Cabinet Maker articles from July 2006

Cabinet Maker archives from July 2006

Free delivery gains ground.
July 7, 2006... Consumers cite cost as main factor in home delivery satisfaction, says report Retailers should be offering free home delivery to increase sales, according to Verdict Research. The UK's home delivery business achieved growth of just...

Greensmith looks to neighbours for salvation.(Greensmith Upholstery to be acquired)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... The administrator of Greensmith Upholstery is confident it will find a buyer for the Long Eaton upholstery manufacturer, securing retailers' investment and delivery of goods. The firm was put into voluntary administration at the end of...

Silentnight Beds returns to our TV screens.(Silentnight Holdings PLC advertises)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... Silentnight Beds returns to our TV screens on Monday (10 July). The first advertisement in the #3m campaign will be shown during the country's most viewed break, half way through Coronation Street. In the advertisement a mother makes the bed...

Matalan pulls out of FPB meeting.
July 7, 2006... Homeware retailer Matalan has pulled out of a meeting with the Forum of Private Business (FPB) called to resolve a dispute involving suppliers - at a time when the future of the company is hazy. The FPB had arranged the meeting for the end...

G Plan starts cut and sew move overseas.
July 7, 2006... Product quality first priority for retailers as Sofa Brands moves upholstery operations from the UK to Lithuania G Plan Upholstery is to lay off 60 cut and sew staff and transfer the operation to a factory in Lithuania. Scott Malvenan,...

People: Hilding Anders UK.
July 7, 2006... Hilding Anders UK - parent firm of bed brands Slumberland and Dunlopillo - has promoted Mark Stubbs to independent retail sales director. He joined the company last April as national sales manager and replaces Ray Davies in his new post. ...

People: Sealy.
July 7, 2006... Cumbrian bed manufacturer Sealy has appointed Rob Poulton regional sales executive for the Home Counties, Oxfordshire and west London. He has a background in sales,in the FMCG sector. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: FIRA aiming higher.
July 7, 2006... FIRA is holding its annual National Furniture Conference on Thursday 13 July at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire. Entitled `Raising performance throughout the furniture industry' it will centre on the health of the sector, lean...

IN BRIEF: Dobbies instant etail.(Grovelands Garden Centre acquired by Dobbies Garden Centres PLC)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... Dobbies Garden Centres will offer Internet sales after buying Grovelands Garden Centre near Reading, for #5.05m. For the year to October Grovelands had Internet sales of #2.1m which James Barnes, Dobbies chief executive said gave it `a ready...

IN BRIEF: G-Mex side shows.
July 7, 2006... Lebus is to hold an At Home show in the Renaissance hotel during the Manchester Furniture Show (16-19 July). Halo will operate a shuttlebus between the G-Mex Centre and its Altrincham showroom. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: House sales up 12%.
July 7, 2006... The first half of 2006 has seen a strong but volatile property market, estate agent Your Move said, with 12% more homes sold than in the same period last year. Sales rose fastest in the south, with performance in the north more subdued. ...

IN BRIEF: Display fashion focus.
July 7, 2006... The Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA)'s guide to the UK retail display industry focuses on the fashion side of retail outlets as well as the latest designs of supermarkets. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: EU duty comes closer.(European Union)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... New EU taxes on imported shoes could augur ill for furniture. The duties have been criticised by the British Retail Consortium, which argues it will force retailers to raise prices. The decision could have implications on imported furniture, as...

Second warning over red tape cost.(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... Failure to slash bureaucracy penalises small firms Interiors retailers continue to face large amounts of red tape according to the government's own watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO). On the back of the NAO Regulatory Impact...

FSB gauntlet.
July 7, 2006... * The Federation of Small Businesses has laid down the gauntlet to Ministers and MPs, announcing it will arrange work experience in a small firm for any MP willing to find out how laws passed in Westminster affect small retailers. ...

Car collision closes Wyllie and Mar.
July 7, 2006... Alex Wyllie, Wyllie and Mar owner, in Ripley, Surrey believes a Greensmith sofa saved the life of a drunk driver whose car careered through the window of his shop. Around #45,000 of damage was caused to the store and the products,...

City: Buy-while-they're-low advice pays off.(Great Universal Stores PLC)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... GUS gained 45p to 966p on continuing rumours that a US private equity group is hatching a #10bn bid, ahead of the Argos/ Experian demerger planned for autumn. While stockmarkets worldwide are volatile, and the pricing of a public offer...

