Cabinet Maker articles from December 2007

Cabinet Maker archives from December 2007

Waste revolution for furniture.
December 7, 2007... Wrap targets home retailers in a bid to slash packaging and boost recycling Furniture companies are being targeted by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) to help reduce waste. The Government funded company works in...

North East failure.
December 7, 2007... North East retailer Lloyds Furniture called in the administrators on 29 November. The company has stores in Sunderland and Stockton. Peter Gray and Harvey Madden of Taylor Rowlands in Stockton-on-Tees have been appointed as administrators....

Argos flies in staff as Irish stores strike.
December 7, 2007... Argos flew staff from the UK to the Irish Republic at the weekend to help man its 31 stores as the local shopworkers' union, Mandate, staged a one-day strike in support of a pay claim. As the Christmas shopping rush reaches its peak, Argos...

ScS predicts tough year.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... Upholstery retailer braced for further woe following sales fall ScS has warned `challenging trading conditions' will leave it struggling to meet expectations for the year. The upholstery retailer's warning comes amid a flurry of...

Lee Longlands starts again in Leamington.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... Lee Longlands is to open a concept store in Leamington Spa following the closure of its high street store in the town last month. The new store is in a 1960s building behind the main shopping thoroughfare on Bedford Street and is being...

Glass is always greener.
December 7, 2007... German manufacturer Ronald Schmitt has launched a range of glass occasional tables. These include the K508, which features castors for mobility and a practical handle. The wider range features both rounded and angular glass tabletops married...

IN BRIEF: Stamp of approval.
December 7, 2007... The British Contract Furnishing & Design Association's new Product Accreditation scheme stresses the link between excellence in design, manufacture and performance, in the aim of fostering the confidence of buyers. BCFA members can submit...

IN BRIEF: Irish agent.
December 7, 2007... Italian sofa manufacturer Maxdivani has appointed its UK agent Matthew Kutas as its agent for Ireland. The territory will be covered by Simon Orr, sales manager, and follows the investment and opening of the upholstery firm's 21,000sqft...

IN BRIEF: Training workshops.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... The Shop and Display Equipment Association recently held the first of its intensive Training Academy workshops, the Business Building Event, which was designed to help equip members with a variety of new skills to help grow their businesses....

IN BRIEF: Bespoke kitchens.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... Burbidge, a kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer based in Coventry hopes to cash in on the growing demand for bespoke kitchens following its #150,000 investment in a high-tech moulding machine, allowing the firm to produce a greater...

November feels spending slump.
December 7, 2007... Year on year sales are down for furniture and floorcoverings, as consumer caution bites Furniture sales are still suffering compared to last year as the weak housing market dampens consumer confidence. According to the BRC-KPMG Retail...

Industry support for Interiors Awards.
December 7, 2007... GE Money and Halo have agreed to be sponsors for The Interiors Gala Dinner and Awards, which take place on Tuesday 22 January at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. The gala dinner and awards is a celebration of the best products and...

City: Retail gloom takes a hold.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... Nobia shines in dismal market In a depressed retail sector, ScS lost 30% in the two-week period, collapsing from 157p to 112p as small investors jumped ship, ahead of this month's AGM and trading update. Finally, at less than 115p, the...

Cat and dog fur banned.
December 7, 2007... EU ban of fur used in rugs comes into force at the end of the year After seven years of campaigning Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson has welcomed an EU-wide ban on the production, marketing, import and export of cat and dog fur. Stevenson...

Store upgrades gather pace as B&Q profits dip.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... B&Q parent company, Kingfisher, saw UK profits fall 11.9% in the 13 weeks to 3 November. Retail profit was #45.3m for the period, down from #51.4m, last year. The results include its three UK operations - B&Q, Screwfix and Trade Depot....

FTSE: conflicting forecasts.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... The FTSE 100 Index fluctuated widely. Bullish investors discount warnings of difficult times ahead, believing the market has now priced- in all likely bad news. They are buying for the new year, determined not to be left out as the Index drives...

Letter: Pine promotion.(Letter to the editor)
December 7, 2007... I read last week's Comment with interest (CM, 30 Nov, p9). For 23 years I handled the public relations for Ducal, arguably the most successful pine furniture manufacturer this country has seen. Thanks to the foresight of owner, Jeffrey...

Promotions discounted.
December 7, 2007... Furniture retailers have not been tempted to start cutting prices despite November's low footfall The Christmas rush has been slow to start for many retailers but furniture stores are still reluctant to bring sales or promotions forward to...

