Cabinet Maker articles from June 2005

Cabinet Maker archives from June 2005

High Court throws legality of sale offers into question.
June 3, 2005... The Officers Club judgement confuses the price establishing 28-day ruling The legality of retailers' sales has been thrown into confusion following a High Court ruling that `significant quantities' of products must have been offered for...

Troubleshooter Dickson moves on.(Peter Dickson)(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Peter Dickson, Furnitureland chairman has left the company after 18 months. The self-proclaimed troubleshooter said he had achieved a turnaround of what was a `rubbish business' and was eager to move on. In a market in which most are...

Disappointing Bank Holiday.
June 3, 2005... Sales may have been better, but not sufficient to counteract the downturn Bank Holiday trading was disappointing, according to furniture retailers. While the majority of stores spoken to reported an upturn in sales over the holiday, it was...

Change to mini expansion.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... B&Q has scaled back its expansion plans in the face of slowing sales. Rather than open Warehouse format branches, it will now focus on its mini-warehouses and revamping superstores. Sales and footfall fell in the quarter to 30 April, with...

Sales falls continuing.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Furniture and floorcoverings retailers suffered another poor month, with the most retailers seeing a drop in sales in May since December 1998. A balance of 77% of stores said annual sales volumes had fallen - the third consecutive fall and...

Bed mites are a Breeze.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Two and a half years after work began, Improving People's Health is to launch the industry's latest attempt to tackle bed mites later this month. It will be available in-store in 10 weeks. Harrison Beds will launch IPH's patented Breeze...

IN BRIEF: Birthday boost.(Race Furniture celebrated its 85th anniversary )(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Middlesbrough retailer, Race Furniture celebrated its 85th anniversary with a #120,000 investment in its two stores. The money will pay for a modernisation of signage and expansion to its Borough Road store as well as improvement to the...

IN BRIEF: More room for rustic.(DL Upholstery shifts location)(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... North Yorkshire manufacturer DL Upholstery has moved from a pig shed in Nunnington to a custom-designed studio, quadrupling its space to 700sqft. The cabinet and upholstery firm currently sells its own pieces but is searching for retailers to...

IN BRIEF: Alan Irwing.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... A 74-year-old former furniture salesman has been battered to death outside his home in High Wycombe. Alan Irwing, formerly a salesman for JC and MP Smith and a 30-year veteran of the trade, was found lying in a pool of blood yards from his...

IN BRIEF: Althorp collection.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, is to launch a collection of reproduction furniture based on the antiques in the home where the siblings grew up. Theodore Alexander will manufacture the Althorp House- inspired collection, the royalties...

Supermarket sweep.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Food giant Tesco unveils plans for two non-food stores selling homewares and outdoor furniture In a move that will send jitters through the industry, Tesco has unveiled its long-awaited plans to open standalone non-food stores. ...

Walker Greenbank back in profit.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Fabric and wallpaper group Walker Greenbank made a profit in the first quarter for the first time in six years thanks to lower costs, increasing sales of its Harlequin brand and the relaunch of Sanderson's flagship Options collection in...

Clare benefits.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Mike Clare, Dreams executive chairman enjoyed a 9% salary increase last year as the chain saw pre-tax profit rise from #3m to #3.75m as sales leapt by 66% to #89.7m. `We have continued to perform well in a particularly tough trading environment...

More furniture at Homebase.(Furniture Direct )
June 3, 2005... Expansion plans will see Furniture Direct in 135 stores, as Argos also ups offer Homebase is to dramatically increase its presence in the furniture market by expanding its Furniture Direct initiative to all stores by November. Some of...

Reflections on consumer lifestyle.(Halo)(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Halo has opted for a magazine-look with its latest brochure as part of its rebranding as a supplier of `beautifully real furniture'. In addition to product information, the brochure features recipes, health tips, household advice and reviews....

Union in court battle for unpaid salaries.(Richards of Aberdeen)(Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act)(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... A trade union has launched a court action against failed upholstery fabric and floorcoverings maker Richards of Aberdeen to get 90 days' wages for the 196 staff who lost their jobs when the firm collapsed last November (CM, 26 Nov, p4). ...