Cup exit dents retail buoyancy.
July 7, 2006... Consumers desert the shops as England team plays last match Shopper numbers were down 12.5% on Saturday - the day of England's final World Cup match - compared to the previous Saturday. The decrease over the same day last year was even...

Store refurb strategy boosts sales for Nobia.(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... UK trade for Scandinavian company Nobia has stabilised, with operating margins slightly up for the first quarter. The kitchen company saw net sales rise by 12% to #102m from #91m in the first three months of this year compared to the same...

M&S climbs back abroad.(Marks and Spencer PLC)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... Marks & Spencer are beginning to recover from the recent downturn, ahead of next week's first-quarter figures. Analysts have welcomed the decision to open a further 150 stores abroad, including a return to continental Europe five years after...

Firms act to keep staff.
July 7, 2006... Benefits replace bonuses as turnover rate rises UK businesses struggle to hold on to employees, increasingly frustrated by pay structures and a lack of job satisfaction. Furniture retailers are being warned that financial rewards are no...

Open plan: Lombok.(to expand)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... Lombok is expanding with new stores in Birmingham and Kingston-upon Thames this month and two further outlets opening in Leeds and Leamington Spa later in the summer, bringing its portfolio to 14. The Tottenham Court Road store will also close...

LETTER: Selling on price is just bad selling.(Letter to the editor)
July 7, 2006... The articles over the past couple of weeks about the mid-market got me wondering if these expert analysts just sit in their offices, look at figures and come up with something, just to justify their salaries. I am just a simple salesman....

LETTER: Chance to help BFM on end of life issues.(Letter to the editor)
July 7, 2006... I read with interest your article `Positive partnerships' on environmental issues in the furniture sector (CM, 16 Jun, p11) The issue of end of life implications is one on which BFM has been working for a number of years. We have recently...

COMMENT: Leader - Conscience efforts.(Cabinet Maker Knowledge Forum on consumer preferences)(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... There was a time when retailers just needed to be conscientious to be successful. Now, it's all about conscience as well. During the Cabinet Maker Knowledge Forum at this week's London Interiors show, the word from retail experts was the need...

COMMENT: Views - By David Woolfson.
July 7, 2006... There are some industries that seem to be occupied entirely by young people, like design and marketing, and there are others that seem entirely peopled by a more seasoned vintage, such as tailoring and florists. The furniture industry, and in...

COMMENT: Talk.
July 7, 2006... Do you think London retailers have to be different in what they offer customers? `No, we do not offer different products to outlets in the North. There are high price points and they sell well. We do not follow fashions and our products...

ANALYSIS: Even money on growth.
July 7, 2006... Whether it was the World Cup or the trend for all-year-round sales, the monthly sales rise is welcome news for retailers, as Richard de Melim reports Who says furniture sales are seasonal? The latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey (DTS)...

ANALYSIS: Logging behind.(technology revolution )
July 7, 2006... Small firms have been slow to join the technology revolution but ignoring the potential could see them lose out to competitors, finds Deven Pamben When it comes to technology some small businesses, including those in the furniture...

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Dolce Vita.
July 7, 2006... Dolce Vita will be showing its Italian and Bulgarian produced upholstery, available on 14-day delivery. Items include the Iris range, corner groups, three piece suites and chaise end sofas. Tel: 0039 08 0314 5904 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Cavendish.
July 7, 2006... Cavendish will show a variety of designs including a faux Knole sofa, its Benchmark range and contemporary looks with high backed comfort from its CD collection. Tel: 01257 277 664 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Shanghai Express.
July 7, 2006... Shanghai Express will offer six ranges in oak and birch at container prices with the full range of benefits including free display stock and up to 20 weeks to pay. Tel: 01400 262 196 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP:WINDOW - Manchester Furniture Show - TCS.
July 7, 2006... TCS's traditionally styled Woodstock is available in a variety of combinations including recliners, swivel recliners, drinks bar, corner units and sofabeds. It is available is hide and soft covers. Tel: 00 353 8 7232 3707 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Redline.
July 7, 2006... Redline will be showing its leather and soft cover upholstery, produced in Longjian, south China. The company offers a choice of charging FOB or delivered. Tel: 0767 621 061 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - SJS Furniture.
July 7, 2006... SJS Furniture will introduce the Blue Print, offering contemporary styling and clean lines while Provence is traditional and timeless. New pieces in the Tiger and Vimoutiers Ivory Crackle ranges feature alongside mirrors and unusual...

