Big Furniture Group

📕 Big Furniture Group Magazine November 2024 now live 📕 This month recaps recent industry shows including the Bed Show, Long Point and the Autumn Furniture Show. Our Cover Star heaped praise on their attendance at the Bed Show, while also being named ‘Bed Manufacturer of the Year’. We spoke with Harrison Spinks on the award as well as a deeper dive with Jon Varley, UK National Sales Manager, who took our latest Big Interview and talks about how rewarding the industry can be, his admiration for Peter Spinks and why discounting needs to be transparent and fair for customers. From one award winner to another, Adjust A Bed picked up the accolade of ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the Autumn Furniture Show. We got the low down on their reaction. In keeping with beds, GNG Group Ltd shared their post-Bed Show thoughts, while Sleepeezee continued their centenary celebrations. We also caught up with Ercol Furniture Ltd on their first branded store opening, Caffreys Furniture on continued investments and why using FurnitureTexts can boost sales during promotional periods. Gallery Direct Ltd return with mirrors, while Sofa Connections Limited talk about its expansion journey with the appointment of two trusted and respected agents in the industry. With agents in mind, we meet James Gledhill, who shares an insight into building relationships, how the pace of change can be challenging and why agents need more recognition. Shifting attention to sustainability, Purman Recycling continues the conversation on turning waste into designer furniture, Silentnight Group looks at how businesses can improve manufacturing and recycling processes, and Jodi Skelton, owner and director at retailer Uneeka and wholesaler Ancient Mariner Furniture, shares an insight into their unique story and why ‘a lifestyle made fair’ is deep within its ethos. As for the other regulars, DFS features in our latest Retail Focus, JYSK goes under the Green Retail spotlight and The Bed Expert, along with Letters from China and Vietnam, return for more industry insight. The edition also features Purecare® Home’s take on pillows, while Prodoto Commercial Photographic Studios Ltd. debates the differences between photography and CGI. FurnitureBooks talks about how RetailSystem.com integrates directly with QuickBooks online, meanwhile we explore more about FurnitureBrochure and how it’s an industry game-changer. Trying to also change a perception in the industry is WEBS Training Ltd as they talk about #apprenticeships and how the stigma remains unchanged. To wrap things up, Furniture And Choice shares its latest on-trend styles and interior looks currently inspiring furniture buyers, while Furniture Sales Solutions talks about emotive language and we get an early insight on the upcoming January Furniture Show 2025. Read it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eraRKW_A #magazine #furniture #furnishings #news #manufacturing #retail #sustainability #interview #insight

Entries open for BFM Future of Furniture Awards 2025 Phil Spademan, MD of the British Furniture Manufacturers, said: “We’ve been delighted with the response and quality of entries from across the industry to the Future of Furniture awards since their launch. “It’s now time to champion our winners for 2025 and we hope to see BFM member companies enter as many categories as they wish, and see their achievements recognised. “The four accolades highlight the value and variety of careers within the industry, as well as showcasing the steps being taken to support a greener approach in business." https://lnkd.in/eFrZNwsS #bfm #furniture #awards #furnishings #FutureOfFurniture Nick Garratt Sarah Green - Head of Event Sales

Licensing agreement signed with Next for Sosandar homewares range Ali Hall and Julie Lavington, Co-CEOs commented: “It is a proud moment for the Sosandar brand to be licensing through NEXT, a testament to the strength of what we have built. This is a fantastic opportunity to leverage our brand equity and extend the success Sosandar has had through third party partnerships with little risk and no capital expenditure." https://lnkd.in/eRkUeuhK #licence #retail #homeware #furnishings #furniture #next #sosandar

UK sales flat at kitchen furniture group Nobia as transformation continues Kristoffer Ljungfelt, President & CEO, commented on the UK: "“Total net sales in the UK remained flat compared to last year, despite a substantial decline in volume due to weaker trade and project sales. Growth in consumer sales was not enough to compensate for the loss in volume, which resulted in under absorption in our supply chain. "Gross margin fell in the quarter due to lower volumes and lower average order values in the consumer channel. To improve gross margins, we are adjusting our product offering to strengthen average order values. The cost reduction initiatives implemented earlier in the year generated savings according to plan." https://lnkd.in/eZB_G4HN #kitchen #furniture #furnishings #manufacturing #magnet #nobia #sales #update Magnet

Furniture specialist offers NHS-award winning mattresses Tom Powell, Co-founder of the Bristol-based chair and bed specialists, Oak Tree Mobility said: “We’re proud to be the UK’s first and only direct mobility furniture supplier to offer Mammoth’s foam mattresses. "Like with all of our beds, chairs and bath lifts, customers will have the opportunity to try our Mammoth Medical Grade™️ foam mattress with our free home appointment service.” https://lnkd.in/e5H6z5gS #furniture #furnishings #oaktree #mobility #mammoth #mattress #nhs #products John (J.T) Tuton Dr Nerina Ramlakhan Samantha Shann

Devonshire appoints new Area Manager Commenting on the appointment, Gemma Spry, Marketing Executive at Devonshire Living, said: “We are excited to announce the appointment of Anthony Palmer as Area Manager for the South of England. “Anthony joins us off the back of a successful tenure with Kettle Interiors/Home, and so is in the unique position to help support any of our current and new customers. We are looking forward to welcoming Anthony to our team.” https://lnkd.in/eqbK_JbN #devonshire #furniture #furnishings #manager #appointment Nicolle Hockin

Furniture store card spending slightly down in October 2024 Consumer card spending in furniture stores fell during October when compared to last year, says new data from Barclays. https://lnkd.in/eux2nB6t #furniture #furnishings #card #spending #retail

Furnishings group confirms senior appointments in the UK and USA Lisa Montague, Chief Executive Officer of Sanderson Design Group plc., commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Tim and Scott to Sanderson Design Group. Tim has joined the Company at a very important time for our manufacturing operations owing to the opportunities created by the digitalisation of printing processes." https://lnkd.in/ejVujPss #furnishings #sanderson #design #senior #appointments #interiors

Agent law seminar: Answers and directions at a time of uncertainty Fox Williams is inviting you to their annual agent law seminar on Thursday 28 November 2024 which will be held in-person at their offices at 10 Finsbury Square in London. https://lnkd.in/e3A85n4k #agent #law #agentlaw #seminar #free #furniture #furnishings #industry Stephen Sidkin Phyllis Acheampong Veronique Bergau Ashkon Camyab

External disruption impacts sales and profit at flooring supplier “The year have seen a lot of disruption from external factors, which have led to inflationary pressures, high inflation rates, and ultimately impacting the cost of living crisis in the majority of Global Markets. The biggest impact has been experienced in our export market reporting a fall in turnover of £4m." https://lnkd.in/efbs7QaB #flooring #supplier #trading #update #havwoods