Views by Mike Spencer.
December 7, 2007... On 15 November, in a reply to a Commons question about work placements from John Spellar, Warley MP, The Rt Honourable John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills said: `Since 1997, we have expanded the number of...

Talk: Do you plan on doing anything to entice customers?
December 7, 2007... With footfall figures down year-on-year, do you plan on doing anything to entice customers into your shop in the run-up to Christmas? `I think I will play it by ear and wait. Footfall has been steady so I think I will start the sales period...

CM COMMENT - Leader: Do we really know who is producing our furniture?
December 7, 2007... It is ironic that in an age where sustainability and traceability are high on the agenda, retailers and, in some cases, suppliers have probably never known less about the products they sell. In decades past, manufacturers had control over the...

ANALYSIS - Retailers take stock of distribution services.
December 7, 2007... Rachel Connolly looks at outsourcing as the answer to service problems British furniture retailers are becoming increasingly wary of holding stock in their own warehouses, and some have dispensed with the facilities altogether. ...

STORE MANAGER: Show me the money.(financial business information sources)
December 7, 2007... Adam Bernstein on the best sources of financial business information Every business at one point or another will need some financial help. It could be something as mundane as which bank to choose or how to deal with debt. It could be more...

SHOP WINDOW - Recliners: Ekornes.
December 7, 2007... Stressless' Jazz recliner from Ekornes combines simple elegant lines, smooth surfaces and stainless steel curves. Its streamlined 1970's look fits in with today's contemporary interior design. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - Recliners: Celebrity Motion Furniture.
December 7, 2007... The Marlborough recliner in leather from Celebrity Motion Furniture has just been added to its Zip Speed Express delivery service, meaning it can be made to order and delivered in 10 working days. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - Recliners: Rolf Benz.
December 7, 2007... The 568 Rolf Benz recliner is designed to complement the Dono sofa with its strong shape and matching steel feet. Designed by Swiss product designer Cuno Frommherz, the pivotal tilting function makes it a functional and striking piece. ...

SHOP WINDOW - Recliners: Ligne Roset.
December 7, 2007... Downtown from Ligne Roset is an innovative multifunction sofa, which invites you to sit, lounge, sleep and play. The range comprises a fireside chair, chaise longue and medium and large sofa. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STYLE & TRENDS: BAROMETER.
December 7, 2007... Rachel Calton highlights some of the furniture and accessories on show at Interiors Birmingham 2008 Furniture The furniture halls (1-5) will have all the newest designs on display, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Content by...

TOWN CENTRES: Do shoppers get a good service on the high street?
December 7, 2007... Cabinet Maker Research Survey It is often said that customers are more demanding these days, but is it because in-store service is poor or that there is so much more to choose from? After last month's Cabinet Maker research into...

TOWN CENTRES: Facts and figures.(Statistical table)(Survey)
December 7, 2007... The survey, part of Cabinet Maker's consumer research programme, was conducted by GfK NOP between 31 August-2 September among a sample of 944 adults aged 18plus. Which of these statements, if any, do you agree with in terms of furniture...

PREVIEW - BEDS: Style embedded.
December 7, 2007... Head to Birmingham in January for the latest bed styles, Rachel Calton picks out some show stoppers As well as new bed companies entering the UK market at Interiors Birmingham 2008, the latest styles and materials will be display,...

MARKET - DATA: Doing their home work.
December 7, 2007... Retail Intelligence: home office furniture Despite sales over the Internet soaring, retailers can still get a slice of the business by having a presence on the Web with products that appeal to the design-conscious consumer, reports Alexa...

CM OFFCUTS - Waking the consumer to the sleep message.
December 7, 2007... Rosemary Turley's broad industry experience led to her position as head of global marketing at bed manufacturer Kaymed How and why did you get started in the furniture industry? My role with Kaymed is my first job in the furniture...

CM OFFCUTS - Hotel room cleaned out by teenage cyberthieves.
December 7, 2007... A Dutch teenager has been arrested for stealing virtual furniture from rooms in Habbo Hotel, a 3D social networking website. The craze for social networking has gone one step further where people live virtual lives in an online hotel, where...

CM OFFCUTS - Hail to the hundredth.(Brief article)
December 7, 2007... At the Minerva Furnishers Guild exhibition recently a presentation was made to its 100th member, Peter Brown of Browns of Henley. During the past few years, the group has grown rapidly and is opening flagship stores around the UK and...

