Cabinet Maker articles from January 2005

Cabinet Maker archives from January 2005

Company offerings.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... As sales occupied the minds of consumers, corporate sale activity was also in full swing. The William Bartlett brand could be sold next week. The cabinet firm is in talks with two firms after putting itself up for sale last month (CM, 10...

Slow but sure sales.
January 7, 2005... The winter sales seem to have got off to a slow start at furniture stores, with many reporting sales on a par with 2004. `We have found it's going slowly and isn't up to expectation. The main problem is the lack of footfall,' said Geoff...

Manufacturers' tsunami fears unfounded.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Manufacturers and retailers have avoided supply problems following the Indian Ocean tsunami which claimed as many as 150,000 lives. Steve Brunt, sales director at freight agent Locher Evers International said the wave missed all of South...

Big names and big games.(Industry Overview)
January 7, 2005... Last year saw the end of companies thought to be indestructible while other household names grew bigger, Cabinet Maker looks back on 2004 Making the most of buying opportunities One company stood out for its impact on the retail sector...

Heavyweight predictions for an improved industry?(Industry Overview)
January 7, 2005... Cabinet Maker looks into its crystal ball to see what lies in store this year A hiding for leather Natuzzi's demand for 14,000sqft for its partnership stores gets off to a slow start. With increasing rents, retailers are reluctant to...

The trials and triumphs in 2004.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Furniture retailers provided much excitement during 2004 but, in January, most analysts were neutral about prospects for DFS, Courts and ScS. DFS was the first to move significantly. In March, heavyweight investors were underwhelmed by a...

Share update on 21 Dec 2004.(Illustration)
January 7, 2005... Share update on 21 Dec Now Changes Changes 04 high 04 low over 2 wks over 2004 Retailers Beales 72 +7 -19 93 62 Courts (suspended) 13 ...

Letter: Lucky contracts.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... Further to Mike Spencer's comments on Courts' closure (CM, 17 Dec, p9), I find it amusing that once again a contract division of a company does a sidestep from the main company taking no debt with it and no responsibility to the customers left...

Letter: Going forward with market forces.(Letter to the Editor)
January 7, 2005... I consider your comment on the DP Furniture Express situation (CM, 17 Dec, p9) inaccurate in some areas. I have taken all the people mentioned in last week's article (CM, 17 Dec, p5) and taught them the furniture business. I doubt if any...

LEADER: Adverts stand out from crowd.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... What else can be higher on the industry's agenda this early in the year than the sales? You can't open a newspaper or switch on the TV without being bombarded by furniture adverts. After a while they blur, and you lose track of who is selling...

VIEWS By Mike Spencer.(General Product Safety Regulations)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... British manufacturers are for the greater part, fully aware of their responsibilities under the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and most try to comply. But the same cannot be said of the General Product Safety Regulations...

Talk.(Best bargain)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... This week we asked what was the best bargain in your winter sale? Here are a selection of views. `Sprung Slumber's Elegance 2000. The list price is #1,700 and we sold out at #599.' Ian Horsely, Barrett Interiors manager, Haverfordwest,...

Searching for the hot spots.(retail park plots)
January 7, 2005... Retail park rentals on vacated sites are cheaper, but is the price still too high? Mark Lewis examines what's happening in the market There will be a dichotomy in availability for retail park plots in 2005, according to a report by property...

STORE MANAGER: Changes on the road again.(working time rules)
January 7, 2005... Mark Hammerton looks at working time rules for road transport workers The convoy of working time laws rolls on apace with new rules for road transport workers. Commercial drivers and crew are one of the last groups of workers to receive...

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Skopos.(Diva)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Diva range from Skopos is a glamorous selection of five designs and is available in 45 eye-catching colours. All fabrics are inherently flame retardant and suitable for use as curtains, bedding and accessories. Tel: 01924 465191 ...

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: OAT.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Portuguese company OAT focuses its attentions on accessories, rugs and bedlinen. Among its collections are the white Ekception Blanche group of ceramics. Tel: 00351 22 9754403 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Harlequin.(Picardy Weaves)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Harlequin's Picardy Weaves is a collection of small scale weaves. Patterns depict florals, trailing leaves and shadowy organic silhouettes interpreted in a contemporary way. The range is available in neutrals and pastels. Tel:01509 225000...

