Cabinet Maker articles from October 2002

Cabinet Maker archives from October 2002

Third profits warning.(Silentnight Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Silentnight saw a downturn across most but not all of its businesses in the past few months, said chief executive Nino Allenza. The new board reviewed sales and forecasts last Tuesday (1 October) and decided to issue the group's third...

Silentnight will keep Ducal and Parker Knoll.(Silentnihjt Holdings;)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... The new Silentnight Holdings chief executive Nino Allenza and director Michelle Scott have vowed not to sell Ducal or Parker Knoll and promised to restore the firms to their former profitability. They are seeking to appoint a non-executive...

COMMENT: A purposeful path.(strategic business planning)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... I noticed with interest how a clearly defined strategy is the driving force behind Kingdom of Leather's new store look (see p16). And it's this strategy that is turning things around for the retailer. Here's a question for the retailer -...

Furniture strong.(sales)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Furniture outperformed fashion and accessories at John Lewis for the nine weeks to 28 September. `Furniture was strong overall with both beds and upholstery putting on good figures,' said department stores md Luke Mayhew. Home office...

Fillings venture.(W.E. Rawson)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Airsprung Furniture Group has agreed a joint partnership with fillings specialist WE Rawson. Rawson will operate within Airsprung's Trowbridge facility. In the past two years, Rawson has invested #4m in polyester fillings production...

September sales rally despite slowdown.(furniture)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Furniture and carpet retailers saw annual sales rise for September against a lacklustre trading environment. A balance of 30% of retailers reported annual sales volume growth, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Overall,...

Fitting profits rise for HomeForm.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Fitted furniture retailer and manufacturer HomeForm Group bucked difficult High Street trading with profits up 46%. Sales rose 17% to #105.8m while operating profit was #5.7m for the six months to 30 June. The company is set to cut its...

Leeds opening.(furniture store)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Barker & Stonehouse increased its store chain to six with the opening of an 18,000sqft unit in Leeds on 28 September. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Show filling up fast.
October 11, 2002... The Furniture Show 2003 has filled almost 90% of its space with four months left to go. The exhibition is from 19-22 January at the NEC, Birmingham. Details, tel: 020 7579 4330. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Morris on the move.(Morris Furniture Company Inc. near Glasgow)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Manufacturer Morris has moved its sales and administration staff to new headquarters on Rosyth Road near Glasgow. Details, 0141 420 7700. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Just the ticket.(Courts PLC marketing)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Courts is introducing a new ticketing display system at its 93 UK stores. Developed by Corniche, the ticketing is designed to reinforce corporate branding and give clearer information. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Lee Longlands buys family firm Vineys.(furniture retail United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Lee Longlands has acquired family owned furniture retailer Vineys of Abingdon for #2m. The Vineys portfolio consists of two 20,000sqft stores trading 100 yards apart. While the Vineys Fair Acre store will retain its name, the...

M&S enjoys mini boom.(Marks and Spencer PLC finance)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Marks & Spencer enjoyed a robust 15.1% rise in second quarter home furnishing sales for the 12 weeks to 28 September. Although the rise was attributed partly to a successful August promotion, spokeswoman Cheryl Kuczynski added that changes...

Furniture is bright spot for Beale.(profit warning)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 11, 2002... Department store chain Beale in Bournemouth has issued a profit warning despite an upturn in furniture sales. The retailer, which has 12 stores in England, said sales for the past two months were 5.8% down on the same period last year. ...

Accent on accessories.(Furniture Village)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
October 11, 2002... Furniture Village is launching its own range of accessories in response to customer interest in coordinated roomsets. Its Accents collection is being rolled out to all 29 stores by Christmas, starting with Nottingham and Chester stores...

Q+A: Your questions answered.(questions and answers on furniture industry)(Brief Article)(Column)
October 11, 2002... Q: When inspecting a complaint about wear on a chenille fabric suite, we found that the customer had removed the stockinet wrap around the foam cushions. In our view this has accelerated the wear but the consumer does not accept this. A: A...

Store saves customers from `Blue Meanies'.(Omni Furnishing opens edge-of-city store, Edinburgh)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Omni Furnishing in Edinburgh has opened an edge-of-city store to save its customers from over-eager traffic wardens. General manager Raymond Lafferty said: `The council is using a private firm to issue parking tickets - nicknamed the Blue...

Universal Furniture - Appointment.(sales agent Aleeq Malik)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Universal Furniture has appointed Aleeq Malik as its sales agent for East Anglia, London and the South East. Malik was previously sales manager for Furniture Village's Tottenham Court Road store. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

National Bed Federation Members Forum - Appointment.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Vogue Beds director of operations Ilyas Patel is the new National Bed Federation Members' Forum vice chairman. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Daniel Lynch Sales Company - Appointment.
October 11, 2002... Raymond Hutchinson has become sales coordinator for sales support and training firm Daniel Lynch Sales Company. Hutchinson previously helped develop Russell & Dorell's furniture department. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Open + Direct - Appointment.(Steve Penistone)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Steve Penistone takes on the new role of sales and marketing manager for Open + Direct's Retail Services Division. He was regional business development manager. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

New focus on leather.(overview on recent exhibition in London's Chelsea Harbour Design Centre)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Texture continues to be an essential story for home furnishing fabrics, both upholstery and drapes. The recent Focus exhibition (22-25 September), which centres on London's Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, brought linens and leathers to the...