Lenleys acquires Clarkes.
December 14, 2007... Clarkes Furnishers has sold up to Lenleys of Canterbury for an undisclosed fee. After 75 years of trading, Clarkes, a family business in Maidstone, decided it was time to retire from the trade. Lenleys, which is also a family-run...

Retailers urged to do more to aid re-use.
December 14, 2007... Environment secretary supports call to avoid crushing The secretary of state for Environment, Hilary Benn, has backed calls from the Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) for local councils and retailers to offer better waste services for...

Dreams `bucks trend' with rise in turnover.(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Dreams expects turnover this year to surpass the #195m mark, with just over two weeks remaining until the year end . The bed specialist said that turnover is expected to rise by 30% on its 2006 level of #154.5m. It predicted that...

Town centre flatpack.(city centre store opened)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Ikea is to open its first city centre store on Sunday in Coventry. The 260,000sqft building, which extends over seven storeys, will hold 9,500 products, 40 roomsets and three mock-ups of homes. It will also have a restaurant and a cafe seating...

Success leads to promotion.
December 14, 2007... Vale-Bridgecraft bases new advertising on rising Irish sales Vale-Bridgecraft is launching a #400,000 advertising campaign on the back of rising Irish sales. The West Yorkshire designer and manufacturer said trade increased in Northern...

Woolworths director to become BRC chief.(Stephen Robertson appointed at British Retail Consortium)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Stephen Robertson is to succeed Kevin Hawkins as British Retail Consortium (BRC) director general. Robertson was previously Woolworths Group marketing director, stepping down from the retail board earlier this year. Sir Geoff Mulcahy,...

Inside out.
December 14, 2007... Homebase's spring/summer outdoor living 2008 range brings the `style of a boutique hotel outdoors'. The DIY retailer said themes run through interiors and exteriors to suit home styles and blur the lines between inside and out. Throws, candles...

IN BRIEF: Survey input.
December 14, 2007... The British Shops and Stores Association (bssa) is inviting input from non-food independent retailers for its next survey covering the quarter ending December 2007. The sales monitor paints a picture of consumer spending and retail performance...

IN BRIEF: Kitchen firm benefits.(Jardine Lloyd Thompson appointed at Symphony Group)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... The Symphony Group, the UK's largest privately owned provider of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture, has appointed Jardine Lloyd Thompson to manage its insurance and risk management programmes and pension arrangements. The...

IN BRIEF: Bensons joins FIRA.(Bensons for Beds)(Furniture Industry Research Association)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Bed specialist Bensons for Beds has joined FIRA. Simon Williams, marketing manager, said: `Joining FIRA is a great step forward for Bensons and underlines our commitment to provide our customers with products that are of the highest quality.'...

IN BRIEF: Clean change.
December 14, 2007... The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has changed some of the dates for its courses in 2008. The dates for NCCA Entry Level Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Courses are now: 8-9 February, 25-26 April, 6-7 June, 8-9 August and 7-8...

Homewares help John Lewis record.(John Lewis Partnership PLC)(Financial report)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... As many retailers struggle, the department store celebrates its highest weekly sales ever at #96m Furniture and homewares continue to help boost trading #t John Lewis in the run-up to Christmas. The department store said that with a...

Reid drives customer service.
December 14, 2007... Reid Furniture has spent #1m on a new fleet of delivery vehicles creating 20 jobs in Glasgow. Reid, Scotland's largest upholstery furniture retailer, invested the money to `ensure the highest level of service to its customers'. The...

Legals - Liquidator appointments:.
December 14, 2007... P&C Fitted Furniture Ltd, manufacturer. Co no: 04002923. Liquidator: Neil Henry and Michael Simister, Lines Henry, Altrincham. Appointed: 29 November. Lyndon Jeremiah Ltd, manufacturer. Co no: 03133543. Liquidator: Brett Barton and Tony...

Online sales rise as footfall drops.
December 14, 2007... High street loses out as web business hits record Online shopping is going from strength to strength as consumers abandon the high street. Monday (10 December) was predicted to have been the biggest online shopping day this year with...

More failures expected.(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Businesses will feel the pinch in 2008 with insolvencies expected to rise by 10%. PricewaterhouseCoopers said the rise will be due to banks taking a more conservative approach to lending and private equity groups showing caution before...