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Dorma.(Madame Butterfly)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Madame Butterfly is part of Dorma's KIP range, which is aimed at the young, hip market. The bedlinen is available in single, double and kingsize, with a pair of plain hem pillowcases. Tel: 0161 2514848 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Dormatouch.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The Portobello bedlinen range from Dormatouch mixes complementary neutrals for an understated look. The chocolate scatter cushions are available in different sizes. Tel: 0161 251 4468 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Prestigious Textiles.(Crazy Daisy)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Crazy Daisy from Prestigious Textiles is a collection of seven designs with a retro look. The contemporary designs are printed on 100% cotton Panama. Tel: 01274 688 448 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Alistair James.(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The ostrich feather and mohair throw collection from Alistair James has been extended with six new colours - chestnut, taupe, blush, vanilla, auburn and dusty sage. Tel: 020 7598 0123 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - ACCESSORIES: Dorma.(Home Furnishings)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... Spotty from Dorma is a printed design using painted multicoloured spots. The collection has its own coordinated sheets featuring multicoloured spots on fitted, flat and secondary pillowcases. Tel: 08456 049 049 Copyright: CMP...

FURNITURE AWARDS: Does winning guarantee you success?(John Kelly Furniture & Accessories )(Interview)
January 7, 2005... Recipients of awards tell us how winning affected their businesses Every year The Furniture Show culminates in the celebration of the furniture industry with The Furniture Awards. Now in its 14th year, the awards recognise not only design...

TFS PREVIEW PORTUGAL: Voyage of discovery.(Furniture industry)
January 7, 2005... Many Portuguese companies are now venturing into the UK. Stephanie Baum takes a look at some of those exhibiting at The Furniture Show Portugal is proffering a selection of exhibitors at The Furniture Show this year. Companies are offering...

MARKET REVIEW: Street credit.(consumer finance)
January 7, 2005... Keeping people informed about law changes needn't be boring. Nicky Stephen reviews Black Horse's latest customer information pack So how do you make changes to the Consumer Credit Act memorable and sexy? You can't? Well, Black Horse Retail...

TECHNOLOGY CRM: Keeping in touch.(Consumer Relationship Management)
January 7, 2005... When it is effective, CRM technology collects information about customers to give better understanding of their needs. But it can be an expensive white elephant so retailers need to think about what they want to achieve Before retailers...

Don't get even, give good advice.(Interview)
January 7, 2005... Brian Mynett is the Natuzzi UK agent, soon to take on Natuzzi brands Ital Sofa and Spagnezi International How did you get started in the industry? In the 1970s, I was with Hardy's, the biggest independent retailer. I was a regional...

Cupboard love.(Lichtenstein Museum)(Brief Article)
January 7, 2005... The bidding for the world's most expensive cabinet was more fortuitous than expected and lifted its price to #19m when the Badminton cabinet was auctioned at Christie's last month - #11m more than expected (CM, 5 Nov, p27). Prinz Hans-Adam II...

Ducal taken off the market.
January 14, 2005... After being unable to find a buyer that is willing to meet its valuation, Silentnight Group has decided to hold on to a second of its cabinet brands Ducal has been taken off the market by Silentnight Group, as it has been unable to find a...

Concern over card profits.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Retailers and their consumer credit providers have little incentive to cut APRs on store cards while shoppers pay too much for credit insurance, fears the Competition Commission. After a nine-month investigation into store cards, the...

Changing beds.(marketing of Slumberland)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Dunlopillo and Slumberland have taken the celebrity route for their new collections at The Furniture Show, recruiting interior designer and former Changing Rooms star Oliver Heath. Heath will officially launch the ranges on 24 January. ...

DFS forced to close store after flood.(DFS Furniture Company PLC)
January 14, 2005... DP Furniture Express and DFS have been forced to close their Carlisle stores after severe flooding - the equivalent of two months' rain fell in one night on 7 January. Most of the city centre was flooded and 70,000 residents, plus businesses,...

Takeover talks continue.(mergers and acquisition)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Talks are continuing between cabinet manufacturer William Bartlett and two potential buyers for the firm's brand. Jerome Bartlett, md said he was hopeful that a deal would be completed by the end of this month. Copyright: CMP Information...

Cousins in Salford.(business expansion)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Midlands retailer Cousins is to expand to Greater Manchester with a flagship branch in Salford. The multi-million pound store will be near the fashionable Salford Quays area, which has seen a boom in new housing and leisure facilities in...

