Cabinet Maker articles from February 2005

Cabinet Maker archives from February 2005

Shoppers fear losing orders money.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... An overwhelming majority of shoppers are worried that retailers will default on their order when they try to buy furniture. In the wake of the Courts' collapse and the widespread media coverage, some 67% of shoppers said they had concerns. ...

Sales and branches grow at Glynn Webb.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Furniture, homewares and DIY retailer Glynn Webb enjoyed a 6.1% like for like sales rise last year. Furniture sales jumped by more than 10%. Total sales increased 6.5% to #49m as operating profits increased 21% to #2.9m. As recently as...

Import restrictions.(Specialty stores outsourcing)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Harveys is seeking to outsource its importing to third parties - but is offering terms many companies could find unattractive. No more money will be on the table for possible takers than is already spent in- house, and the company is demanding...

Honours in hand.(Philip Hand awarded the Danish Merit Award)
February 4, 2005... Philip Hand, UK agent for Danish pine company Excel Trading was awarded the Danish Merit Award, Danish Export Society's Diploma and Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour by the Danish ambassador Tom Risdahl Jensen this week. During the four years...

James Rawnsley to close.(Furniture stores)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Bradford retailer James Rawnsley is to close on 28 February, after 51 years of trading. The West Yorkshire furniture store is the last of a small cooperative of furniture retailers that operated in the south west of the city. `It seems...

Business as usual as D-day arrives.(Allders PLC)
February 4, 2005... The decision to sell Allders as a going concern or break up the department store group is due to be made today (4 February). Administrator Kroll had received 60 expressions of interest from trade and financial buyers for all or parts of the...

Sale nears.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... The sale of the Parker Knoll and Nathan brands is expected to be completed in the next 10 days, said Nino Allenza, Silentnight Group chief executive. `It's progressing to completion. I'm not expecting any surprises but you never know what life...

Martin & Frost fire arouses suspicion.(accidents)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... A fire at Edinburgh furniture retailer Martin & Frost, which caused #30,000-#40,000 of damage, is being treated as suspicious. The 20,000sqft store, located opposite the fire station on McDonald Road, Pilrig, caught light on 21 January at...

Combined effort.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Graham Crombie, Smartwood Leisure md and Paul Ableson, Paul Reef Parasols owner have joined up to form Crombie & Paul supplying conservatory, metal and garden furniture. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New sourcing role.(Furniture industry appoints Kevin Ohle)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Magnet parent and Homebase kitchen supplier Nobia have made Kevin Ohle vice president of projects, responsible for sourcing from the Far East and other low cost countries. He was previously vice president responsible for supply chain. ...

John Lewis down.(Department stores)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... `Furniture areas, and particularly beds, performed well on the back of the final few days of our special purchase offer which continued to draw customer interest,' said Simon Fowler, John Lewis customer service director, describing the week...

New court date.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Skipton magistrates adjourned the hearing of Gerard Strange and Richard Ramsden, Eurotrade Furniture directors until 18 February. They and Pole Jan Tylewicz are charged with tax evasion after 1.5 million cigarettes were seized from Eurotrade's...

Offer expected.(William Bartlett: contracts)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Jerome Bartlett, William Bartlett md expects to receive an offer for the brand by today (4 February). The company has suffered five years of losses and has been in talks with two would-be bidders. `Whether it is successful or not remains to...

Fishpools extension.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Fishpools is to officially open an extension to its Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, store on 9 February, with the space being increased by a quarter to 62,000sqft. The extension is equally split between upholstery and bedroom departments. ...

Kelly set to leave.(Bensons Beds loses Bernard Kelly)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Bernard Kelly, Bensons Beds chief executive and founder, will leave the company, after parent Homestyle, opted for a management buy in for its beds division, rather than a proposed MBO from the current management team. Homestyle is under...

More power to Ikea.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Ikea is the most powerful brand in Europe and Africa, according to international brand consultant Interbrand. Its brand could become stronger with the launch of Ikea homes in the UK, several years after it was first mooted. Ikea fought off...

Furniture moves.(Appointments, resignations and dismissals)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Department store chain John Lewis has reshuffled its furniture buyers following the departure of Damien Walton, casual dining, cane and flatpack furniture buyer. Terry Miller, cabinet buyer has taken on Walton's responsibilities while...

