Cabinet Maker articles from January 2008

Cabinet Maker archives from January 2008

LoL says there's no quick fix.
January 11, 2008... Retailer warns of a tough 2008 for furniture as shoppers' pockets empty Land of Leather (LoL) does not expect a quick turnaround from its falling sales and expects other retailers to be hit by the slowdown in consumer spending. The...

John Lewis and Dreams shine.(Brief article)
January 11, 2008... It is not all doom and gloom for retailers. Bed retailer Dreams and department store John Lewis reported impressive like-for-like figures for the Christmas period. Dreams announced strong sales figures for its Christmas and New Year...

BFM promotes great British furniture.
January 11, 2008... BFM has launched a #120,000 national consumer press campaign, with advertisements appearing in a number of leading national newspapers. Throughout this month, advertisements promoting British manufactured furniture will appear in The Daily...

Roller-coaster that was 2007.(Calendar)
January 11, 2008... The year that's just drawn to a close has certainly been packed with drama. Deven Pamben rounds up its highs and lows January The year got off to a good start for retailers, with many reporting growing footfall and sales figures. ...

Legals - Liquidator appointments:.
January 11, 2008... European Business Systems Ltd, trading as Moneyback Furniture, retailer. Co no: 02802512. Liquidator: DPG Walker and JC Sallabank, Harrisons, Reading. Appointed: 17 December. Furni-Care Ltd, furniture restoration. Co no: 04703630....

Legals - Administrator appointments:.
January 11, 2008... Jade Management UK Ltd, retailer. Co no: 05766599. Administrator: Frank Wessely and Peter Hughes-Holland, Vantis, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Appointed: 20 December. Heritage Furnishings Ltd, manufacturer. Co no: 06071980. Administrator:...

Packaging rules.
January 11, 2008... Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007, all businesses with an annual turnover in excess of #2m that handle more than 50tonnes of packaging each year must be registered with the Environment Agency or a...

Fined for falling foul of waste rules.
January 11, 2008... Environment Agency targets The Cotswold Company on packaging The Cotswold Company has been ordered to pay more than #18,000 for failing to comply with packaging waste regulations. The West Yorkshire retailer in Burley-in-Wharfedale was...

Views by Roger van der Matten.
January 11, 2008... Speaking to retailers as I do on almost a daily basis, I get a real sense of anticipation building as another January extravaganza at the NEC approaches in the shape of Interiors Birmingham 2008. Buoyed by what has been in the main a good...

Talk: How have your post-Christmas sales gone so far?
January 11, 2008... `We don't have a Christmas sale - we try to keep prices regular throughout the year so our customers can trust us and they keep coming back. We were closed over the Christmas period but I've been back since 2 January and it's picked up since...

COMMENT: It's time for the industry to learn to help itself.
January 11, 2008... Happy New Year. Or perhaps it isn't, if you're involved in the business of selling furniture. On turning on the TV this morning, I was greeted by the face of Kevin Hawkins,British Retail Consortium director general, who was telling the...

ANALYSIS: Is housing dip set to bite?
January 11, 2008... Predictions for 2008 are gloomy, but Deven Pamben finds some good signs Retailers will be hoping the new year brings new hope. But with predictions of a slower housing market, many can expect to find 2008 tough going. According to the...

ANALYSIS: Sales fever starts here.
January 11, 2008... With the economy in downturn and consumers feeling the pinch, retailers are relying ever more heavily on the January sales, reports Deven Pamben The furniture sales war may not be over but the battle is well underway. TV, radio, magazines...

STORE MANAGER: Taxman shifts the balance.
January 11, 2008... The Arctic Systems case has prompted draft legislation which will affect small businesses' tax payments. John Whiting explains how it works The term `shifter' might seem odd, but if you indulge in `income shifting', it seems the taxman is...

The Design Britain debate.
January 11, 2008... Design, whether good or bad, is something that is discussed continually in the interiors industry. With many of Britain's iconic pieces being furniture related, it is not surprising that this subject takes on a significant role in our...

STYLE & TRENDS: BAROMETER.
January 11, 2008... Interiors Birmingham offers a wealth of people, products and ideas destined to be influential in the coming year. Rachel Calton selects some of the most striking examples DESIGNERSBLOCK Designersblock has spent a decade at the...

COLOGNE PREVIEW: Show stoppers.
January 11, 2008... Next week sees the start of the January show series, when the Koelnmesse showgrounds opens its doors to IMM Cologne - arguably the most international furniture event of the year. Over the next six pages, we pinpoint some of the key trends...

