Cabinet Maker articles from October 2007

Cabinet Maker archives from October 2007

Call to audit leather imports.
October 5, 2007... With the number of complaints about leather furniture increasing, checks on goods and quality marks to reassure consumers are being proposed Complaints about leather furniture are set to see another year on year increase. Customer...

ASA raps MFI advert.
October 5, 2007... MFI has withdrawn one of its TV advertisements after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it could have been seen to be condoning `domestic violence and aggression'. The ASA investigated five TV advertisements for MFI kitchens,...

Navigating print and online channels.(And So To Bed launched a brochure and website enhanced)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... And So To Bed has launched a 109-page brochure and enhanced its website. The brochure features a range of handmade beds in wood, veneers and paint finishes, including the Tiger Lily. Navigation has been improved on the redesigned website,...

LoL enjoys a lift in sofa market while profit drops at rival ScS.(Land of Leather)(Financial report)
October 5, 2007... LoL meets the challenges of a tough market but ScS results tell a different story Two major players in the sofa market have experienced differing fortunes. Land of Leather (LoL) said its store opening programme was providing the firm...

Strong result for Tesco furniture.
October 5, 2007... Non-food sales, which includes furniture, rose by 9.9% to #3.9bn at supermarket giant Tesco in the 26 weeks to 25 August. Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive said its online service Tesco Direct was `trading well'. Entertainment sales...

IN BRIEF: Mediation talk.(Anti-copying in Design partners with Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Anti-copying in Design (ACID) has teamed up with Europe's leading mediation service provider CEDR to stage an intellectual property conference looking at the benefits of mediation in disputes. There will be two case studies - one looking at...

IN BRIEF: Ombudsman Council.
October 5, 2007... Roger Blaney, Associated Independent Stores marketing and management information systems director has been appointed to the Furniture Ombudsman Council. Blaney has worked in the furniture and furnishings industry since 1985 when he joined Stag...

IN BRIEF: Salary costs.
October 5, 2007... Retailers fear the true cost of the 3% rise in the National Minimum Wage (NMW). From 1 October, workers aged 22 or over receive #5.52 per hour. The British Retail Consortium's annual NMW survey found that last year's increase cost retailers...

IN BRIEF: Sales picture.
October 5, 2007... The British Shops and Stores Association wants input from independent non-food retailers for its first quarterly sales monitor which will paint an accurate picture of consumer spending and retail performance by sector and region. The deadline...

Dizzy heights.(Prestigious Textiles introduced products)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Prestigious Textiles has opted for a bright and bold look with its Vertigo collection of six prints. Using a 100% cotton panama base fabric, products include curtains, blinds, cushions and accessories. The Bradford company has produced the...

LEGALS: Liquidator appointments.
October 5, 2007... Velocity 328 Ltd, retailer. Co no: 01866385. Liquidator: Peter Engel, Oakfield House, Clifton, Bristol. Appointed: 18 September. Nomolos Trading Ltd, supplier. Co no: 01183160. Liquidator: Geoffrey Kirk, Geoffrey Kirk, Plymouth. Appointed:...

LEGALS: Final meetings.
October 5, 2007... Wirral Furniture Ltd, Manchester. Co no: 05325287. Venue: Tomlinsons, St John's Court, Gartside Street, Manchester, 14 November, 10.15am. Tel: 0870 60 70 170. Elite Beds (of Batley) Ltd, Batley, West Yorkshire. Co no: 03414316. Venue:...

Retailers lead on lighting switch.
October 5, 2007... Timetable set for phasing out high energy bulbs Retailers could remove all high energy light bulbs from sale from as early as January. The Government and UK retailers came to a voluntary agreement last week which could mean 150W bulbs...

Zara Home moves products online.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Zara Home has started selling products online in 13 European countries including the UK. As many as 2,000 products, from its Zara Home and Zara Home Kids collections, will be available online from this week, at the same prices as found...

Sales roar back.(Survey)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Furniture tops September retail growth Furniture and carpet sales saw massive growth in September as consumers spent cash on redecorating their homes rather than moving. These are the findings from the CBI's monthly Distributive Trades...

Visual aid.(Optimum International)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Audio visual furniture specialist Optimum International has introduced a range of cantilever style stands for LCD and plasma screens. The Elmob range features four contemporary TV stands in high gloss black aluminium and high gloss black safety...