Ikea blames planning laws for expansion delay.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Ikea's store opening programme and its efforts to ease excessive traffic congestion are being hindered by the UK's restrictive planning laws, according to Ikea spokesman Steve Bartholomew. He said Ikea was still awaiting a decision on...

New rules for online traders.(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Ecommerce websites must comply with EC regulations. Jane Elliott explains Businesses providing services over the Internet should now be complying with the EC's new Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002. Implementing the E-commerce...

Collectors' pieces.(display cabinets)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Display cabinets will provide retailers with a steady stream of sales if presented imaginatively and with plenty of choice, says Elspeth Pridham Not for the British the minimalist, streamlined approach to decoration. We are, on the whole,...

Opening doors.(Burbidge kitchen furniture)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
October 11, 2002... Ben Burbidge can meet the growing demand for individuality in kitchens, and do it quickly, explains Elspeth Pridham Burbidge is the leading British manufacturer of kitchen frontals and accessories. But to think of this company as purely a...

Don't mention the p-word.(Kingdom of Leather's marketing turnaround)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
October 11, 2002... Price will be the last thing on customers' minds if Kingdom of Leather's new retail strategy pays off. Stephanie Baum investigates A transparent plastic sofa filled with small round stones sits in a window of Kingdom of Leather's store at...

Technical inspection.(Cabinet Maker's Tony Hollyer)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Cricket, a dislike of cowboys and a certain romeo milkman feature in the technical specification of Tony Hollyer Tony Hollyer is a techie. He became technical consultant for Cabinet Maker via his previous roles as technical editor for...

DTI solicitors call time on `Uno five' trial deliberations.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... A trial date against five former Uno directors could be set today (18 October). The DTI is seeking to disqualify from acting as directors former group md Michael Gill, chairman Egon Von Greyerz, finance director Alistair Walmsley...

Space2 ceases trading.(home office mail order and electronic retailer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Home office retailer Space2 has ceased trading. The London based mail order and online company failed to answer telephone calls this week, directing customers to an email address regarding existing orders. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Takeover talk hots up.(MFI takeover of Sofa Workshop)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Trade speculation intensified this week over a takeover of Sofa Workshop by MFI. Both firms declined to comment on the claims, which first surfaced in August (cm, 9 Aug, p3). But a trade source told Cabinet Maker that an agreement was...

Comment: Cautiously contemporary.(furniture manufacturers and retailers)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Contemporary isn't just a passing phase, says David Gundry, md of David Gundry Upholstery, in our upholstery Market Focus this week, predicting that UK retailers ignore the contemporary furniture sector at their peril. The general...

Aga saga continues with Domain move.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Fired Earth is to sell products from American furniture retailer Domain early next year. The move by the furnishings, flooring and fabrics retailer is part of a worldwide plan by parent Aga Foodservice Group to integrate its cooker,...

Parsons seeks a top end firm.(Steve Parsons seeking to buy furniture manufacturer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Former Ducal sales and marketing director Steve Parsons wants to re- enter the furniture market by buying a top end manufacturer. Parsons reached a financial settlement with Ducal parent Silentnight Holdings at the end of September,...

September inflation static.(furniture and furnishings industry price inflation)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... The annual rate of retail furniture price inflation was unchanged last month at 2%. National Statistics said furnishing retail deflation increased in September, from -1% to -2%. Overall inflation, including mortgage repayments, climbed...

Online credit.(Nova Retail Finance online credit applications)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... By the middle of next year Nova Retail Finance expects 70% of its credit applications to be authorised online. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

USA agent.(Allsteel names Chorus as UK distributor; advertisement)
October 18, 2002... Chorus is UK distributor for American office furniture firm Allsteel. Details, tel: 0208 673 9777. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Selling skills.(BSSA offers selling skills course)
October 18, 2002... The BSSA is to begin its 21st Century Selling Skills distance learning course on 1 November. The six month course costs #220 plus VAT for members and #250 plus VAT for non-members. Details, tel: 01295 712277. Copyright: CMP Information...