Letter: Retirement and golf beckons an agent.(Letter to the Editor)
June 3, 2005... I would be grateful if you could advise your readers of my imminent retirement through your columns. During 46 years on the road as an agent I have represented some of the great companies in the trade, such as Buoyant Upholstery, White &...

Points of discussion.
June 3, 2005... A series of seminars, including tackling payment fraud, fabric trends for 2006/07 and negotiating with suppliers, will take place at the Autumn Fair between 4-7 September at the NEC, Birmingham. Other seminars include affordable ways to...

Party players.
June 3, 2005... Credit firm Open + Direct Retail Finance is to sponsor the London Interiors Party on 4 July. Some 300 guests are expected to attend the Kensington Roof Garden event. The exhibition takes place from 3-5 July at Earls Court. Copyright: CMP...

Options for MFI trio.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... MFI directors John Hancock, Matthew Ingle and Mark Robson could share almost #3m if targets are met over the next three years. The three will receive 2.7million shares if the chain's Performance Shareplan targets are met. The shares would...

FTBA needs new blood and funds.(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)
June 3, 2005... The FTBA is struggling to develop new ways of fundraising after resistance from companies to allow charity representatives to talk to staff. Peter Spinks, FTBA chairman said at the AGM last week that despite attempts to target companies in...

Leader: Friends, enemies and speculation.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... In an industry such as ours, everyone knows each other or has worked together somewhere along their career paths in a succession of guises. And in the process, friends and enemies are made. As Cabinet Maker was going to press this week, the...

Views By Andrew Adamson.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... With the news that a judge has ruled against the lies of so-called discounts, let us all hope and pray that the end is nigh for this invidious practice. Leave aside the obvious fact that no-one can give a genuine 50% discount and still...

Talk: Have you considered alternative opening hours to boost sales?(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... `We sometimes open longer in the summer because people tend to be wandering around the shops a little bit later. We have a lot of furniture on display outside the store so if people are walking past around 6pm, they see we are open and come...

Analysis: Price establishing: a code of confusion for retailers.
June 3, 2005... Andrew Kidd attempts to untangle the rules about in-store discounting When is a discount not a discount? For some retailers the answer is often when the price has been inflated so it can be reduced at a later date. There is nothing...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING ROOM CABINET: Giorgetti.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Designed to boost storage options, Giorgetti's Troll revolving bookcase is constructed from poplar with beech veneer. The internal partitions are available in clear or grey glass. Tel: 00 39 0362 75275 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING ROOM CABINET: Banak.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Banak's Los Lineales offers rustic furniture with a modern twist. The solid oak collection is complemented by a range of accessories, including crockery, table linen and curtains. Tel: 00 34 9612 11868 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING ROOM CABINET: Alstons.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Alstons Cabinets' Piani collection is designed to offer users flexibility for modern living, and coordinates with the company's bedroom range. Features include fully adjustable hinges and metal runners. Tel: 01473 725 571 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING ROOM CABINET: Gautier.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Gautier's Helios range combines wood and glass to create a simple modern look. The collection is available in a choice of dark cherry and maple finishes. Tel: 01727 877 977 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LIVING ROOM CABINET: Zone.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... The Vetro collection from Zone offers several choices including chair styles, leg designs, metal finishes and frosted or clear glass. Its expanding table can seat up to 10 people. Tel: 0141 300 7373 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: Get the best deal on bills.(using energy consultants to lower bills)
June 3, 2005... All companies have to pay for power, water and telephones, but consultancies can help reduce costs, says Brian Collett The boss of a company using #200,000 worth of electricity annually wanted a new deal. A consultant produced a good offer,...

GLASS FURNITURE: Clearing the way.(design ideas in glass furniture)
June 3, 2005... Purists favour clear glass, but there is room for colour, reports Claire Santry The immediate future for glass furniture is clear. Clear glass, that is. Purists argue that this is how glass should be: transparent and neutral, and seem to...

GLASS FURNITURE: We have the technology.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... Recent innovations in glass processing come from many directions. The following techniques could, in principle, be used for glass manufacture. Kiln-formed glass has been shaped or textured by the extreme heat of the kiln. The process...

REVIEW - PROPOSTE/SCOPERTA: Trooping the colours.(trade show report)
June 3, 2005... Show hoppers between Proposte and Scoperta witnessed a comeback of all things bright and beautiful at this year's events, but there was also a natural twist to the fabrics which caught the buyers' eye, as Tom Levitt discovered Sparkling...