Concessions worry for duo.(furniture stores)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Cargo and Carpetright could both soon be looking for new concession space. Cargo has four concessions in Littlewoods branches while the floorcoverings retailer has outlets in all but six of Allders 45 branches. Cargo was hoping to...

Housing Units in #2m revamp.(Home furnishings industry)(investments)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Housing Units is to invest almost #2m refurbishing its Manchester store and introducing several concessions as it undergoes a major overhaul of the way it displays products. Its former warehouse next to its main store is to be converted...

Colefax warning on fabric sales.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Fabric and upholstery group Colefax has warned that the slowdown in the top end housing market is likely to hit its UK fabric sales this year, countering a 5% rise seen in the six months to 31 October. The group is hoping for better things...

Style opening.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Cappellini's purchase of Natuzzi brand Spagnesi has brought a change in style for the Italian manufacturer, as it seeks to widen its customer base. UK sales will continue to be handled by Italsofa UK agent Brian Mynett. Copyright: CMP...

Sweetsmell of success for some.(Retail securities)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Merchant Retail gained 21p,with strong seasonal figures driving the shares to the top of the six-month trading range. Although the bulk of sales and profits are attributed to the Perfume Shop chain, the de Gruchy department store in Jersey...

FTSE 100 steps up the pace.(Securities)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... This week's chart tracks the FTSE 100 Index since January 2003. Following a 30% first-year gain, the Index slowed significantly in 2004, growing by about 7%. Current progress, fuelled by bid gossip, may not survive the predicted rise in US...

Celebration of luxury in Paris.(Paris show Maison et Objet )(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Celebrating its 10th anniversary, biannual Paris show Maison et Objet hosted more than 434 furniture exhibitors, reflecting its ambition to eclipse rival furniture event Salon du Meuble. Held at Parc des Expositions, from 26 January to 1...

January showdown.(furniture and floorcoverings retailers)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... A year of unbroken growth in sales volumes ended last month for furniture and floorcoverings retailers, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. A balance of 16% of stores reported that sales fell in the two weeks to 19 January compared...

Design partnership.(The Design Trust )(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Design promotion organisation The Design Trust has formed a partnership with London Metropolitan University to ensure its long-term future. The University is already home to the Furniture Works project. 'I've been helping young designers...

Letter: Close out for profit.(Letter to the Editor)
February 4, 2005... In response to Gary Morley's very informative article, Part with the family firm (CM,14 Jan, p16),I would like to offer my opinion. There are two ways to sell a retail business, but only one way to sell at a profit. Transfer of ownership...

LEADER: Changing face of furniture.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... With all this talk about Allders hitting the rocks and Courts almost just a distant memory, the closure of independent stores every month goes almost unnoticed. For an industry that has hung on to an independent retail sector for longer than...

Views By Mary Czulowski.(Letter to the Editor)
February 4, 2005... I read many articles in Cabinet Maker bemoaning the loss of furniture manufacturing jobs in the UK, many of which cite China as some sort of global bogeyman. But the fact is that most of the reasons for decline lie closer to home. Since...

Talk: Retail casualties.(Retail trade)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Do you think 2005 will see any more retail casualties? `There's a possibility that more retailers will fall this year as both the market and the economy has changed significantly over the past five years, and some retailers are not going to...