EXHIBITIONS: IMM COLOGNE - Designs on a new role.
January 11, 2008... Cologne's mammoth furniture fair has long been known for being among the best events to do business. But can it forge a reputation as the leading design exhibition? Wolfgang Kranz, Koelnmesse md, thinks it can Cabinet Maker: The last IMM...

MANUFACTURERS: CYPRUS - Quality exports.(Industry overview)
January 11, 2008... A group of established firms from Cyprus is exhibiting at Interiors Birmingham to put the country's furniture sector in the export frame Most furniture arriving into the UK from overseas uses price as the peg on which to hang its hat. So...

BUSINESS PLANS: From small acorns.
January 11, 2008... It might seem like going back to basics, but a decent business plan can pay dividends, no matter what stage your business is at, says Steve Jennings A strong, realistic business plan is essential to the growth of a business - whether you...

CM OFFCUTS: Savoy's sale makes a mint.(Brief article)
January 11, 2008... An auction of contents from the Savoy made a mint but around 300 lots had to be withdrawn from the sale just days before they were due to be sold. The famous hotel decided it did not want to sell certain items, and dozens of post-1950...

CM OFFCUTS: There's never enough time.(Interview)
January 11, 2008... Deborah Wyndham is operations manager at Greenapple How did you get into this industry? After university I signed up with a couple of recruitment agencies, but was unsure of my exact career path. But, I have always had an interest in...

CM OFFCUTS: No end to Aussie talents.
January 11, 2008... Not happy with singing, acting or launching her own perfume, Kylie is turning her talents to home furnishings. She is designing a range of bedlinen, towels, curtains, cushions and throws with stylist William Baker. The range will be sold in...

IN BRIEF: Profit warning record.
January 18, 2008... Profit warnings for the year to 31 December 2007 totalled 384, the highest figure since 2001, according to research by Ernst & Young. The year also ended badly for the general retail sector with it reporting 12 profit warnings for the fourth...

IN BRIEF: Homeserve buys FRN.
January 18, 2008... Homeserve Furniture Plus has acquired the Furniture Repair Network (FRN). Homeserve, the UK's largest national network of repair technicians, said it would grow the business organically and through acquisition. Steve Herbert, Homeserve...

IN BRIEF: Littlewoods success.
January 18, 2008... Furniture sales were up 4.5% on last year at Littlewoods Shop Direct during the six weeks to 4 January. The best performing area was bedroom furniture. The company announced a 44% rise in online sales plus a 7% rise in total trade for the...

IN BRIEF: More furniture reuse.
January 18, 2008... The Furniture Re-Use Network and the National Housing Federation have published a booklet outlining how social landlords and their tenants can benefit by teaming up with local furniture reuse operations. The scheme hopes to significantly...

Bensons' campaign pays off.
January 18, 2008... Strong marketing on TV and online brings increased sales for retailer Bensons for Beds' marketing campaign has hit the spot - which is something other retailers have failed to do. The company has seen a 3.1% like-for-like growth in its...

OBITUARY: John Sadiq.(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... John Sadiq, former Woodberry Bros & Haines sales and marketing director, died on 6 January after a short illness. Sadiq began his career as a furniture salesman at Whiteley's in Queensway, London. His flair for merchandising and business...

DPA faces administration as tough conditions hit.
January 18, 2008... Md says lack of Government help contribute to manufacturer's problems David Paine Associates Ltd (DPA) is on the brink of going into administration. In what are increasingly tough trading conditions for UK manufacturers and retailers...

CORRECTION: David Paine.(Correction notice)
January 18, 2008... David Paine, now of David & Jane Paine Furniture Collection, wishes it to be known that he has no involvement with David Paine Associates Ltd and is trading normally. By Deven Pamben Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

ScS shelves store plans.
January 18, 2008... ScS has no plans to open or refurbish any stores after reporting a 16% drop in like-for-like sales for the three weeks from 26 December, 2007 - the beginning of its Boxing Day Sale. ScS, which has almost 100 stores nationwide, said plans to...

Challenging times for Ilva.
January 18, 2008... The future of Danish furniture retailer Ilva looks uncertain in the wake of its #62m losses in 2007, according to Nick Gladding, Verdict retail analyst. For the year to April 2007 it lost #62m on sales of #26m. For every pound spent in the...

City: `Grim future' for shares?(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... Warnings, losses and fears for the sector as credit crisis kicks in Beales lost 15p to 38p on a profits and dividend warning. Like-for-like sales were down by 6% in the two months to 5 January 2008, and the shares are fulfilling the `grim...