VIEWS: Simon Briault.(small scale bank industries are developing)
October 5, 2007... Whatever line of work you're in and whatever your turnover, if you're a small business owner you'll need a bank account. The big four banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group) know this and they make a tidy profit...

TALK: B&Q is trying to be female friendly - is your store?
October 5, 2007... `Yes, I have a section for ladies where I sell bags and jewellery. We are only a small shop so I do try to attract females into the store by selling things such as perfume bottles as well as furniture and soft furnishings. To be honest, it's...

LEADER: Marketing a way through tough times for retailers.
October 5, 2007... There were bouquets and brickbats as Land of Leather and ScS released trading updates in the past week. LoL, buoyed by an aggressive store opening and marketing campaign, has seen rises in like-for-like sales, overall turnover and profits,...

ANALYSIS: Watching the watchdog.(credit arrangements)(Financial Ombudsman Service)
October 5, 2007... An unintended consequence of the change in regulation around the FOS means retailers can be held to ransom by unscrupulous consumers The much-vaunted reform of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) that took effect on 6 April is leaving...

ANALYSIS: Who is the ombudsman.
October 5, 2007... The ombudsman is an independent consumer watchdog for the sector it covers. The Financial Ombudsman Service was created by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and it considers independently - free of charge - complaints about...

ANALYSIS: Flying Colours.(B and Q PLC makes a boom with new look)
October 5, 2007... New store formats and an expanded product range in line with consumers' higher style expectations is paying dividends at B&Q, reports Deven Pamben Moves by B&Q to change its image appear to be paying off. Despite a poor British summer...

STORE MANAGER: New laws on the line.(United Kingdom. Companies Act 2006 reformed)
October 5, 2007... There are several sets of regulations and laws that are due to come into place this year which will impact on businesses, as John Davies explains Just before Parliament packed up for the summer recess, the new Prime Minister broke with...

STORE MANAGER: Corporate manslaughter legislation.(new law for employers to safeguard employees)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A measure that has finally reached the statute book after many years of discussion and argument is the new legislation on corporate manslaughter. The aim is to make it more likely that companies and public authorities can be successfully...

SHOP WINDOW - CHAIRS: Matteograssi.
October 5, 2007... Matteograssi's Arete, designed by Franco Poli, uses the coach hide material found in its Loomy and T Net screens and partitions, and is available in 60cm and 72cm widths. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW - CHAIRS: Stua.
October 5, 2007... Stua's Onda stool has an extra soft rubber skin for extra comfort. The seat moulds following the contours of the sitter and provides lumbar support by hugging the lower back. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

INTERVIEW - IAN OLIVER: Ethos of change.(marketing strategy of G Plan)
October 5, 2007... G Plan has extended its offering with a new brand aimed at a younger market. Ian Oliver tells Rachel Calton why and how it came about The G Plan brand enjoys a strong reputation in the UK upholstery market. When it came to extending its...

RETAIL - WEYLANDTS: Traveller's collection.
October 5, 2007... South African retailer Chris Weylandt believes that being true to a unique merchandising style will win through in the end, as Alison Gay reports Furniture retailer Chris Weylandt has taken it on his shoulders to educate the South African...

RETAIL - WEYLANDTS: How to get your name in lights.(publicity for companies)
October 5, 2007... Want to get publicity for your business? Here's how to get into the pages of the local Press and lifestyle magazines. Be newsworthy. What's new about your business? If you're opening a new store in January, then let the Press know before...

MARKET DATA: A slice of the action.
October 5, 2007... Retail Intelligence: homewares Supermarkets are moving in on specialist stores to grab a share of the furniture and textiles market With new ranges and listings, furniture products are being increasingly represented in high street...

MARKETING - BRANDS: Objects of desire.
October 5, 2007... The role of advertising in creating a brand was highlighted in a previous feature, but Paul Endersby argues that huge expenditure is not essential Brand: It's a small word, but one that holds big meaning. For some, reaching `brand' status...

CM OFFCUTS: Green crusader with no time for small talk.(interview of John Woodruffe employee of HJ Berry )(Interview)
October 5, 2007... John Woodruffe is md of manufacturer HJ Berry in Preston How did you get into the industry? While working for The Manufacturing Institute helping companies implement lean manufacture, I had an association with HJ Berry. What does...

CM OFFCUTS: Picture your personality.(DNA Art used as a wall painting in home)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Have you ever wanted something in your home that shows your individuality, but just can't find that special something to prove your worth to your friends? Hunt no longer - hang a portrait of your DNA on your wall. DNA Art has come to...