Who will take on Allders?(Department stores)
February 4, 2005... Andrew Kidd looks at which companies may be in the running for a deal With 45 stores across England, Allders makes an interesting proposal for any retailer seeking to expand. As retail property gets ever more expensive, and planning...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: Tvilum-Scanberg.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Tvilum-Scanberg's Buffer living and dining room collection includes this wall storage system in a 2mg wenge coloured foil. The modular system gives the flexibility to incorporate different entertainment centres. Tel: 01937 849606 ...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: Kiani.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Kiani introduced four new high back suites with coordinating dining sets at The Furniture Show Diamond is a neutral set with coordinating upholstered seats. Tel: 0151 549 0101 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: Wood Brothers.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Wood Brothers introduced its Milano range at The Furniture Show, a contemporary collection of veneered wenge and light oak featuring two dining groups, an entertainment collection and occasional pieces. Tel: 08451 303 303 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: YP Furniture.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... The Rochelle display cabinet from YP Furniture is part of a new range of painted dining room furniture. The range is available in a choice of six shades of paint. Tel: 01427 615628 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: Morris.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Morris' Midas collection in natural oak veneers. The collection provides a choice of a rectangular fixed top table or a compact extending dining table with an extension leaf. Tel: 0141 300 7200 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: G Plan.(Furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... The Arena collection from G Plan in natural oak is a chunky contemporary range. The range includes three sizes of table, from a rectangular fixed top, large fixed top and combination of small top with separate leaves for extension. Tel:...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING AND DINING: Quinn Furniture.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... The Jazz display cabinet from Quinn Furniture is a transitional piece finished in a wood veneer. The contemporary brushed aluminium fittings give the range an updated look. Tel: 020 8592 4465 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: The right to be consulted.(new regulations for employees and organisations)
February 4, 2005... Under new draft legislation, employers will be required to consult with staff about issues that affect them, even if there is a pre-existing arrangement, or PEA, in place changes may be necessary, so be prepared, says Sue Fanning In the...

Will the Regulations threaten my business?(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... Responses to the DTI consultation on the draft Regulations, from both sides of industry, indicate that benefits are envisaged from the introduction of information and consultation with staff. Employees have indicated that they believe...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: December trading.
February 4, 2005... December followed the lead of November in being a mixed month for retailers. A fifth of stores experienced static sales compared to November 2004, 60% saw the value of sales decline and 20% were able to increase sales. This produced a balance o...

SPACE SAVING - MODULAR: Fitting designs.
February 4, 2005... Small rooms needn't lose out on storage or style because there are ranges of furniture flexible enough to cope with demand, reports Stephanie Baum Adaptation is a driving force behind the human condition. But rather than adapting ourselves...

DESIGN LABEL: Creating the brands' X factor.(furniture design)
February 4, 2005... Affordable design-led furniture is the theme of Gerard van den Berg's latest brand for Label. Stephanie Baum finds out how the business is evolving Gerard van den Berg once said a chair design should be somewhere between a coat and a...

TECHNOLOGY CAD: Program to put sales in the picture.
February 4, 2005... Customers are more likely to buy if they know furniture will fit, which is why kitchen planning software is moving into other rooms, explains Mark Lewis Remember those long afternoons, when the summer lit up your easel? The set-square sat...

Ambition without being a blonde.(Tvilum-Scanbirk)(Interview)
February 4, 2005... Camilla Hoe is UK sales manager of Tvilum-Scanbirk, manufacturer of competitive bedroom and living cabinets How did you get into the furniture industry? I grew up in Jutland, Denmark and my dad worked for a veneer manufacturer. I...

Does it really all ad up?(furniture indudtry)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2005... A couple of adverts in The Furniture Show catalogue have stuck in our collective memory for some reason. Trade Fair International showed off its mirrors with a picture of a grinning, semi-naked boy while Steens chose to illustrate its...

DP abandons direct imports.(DP Furniture Express)
February 11, 2005... DP Furniture Express has closed its 106,000sqft distribution centre in Liverpool Free Port and ended its experiment into direct importing. UK-based manufacturers and importers will be the main beneficiaries of the importing strategy change,...

Wade drops top end cabinet.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Wade Cabinet is to leave the top end, traditional reproduction cabinet market to concentrate on the middle market with imported products. It said not doing so would put the company at risk. Its Leeds factory will close by the end of April,...

TSC starts campaign for sleep.(The Sleep Council)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Robert Kilroy-Silk's Veritas will not be the only new political party contesting the next General Election. The Sleep Council has founded New Bed Every Decade as part of its marketing approach for March's National Bed Month. `It is time...

Firm claims damages from Inland Revenue.(Hellesdon Leather & Cloth Furniture Company)
February 11, 2005... A Norwich furniture retailer is to sue the Inland Revenue for damages after it wrongly tried to have the company wound-up, despite paying its tax bill on time. Trevor Milton, Hellesdon Leather & Cloth Furniture Company director said the...

No sale talk at LA.(Laura Ashley)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Laura Ashley has denied it is in talks to sell the company after reports that it had been approached by an unnamed `retail entrepreneur'. Shares climbed 8% early this week after a newspaper reported that Dr Khoo Kay Pen, its Malaysian...

