Cabinet Maker articles from October 2006

Cabinet Maker archives from October 2006

Domino effect hits Valewood.(Valewood Furniture's closure)
October 6, 2006... Homebuy's failure knocks its sofa supplier, Valewood Furniture into closure Valewood Furniture said it is `a victim of the typical domino effect', after being forced to call in administrators following the collapse of its largest customer,...

SBI sells ACT share.(Sofa Brands International)(ACT Leather)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Sofa Brands International (SBI) has sold its 49% shareholding in Thailand sofa manufacturer ACT Leather for an undisclosed sum. In an a statement, Scott Malvenan, SBI chief executive said: `Our joint venture had run its course and so it...

Profits shortfall.(IKEA International A/S company sales and earnings)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Ikea saw UK pre-tax profits fall by a third in the year to 31 August, despite a marginal increase in sales. The 32% reduction resulted in profits of #104.5m on turnover of #1.1bn. The figures were attributed to one-off costs including the...

Competition set to hot up with launch of set price eBay Express.
October 6, 2006... Online furniture retailers expect a boost while traditional retailers are more cautious Auction firm eBay is aiming to dominate the online retail market with the UK launch of eBay Express, a website for professional retailers who want to...

Generation gap for service.(customer service)(Survey)
October 6, 2006... There is a generation gap in attitudes towards customer service levels, with older consumers believing that standards are falling, according to a survey by communications firm Intervoice. More than half of consumers aged 55-64 think...

Profit returns for WG.(Walker Greenbank PLC company sales and earnings)(Financial report)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Soft furnishings group Walker Greenbank has made its first interim pre- tax profit for more than six years, and at the same time almost halved its pension deficit. The company, which owns brands including Harlequin, Zoffany and Sanderson,...

Transformation plans.(commercial construction)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Plans have been submitted for a #25m redevelopment of the Openshaw district centre in east Manchester, which will transform the dilapidated area into a new shopping, leisure and commercial complex. Openshaw district centre is a large mixed...

IN BRIEF: ASF launch.(Association of Soft Furnishers )(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Trade body, Association of Soft Furnishers (ASF), will be launched at the Soft show at the NEC from 21-24 January 2007. ASF will focus on soft furnishing issues and provide help and solutions for practitioners. Membership will comprise curtain...

IN BRIEF: Costly red tape.
October 6, 2006... Employment laws have cost UK business some #37bn since 1998 according to a CBI report. The CBI has called on the Government to a tackle the complexity and number of regulations imposed on firms. Just 2% of firms believe the Government will...

IN BRIEF: Fast pay-off.(consumers paid off credit card debt at the fastest pace )(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... UK consumers paid off credit card debt at the fastest pace for 20 years during August - creating the first overall net repayment in 12 years. The difference between repayments and credit card spending was some #311m - the largest drop since the...

IN BRIEF: Trade body moves.
October 6, 2006... British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has moved from London to Wycombe House, 9 Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 6NR, tel: 01494 523 021, fax: 01494 474 270. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

No guarantees.(Poliform UK's retail manager Paul Hendy talks about internet sales)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Paul Hendy, Poliform UK retail manager in London is critical of some Internet sales because of the lack of aftersales service. Poliform offers a fully guaranteed service and if anything goes wrong it can rectify the problem. `A lot of...

Tactile times.(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... A design-led furniture showroom has opened in Exeter. Tactile Living has secured regional distributor rights for a range of brands, including B&B Italia, Vitra, Maxalto and Herman Miller office furniture. Owner Stuart Nicholls is keen to look...

Etailers set to scoop Xmas sales.
October 6, 2006... Consumer visits to retail websites will increase by 8% this Christmas, fuelling fears of low footfall in bricks and mortar stores over the festive season. The claim was made by online intelligence service Hitwise UK which has analysed data...

Road revision leaves FV store marooned.
October 6, 2006... Furniture Village demands council consultation over possible loss of customers in Reading traffic scheme Furniture Village fears the future of one of its stores is in jeopardy because of proposals to change an existing two-way street into...

BhS pays for errors.(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... BhS has suffered a 60% fall in annual profits. Pre-tax profits fell for the second year running, down to #42.2m last year from #106.7m in 2004- 05. Philip Green, owner, blamed poor sales on mistakes with its womenswear and furniture...

The long and short of it.(designer, Matthew Hilton won the best furniture award)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... An extending table by Matthew Hilton won the Best In Furniture award at the Elle Decoration Design Awards 2006 last week. The Cross table is made from a solid oak base with a veneered top and has two extendable leaves. The table now qualifies...