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Sweet Dreams.
July 7, 2006... Sweet Dreams will expand its Wellbeing collection with Eternity in the Bamboo range and Ortho Cool in the CoolMax. It will also launch the Memory Comfort foam mattress and the Julia and Cruise bedsteads. Tel: 01282 830 033 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW: Manchester Furniture Show - Rudnick.
July 7, 2006... Brazilian dining and occasional furniture company Rudnick will make its debut in the UK market. Tel: 01738 630 555 The Manchester Furniture Show takes place at the G-Mex Centre from 16- 19 July Next week: fabrics Copyright:...

STORE MANAGER: Registering a complaint.(compensation regulated)
July 7, 2006... Companies must get up to speed on the changes in the way that employee grievances are handled or face higher compensation payments, says Clive Day Recent cases have changed how employment tribunals deal with employees' grievances,...

STORE MANAGER: Letters of the law for grievances.(Letter to the editor)
July 7, 2006... When does a general complaint amount to a `grievance'? The financial penalties on employers who fail to recognise and deal with a grievance in accordance with the minimum procedures can be significant. It is therefore vital for employers to...

INTERVIEW - RACHEL GANDER: Moving with the times.
July 7, 2006... The founder of Pure Design Classics has embraced the modern trend both with her stock and her selling methods, reports Andrew Kidd Think classic furniture designs from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobson, Ludwig Mies van der...

PROFILE - DICKINSONS: Spotlight on service.(Dickinson Homes Inc.)(Company overview)
July 7, 2006... Harnessing staff expertise and local knowledge has turned a rural retailer in the North of England into a regional winner, says Rachel Calton When Steve and Belinda Traviss acquired Dickinsons in Hexham, Northumbria, in 2001, taking on a...

PROFILE - DICKINSONS: Rural roots.
July 7, 2006... Established in 1878 in rural Northumberland by the Dickinson family, the business started off as traditional cabinet makers and grew slowly as a furniture and carpet retailer, with a number of very small branches. For the first 100 years...

DESIGN - MIES VAN DER ROHE: Simple pleasures.
July 7, 2006... In the second of the series looking at classic designs, Andrew Kidd looks at the work and career of one Germany's best known modernist designers Go online looking for furniture and you quickly discover a multitude of retailers offering...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: May trading.
July 7, 2006... After signs of an upturn in April, May was another month of improvement. Compared with April 2006, some 27% of retailers reported a fall in the value of sales, 44% said sales were static and 29% were able to increase sales. This produced a...

SHOW PREVIEW - August diary.
July 7, 2006... As the summer events season hots up, buyers will make their way to Frankfurt and San Francisco for furniture and furnishing accessory ideas Experience a new lifestyle For those looking for inspiration, Tendence Lifestyle (Frankfurt...

EMPLOYMENT - RECRUITMENT: Wising up to the old.
July 7, 2006... Retailers are increasingly turning to the over 55s to fill their job vacancies Retailers have to replace more than a third of their workforce every year, and are increasingly turning to older workers to fill the gaps. Some 33.5% of...

MARKET REVIEW: Moving targets.
July 7, 2006... Mobile poster units can create a visual impact that attracts shoppers to your store. Karen Olsen explains how two chains used them to good effect Techniques similar to the town criers of old have combined with modern outdoor marketing...

MARKET REVIEW: Making the most of mobile money.(Brief article)
July 7, 2006... The cost of a Micro campaign starts from as little as #200 per person for a sandwich board or placard, for instance with an arrow directing people to a store. Adbikes with posters cost #300 for the day, and Advans with drivers are #350. ...

TECHNOLOGY - STOCK MANAGEMENT: Online and in touch.
July 7, 2006... Optimise can ease order tracking from online sales channels and be integrated with a store's back office system, reports Andrew Kidd For many retailers selling online brings with it all sorts of problems, such as tracking orders, stock...

CM OFFCUTS: Campaigner with a sense of fun.(Abaca Organic's Rhiannon Rowley )(Interview)
July 7, 2006... Rhiannon Rowley is md of mattress maker Abaca Organic What was the first ever piece of furniture that you bought and where was it from? An old wooden meat safe from an auction which I stripped, lime washed and painted. It now holds...