MARKET REVIEW: Click-through to revenue.(website promotion in furniture industry)
June 3, 2005... Dixon Jones looks at the future of website promotion and how automated cash for referral programs can benefit both the supplier and the consumer We are stepping over one another in the rankings to have pages listed on the Internet and many...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE: April trading.
June 3, 2005... After a dreadful March, retailers hoped for an upturn - and to a certain extent their pleas were heard by consumers. Compared with March 2005, half of stores reported a fall in the value of sales, 16% were able to maintain sales and 34%...

It's scary, but going it alone is also fun.(interview - Josu Shephard )(Brief Article)(Interview)
June 3, 2005... Josu Shephard is md of furniture business consultancy, Dove and Tail How did you get started in the industry? I was born into it. My father (Paul Cohen, former Courts director) used to take me around the shows and shops from the age of...

Victorious Panaz.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... It was a close run thing at the Furniture Industry Sailing Challenge at Cowes recently. Rivalry reached new levels as reigning regatta ruler, Ruddimans, was beaten by Panaz. The Manchester Furniture Show team came third, followed by The British...

Sticking with charity.(Brief Article)
June 3, 2005... It seems the success of John Dean, bssa chief executive and James Hudson, Frank Hudson director in the London Marathon has brought out the running sprit. So much so that the industry had two teams in the Great Manchester Run, a 10km race round...

January furniture bonanza.
June 10, 2005... In a canny move to boost post-Christmas sales, Debenhams plans to introduce temporary furniture departments across its 117 stores Debenhams will introduce a limited furniture offering across its 117 stores in time to tap into the January...

Cairnduff launches new Glasgow store.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Glasgwegian entrepreneur Ken Cairnduff is defying high street gloom with the opening last week of a #6m homeware store in the heart of Glasgow's shopping district. The 25,000sqft Townhouse Interiors store is situated on the site of the old...

Value retailers will thrive.
June 10, 2005... Verdict opposes popular opinion as it forecasts a middle market struggle Verdict has challenged the furniture industry's received wisdom that there is no mileage in value retailing, even as it predicts further job losses in British stores....

Partner search.(Schieder Group)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... International furniture manufacturing giant Schieder Group is in talks with several potential partners in the UK to distribute its products since its largest retailer Courts closed its doors last year. After months of little activity in the...

Ikea offers green services.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... An Ikea store in Germany is testing the latest in environmentally friendly vehicles as part of an investigation into hydrogen based propulsion. Service personnel at the company's Berlin Spandau branch will be using the emission-free...

IN BRIEF: Sleep survey.(Silentnight Beds)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Some 90% of people are failing to get a proper night's sleep according to research by beds manufacturer, Silentnight Beds. A survey of 2,343 consumers found that 80% of respondents believed that their health, and 92% that their appearance, was...

IN BRIEF: Northern talent.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The North East is to showcase the designs of some of the best emerging talent in the region. A show run jointly by Deadgood, a furniture designer, and the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, will be held at Newcastle's Castle Keep...

IN BRIEF: Online overtaking.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The total spend on home shopping in Britain has overtaken the total spend on furniture for the first time. According to research by the Direct Marketing Association armchair shoppers propelled by Internet technology spend at a rate of #67bn a...

IN BRIEF: Tempur moves.(Tempur appointed Malanie Fairfax-Jones as marketing manager)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Tempur has appointed Malanie Fairfax-Jones as marketing manager. The appointment comes as the Danish medical mattress company launches a new bed range. It has also produced additional marketing material in the form of a mailshot for retailers...

IN BRIEF: Illegal logging.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Brazilian police have arrested 89 people in connection with illegal logging in the Amazonian rain forest. Almost half were civil servants from the department charged with preserving the forest. More arrests are expected with more than 100...

Beaver & Tapley orders in limbo.(Beaver & Tapley)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Liquidator may reject retailers efforts to rescue cabinet orders in its search for quick stock sale Retailers seeking to complete outstanding orders from Beaver & Tapley have been left frustrated over its failure to provide any lines of...