Scots top for store service.(survay)(Survey)(Brief article)
October 6, 2006... Mystery shoppers name and shame in UK regional rankings Scottish retailers offer the highest standards of customer service, according to a survey conducted by mystery shopping company Retail Eyes. The lowest standards were recorded by...

Letters: Fault liability rests with the retailer.(Letter to the editor)
October 6, 2006... I see that the manufacturer versus retailer debate about where the responsibility lies when things go wrong (CM, 22 Sept, p8) continues to engage the industry. This is one of the most frequent sources of confusion and a question that...

Talk: When do you start thinking about January sales?
October 6, 2006... `Probably about now, actually! Because of thinking of mid-season promotions and having prices back to full price to establish them for the January sales, I'd say around September. We start making promotions summaries; working out prices we're...

CM COMMENT - Leader: Internet opportunity or opposition?
October 6, 2006... According to Internet analyst Hitwise UK, the number of visits to retail websites will grow by 8% this Christmas. Given that there are millions of Internet users in the UK, this represents a frightening statistic for those hoping to draw higher...

CM COMMENT - Views by Emma Delea.(new regulations in furniture industry for children's safety)(Viewpoint essay)
October 6, 2006... A Government advertising campaign has accompanied the new regulations governing the use of child car seats. Coverage across the Press, radio and online has stressed that children must use booster seats or booster cushions until they are 1.35cm...

ANALYSIS: Sales rising for a fall.(financial report)(Financial report)
October 6, 2006... Retailers report rising sales of carpets and furniture on the strength of a buoyant housing market, but is this optimism justified asks Deven Pamben Amid talk of tough trading conditions and businesses struggling with slow sales,...

SHOP WINDOW - Chairs: Musikzimmer Purkersdorf.
October 6, 2006... From Wittman is the Musikzimmer Purkersdorf (Purkersdorf Music Room), a reinterpretation of Josef Hoffman's cube-like armchair which is typical of his designs from 1900-1910. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: How to party tax free.
October 6, 2006... Providing staff Christmas parties can leave a nasty hangover for employers the morning after, in the form of a tax bill, as Mark Seaden explains As many employers make preparations for their Christmas party, it is worth remembering that...

STORE MANAGER: What happens if there's more than one party?
October 6, 2006... The exemption regarding annual parties allows employers to provide more than one party and each will be exempt if the combined cost does not exceed #150. Where one, or more, event takes the total above this limit, only those parties which take...

INTERVIEW - EMANUELE BUSNELLI: Brand leader.
October 6, 2006... By adding Moooi products to its stable, B&B Italia is hoping to instill younger customers with a lifetime habit of quality design, as Helen Parton discovers It's 40 years since the birth of B&B Italia, which remains one of the most eminent...

B&B Italia - Key dates.
October 6, 2006... 1966 Company founded by Piero Ambrognio Busnelli and Cesare Cassina as C&B Italia, based near Milan. 1973 Cassina departs the company, which subsequently becomes known as B&B Italia. 1975 Maxalto brand established, named after the...

LIVING ROOM - Perfect proportions.(interior designer, Helen Green's furniture collection)
October 6, 2006... Interior designer Helen Green has debuted her furniture collection, which brings a little bit of Hollywood to the living room, reports Rachel Calton Helen Green had been an interior designer for 15 years before deciding to launch her own...

SHOW REVIEW - SPOGA: Shades of inspiration.
October 6, 2006... Outdoor furniture was again centre stage at Spoga, where being bold was vital to stand out If it was next season's outdoor furniture you were in search of, Cologne was the place to be from 3-5 September for Spoga, the annual gathering of...

Spoga - Fact file.
October 6, 2006... What: Spoga - International Trade Fair for Sport, Camping and Garden Lifestyle When: 3-5 September Where: Cologne, Germany Who showed: 2,456 exhibitors from 64 countries (including biennial garden exhibition Gafa) Who came:...

RETAIL INTELLIGENCE - August trading.(financial report)(Financial report)
October 6, 2006... After the upturn in trading seen in July, the important question for retailers was would the improved performance continue into August? The answer was categorically yes. Compared with July 2006, some 51% of retailers reported an increase...

CM OFFCUTS - Driving events, but not golf balls.
October 6, 2006... Nick Coffey is event manager on CMP's The Interiors Event How did you get involved in the furniture industry? Like many people I arrived in a roundabout way. I had previously been working for Bacardi/Martini selling rum and alcopops to...