CM OFFCUTS: What's the catch?
July 7, 2006... `It was this big!' It's a common refrain from fishermen who catch tiddlers and pass them off as extras from Steven Spielberg movies. But 11lb 2oz is a jolly big fish and it had independent accreditation from the organisers of the second annual...

Staff lose to Courts charges.(KPMG L.L.P.)
July 14, 2006... Pensioners still waiting for cash as administrator KPMG pockets #20m costs A Courts pensioner who earns less than #9 an hour has reacted with disgust to the #520 hourly rate charged for KPMG partners who now help to run the retailer. ...

Small shops keep their Sunday trading advantage.(IKEA UK Ltd.)
July 14, 2006... Peter Hogsted, Ikea UK md, has slammed the Government for its decision not to extend Sunday trading hours. He described the decision as `illogical' and said that he `could not understand the reasons' at a time when other industries can...

Europe by Net rounds on its critics.
July 14, 2006... Internet store competition complaint draws battle lines on retailing ethics, as Mark Lewis reports Europe by Net, the budget Internet retailer selling design-led Italian furniture, has made a complaint to the EU's Competition Commission...

Check calls.(B and B Italia chair and Poliform sofa are evaluated)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... In two separate calls to Europe by Net, Cabinet Maker reporters enquired first about a B&B Italia chair and then a Poliform sofa. They were advised to go to go to one of four different London retailers, including Harrods, Shetlands, as well...

Showroom showdown.(Europe by Net )(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Europe by Net has been accused by retailers of hijacking their showroom investments by sending Internet punters into their shops to view products they would later buy online. Simon Seagal, Atomic md in Nottingham, said there was a paradox...

IN BRIEF: Display on display.(Shop and Display Equipment Association introduced a directory)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... The Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) has launched its latest Directory, giving retailers information on the latest point of purchase and display products. The directory provides a comprehensive listing of companies offering shop...

IN BRIEF: House prices up 5.6%.
July 14, 2006... House price inflation rose to 5.6% in May compared with 5.1% in April, according to figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government. It was the biggest month on month rise of the year. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Fabric fame spreads.
July 14, 2006... Overseas visitor numbers jumped by almost 2% at Italian upholstery fabric exhibition Proposte, which took place in May. Some 4,973 visitors from overseas attended the Lake Como event, vastly outnumbering the 2,930 from Italy. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: Forte office branch.
July 14, 2006... Polish furniture manufacturer Forte Furniture is to launch home office products in the UK. The firm, which first entered the UK market with four bedroom ranges at the Manchester Furniture Show last August, has established a strong base of about...

IN BRIEF: Hull hub for Ilva.(Ilva entered into UK by signing a deal with TNT Logistics Corp.)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Danish furniture chain Ilva's UK launch has moved one step closer following a deal by TNT Logistics to lease a warehouse in Hull. The 400,000sqft facility, formerly used by Carpet International, will become an Ilva distribution centre when the...

Retailers act to protect orders.
July 14, 2006... Bricks and mortar stores have responded to the threat posed by Internet retailers with tactics including changing their swatch coding. And manufacturers have responded with warnings on their websites to consumers to only deal with...

Sales rise fails to lift morale.
July 14, 2006... Garden furniture picks up the summer baton as the discount trend continues Big-ticket items including furniture remained discount driven in June despite a 2.3% rise in overall like-for-like retail sales. The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor...

Furniture heads M&S fourth quarter success.
July 14, 2006... Marks & Spencer furniture and home sales jumped by almost a quarter in the three months to 1 July compared to the same period last year. Home sales massively outperformed food and general merchandise, which were up by 9.2% and 11.7%...

Losing interest.(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... England's footballers made a stronger impression on the high street than on the pitch, with retail footfall falling sharply during England's matches. Shopper number declines were at their most severe during the team's opener, against...

More product knowledge urged to cut complaints.(London Interiors show)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Leather upholstery is still the main cause of furniture complaints, according to Qualitas chief conciliation officer Michael Morgan. Speaking at the Knowledge Forum during last week's London Interiors show at Earls Court, Morgan said that...

Scots store assesses fire effect.(L Fidler & Sons)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Stranraer furniture store L Fidler & Sons has lost all its upholstery after a suspected arson attack. Quick action by the fire brigade brought the blaze under control and the store has been able to stay open. Geoffry Fidler, L Fidler &...