CM OFFCUTS: In the hot seat.(new cahir designed to check who sat on your seat)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... How can you tell who last sat on your seat? Check out the bum imprint of course. Designers Erin Hayne and Nuno Goncalves Ferreira of the Visual Reference Studio have created seats that detect heat and change colour. Much like the...

Pine firm threatens legal action.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Customers of former pine and oak supplier Sibex are being threatened with legal action. The business, which was based in the Czech Republic, went into liquidation in June after failing to secure funding (CM, 22 June, p3). Sibex, now...

China will `solve' furniture problems.
October 12, 2007... MP gets agreement from Chinese government to investigate dangerous products entering the UK Madeleine Moon, MP for Bridgend has won a significant concession from high ranking Chinese authorities to investigate the problem of dangerous...

Flatpack homes for sale.
October 12, 2007... Crowds flocked to Ikea's Gateshead store to snap up the UK's first flatpack homes. Some 1,000 people gathered information on the BoKlok development at St James Village in Gateshead. The homes are being built in response to the lack of...

One Red Sky calls it a day.
October 12, 2007... Failure to find a business partner forces owner to close retail firm Multichannel furniture retailer One Red Sky will cease trading in the next few weeks after failing to find a suitable buyer. Michelle Thomas, md has headed the firm...

Cold weather makes sales feel the pinch.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Furniture and homeware sales fell in September as colder weather and high interest rates hit consumers. The British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG monthly Retail Sales Monitor showed `furniture and large homewares were weaker' than other...

Bedding in.
October 12, 2007... Independent furniture retailer Clement Joscelyne is to open a 1,200sqft Hastens concession at its flagship Bishops Stortford store. The specially designed area will enable customers to `test drive' eight beds from the exclusive range including...

IN BRIEF: Luxury spend leap.
October 12, 2007... Verdict Research predicts the growth in luxury goods bought through retailers, such as fashion, clothing, jewellery and homewares, will more than double over the next five years. Its Global Luxury Retailing 2007 report said that as consumers in...

IN BRIEF: Interiors information.
October 12, 2007... At next year's Interiors Birmingham event, interactive `Source Pods' will provide information on trends and influences within the industry. Divided into four key areas - Design, Make, World and Life - they will help to support the furniture,...

IN BRIEF: Lifestyle advances.
October 12, 2007... Danny Scaunish, Lifestyle Enterprise president in Australia and New Zealand has become an investor in the contemporary furniture supplier as it looks to bolster its presence in the southern hemisphere. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Las Vegas promotion.
October 12, 2007... Tim Branscome has been promoted to vice president of World Market Center, with responsibility for international business. Branscome has been charged with developing strategic partnerships with major European trade fairs, international trade...

Independents bid to reclaim cities.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Councils need to harness their local identity to reverse high street cloning trend, says report The British high street is breaking free from the domination of the chain store and using local businesses to attract visitors. Cities had...

Competitors sink Cork retailer.
October 12, 2007... Cork retailer Munster Furniture is to close after 62 years of trading because of increasing competition from a large number of British and non-Irish chains. The 20,000sqft retailer is one of the largest furniture stores in the south west...

City: Laura Ashley aims high.(Laura Ashley Holdings PLC)(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... It's been a bumpy ride for some but the FTSE looks back on track Following Laura Ashley's reassuring interim figures last month and bullish predictions from David Cook, finance director, the company gained 3p to 27p on further...

September prices dip.
October 12, 2007... Discounts are still the main driver for sales of furniture For a fourth consecutive month furniture and floorcovering prices have dropped from the same time a year ago. September's prices were 0.6% lower than the same month in 2006 and...

Credit firm saved.
October 12, 2007... Matt E-Commerce Solutions has bought online finance company Creditenabler Ltd out of administration. Creditenabler, which traded as able2buy in Manchester, went into administration on 11 September. It provides financial services for...

Galiform's six-month slide.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Following the disposal of MFI Retail in September 2006, shares in the Howden Joinery business, renamed Galiform, began trading at 100p and climbed steadily to April's 168p high. The slide began with profit- taking, and continued in June and...

Letter - Wanted: ideas for waste disposal.
October 12, 2007... In common with furniture retailers everywhere, we amass an enormous amount of waste cardboard during the course of a working week. We are an independent retailer with two showrooms, which both have a floorspace of about 50,000sqft, together...