CM OFFCUTS - Only for show.
October 6, 2006... David East of Daman Interiors sent Cabinet Maker this informative list, which decodes all the jargon you might have heard from the organisers and suppliers at many a trade show. The source of this handy guide is anonymous, but apparently well...

FX franchisees want out.
October 13, 2006... Furniture Express franchisees offer to buy their way out of their contracts as the retail furniture chain goes into administration for the second time Two thirds of Furniture Express (FX) franchisees want to buy out of their contracts...

Diary of failure, rescue and name changes.
October 13, 2006... June 2004: The ill-fated Liverpool distribution centre closes. September 2005: DP Furniture Express replaces Liverpool distribution with a 50,000sqft centre and new-concept store in Gateshead. October 2005: The company goes into...

September sales slump.
October 13, 2006... Sales of furniture have shown their worst performance for 15 months with trade largely discount driven as personal debt continues to prevent consumers purchasing big ticket items. Although many furniture stores have seen a fall in sales,...

Online Ikea on hold.(IKEA UK Ltd.'s online store )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... As its first town centre store is about to open, the retail giant announces its online sales won't go live until spring Ikea's online store has been delayed as it needs more time to get the formula right, said Peter H+gsted, UK md. The...

Online advertising set to overtake traditional media.(markets)(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Online advertising will overtake the TV market in four years, according to the chief executive of the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB). Guy Philipson said the Internet market will be worth #2bn by the end of this year. This is...

Deadline for Matalan takeover.
October 13, 2006... As Cabinet Maker went to press John Hargreaves, Matalan chairman faced a Wednesday, 11 October deadline to put together an #800m offer for the budget homewares retailer. Under takeover rules Hargreaves, who already owns more than half of...

In brief: Gold for Hypnos.(Gold Award from Associated Independent Stores )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Hypnos has won the Gold Award for service and product quality at the Associated Independent Stores (AIS) awards for the third year running. The awards recognise the suppliers of the 275 independent department stores and specialist retailers in...

In brief: More visitors.(Maison & Objet )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... International visitors to French homewares event Maison & Objet rose 11% year on year for the September show. More than 25,000 of the 67,000 visitors hailed from overseas - an overall increase of 4%. British buyers made the trip to Paris in...

In brief: Design talk.
October 13, 2006... The Cluster Conference, a design and innovation event, takes place on 18 October at the International Conference Centre, Birmingham. It will explore Design, creativity and innovation; Innovation in materials for new markets; Designing demand;...

In brief: BhS.
October 13, 2006... In last week's `BhS pays for errors' story (CM, 6 Oct, p6), Sir Philip Green, owner, was quoted as saying that poor sales were a result of mistakes on womenswear and furniture. We are happy to point out that he did not cite furniture as...

Retailers worry as footfall drops.
October 13, 2006... Consumers pay credit card bills rather than spend Retailers are witnessing a serious decline in shopper numbers with a 7.6% dive in customers for the final week in September compared to last year. There has been a week-on-week rise for...

All sorts of designs.
October 13, 2006... Movisi has launched its online store offering lightweight and flexible furniture. www.movisi.com will begin by selling Q-Couch and Play pieces. Designed by Frederick Van Heereveld, the modular Q-Couch (pictured) can be arranged in various...

Website names expensive helplines.
October 13, 2006... Argos, Next and ScS Sofas are just some of the furnishings and furniture retailers with expensive customer service lines, according to an anti-premium numbers website. www.saynoto0870.com revealed that Argos Direct has 0870 numbers for its...

City: Stabilised market lifts Kingfisher.(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Walker Greenbank back in profit and autumn recovery for Nobia Kingfisher unexpectedly gained 16p, setting a 2006 high, following a cosy dinner party for institutional investors and Ian Cheshire, B&Q chief executive. The investors...

New Heights' evolution plans.
October 13, 2006... New Heights/Sofa Workshop joint stores are for the future The development of New Heights and Sofa Workshop will be `an evolution rather than a revolution', according to Toby Ash, New Heights co- director. New Heights acquired Sofa...

LoL promises expansion.(Land of Leather)(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... The chart shows how Land of Leather has exceeded the promise of July 2005, when the company floated at a reasonable 149p a share. Following a change to its financial year-end, last week's figures for the 69 weeks to 30 July lifted the shares...

Finding sofas.(ScS launched website www.scssofas.co.uk )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... ScS launched website www.scssofas.co.uk on Monday, featuring product information and interior design advice. Users can view more than 200 sofas and access information about pricing, sizes and colour options. There is also a `Perfect Fit'...