Make sure you're ready for the big event.
January 14, 2005... Published alongside this week's issue of Cabinet Maker is the expanded catalogue for The Furniture Show, which this year for the first time features the catalogues for sister events Furnishing Accessories, Collection, Design Interiors, The...

No connection.
January 14, 2005... Bed company Thomas Stoddart has no connection with floorcoverings group Stoddard Carpets, which went into administration last week. `I can reassure our customers that Thomas Stoddart Beds are still in business,' said Gerard O'Malley, Thomas...

Funding guides.
January 14, 2005... The DTI has published two free guides designed to improve the success of small businesses in raising funding. The No-Nonsense Guide to Small Business Funding and the No-Nonsense Guide to Finance for High-Growth Companies include case studies,...

Custody advice.
January 14, 2005... FIRA is to hold a half-day workshop on understanding forest certification for wood products and implementing a chain of custody system on 2 March. Aimed at raw material suppliers, manufacturers, specifiers and retailers, the course explains the...

Pricing changes.
January 14, 2005... The DTI has said that it expects to issue its response to the consultation on updating the Code of Practice on Price Indicators `shortly'. Changes to the 28-day price establishing guidelines are expected. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Big store go ahead.
January 14, 2005... Northern Ireland retailers are counting the cost of the Republic of Ireland's decision to ditch its cap on retail floorspace - giving the green light to a proposed Ikea store in north Dublin. The decision is also likely to increase the...

Kitchen fitting in Cardiff.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Ikea is to introduce a kitchen fitting service, which it hopes will lift kitchen sales by two thirds. The service will be introduced at its Cardiff branch in March. Cardiff already sells about 30 kitchens a week, and Mark Britton, kitchen...

Wade builds on success.(Wade Upholstery invests in advertising campaigns)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Wade Upholstery is to invest in a five-month advertising campaign, hoping to build on the success it has enjoyed in the winter sales. Beginning this month, advertisements will appear in Ideal Home and 25 Beautiful Homes magazines, reaching...

M&S was not alone in poor winter sales performance.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 14, 2005... Despite holding two discount days in the run up to Christmas, home sales plummeted at Marks & Spencer in recent weeks. Home sales fell by 23.3% in the six weeks to 1 January and by 25.2% in the 13 weeks to 1 January. But it was not the...

Laura Ashley - Appointment.(appointments in Laura Ashley Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Laura Ashley has named Lillian Tan as chief executive - its 10th in 14 years. She succeeds Ainum Mohd-Saaid, joint chief executive who will leave on 1 February for personal reasons. Rebecca Navarednam, joint chief executive left on 1 January,...

Healthy increase for furnishing retailers.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Furnishing retailers enjoyed a healthy third quarter last year, with sales climbing by almost 7%. Sales of furniture, furnishings, home textiles and floorcoverings jumped by 6.4% to #5.023bn in the quarter, according to National Statistics. The...

Father and son jailed.(empolyees of Merlin (Soft Furnishings) Ltd jailed)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... A father and son team who fraudulently ran up business debts at their soft furnishings company have been jailed for a total of 15 months. Bernard and Bradley Hyman were sent to prison for seven and eight months respectively after a...

Sales rose for all of 2004.(furniture industry)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Furniture retailers completed a year of solid growth last month with the 12th consecutive month of year on year sales growth. A balance of 43% of furniture and floorcoverings retailers increased sales volumes in the first half of December,...

Letter: Cancel dinner and give to tsunami fund.(Letter to the Editor)
January 14, 2005... Cancel The Furniture Awards gala dinner and donate the money to the Tsunami Disaster Appeal. Each ticket paid for will give emergency housing and essential supplies to two families in the affected area. Ask the Metropole Hotel, if cancellation...

Letter: Recycling support.(Letter to the Editor)
January 14, 2005... No doubt your readers are stunned at the devastation following the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra. A phenomenal amount of support has been given by the British public in the form of monetary donations. I am writing to let your readers...

LEADER: An invitation you can't refuse.
January 14, 2005... This week's issue comes with The Furniture Show catalogue that's big enough to sink a ship. That's because this year it's also covering The Lighting Show, Design Interiors and Soft Furnishings and the new Collection hall. A supplier...

Views By Andrew Adamson.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Some of you may remember my first piece forecasting the demise of certain companies and reminding them to prepare for their final sale. The closing down sale. Courts has gone - big closing down sale there - and there are others to follow. ...