Consumers face more retail choice.
January 18, 2008... Survey says furniture retailers will find it hard to win customers Furniture will be one of the smallest growth sectors in the UK this year, according to retail analyst Verdict. At the launch of the company's annual Consumer...

M&S follows trends down.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... Marks & Spencer (M&S) moved broadly in line with the general retail sector, and both indices were rocked by last week's poor trading update. In 2007, M&S drifted from May's 749p high before closing the year on a slight uptrend at 560p. Last...

McNally makes Simply Stylish acquisition.
January 18, 2008... Manufacturer is looking for more firms to buy Irish manufacturer and wholesaler McNally & Finlay is in the final stages of buying importer Simply Stylish Furniture in Shoreham, Sussex Simply Stylish traded as Tucan Furniture until...

Banish the blues.
January 18, 2008... Homebase has launched a range of ideas to transform the home including miniature fruit trees, which together with new wallpaper designs, aim to help banish the winter blues. Homebase parent Home Retail Group reported its Christmas performance...

Views by Rosemary Turley.
January 18, 2008... People today live increasingly busy and stressful lives, but are also becoming more and more aware of the need to look after themselves. They buy organic food, go to the gym, watch their waistline, give up smoking and many are now focusing...

Talk: What are you expecting from Interiors Birmingham?(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... `I'm expecting to see new pieces and exciting new products. We've been going for a number of years and we go to see regular suppliers - and our competition. We want to find new styles; we concentrate mainly on design because we are specialists...

Leader: Have the confidence to be positive about the future.
January 18, 2008... Beware the actions of a drowning man. These were the words put to me by a well-known industry figure this week, as he recalled the experience of senior members of his team checking out competitive stores in the immediate aftermath of Christmas....

Cash squeeze takes its toll.(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... The capital's retail sales grow in December but furniture fails to follow suit London continues to see growth in retail sales, but homewares slowed as the sector was hit by the weaker housing market and people having less disposable cash....

Retailers hit as rate stays same.
January 18, 2008... Retailers were hit with a blow after the Bank of England kept interest rates at 5.5%. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the decision of the monetary policy committee added `further pressure to customer-facing businesses'. The...

`Alarmist' leaflet rapped.(Healthy Sleep Group)
January 18, 2008... The Healthy Sleep Group (HSG) has been told not to use one of its advertising leaflets after it implied that its service could protect against cot death. The HSG comprises independent UK companies that operate with hypoallergenic cleaning...

ANALYSIS - Courts pension is now protected.
January 18, 2008... Pensioners are a step closer to getting their money. Deven Pamben looks at developments The Government will underwrite the Courts pension liability, but it may take two years for the assessment process Despite calling in the...

ANALYSIS - Drive against waste.
January 18, 2008... Following success in the grocery sector, retail and DIY are being urged by the Government to find ways to cut their use of packaging, says Rachel Connolly This year will see furniture businesses increasingly play their part in helping with...

STORE MANAGER - How best to save tax.
January 18, 2008... Martin Mann highlights some simple measures that can be taken to minimise tax liability, both from a personal and business perspective More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin made his famous statement that nothing is certain, except...

STYLE & TRENDS - BAROMETER.
January 18, 2008... Interiors Birmingham is not just for established firms in the industry; newcomers eager to make their mark will be there in force too. Rachel Calton makes the introductions Plugging the gap James Kinmond and James Harrison met at...

INTERVIEW: HOWARD WILSON - Simmons says: keep it simple.(Simmons Bedding Group)
January 18, 2008... Simmons' md is always up for the challenge, reports Deven Pamben For most furniture companies, January is one of the busiest times of the year. Simmons Bedding Group is no different and, in preparation, on a cold grey December day, the...

HOWARD WILSON - Company background.(Company overview)(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... * Simmons' parent company is Cauval Industries, one of the leaders in the European bedding and upholstery markets, with a turnover in excess of e600m (#447m) and employing more than 5,500 people. * Simmons acquired Sleepeezee in 1992,...

CONSUMER RESEARCH: DISCOUNTING - Why do shoppers ask for a discount?
January 18, 2008... Cabinet Maker Research Survey Retailers say that customers are too used to sales from the multiples and have no idea of the business costs that independents have to pay to keep afloat Noel Edmonds has a lot to answer for. Not only did...

CONSUMER RESEARCH: DISCOUNTING - Facts and figures.
January 18, 2008... The survey, part of Cabinet Maker's consumer research programme, was conducted by GfK NOP on 7-9 December 2007 among a sample of 958 adults aged 18 plus. Question: When buying furniture, how much mark-up do you think the retailer makes?...