Wage gulf grows.(British Shops and Stores Association)(British Retail Consortium)(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Independents prepared to pay for quality staff The British Shops and Stores Association (bssa) and British Retail Consortium (BRC) have clashed over pay after the new minimum wage rates came in force on 1 October. The BRC and larger...

Views by Shaun Davies.
October 12, 2007... I walked round Harveys last week and noticed the large number of displays promoting its recent sponsorship of Coronation Street. There was also a competition to win a trip to the Street itself. Harveys' success with this project highlights...

Talk - Do you need to pay more than national retailers to retain staff?
October 12, 2007... `In order to keep good members of staff we need to pay them well because they will go elsewhere if we don't. Plus we want to keep our staff because we invest in them with training and such like. We are able to retain our staff because we pay...

CM COMMENT: Leader - Why local stores are needed for local people.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... High street cloning could soon be a thing of the past if local councils listen to the advice of The Work Foundation (see p5) and encourage independent retailers to shape the identity of town centres in Britain. The Work Foundation's paper,...

ANALYSIS: Rates, roads and rail.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... The Liberal Democrats started the ball rolling in Brighton. Many smaller firms were not happy with its proposals for handing back the setting of business rates to local councils rather than being controlled by central Government. The...

ANALYSIS: Business burdens.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... The Tories wound up the party conference season in Blackpool. Alan Duncan, shadow minister for BERR, accused what was formerly known as the DTI of having `failed to speak up for business, failed to oppose needless regulations, and failed to...

ANALYSIS: Enterprise and education concerns.(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Prior to The Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, David Frost, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) director general had urged the Government to stimulate enterprise. John Hutton, Secretary of state for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory...

ANALYSIS: Rental market lifts retail hopes.
October 12, 2007... High interest rates are pushing consumers into renting rather than buying homes which is good news for landlords and furniture retailers Furniture retailers will have been slightly disappointed that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy...

STORE MANAGER: Going by the book.(to manage employee retention)
October 12, 2007... Handling redundancies is a complex process which often involves wrestling with difficult decisions and high emotions, reports Naeema Choudry Here is your guide to the processes employers need to go through to minimise the risk of...

STORE MANAGER: Advice for employees.(www.dti.gov.uk)(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... There is an awful lot that can be said here which space does not permit. So in summary, you are obviously going to want to know what your rights are. The first thing to say is that if you have any doubts take good legal advice - every...

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.
October 12, 2007... The Swedish style round table and four Rosen chairs from Belle Maison feature hand carved detailing. The set, in soft white, is suitable for use in the dining room, conservatory or kitchen. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.
October 12, 2007... Trapeze is the new table from Ligne Roset, designed by Evangelos Vasileiou. It is available with either a fixed or extending top and is made from oiled, varnished solid walnut. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.
October 12, 2007... Luxor table by Fiam, launched at Salone del Mobile in Milan, features in Elle Decoration Collections 2007 magazine as one of the best new dining tables. The tabletop size can be bespoke, and is available in smoked, bronze or black glass. ...

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.(Established & Sons information about product)(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... M5, by design duo Frank for Established & Sons, is strong, visually elegant and simple to manufacture with just three fixed sections - a top and two plug-in leg units. It is made from ply with oak veneer and laminate, and comes painted in...

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.
October 12, 2007... 4 Living launched the Olivia in ivory at Decorex. The dining chair comes in corduroy, faux suede and leather options, with the choice of oiled oak or dark wenge legs. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

SHOP WINDOW: Dining.
October 12, 2007... Gautier's bar table and seating is part of its Cocktails collection, made from MDF and veneered in oak with a wenge finish. The 1m high table top, combined with striking stools, provides a stand out set-up for entertaining friends. ...

DESIGN: WOOD AWARDS - Timber trail.(awards for the best designs)(Palun Heslo)(Jason Heap)(Andrew Trotman)
October 12, 2007... The annual Wood Awards profile the best use of timber in the UK with the winners to be announced next week. We take a look at the contenders in the furniture category Lightbox Bench LOCATION WOKING, SURREY, UK FURNITURE OWNER THE...

REVIEW: DECOSIT - Fabric fashions.
October 12, 2007... Catwalk creations and NASA technology both put their stamp on textiles at the key Brussels show One thing that the Decosit trends forum was unanimous on was the narrowing of the gap between the catwalk and the interiors world. ...