Talk.
January 14, 2005... What are you hoping to find at this month's Birmingham, Paris and Cologne exhibitions? `I am looking for something that is a move away from the oaks and brown leathers. I am particularly looking for more compact furniture. This is because...

Countdown to judgement day.
January 14, 2005... Former product manager Richard Holmes recounts his last days at Courts I worked at Courts for approximately six weeks before SB Capital became KPMG's agents and made most of the head office staff redundant. From more or less the...

INTERVIEW - STEPHEN TAGUE: Retail rules.(Stephen Tague, CEO of Cargo Homeshop)(Interview)
January 14, 2005... It may not be quite there yet, but Cargo Homeshop sees whole solutions as its new story under the guidance of Stephen Tague Retail rating Stephen Tague, age 49. He joined Cargo in May 2003 as ceo from Allders Department Stores...

STORE MANAGER: Part with the family firm.(management)
January 14, 2005... Selling a family-owned business can be daunting. Gary Morley offers some tips to ease the process and maximise the return for the owner- manager Sooner or later the owners of most businesses want to retire. And despite the despair of their...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Zocolo.
January 14, 2005... Among the new collections, Zocolo will be featuring the colonial styled Toscana range of high back rattan woven chairs. This range also includes a bedroom collection. Visit Zocolo at Hall 4, C61 or call 0353 5455156 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Hammonds.
January 14, 2005... Hammonds will make its TFS debut at the NEC with fitted bedroom and home office solutions to make the best use of space in the home. Visit Hammonds at Hall 4, F20 or call 01455 623248 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Sweet Dreams.
January 14, 2005... Visitors to Sweet Dreams' stand can expect to see refined divans in its Pocket Spring collection as well as its rebranded Sleepzone collection. Fashion oriented leather bedsteads Garbo and Davenport in chocolate and cream colours as well as new...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Baker Furniture.
January 14, 2005... Baker Furniture will supplement existing Flagstone dining and bedroom collections with new designs. Its dining range offers extending tables for flexible dining with chairs that span the range of traditional crafting to modern leather...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Wade Upholstery.
January 14, 2005... Wade's Wentworth grand sofa is just one of a range of new designs that will be unveiled at the show. The classic shapes are teamed with modern fabrics for a contemporary look. Visit Wade Upholstery at Hall 1, F19 or call 0115 9394278 ...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: G Plan Cabinets.
January 14, 2005... G Plan Cabinets will be building on its success with the unveiling of a selection of products to complement the existing ranges of living, dining and bedroom. Visit G Plan Cabinets at Hall 4, E22 or call 0141 300 7300 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Sealy.
January 14, 2005... Relief for pressure points and latex characterise Sealy's Natural Sleep collection. Latex 100 has a five zone support system while its Latex 50 has a top layer made up of 100% latex. Each model has a sprung slat divan base available in...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Wood Brothers.
January 14, 2005... Part of the Chateau collection, this display cabinet will be shown alongside new models added to the range. An extending dining table is a highlight as well as a brown leather dining chair and armchair with contrast stitching, which complement...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Vift.
January 14, 2005... Vift will be introducing four new upholstery collections in five new fabrics including three-seater sofa Annecy coupled with an enhanced leather collection. Its UK distributor is Connect by John Foreman. Visit Connect by John Foreman at...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Comfort Zone.
January 14, 2005... A new upholstery company Comfort Zone, will be launched at TFS, sister company to bed manufacturer Sweet Dreams. It will unveil a range of eight leather sofas, embracing a variety of styles including contemporary (Quebec) and traditional design...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: Slumberland.
January 14, 2005... Slumberland will dip its toes into the visco-elastic waters with its Posturecare range. It will also offer a revised Indulgence collection as well as revamped bedsteads, headboards and mattresses for bedsteads. Visit Slumberland at Hall 5,...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: BilliB.(Morris Furniture's collection)
January 14, 2005... Visitors to Morris will see its contemporary collections. Zone Furniture will unveil its contemporary designs supplementing its Cafe, Viva and Cuba ranges. The designs are inspired by clean cut modern models from Europe. Visit Morris...

SHOP WINDOW - FURNITURE SHOW: BilliB.
January 14, 2005... BilliB presents modern and traditional interpretations on the grandfather clock. It offers a variety of domed glass wall clocks in chrome and brass with wood backgrounds including the Brantley. Visit BilliB at Hall 5, A5 or call 01202...