Nothing ventured.(Woolworths rejects Apax's offer)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Woolworths has rejected an indicative offer for the company from venture capital company Apax. Woolworths said the #717m-#789m would-be bid, did not `provide acceptable value or certainty' for it to open talks with Apax. It wanted access to the...

Short promotion.(furniture stores)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... The British Retail Consortium/KPMG Retail Sales Monitor found that like for like retail sales rose by just 0.5% in January, despite stores extending promotional offers. The rise in total sales was 3.5%, compared with 6.8% in 2003 and 2002....

Retailer deal close.(Axiom and Westbridge: contracts)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Axiom and Westbridge, Belfield Furnishings' new upholstery companies, are close to signing a contract with a retailer. Steve Hampton, chief executive, said this should see the companies make a profit by autumn. The 100 plus store retailer has...

Saloni on the road.(trade shows)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Salone del Mobile will take a group of Italian manufacturers that exhibit at the contemporary Italian furniture show to New York in May and Moscow in October. Branded I Saloni WorldWide, the initiative is intended to bring a sample of the...

Test move.
February 11, 2005... Christie-Tyler owned testing house Mobeltest is to relocate on 21 February. It will move to Abergarw Road, Brynmenyn, Bridgend CF32 9NZ. Tel: 01656 728351; fax: 01656 729021. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Price slowdown.(house prices)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Average house prices in England and Wales rose by 11.8% in the fourth quarter of 2004, compared with a 16.3% increase in the previous quarter, according to the Land Registry. The biggest annual gains were in Wales, where house prices rose by...

Ikea targets five new London stores.
February 11, 2005... Furniture giant Ikea has ambitions to open a further five stores in the London area, with three sites already identified in the west, south west and south east of the capital, said Scott Cordey, Ikea UK, development and expansion. This would...

Homestyle dismisses Bed Shed sale rumour.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Homestyle has scotched rumours of a bid for Bed Shed by a management team led by former Bed Shed buyer, Archie Bailey. Tim Kowalski, Homestyle finance director, said no offer had been tabled, and any bid was likely to fail. Venture...

Finishing post.(CS Contact Furniture)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... After 22 years in Whitchurch, Shropshire, CS Contact Furniture is relocating to a purpose-built 60,000sqft site in the town combining manufacturing, showroom, design, administration, and it includes a new finishing plant. Copyright: CMP...

ScS expects sales growth to cool.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... ScS has lifted sales growth over the winter sale, despite not picking up many consumers who would have shopped at Courts before its collapse. ScS's product range is more upmarket than Courts, and Mike Browne, ScS executive chairman has...

Ten Allders stores face closure.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Two of Allders' largest branches are among at least 10 units which face closure. The Oxford Street, London and Leeds outlets were among 10 which attracted no offers from the 36 bidders for the department store chain. Administrator...

MFI names new finance director.(Mark Robinson )(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... MFI has ended its five-month search for a financial director with the recruitment of Mark Robinson who joins in April. He has been finance director of international mining and construction supplies group Delta since 1999. Before that he was...

British Vita rejects 335p second offer from TPG.(Texas Pacific Group )
February 11, 2005... US venture capital firm Texas Pacific Group is likely to have to raise its offer yet again if it is to buy British Vita. A first 325p indicative offer was rejected by the UK's largest foam maker which it said `substantially undervalued the...

Creative link.(Royal College of Art )(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... The Royal College of Art has set up a #1.1m project designed to improve links between graduates and companies. InnovationRCA offers programmes in three main areas: applied research, product development and creative business practice. `What...

Department store depression.(Industry Overview)
February 11, 2005... With the demise of Allders and a possible sale of Littlewoods, Andrew Kidd looks at what lies in store for the department and variety store sector For a retail sector worth about #14.5bn (about 7% of all retail sales), the future looks a...

LEADER: The best shot to fend off rivals.(direct marketing)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... This week, prior to the opening of the new Edmonton branch of Ikea, I saw the chain doing a mail drop in the Islington, north London area. Although not a completely unexpected occurrence, the store is miles away - a large catchment area for any...