RETAIL: MFI - A full set of parts.
January 18, 2008... It's all change at the furniture company best-known for its self- assembly kits, with new ownership, a national distribution centre and a logistics partnership. So is MFI now kitted out for success? Mark Lewis reports It is December 2005....

DESIGN: KITCHENS - Darker wood sets the trend.
January 18, 2008... Ben Burbidge, md of kitchen frontals and accessories manufacturer Burbidge, comments on upcoming fashions in kitchen design Cabinet Maker: What colours can we expect for 2008? Ben Burbidge: Bold and bright will be the signature style...

RETAIL: CLOTHES STORES - Fashion victims.
January 18, 2008... Clothes retailers are inching their way into the domestic interiors sector, selling items at budget prices and posing a potential threat to the traditional dedicated furniture and homewares store. Hazel Davis reports Just last week I...

RETAIL: HOUSING UNITS - Moving with the times.(Company overview)
January 18, 2008... Hazel Davis takes her hat off to Housing Units, a monument to the god of interiors, with its three stores under one roof in Manchester Let's face it, most 60 year-olds don't celebrate their birthday by embracing technology. But that's what...

IRELAND: UPDATE - Ireland stays buoyant.(Company overview)
January 18, 2008... Furniture manufacturers and retailers are remaining upbeat because, they say, their business focus is on the top end of the market, writes Claire Santry With the relaxation of store size limits and a retail market that has grown by 34% to...

PROFILE: ROCHE BOBOIS IRELAND - Original zing.
January 18, 2008... Ireland's furniture trade has been missing out on originality and the `wow factor', according to one of the new franchisees for Roche Bobois in the country, but now he and his partner are busy changing all that. Ruth Pringle catches up with...

RETAIL: CARRAIG DONN - Marriage lines.
January 18, 2008... Carraig Donn has embarked on a wedding list service to accompany its expanding relationship with the Irish giftware market. Ruth Pringle reports For a giftware company with considerable girth - 20 stores and 200 plus staff - it is a...

RETAIL: CARRAIG DONN - Company facts.(Company overview)(Brief article)
January 18, 2008... * Carraig Donn has 20 branches throughout the Republic of Ireland, but does not plan to expand into Northern Ireland. It has outlets at: Liffey Valley, Swords, County Louth, four in Cork, three in Limerick, County Clare, Westport, Sligo,...

ONLINE RETAILING - Do you really need a website?(Website overview)
January 18, 2008... The simple answer is, of course, yes. The time and money involved in launching and running an ecommerce website is minimal when you consider the potential business out there for the taking, as Charlotte Acock finds out With the festive...

ONLINE DEVELOPMENT - Don't get too flash.
January 18, 2008... How do you turn ambitious plans for a website into a reality and how much will it cost? Simon Fellows suggests not being influenced by gimmicks Getting your business online can feel a bit like guiding an incontinent old hippy to an elusive...

ONLINE WEB DESIGN - Looks can be deceiving.
January 18, 2008... When designing an online store, functionality and competitiveness of the website should rate far higher than mere appearance, says Charlotte Acock The most important aspect of a website is its usability. If potential customers cannot...

ONLINE MARKETING - Embrace the Internet for increased publicity.
January 18, 2008... Without visitors you don't really have an online presence, so make marketing your website a priority, says Simon Fellows Visitors are the lifeblood of your website. Encourage a steady flow and your online business will pulsate with the...

ONLINE PLANNING - Devil is in the detail.
January 18, 2008... Technical know-how is not essential to running an online business but careful planning and meeting customers' expectations are, reports Charlotte Acock For an ecommerce website to be successful, it needs to not only attract potential...

ONLINE MONITORING - Measuring your success.
January 18, 2008... The old adage `you need to measure to manage' couldn't be more relevant for progressive online retailers, according to Simon Fellows Building a successful online presence is a bit like wielding a plastic surgeon's scalpel on a Hollywood...

RETAIL: REDBRICK MILL - Mill Mile club.
January 18, 2008... Hazel Davis checks out the regeneration behind Batley's most famous son `Oh, people know a lot about furniture these days,' says Alastair Bailey, `you'd be surprised.' Perhaps it's this uncondescending attitude towards its customers which...

WOMEN: BUSINESS - Look out boys - female directors are catching up.
January 18, 2008... Research reveals the changing face of Britain's boardrooms in 2007 - and it's increasingly good news for women in the furniture industry Women are entering Britain's boardrooms in increasing numbers and starting to change the face of...