Racing seat.(Cocoon Furniture)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Designers and Cocoon Furniture owners Godeke von Wedel and Heiner Jacobs have created two chairs inspired by the MGA sports car. The MGA car seat has been enhanced by leather or luxury velvet upholstery with chrome studding to emphasise the...

Worst London sales growth since 2005.
December 14, 2007... Consumer caution means stores face a tough year London saw its worst sales growth for two years in November with furniture and furnishings trade slowing. The BRC-KPMG London Retail Sales Monitor revealed that retail sales were up 0.4%...

A touch of glitter.(In-toto)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Kitchen specialist, In-toto, has launched a white kitchen range in a high gloss using quartz grey glitter stone and laminate worktops, one of several high gloss colours to be launched in 2008. The 50-store retailer offers a range of kitchens...

Views by Mike Clare.
December 14, 2007... In 1987 when I opened my first bed store, the world of furniture retail was a completely different place. Twenty years ago there were hardly any retail parks, no one opened on a Sunday and many stores closed at lunch times (in fact most...

Talk - Do customers care if furniture is made or designed in Britain?
December 14, 2007... `Very few people ask if the furniture is made or designed in the UK. Some ask at the point of sale others ask after the sale is made. I don't think it influences their buying decision as there are so many imports entering the country.' ...

CM COMMENT: Leader - Don't resist change - move with the times.
December 14, 2007... Department store John Lewis has recorded its most successful week of trading in its history (see p5). This will be a bitter pill to swallow for all those wallowing in self-pity as the media whips up a frenzy about recession. Are things really...

ANALYSIS: Hoping for a New Year's gift.
December 14, 2007... Further interest rate cuts are needed for a real impact, say business groups Furniture retailers will have welcomed their early Christmas present from the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) after it relented to growing...

What effect will the rate cut have?
December 14, 2007... `It is hard to say . A quarter of a per cent does not do much for anyone. It will not impact on our trade until January. I would like to see another one next year. I have seen lots of "For Sale" boards around this area. No one is buying houses...

STORE MANAGER: Registering ownership.
December 14, 2007... Christopher Sykes and Peijun Xia look at how to avoid the regulatory pitfalls when forming a limited company by filing the right documents at the start Limited companies are the most popular vehicles for businesses to carry out their...

SHOP WINDOW: Living room - Ethnicraft.
December 14, 2007... The wall shelf and TV cupboard form part of Ethnicraft's Teak Frame collection, which also includes sideboards, a book rack and storage units, all made from reclaimed and plantation teak from Java, Indonesia. Copyright: CMP Information...

SHOP WINDOW: Living room - Woodberry Brothers and Haines.
December 14, 2007... Traditional furniture remains an extremely strong market for Woodberry Brothers & Haines. The Rochester range, in solid wood with teak finish veneers, comes under its Bath Cabinets brand. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Living room - 4Living.
December 14, 2007... Several new tables have been added to 4Living's Boston Oak collection, including a lamp and coffee table. Each piece features Boston's elegantly curved leg design and can feature a natural oil finish or be stained to the customer's...

SHOP WINDOW: Living room - Christian Harold.
December 14, 2007... Ardennes Too, from Christian Harold, is available in oak and walnut. The solid wood construction and clean cut #ines are embellished with dovetail drawer joints, to give a timeless finish. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Living room - Royal Oak Furniture.
December 14, 2007... The Hooped Console Table is part of The Royal Oak Furniture Company's new Canterbury range. All items are made in the UK from solid oak. Occasional tables, sideboards, display cabinets and bookcases are also available. Copyright: CMP...

INTERVIEW - KATE HARDCASTLE: The real deal.
December 14, 2007... An integrated marketing approach coupled with a zeal for global sourcing is making Halo one of the hottest properties in the interiors sector, as Richard de Melim reports You hear a lot about partnerships in the furniture industry, but it...

INTERVIEW - KATE HARDCASTLE: Tempting offer.(Halo)(Manchester Evening News Arena)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Halo's partnership with the Manchester Evening News Arena (MENA) is a good example of how lateral thinking can be effective. The MENA features a luxury VIP suite - the Halo Premier Lounge - which was opened by Motown legends the Four Tops and...

STYLE & TRENDS - BAROMETER.
December 14, 2007... Rachel Calton highlights the people, products and events setting interiors trends and previews the stylish Nordic designs that will be displayed at Interiors Birmingham Space race Stock up on furniture for guests staying over over the...