VIEWS By Andrew Adamson.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... Last month was my first visit to The Furniture Show. Having been told about this fabulous showcase of the modern furniture industry for years, I was searching for a wow that would knock my socks off. Nothing happened. I was disappointed...

TALK: Is there a future for the department store?
February 11, 2005... `I'm sure there is, the public likes department stores. They offer a choice, perhaps a bigger choice than independents can offer. They usually have a prominent position on the high street.' Jenny McBean, Wymeswold Country Furniture...

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Harlequin.
February 11, 2005... The Get Groovy collection from Harlequin is a selection of quirky fabrics in a vibrant colour palette, complemented by embroidered polkadot voiles, colourful wallcoverings and borders. Tel: 08708 300 355 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd....

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Mulberry Home.
February 11, 2005... Mulberry Home's colourful Masquerade collection takes its inspiration from the festive Carnival season in Venice and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Pictured is a damask curtain in a raspberry and aqua colourway with the Samba striped fabric in plum...

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Pierre Frey.
February 11, 2005... Woven fabric characterises Pierre Frey's new fabric collection, influenced by art deco and Persian fabrics and produced with British designer Alidad. Tel: 20 7376 5599 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Boussac.
February 11, 2005... Boussac, part of the Pierre Frey Group, unveiled fabrics at Maison et Objet that criss-crossed threads, creating a ribbon effect, breaking into stripes and checks in a colourful display based on bright South American fabrics. Tel: 020 7376...

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Sanderson.
February 11, 2005... Sanderson is now presenting the new Options 9 collection, which comprises 10 themes across a variety of printed fabrics, wallpapers, upholstery weaves, silk draperies and decorative weaves. The Joie De Vivre is an interpretation of a classic...

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Prestigious Textile.
February 11, 2005... Prestigious Textile's embellished pure silk range will be joined by Secret Garden, where organic forms in brushed gold, silver, copper and bronze flow over a raw slub backdrop. Tel: 01274 688 448 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - FABRICS: Zoffany.
February 11, 2005... Caribe is Zoffany's first outdoor weave collection. This 100% acrylic fabric has been developed to meet outdoor standards with an inherent Teflon finish that is fully washable. Tel: 08708 300 350 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: Fact and fiction.
February 11, 2005... Dids Macdonald highlights some of the common misconceptions and most frequently asked questions in the realm of intellectual property How do I register my copyright? You can't, because in the UK copyright arises automatically upon the...

RETAIL - CHRISTIAN PARK: In the nip of time.
February 11, 2005... There is a growing market for pet accessories which Christian Park has taken a lead on with its posh furniture for pooches, says Stephanie Baum After years of evolution one cycle may finally be coming to its natural conclusion. Having...

MARKET REVIEW: How to get on the box.(Interview)
February 11, 2005... David Gent offers some straightforward answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning the benefits and costs of TV advertising Does TV advertising work? TV works by increasing sales, generating customer traffic, boosting...

Business - it's all in the delivery.(interview)(Guernsey Pine and Cane and Bridge Furniture)(Interview)
February 11, 2005... Ken Smith is the proprietor of Guernsey Pine and Cane and Bridge Furniture How did you get into the industry? I used to be a wholesaler and bought a pine stripper's business who used to rent space from me. We made new furniture and...

Five year deliveries.(China Morning Business View)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... The next time a customer complains about delivery times, thank your lucky stars you're not selling this particular Chinese export - elm tree chairs. Chinese pensioner Mr Wu takes five years to finish his chairs. According to the China...

One way to jazz up bed sales.
February 11, 2005... It appears that counting sheep is not the way to drop off to sleep, despite its hallowed status down the years. Don't tell Clint Eastwood, but listening to a bit of jazz is the secret for a good night's sleep, according to Japanese research. If...

Changing face.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... `They are all eating their words on Changing Rooms now. Now they are saying they are planning to have specials after our Christmas one got 6million viewers. They want to get rid of makeover, but they can't scrap style or design. The public want...

FURNITURE MANUFACTURING: Take the chance to influence the future.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2005... It's been a busy few months for the furniture manufacturing industry, with Woodmex before Christmas and the 2005 Furniture Show just finished. There were reports of many new machines sold at Woodmex generating more efficiency in the...