RETAIL: NOBILIA - A big brand with big plans.(Company overview)
January 18, 2008... With the German kitchen giant having just opened its second massive showroom in the UK, its md talks to Graham Morrison about his plans When it comes to retailing kitchens in Britain, Norman Parker has a certain amount of `previous'. Back...

EMPLOYEE MONITORING - Watching brief.
January 18, 2008... It's a sensitive area - how do you avoid falling foul of the law while keeping an eye on staff phone calls and emails? Aonghus Martin provides some tips A recent case in the European Court of Human Rights should act as a sharp reminder to...

CRAFT-BASED FURNITURE: Stars in the East.
January 18, 2008... Despite the current high level of imports from places as diverse as Poland, China and Brazil, furniture-making skills in the UK are not disappearing. In fact, they are still going surprisingly strong, as Tony Hollyer discovers Sometimes it...

LoL changes credit adverts.(Land of Leather)
January 25, 2008... LoL says it is now at a commercial disadvantage after OFT voiced concerns Land of Leather (LoL) has changed its advertisements for consumer credit after concerns were raised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). But the leather...

Adding to the mix:.(Brief article)
January 25, 2008... YP Furniture had added 156 models across its 10 ranges. It launched two of them at Interiors Birmingham: Hickory and Sommeil. As part of the expansion, the company has also increased the workforce by 30% at its Gainsborough, Lincolnshire,...

Growth prompts W&G move to Peterborough.
January 25, 2008... Fifty-six Willis & Gambier (W&G) employees have decided not to stay with the company when it moves its four operations in Essex to a 545,000sqft unit in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The manufacturer has three sites in Saffron Walden and...

Sustainable design wins.
January 25, 2008... Environmental issues were on the agenda for exhibitors and visitors at Interiors Birmingham which was also host to the Cabinet Maker Young Designers award Jason Heap won the Cabinet Maker Young Designer of the Year Award 2008 and hopes to...

Eastern green promise.
January 25, 2008... Chinese furniture manufacturers are putting the environment at the top of the production agenda, according to importer Link International. The company, through its Christian Harold brand, said it will only introduce Forest Stewardship...

Cabinet for Sweet Dreams.
January 25, 2008... Bed manufacturer Sweet Dreams has made its first foray into the bedroom cabinet sector with the launch of five ranges including wardrobes, bedside cabinets and chests. The firm has invested in a dedicated warehouse to ensure lead times...

IN BRIEF: More range.(Brief article)
January 25, 2008... Sussex manufacturer Ancient Mariner is quadrupling the size of its Indonesian factory - from 4,000sqft to 20,000sqft - to cope with increased business for its hand-made and crafted furniture. James Ellis, md, said it would add three ranges to...

IN BRIEF: UK target.(Brief article)
January 25, 2008... Kaymed revealed its new company branding at Interiors Birmingham and its plans to increase custom in the UK. Already well established in Ireland and with customers in North America, the mattress manufacturer said that it now intended to focus...

IN BRIEF: Diverse Wade.(Brief article)
January 25, 2008... Wade Upholstery launched a range of modern leather furniture, a website and four catalogues. The Verana upholstery, developed over the past year, features adjustable headrests and reclining footrests and is aimed at the mid-market. David Gray,...

IN BRIEF: Designs on retail.
January 25, 2008... Manufacturer Whitehead Designs is to move into the high end retail sector, using commercial and affordable materials for its contemporary and classic chic sofas and chairs. It will continue to work with interior designers making hand-crafted...

`Improve testing' call.(Brief article)
January 25, 2008... FIRA has urged the industry to avoid damaging product recalls by using tough testing regimes. Speaking at Interiors Birmingham, Phil Reynolds, FIRA testing manager said the most common cause of problems was the lack of understanding of UK...

New bed manufacturer is first with charity initiative.
January 25, 2008... New environmentally friendly bed manufacturer, Ecofurn, will work with TreeAid - the first partnership between a furniture manufacturer and the charity. Bob Walker, Ecofurn director said a percentage of its profits will be donated to the...

Legals - Liquidator appointments:.
January 25, 2008... Kitchens and Bedroom Factory Northwest, manufacturer. Co no: 04297239. Liquidator: Matthew Bowker, Tenon Recovery, Bolton. Appointed: 8 January. Pepper & Tomlin Ltd, manufacturer. Co no: 537723. Liquidator: ME Solomons, SPW Poppleton &...