GERMAN MARKET: Looking up and looking ahead.(Industry Overview)
January 14, 2005... The German furniture industry has not been without disappointments but the pointers are there for some happy faces in the market, reports Simon Jones German exhibitors will head for this month's imm in Cologne in better heart than for some...

GERMAN MARKET: Classic design meets Billy Bauhaus in retro republic.
January 14, 2005... Classic 20th century design remains popular in Germany. Anything with pure lines and made from metal and/or leather is likely to interest the so-called `Sushi-faction'. Bauhaus swivel-chairs or glass tables from the 1920s are a mainstay of many...

YOUNG DESIGNERS COLLECTION: It's the final countdown.
January 14, 2005... They're young, they're innovative and the five finalists in a heavily contested Young Designers Collection award. Cabinet Maker previews their creations It is always interesting to see young designers' work because it provides the roots of...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: November trading.(Industry Overview)
January 14, 2005... November was a mixed month for retailers, with widely differing trading experiences. A fifth of stores experienced static sales compared to October 2004, 53% saw the value of sales decline and 27% were able to increase sales. This produced a...

TECHNOLOGY CHIP AND PIN: Be card sharp.(avoiding credit card fraud)
January 14, 2005... Many retailers are not yet accredited with chip and PIN technology which could make them targets for more fraud. Mark Lewis reports So January 1 came and went. Auld Lang Syne was sung, toasts were made to the New Year and, for those...

MARKET REVIEW: Web designs on life.(www.hammonds-uk.com )
January 14, 2005... Hammonds' simple but effective online offering takes help to a new level - visitors could be tempted to change their lifestyle, says Stephanie Baum Presentation is the first thing you notice about manufacturer Hammonds website. It reminds...

Constant quest for perfection.(Benjamin Dobson)(Interview)
January 14, 2005... Benjamin Dobson, Curve & Co owner and designer How did you get started in the industry? I actually started in the antique industry. My parents were antique dealers and I started making reproduction furniture when I was 11 years- old....

Young but traditional.(Fraser Anderson's furniture business)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... The traditional craft of Orkney chair making seems to be secure for at least one more generation. At the age of 19, Fraser Anderson has ignored the lure of life in the cities, by remaining in Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland to start his...

Haskers promotion rides the Ocean wave.(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Haskers Furniture Superstores found a novel way to advertise its products on the airwaves. Listeners to Ocean FM's breakfast show, which reaches an audience of 300,000 in and around Hampshire, had to guess which celebrity was `sharing' a...

Retailers offer help.(Ikea management)(Brief Article)
January 14, 2005... Ikea management has donated 1,000 duvet covers to help the survivors of the Boxing Day tsunami. Described by Save the Children as being an offer too good to refuse, the free linen will be sent to Sri Lanka. Another furniture store reaching...

Sofas used to hide smuggled cigarettes.
January 21, 2005... There are fears in the industry that the increasing use of furniture consignments to smuggle cigarettes is hurting legitimate importers. `These people give us all a bad name,' said Martin Kay, Scan-Thor md, whose own lorries have been...

Happy return.(Mireille Baumgart returns)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2005... Mireille Baumgart, former Courts UK executive, has returned to the furniture industry, as commercial director at BoConcept owner, Danish manufacturer Club 8. Baumgart said she was looking forward to helping the chain expand from its three UK...

Investment success.
January 21, 2005... Furniture designer Tracie Herrtage was one of the winners of BBC2's Dragons' Den investment show this week. In the programme designers and investors try to convince a panel of investors to buy into their start- up companies. Herrtage...

Parking charges for new Ikea store.(Ikea International A/S)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2005... Ikea is to charge #1 for parking at its new store in Edmonton, north London when it opens on 10 February. The Swedish giant has claimed the move is to promote sustainable transport by encouraging customers to leave their cars at home in...

Planning breach.(facility closures)(Brief Article)
January 21, 2005... East Sussex furniture store Martha's Barn is to close after planning officials ruled that the store was in breach of planning guidelines. The company opened the Norway Street, Portslade outlet last May without planning permission. It had...

Reduce dust mites - don't make your bed.(Brief Article)
January 21, 2005... Scientists may have finally found a way of reducing dust mites in beds - an unmade bed. Research by Dr Stephen Pretlove, of Kingston University's School of Architecture found that simply not making a bed allows the moisture level in the...