...

CM OFFCUTS - The plane truth about relaxing with a cup of tea.
April 11, 2008... Andy Kennaugh is sales and marketing director for Derwent, a UK manufacturer of hand-crafted upholstery What's the most enjoyable part of your job? Meeting such a wide variety of great characters in this industry. What do you like...

CM OFFCUTS - In tune with success.(Brief article)
April 11, 2008... Riaz Ahmed, Sweet Dreams md has won The Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Riaz formed the Burnley-based bed manufacturer 20 years ago, which now has an annual turnover of #18m. When presented with the award by the Ethnic Minority Business...

CM OFFCUTS - Shoes at gunpoint.
April 11, 2008... Two furniture deliverymen were threatened with a gun for failing to take their shoes off. The event occurred in the US of course, when an angry female customer in Beaumont, Texas turned on the two employees of Howells Furniture after they...

NBF targets mattress safety with campaign to members.
April 18, 2008... As results show some foam mattresses fail fire regulations, NBF tightens rules The National Bed Federation (NBF) has launched a `Sleep Good, Sleep Safer' campaign amid fears over the number of imported foam filled mattresses being sold in...

Industry farewell to Ted.
April 18, 2008... Edward `Ted' Cooke, founder of independent retailer Cookes Furniture, has died aged 83. With his son, Graham, chief executive, Ted created one of the country's best-loved and largest independent furniture retail businesses, with stores in...

Media wakes up to bed campaign.
April 18, 2008... Radio and TV pick up on the National Bed Month message National Bed Month proved a hit with the British media as newspapers, radio and TV stations picked up on the Sleep Council's campaign to highlight consumers changing bedtime habits. ...

French fancy.
April 18, 2008... The Parisienne Collection from Blendworth Fabrics is a new range of chenille fabrics for use in window dressings or upholstery. The elegant range features 31 colourways, and also achieves a Crib 5 contract standard. Prices start from #31 a sqm....

IN BRIEF: Direct move.
April 18, 2008... Direct home and retail furniture distribution firm Andrew Porter has relocated its warehousing and vehicle operating facilities to new premises in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The move follows a successful trial delivering to customers' homes in...

IN BRIEF: Big pressure.(Brief article)
April 18, 2008... Independent retailers in Bath have formed a pressure group to campaign for improved access, parking, and investment in services in the city. The Bath Independent Group (Big) has the support of the British Shops and Stores Association (bssa) and...

IN BRIEF: UK in the net.
April 18, 2008... US firm The Furniture Training Company, is to offer its online training courses to UK furniture retailers. The company has provided technology based training programmes worldwide since 2001. It recently signed up RoomStore, one of the top 25...

IN BRIEF: Helping hand.(The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)(Brief article)
April 18, 2008... The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association (FTBA) has outlined details of financial awards made so far in 2008 to people in need. These include a 28 year-old former upholstery worker who, because of ill health and subsequent unemployment, was...

Now Ikea feels the pressure of UK slump.(Brief article)
April 18, 2008... Ikea toughs out market conditions by ensuring that prices are still affordable to maintain growth Ikea is the latest big-ticket retailer to feel the pinch of the slowing UK consumer market. Anders Dahlvig, chief executive, admitted at...

Verdict says the future of retail is clicks and bricks.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
April 18, 2008... A chink of light in the otherwise gloomy retail weather forecast has been unveiled by Verdict Research, which said online retail growth will continue to outperform. Neil Saunders, director of consultancy warned complacent retailers that...

Eco appeal.
April 18, 2008... Luma has launched an organic bedlinen range called Crochetta. Using 200 threads per inch, the Control Union certified organic cotton leaves a luxurious and super smooth finish. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Talk about town centres.
April 18, 2008... Furniture retailers are missing out on the chance to shape local transport policy because not enough talk to town planners to have an influence, claimed the British Retail Consortium (BRC). `It is in everyone's interest, from councils to...

Letter: Proposed guide update clarification.(Letter to the editor)
April 18, 2008... I have just read `Fire regulations to be amended' (CM, 11Apr, p3). This headline is totally misleading. There has been no indication from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) or its predecessor the DTI, that...

Views by Peter Shewan.
April 18, 2008... There is a common preconception among consumers that using the services of an interior designer or service professional can be expensive. However, time after time we are called upon to remedy the problems caused by a lack of planning and bad...

ANALYSIS: More power for tenants.
April 18, 2008... Tough economic conditions mean tenants may now have more room to bargain on rent payments and lease conditions, reports Philippa Aldrich As the credit crunch begins to bite, all businesses will be looking carefully at their overheads. Rent...

CM COMMENT - Leader: Look and learn about marketing the Ikea way.
April 18, 2008... Another day, another headline. On the walk into Kings Cross Station this week I've seen billboards showing news that house prices are falling at their fastest rate in 30 years, that 40,000 city jobs are at risk, and that prime minister...

STORE MANAGER: Bank on a good deal to rein in costs.
April 18, 2008... Businesses must do the sums to discover whether their bank is giving them the best deal - and if not move to another that will, reports Andrea Kirkby With the economy looking shaky, every business should control its costs. But while many...

PROFILE - ORCHID: A taste for the East.(Jemma Page and Mimmi Waughs Oriental furniture firm )(Company overview)
April 18, 2008... From a small business sourcing the sort of furniture they liked themselves, Jemma Page and Mimmi Waugh's Oriental furniture firm has blossomed. Caroline Munro catches up with them at their new London outlet It's always a treat walking into...

DIRECTOR: LIABILITIES - Red alert.(Interview)
April 18, 2008... High profile administrations such as The Sleep Depot and Arthur Brett sent shudders through the industry. Cabinet Maker asked lawyer Ben Hopps to explain the specifics of a director's personal liability when things go awry When a company...

FPB says supermarket invasion must stop.
April 25, 2008... Call for Government to act on the decline of the high street The Government has been warned that specialist retailers could disappear from the high street in seven years if it does not act to halt the decline. The Forum of Private...

FIRA offers furniture footprint.
April 25, 2008... FIRA has unveiled the Furniture Footprinter, an online carbon footprinting tool. Developed in partnership with consultancy Best Foot Forward, the Furniture Footprinter allows firms to accurately measure the environmental impact of their...

Cosmo mix.(Prestigious Textiles exhibiting its Textiles)(Brief article)
April 25, 2008... Prestigious Textiles has launched a collection called Cosmopolitan. Using two translucent sheers and three rich polyesters, the pieces are described as a mix-and-match of `geometric, spherical and freeform motifs'. Embroidery is used for a bold...