DFS profits.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... DFS was expected to reveal annual pre-tax profits of #53.6m on 17 October, as Cabinet Maker went to press. City analysts forecasts for the year to 31 July ranged from #53m to #54.5m. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Leather course.(SATRA leather upholstery seminar)(Calendar)
October 18, 2002... SATRA is to hold a free leather upholstery seminar at Kettering, Northamptonshire on 14 November. Details tel: 01536 410 000. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Fabric sizes up.(Stompa Furniture 6ft denim swatch display)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Stompa Furniture has launched a 6ft display swatch for its denim fabric range. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Delcor opts for more contemporary image.(furniture stores)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Delcor has revamped its branding and will widen its product range. `Delcor is very well-known for quality furniture. We are now moving into a more contemporary image,' said md Roy Hacking. `We wanted to update the company and bring it...

Argos sales pick up.(furniture retailer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Like for like sales growth has picked up for Argos in the past three months. Sales increased by 7% in the six months to 30 September. This compared to 5% in the first three months. Furniture sales were again described as `particularly...

London store for Marimekko.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Scandinavian furniture retailer Skandium has opened a standalone London store for Finnish furnishings company Marimekko. The 750sqft store opened in St Christophers Place, London this week close to Skandium's west London site. There...

Permanent showroom.(drapery hardware manufacturer Bradley Collection opens showroom with fabric maker Nya Nordiska in London)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Curtain pole and accessories manufacturer The Bradley Collection has joined forces with fabric company Nya Nordiska to open a permanent showroom at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London. The company said the 50sqm display, featuring drapery...

City: Marks & Spencer profits bounce back.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Marks & Spencer amazed the market with interim figures far ahead of expectations. Hardened retail analysts described the 9% increase in like-for-like sales as `sparkling', and the early third quarter figures as `stunning'. Analysts' full...

Share Update on 14 October.(Cabinet Maker Index; furniture retailers and manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Share Update on 14 October Bold=new High/Low Now Change Change High Low over since 2 weeks 1 Jan Retailers...

Himolla to launch in UK.(upholstery manufacturer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Former Outline md Tony Lippett has become UK and Ireland agent for Germany's largest upholstery manufacturer Himolla Polstermobel. Lippett says Himolla, which has a #100m turnover, will launch a range of recliner packages at The Furniture...

Shopfloor: Ten easy steps to enthusiasm for sales.
October 18, 2002... Why train your staff? A silly question really, but one that seems to need an answer. Most companies spend time showing new staff how paperwork is completed, taking payments and so on. But there are other factors to be considered. How...

Holtkamp makes choices easier.(sales conversion for furniture retailer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Holtkamp Furniture is revamping its fitted furniture offer with the aim of making sales conversion easier for retailers. The company is simplifying choice by scaling back the number of components from 250 to 50 and introducing...

Hugonet brochure.
October 18, 2002... Spanish garden furniture firm Hugonet has released its 2003 brochure, which includes designs by Frederic Mechile, Guy Lefebvre and Christina Liaigre Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Organisation consolidation.(merger of furniture associations)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... The Office Furniture and Filing Manufacturer's Association (OFFMA) and the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA) are to merge. They will unite on 1 January, with OFFMA operating as an autonomous division of the BCFA. OFFMA...

Memorial service for Peter Wates.(United Kingdom retailer E and A Wates)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
October 18, 2002... Peter Wates, director of London retailer E&A Wates, died on 9 October. He was 77. He joined the family company in 1948, refurbishing the Streatham branch and adding two more stores. Wates retired from full-time work in 1990 but for the...

No quick fix for premiums crisis.(employers' liability policies have been increasing at enormous rates)
October 18, 2002... John Davies explains the soaring cost of liability cover and attempts to redress the situation The latest crisis to hit hard-pressed employers is a huge rise in the cost of insurance. Premiums for employers' liability policies have risen...

The revolution's here.(upholstery industry trends)
October 18, 2002... Imports and a new appetite for contemporary looks are keeping retailers and manufacturers on their toes, says Jane Oliphant This is arguably the most exciting time the upholstery industry has ever witnessed - and unquestionably the most...

Warps and wefts.(furniture industry marketing and trends)
October 18, 2002... Jane Oliphant discovers how manufacturers are responding to market trends The UK upholstery market is in the midst of change. Leather is having an impact, and fabrics are becoming more varied to maintain consumer interest. So how are...

Cultural exchange.(Italian furniture manufacturer Saimer )(Company Profile)
October 18, 2002... A small European manufacturer is working so hard to please British tastes it has even adopted the weather. Richard de Melim reports Dull grey clouds dominate the sky and a stiff October breeze provokes goose pimples on my forearms. I am...

Tradition with a twist.(Multiyork customer service)
October 18, 2002... You would not expect Multiyork to be on a retail park, but the company chooses to challenge people's perceptions while maintaining its core values, reports Stephanie Baum For several years Multiyork has maintained a low profile in the...

Minimal chic.(Heal's web site)
October 18, 2002... Heal's website is very tasteful, but Liam O'Brien found it a little too restrained Heal's online shopping experience is sleek and toned down and free from the bells and whistles graphics that other companies employ. The pages are...