Line H design dropped.(Tesco PLC's contracts with Line H)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Tesco pair look to build contacts for new flat-pack venture Tesco's decision to change direction over its proposed push into the furniture market is making an impact, two months before its furniture offering even appears online. The...

On reflection.
July 14, 2006... Next has released its Autumn/Winter Next Directory. The 338 page issue contains furniture, furnishings, lighting and home accessories. Reflective products are a major trend, with mirrored furniture and metallic faux fur cushions. ...

Argos sales jump 14%.
July 14, 2006... Argos sales climbed 14% in the first quarter of 2006 off the back of strong bedroom furniture sales. Like-for-like revenue jumped 7% while Argos Direct, the firm's home delivery operation saw 10% growth making it worth a quarter of all...

Managers cited as weak link in progression.(report by Investors In People about retailers)(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... Fewer than half of all retail employees are happy with the way their careers are progressing, according to a report by Investors In People. The study claimed that poor management is holding many employees back, despite 59% saying they believed...

Leader: Salvaging fairness from failure.
July 14, 2006... Some years ago, after a spate of high profile administrations and liquidations in the furniture trade, I travelled to Bolton for the creditor's meeting for World of Leather, the now defunct sofa chain. What I saw was heartbreaking, not just for...

Views: By Michael Morgan.
July 14, 2006... With Consumer Direct reporting that the most complained about consumer goods are home maintenance and improvements (first place) and furniture (third), the furniture sector is already a focus for government scrutiny, exacerbated by the high...

Talk: Sunday Trading Laws.(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... What do you think of the government's decision not to change Sunday trading laws? `I am glad it is not being extended but I would prefer they had done away with it altogether. I have never been in favour of it. One reason they have not...

ANALYSIS: Marginal increase.
July 14, 2006... As furniture prices rise, retailers are cautiously optimistic that a housing revival will end discounting, says Mark Lewis The price of furniture showed a month on month increase for the first time since March with heavy sales and...

ANALYSIS: Back in the running.
July 14, 2006... It is not only high street retail that is struggling. Research has found that out-of-town trade for 2005 returned its slowest growth ever. Figures, from Verdict Research show that sales increased by only 3.8% to #85.8bn, falling well short of...

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Jim Thompson.
July 14, 2006... Sweet Pea is a fresh and fun design creation from Jim Thompson, consisting of a series of embossed dots that form a stylised floral pattern. Iridescent silky chenille adds an intriguing sensory dimension and tactile element, giving an...

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Rubelli.
July 14, 2006... Rubelli's Flora is a 100% plain silk with a large scale floral pattern inspired by Japanese painting. The shapes are formed by a play on two colours and a reversal of the colour surfaces creates a wide horizontal band.Tel 00 39 04 1258 4411 ...

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Viyella Home.
July 14, 2006... Viyella Home's debut woollen fabric range, Classics, is based on a design archive from 1784 and includes plaids, checks, paisleys and damasks. They are suitable for curtains, upholstery and accessories. Tel 01738 609 090 Copyright: CMP...

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Harlequin.
July 14, 2006... Athena is a broad taffeta stripe from Harlequin in a combination of three shades. Designed for curtains, blinds or accessories, it is available in eight colourways. Tel 08708 300 355 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Voyage Decoration.
July 14, 2006... Sakaki is an opulent, Art Deco inspired collection from Voyage Decoration. It is based on an oriental tree design from the Silver Studio archive and is brought to life in rich metallic and shiny yarns on a linen cloth. Tel 0141 641 1700...

SHOP WINDOW - Fabrics: Globaltex.
July 14, 2006... Part of Globaltex's Plantation collection, Charleston has a bold contemporary floral pattern. The design offers an range of colours from dramatic rich deep shades through to softer pastels. The collection is printed on a heavy cotton slub...

STORE MANAGER - Striking a balance.(fire safety regulations)
July 14, 2006... Retailers will have to work with both their staff and landlords to ensure they understand their duties under the new fire regulations, says Stuart Darlington Very shortly, businesses will have to cope with new rules that govern fire safety...

STORE MANAGER - Penalties.(Brief article)
July 14, 2006... The price for not complying with the new regulations ranges from a fine of #5,000 in the magistrates court up to an unlimited fine and/or two years imprisonment in the high court. However, it will be a defence to any prosecution if it can be...