INTERVIEW - ARTHUR DUFF: Broad canvas.(dialogue with Arthur Duff)(Interview)
December 14, 2007... Multi-faceted Duff-Tisdall already combines design, production and retail and is now planning to venture into wholesale. Ruth Pringle meets one half of this extraordinary Dublin-based business, Arthur Duff Turning words into visuals is...

INTERVIEW - ARTHUR DUFF: The building of a partnership.(dialogue with Arthur Duff)(Interview)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Arthur Duff began his training in the school of architecture, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), and finished his studies in the centre for Environment, Planning and Technology, in Ahmedabad, India, where he qualified as an architect....

BSSA REPORT - How healthy are our high streets?
December 14, 2007... Following some surprising results in last week's Consumer Research report on what shoppers think of high street retailers, Cabinet Maker looks at the findings of a bssa study on town centres The British Shops and Stores Association's (bssa)...

UNDERCOVER SHOPPER - Newcastle upon Tyne.
December 14, 2007... Five stores are visited every month to check service. This month we look at: Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle was founded in Roman times under the name Pons Aelius. The medieval latin name is Novum Castrum super Tynum (Newcastle upon Tyne)....

CM OFFCUTS - Being an agent #s in the jeans.(dialogue with Matthew Kutas )(Interview)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... Matthew Kutas is UK agent for Maxdivani, Welle Group and Idealsedia How did you get into this industry? My father was an agent in the Midlands in the 1970s. I was looking for some holiday work between leaving school and going to...

CM OFFCUTS - Steps to film stardom.
December 14, 2007... Furniture maker James Morley couldn't wait for Hollywood blockbuster The Golden Compass starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig to be released in the UK, as it also starred some of his furniture! James' unexpected involvement with the film...

CM OFFCUTS - They've got soul.(Dream Girls of Halo)(Brief article)
December 14, 2007... It's been a massive success for the Dream Girls of Halo, Hannah Cygan Wrobleski, Kate Hardcastle and Lisa Roberts, who raised money for children's charities with their recent Charity Soul & Motown Revue 2007 at the The Victoria Theatre,...

Fire laws and imports top BFC's agenda for 2008.
December 21, 2007... Furniture body is `punching its weight' as it continues to lobby Government Fire regulations and imports will top the agenda in 2008, according to the British Furniture Confederation (BFC). Martin Jourdan, chairman said through the...

Ikea in Ireland.
December 21, 2007... More than 15,000 shoppers were at the opening of Ikea's first Irish store in Belfast. Shoppers who camped outside the store overnight were entertained by stilt walkers, jugglers and face painters. First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First...

Imports need policing.
December 21, 2007... Importers turn a blind eye to the safety of products entering the UK, claimed Howard Wilson, Simmons Bedding Group md in Rochester, Kent. He said enforcing current fire regulations was `easier said than done' and that the issue could be...

Furniture stores give in to discounts.
December 21, 2007... Furniture retailers have followed the lead of other sectors by slashing prices before Christmas in a bid to entice customers. Retailers such as Ilva, Ikea, Laura Ashley and New Heights are some of the big names to have already launched...

Urgent flood risk proposals.
December 21, 2007... Flood prevention needs higher priority according to review An independent review into the summer floods that hit much of the country has made more than 100 recommendations and urgent proposals. Furniture retailers and manufacturers were...

People: Mark Jaffray and Derrick Smith.
December 21, 2007... Hettich has appointed two senior sales managers. Mark Jaffray has taken on the role of Southern sales manager, also covering Wales, while Derrick Smith joins the company as Northern sales manager including sales in Northern Ireland. Jaffray has...

People: Andrew Middleton.
December 21, 2007... Optimum International has boosted its sales team with the appointment of Andrew Middleton as area sales manager, covering the Midlands, Wales and South East England. Middleton has worked in the electrical retail industry for 11 years. ...

People: Preben Bager.
December 21, 2007... Preben Bager has been named as executive vice president for the Nobia Group. He takes on the new role from 1 January 2007. Bager will retain his positions as Magnet business unit manager and acting business unit manager at HTH. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Houses cost less.(Brief article)
December 21, 2007... House prices fell in December according to estate agent Rightmove. London suffered the most with a 6.8% drop while average house prices in other regions fell by 3.2%. Rightmove said the decline was caused by people wanting to sell before the...