Traffic restraints may run store out of town.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... A raft of traffic calming measures and the growth of homewares in a nearby Tesco store have left Macclesfield retailer, The Furniture Company, facing imminent closure after nearly 20 years in the area. Elaine Laurence, owner said it was sad...

Making a display.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The Shop and Display Equipment Association (sdea) has published a new guide to the UK retail display industry - the sdea Directory 2005/2006. Normally priced at #10, the directory is available free to the first 50 readers to call 01883 348911...

City: Retailers see falls as Swedes recover.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Next lost 25p, falling below 1,500p as analysts at Morgan Stanley brutally cut their target price from 1,830p to 1,535p. They fear that recovery stimulated by the expansion programme will be out of step with the long term economic trend. A...

Structure for growth.(Lee Longlands)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Expanding Lee Longlands boosts board with two appointments Lee Longlands has created two board level positions as part of an ongoing expansion programme. Andrew Allman, formerly of Boots and Gap, joins as group financial director....

Aga expands range with Irish leader.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Aga has bought Irish range cooker and stoves firm Waterford Stanley for #9.3m from US financial services group Pricoa. The move will significantly expand Aga's operations in Ireland, where Waterford Stanley is the market leader in the cast...

Wall street tests FTSE index.(Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange )(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The FTSE 100 index failed to hold the high ground after breaking through the significant 5,000 resistance level. Domestic investors were fazed by indifferent trading on Wall Street, where weak employment figures and rising oil prices raised...

London Interiors: where you should be this summer.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... New event London Interiors will bring together some of the biggest names in furniture, with the focus on quality design-led interior products. On display will be new collections of furniture, furnishing accessories, lighting, interior...

London Interiors: Conran seal of approval.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Sir Terence Conran is to judge the Best Product and Best Innovation awards at new interior event London Interiors in July. As well as picking the winners, Sir Terence will also present the awards at the event's Hosted Buyers Party at...

London Interiors: Major companies for a major event.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Silentnight Silentnight's interior designers and researchers will present its latest insights into design trends, retail presentations and concepts for the future. Max Clements, design director said: `We felt London Interiors was an...

London Interiors: Special events and features.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... London Interiors also plays host to a designers showcase featuring new designers from the UK and Europe; Matryoshka, a Russian themed bar serving vodka and champagne; The Looking Glass, a `quintessentially English' setting for afternoon tea,...

London Interiors: Fact file.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... What: London Interiors - furniture, home furnishings, coverings and accessories Contact: tel: 020 7921 8408; www.londoninteriorsevent.co.uk Where: Earls Court 1 exhibition centre, London. When: 3-5 July - Sunday 3 July, 10am to...

London Interiors: Invaluable knowledge.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... A highlight of London Interiors is the Knowledge Forum, with a series of free seminars on topics from the grey market to China. Speakers include Alex Keane, Camouflage director; Michael Morgan, Qualitas Furnishing Standards chief conciliation...

Leader: FTBA should take a gamble.(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The FTBA's Big Shot event this week brought together the stalwarts of the industry for a day of charity fund-raising and socialising. But something didn't seem quite right. Where were the young salespeople and the lads from the warehouse? The...

Views By Mike Spencer.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The publisher of Cabinet Maker and the organiser of the highly successful January show, CMPi, is to be commended for its decision to open the forthcoming London Interiors exhibition to consumers, for an exclusive one-day preview. In recent...

Talk: Have you heard of or do you support the FTBA ?(Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association)(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... `Not to my knowledge. I haven't heard of it but I am quite new to this furniture store.' Steve Raper, Thornburrow & Co store manager, Orpington `I haven't heard of the association before. But we are a small family- run business of...

NEWS ANALYSIS: House price inflation.(Mark Lewis )
June 10, 2005... House price inflation has fallen to its lowest level for nine years. Is that good or bad for retailers? Mark Lewis makes the case for and against Bad: years of closures This week Nationwide bank confirmed what thoughtful retailers have...

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: Lind Furniture International.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Lind Furniture International has launched a product range designed by Jens Huus. The contemporary modern Brisbane is constructed from a wooden frame upholstered with fabric or leather. The group consists of a chair, two-seater, and a...

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: The Rustic Company.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The Churchill from The Rustic Company is heavily influenced by 1920's styling and design. It is available in two sofa sizes and a matching armchair. The studded detailing adds to the charm of the design. Tel: 01656 842832 Copyright:...