Red tape stops retailer growth.
October 13, 2006... Age discrimination rule adds final hurdle to legislation-heavy year, says report Red tape is hampering business growth and is a major burden to retailers, claims a new survey. Some 71% of major retailers surveyed by law firm Eversheds...

Fair trade.(Luma )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Luma has launched the UK's first collection of organic and ethically- made bedlinen and accessories. Its bedlinen producer in India is a fair trade partner with Oxfam and Greenpeace while its supplier in Peru has just received fair trade...

New head to promote WMC.
October 13, 2006... The World Market Center (WMC) in Las Vegas has appointed Harvey Dondero as chief executive as it starts building its third home furnishing campus. The news came as the furniture show also launched its `Not Just Market, Las Vegas Market'...

Talk: Are women struggling to break into boardroom as store managers?
October 13, 2006... `I don't believe there is as much sexism these days. I would always give someone a job on merit.' Stephen Oliver, Wychcraft Furniture Company owner, North Shields, Tyne and Wear `I run our business with my wife. Nowadays I think it is...

CM COMMENT: Leader - Selling the idea of UK talent.(manufacturing)(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... UK manufacturing has taken its fair share of knocks in recent years, and not just in furniture. It has reached the stage where many claim the UK's future lies not in making things, but in selling or servicing them. Retail would certainly...

CM COMMENT: Views By Mike Clare.(British Furniture Confederation )(Brief article)(Column)
October 13, 2006... In response to the news story about the rise in furniture complaints where the British Furniture Confederation said that instead of having a `dismissive attitude' complaints have to be `jumped on and taken seriously' (CM, 29 Sept p3), for...

ANALYSIS: Where next for production?(labor market in Asia)
October 13, 2006... Will rising labour costs overseas restore the UK's competitive edge or will manufacturers merely move elsewhere? Deven Pamben looks at the facts Manufacturers and retailers have rushed to do business in countries such as China and India...

ANALYSIS: Rising to the challenge?
October 13, 2006... Sofa Workshop fits well with its new owner's brand, but has New Heights underestimated the price-led upholstery sector, asks Eleanor Goodman New Heights has said it will make its new acquisition, ex-MFI subsidiary Sofa Workshop into the...

SHOP WINDOW - Dining: New Leaf Furniture Makers.
October 13, 2006... New Leaf Furniture Makers' large Water Lily circular table is in American black walnut and seats six. Inspired by botanical forms of the Art Nouveau movement, its three steam-bent, semi-circular curves are a contemporary take on the traditional...

SHOP WINDOW - Dining: Rolf Benz.(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Designed by Norbert Beck for Rolf Benz, the 8850 is available with a fixed or expandable top. The legs of the expanding model pull out as well to retain the table's proportions. It is available in three lengths with the top in a choice of oak...

SHOP WINDOW - Dining: YP Furniture.
October 13, 2006... YP Furniture has enhanced its Pavilion range with a glass-topped dining table, featuring tempered, tinted glass and a strong cross-shaped underframe made from solid oak. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

STORE MANAGER: Myths about safety.
October 13, 2006... Many companies think they know health and safety procedures but as Paul Burnley and Stuart Ponting explain, they are often far from accurate Health and safety continues to make the headlines with multimillion pound fines being handed out...

INTERVIEW - NAOTO FUKASAWA: Designs on life.
October 13, 2006... Much in demand designer Naoto Fukasawa manages to link technology and furniture and the need for commerciality, as Helen Parton discovers Naoto Fukasawa is not your typical big name furniture guy. The showmanlike, reinventing-the-wheel...

UPHOLSTERY - SPAIN: Modern heroes.
October 13, 2006... Spanish upholstery design has switched firmly from classic to modern in recent years. Andrew Kidd examines some of the best creations on offer Think Spain and what is the first thing that comes to mind. Bullfighting, sangria, tapas?...

DESIGN - JOHN HUTTON: Man of the people.
October 13, 2006... Stephanie Baum pays tribute to American designer John Hutton, who brought 18th century French influences to his furniture, lighting and textiles John Hutton, the American designer best known for creating furniture, textiles and lighting...

Firm friends.(John Hutton and his works)(Brief article)(Column)
October 13, 2006... David Sutherland, Sutherland Teak founder, remembers John Hutton My first impressions [of John Hutton] were in 1979 when John and Angelo Donghia showed up at my new showroom in Dallas Texas to introduce John's furniture collection under the...