UNDERCOVER SHOPPER: Leamington Spa.(Harveys Furnishing)(Hammonds Furniture Ltd.)(Company overview)
October 12, 2007... Six stores are visited every month to check service. This month we look at: Leamington Spa, originally known as Leamington Priors, was a village until about 1800. Now, Royal Leamington Spa is a medium-sized town in Warwickshire. It...

MARKETING: ONLINE - A taste of what's to come.
October 12, 2007... Peter Carlson Interiors' website offers a stylish preview of its ranges, but a dearth of price and product data could deter shoppers, says Andrew Kidd The www.petercarlson.co.uk website is a very good version of what Peter Carlson...

CM OFFCUTS: Prodigal son comes back on (surf) board.(Dermot McNally employee of McNally & Finlay)(Interview)
October 12, 2007... Dermot McNally is md of supplier Rossmore by McNally & Finlay What's your day to day routine? A one minute commute to work for an 8am start, working till about 6pm. I get a walk in the park some evenings. How did you get into this...

CM OFFCUTS: Delivering the message.
October 12, 2007... Macclesfield furniture store Arighi Bianchi has unveiled a bright pink delivery lorry at the start of a fundraising event in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign which runs in-store until 19 November. Nick Bianchi, director said: `For 150...

CM OFFCUTS: Who's got street credibility?(Harveys Furnishing lainching talent hunt contest to gain good designers)(Brief article)
October 12, 2007... Staying with Coronation Street, to celebrate its sponsorship deal of the soap, Harveys is launching a countrywide search for real life Street namesakes. So if your name is Ken Barlow, Steve McDonald or Vera Duckworth, then Harveys wants to...

Furniture prices probe.
October 19, 2007... Bank of England tries to find out why there is so much fluctuation Industry retailers, manufacturers and importers have been helping the Bank of England investigate why furniture prices fluctuate so dramatically. The Bank questioned...

Industry told to cut its carbon footprint.
October 19, 2007... The furniture industry has been told to reduce harmful gas emissions and its carbon footprint to help avoid a global catastrophe. Delegates at the National Furniture Conference, The ECOnomics of Sustainability, organised by FIRA were told...

Europe backs quality return.
October 19, 2007... Backlash on product recall could turn the tide of Chinese imports The recent raft of Chinese product recalls and defects could open up a resurgence in the European furniture manufacturing sector, according to a leading German furniture...

Ikea bribery pair jailed.
October 19, 2007... Two former Ikea employees have been jailed for accepting #1.3m in bribes. John Brown, a purchaser and Paul Hoult, a sales colleague pleaded guilty to corruption charges at a previous court hearing. Last week, at Birmingham Crown Court,...

Big plans.
October 19, 2007... Arte Espina plans to expand its UK sales by increasing the number of sales outlets by 50%. The Dutch rug manufacturer has more than 500 sales outlets in the UK and aims to grow this number across furniture stores, specialised outlets and...

IN BRIEF: John Lewis clearance.(new facility )(Brief article)
October 19, 2007... John Lewis is set to open its first furniture clearance store in England next month. The 11,000sqft outlet in Swindon's McArthurGlen designer outlet will stock homewares, furniture and electricals. The stock will be mostly returned goods from...

IN BRIEF: Full price promotion.(Brief article)
October 19, 2007... House of Fraser is to reduce its focus on cut-price promotions. As Cabinet Maker went to press senior management were expected to be reviewing plans to include spending more cash to promote full-price products including celebrity endorsements....

IN BRIEF: Postal costs.(Survey)
October 19, 2007... Small businesses hit by the postal strike are now more likely than ever to seek alternatives to Royal Mail, a British Chambers of Commerce survey has revealed. The poll, conducted over the weekend, showed that 55% of small businesses are likely...

IN BRIEF: From BHS to Beales.(Allan Allkins to retire and appointment of Tony Brown)(Brief article)
October 19, 2007... Tony Brown, retail director of high street chain BHS has resigned to lead department store Beales. Since 2001 Brown was responsible for BHS store operations throughout the UK and Ireland. He replaces Allan Allkins, who retires as Beales chief...

Natuzzi set to sign up `big name'.
October 19, 2007... Italian leather sofa giant plans to join forces with a large retailer in a bid to boost sales in the UK Natuzzi is on the verge of signing a deal with a major retailer as the company attempts to grow UK sales. This goes against the...