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: Derwent.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... The Byron accent chair from Derwent is part of a collection of leather chairs for the traditional interior. Part of a recent major marketing campaign, the range's distinctive features are its button back and studded arms. Tel: 01773 604121...

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: W Shillig.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... W Shillig's Kasmir corner unit is a compact version of the ever-popular L-shaped systems. The low profile created by the backrests is softened by comfortable removable cushions. Tel: 01925 757507 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: Relaxateeze.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Relaxateeze's new Trento range is available as a single and two-seater version. The leather club chairs have a contemporary low back in chestnut brown leather with solid stained legs. Tel: 0141 420 7711 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: Hulsta.(Brief Article)
June 10, 2005... Hulsta's upholstered chair model 083152 is striking for its slim arms and backrest that taper at an angle. Available in black or cream, the chair's frame is made from oak. Tel: 0049 256 3860 Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - LEATHER: Ekornes.
June 10, 2005... The Arion from Ekornes is a contemporary sofa system, combining modern shapes with the comfort of individually adjustable seats. This ensures correct support for the lower back and head. Tel: 020 7462 0440 Copyright: CMP Information...

STORE MANAGER: Help at hand with first timers.
June 10, 2005... People make several visits to a furniture store before buying, so a sales strategy that reflects this knowledge is needed, reports Nick Drake Knight Some big ticket retail clients, and especially furniture retailers, have changed their...

HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Wired for profit.
June 10, 2005... Constant innovation in the electronics sector has had a major impact on sales of home entertainment furniture. Linda Westphal takes a look at how the market is adapting in the run up to the digital revolution In the 1990s, the idea that...

RETAIL - MARK ELLIOT: Steering the way.(furniture industry )
June 10, 2005... A nautical background may not seem to be the obvious starting point for a furniture manufacturer and retailer, but it has certainly proved to be the right course for Mark Elliot Furniture, as Stephanie Baum discovered Being a navigator in...

MARKET REVIEW: Marketing on the move.(Industry Overview)
June 10, 2005... For companies wanting to get their promotional campaign messages to people at virtually any time, anywhere, mobile phone technology could provide the answer, says Stephanie Baum A TV is stationary and newspapers are thrown away, but mobile...

French man's view of the UK industry.(Interview)
June 10, 2005... Jean Mark Paule is the founder of French agency Inex Services How did you get into the industry? I started with French furniture manufacturing agency GLPC in 1988 as a sales rep and worked my way up to sales director. It was...

Parker Knoll favours old lines over new show launch.
June 17, 2005... Christie-Tyler has postponed the expected public launch of the Parker Knoll brand it bought from Silentnight Group in March, in favour of a soft launch to 100 select retailers. The group was due to reveal new lines at London Interiors in...

Figures dash retailer hopes for rate cut boost.(Brief Article)
June 17, 2005... Retailers hoping for a consumer-boosting interest rate cut were disappointed as the rate of inflation held steady at 1.9%. The figure, while still below Chancellor Gordon Brown's 2% target, was expected to fall, and gives the Bank of...

Homeserve repackages warranties.(Brief Article)
June 17, 2005... The Regency Group has created two new business arms in an effort to reposition the company after the collapse of Courts in December last year left it facing extinction. The home warranty firm, which lost #2.8m in the Courts aftermath, has...

Harpers of Bath plans new high profile store.(Brief Article)
June 17, 2005... Harpers of Bath is building a high profile store on Bath's London Road to enable the company to display its products `in a manner befitting their quality'. The open plan store will consist of either four or five floors, depending on...

High-tech look for Linton and Robinson.(Departmental stores facility)(Brief Article)
June 17, 2005... Northern Ireland retailer, Linton and Robinson has given its department store a #1.5m facelift in an effort to give it a more contemporary feel. The redesign involved rebuilding two thirds of the Strabane store and curtaining the front of...

IN BRIEF: New show for Dublin.(Brief Article)
June 17, 2005... Dublin is to host a new trade show, specifically for buyers of garden and outdoor products. Garden & Outdoor Leisure (GOLD) takes place on 9 and 10 November at the City West Convention Centre. Organiser Concitty said that it has already had to...