TRENDS - MARKET EDGE: Journey's blend.
October 13, 2006... Wider travel experience is encouraging consumers to experiment with decorative cultural mixes in their homes, as Jennifer Castoldi reports in her quarterly Market Edge report for Cabinet Maker from Trendease DESIGNING WITH THE WORLD ...

SHOW REVIEW - DECOSIT: Bling-a-ding-ding.
October 13, 2006... Colour and innovation ruled as Brussels showed off its textiles. Richard de Melim looks at the trends from nature to glamour When people talk down the West's collective ability to sustain its manufacturing economies, the success of the...

Theme for the future.(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... New looks in fabric designs were exhibited within the Decotec satellite show which was broken down into a number of different sections. Besides the fabrics pictured here, many others were shown within a themed format. To get a fuller flavour of...

SHOW REVIEW - PROMOSEDIA: Progress report.(Calligaris )(Brief article)
October 13, 2006... Italian chair designers had the stage to themselves at Promosedia, but the manufacturing stronghold still rewarded the international crowds Calligaris scored a double at the Top Ten Awards at chair show Promosedia (9-12 September) as the...

SHOW - UPDATE: November diary.
October 13, 2006... The global industry sees visitors choosing from shows in four continents Focus on quality The Ljubljana Furniture Fair, the largest furniture show in Slovenia (6- 12 November) is expected to attract more than 300 exhibitors, up from...

UNDERCOVER SHOPPER - Watford.
October 13, 2006... Five stores are visited every month to check service. This month we look at Watford Watford is drab, concrete and suburban. Its attractive town hall is situated on the edge of a busy road at the end of shopping street, The Parade, so it...

MARKET - REVIEW: Red is for danger.(Woolworths Ltd. introduced The Big Red Book)
October 13, 2006... Woolworths may have expanded its online offering ahead of the launch of The Big Red Book, but Eleanor Goodman finds it's a visual distraction Woolworths proudly claims it has expanded its online offer ahead of the launch of its mail order...

CM OFFCUTS: Brand maker whobuilds on trust.
October 13, 2006... Andreas Lechner is head of marketing at Rolf Benz How did you get started in the business? I started in the fashion business after my studies, working with Hugo Boss for three years in southern Germany, granting licences. After that I...

CM OFFCUTS: Charity champions.
October 13, 2006... It was birdies and bogeys all round at the Furnishing Trades' Benevolent Association (FTBA) National Golf Championships, which took place at the De Vere Belfry in Sutton Coldfield last month. Roger Drew of Multibends was the proud champion,...

Commitment to invest in MFI.
October 20, 2006... New management vows to build up the business , but says it will take time The new MFI management team has ruled out a quick fix and wants to take the business forward sustainably. The company was sold to Merchant Equity Partners for #1....

Dublin Ikea OK'd but appeal looms.
October 20, 2006... Plans for a 330,00sqft Ikea store in north Dublin have been granted but could go to appeal - with the appeals board chairman hitting out against allowing permission for major commercial schemes alongside motorways. The news comes as the...

Code offers shoppers a safety net.(Brief article)
October 20, 2006... The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers has issued a new code of practice. The code aims to reassure consumers that dealing with a subscribing member offers protection and safeguards should things go wrong with their...

Planners are killing small independents.
October 20, 2006... FSB blames town planning systems favouring large supermarkets and retail parks for closures A road in Hull that was once lined with traditional furniture shops has seen five cease trading in a matter of weeks. Included are Kings Beds,...

Call to ease London's delivery restrictions.
October 20, 2006... The London Retail Consortium (LRC) is calling for politicians to reassess the capital's road restrictions. As part of its campaign priorities in 2007, the LRC wants Mayor Ken Livingstone and London boroughs to consider relaxing delivery...

Making a UK entrance.
October 20, 2006... Two European manufacturers have entered the UK market by launching collections of living room furniture. German company, Broecker, produces mid-market and top end furniture, with curved, lacquered, glass and natural wood finishes. It mainly...

In brief: Profitable advice.
October 20, 2006... Lord Kirkham, DFS founder and chairman, spoke of the importance of profit at the inaugural business lunch of The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Speaking to 50 Liverymen and their guests, who included manufacturers and retailers, he...

In brief: Premier kick-off.(Premier Kitchens & Bathrooms relocates)(Brief article)
October 20, 2006... Premier Kitchens & Bathrooms in Peterborough has relocated to the city's Hampton area. The new, larger premises house a showroom, office and warehousing facilities. The showroom contains 24 new kitchen ranges and 10 bedroom displays...