Monday, August 19, 2019
TOP STORIES
Half-year sofa profits up for Alstons, Ashley Manor owner as sales trend improves
There was an improving sales trend in the second quarter of 2019 for the Thai owner of British sofa makers Ashley Manor, Alexander & James and Alstons, negating weaker first quarter top-line figures.
Multiyork administrator close to resolving claim against foam supplier
Duff & Phelps says "progress has been made" in its bid to claw back cash from a foam supplier for the benefit of creditors of fallen upholstery chain Multiyork.
John Lewis to sell Casper mattress brand in 24 stores and online
Department store retailer John Lewis & Partners has agreed to sell Casper products in its stores and online in the first U.K. retail partnership secured by the American mattress company.
Why highest mattress inflation in three years is slightly misleading
The highest factory gate mattress inflation for nearly three years was the principal reason furniture producer price inflation ticked up in July, according to new Government figures.
Longtime Leeds furniture store director retires
Howard Sudall, store director at renowned Yorkshire furniture store Christopher Pratts, retired earlier this summer after nearly 50 years with the retailer.
Wayfair raises $825m through private convertible bond placing
Home furnishings retailer Wayfair has raised new capital through a private convertible note offering. It says it will use the funds for working capital, capex projects and possibly to fund acquisitions.
Rug supplier gets major third-party logistics boost but Homebase CVA hit sales
One of the U.K.'s biggest rug and floormat suppliers said the downsizing of home improvement chain Homebase had a negative impact on sales last year.
Landmark relocation prefaces property sale for Argos home accents supplier
Melrose Interiors, one of the country's largest independent rug suppliers, closed out a seven-figure property sale this summer after earlier completing a "landmark relocation."
Wood cabinet imports up 5.1% in first half of 2019
Living, dining and bedroom cabinet imports to the U.K. have trended up in mid single-digits in the first half of 2019 driven by shipments from the Far East.
Charity to host Young Furniture Makers exhibition
The Young Furniture Makers exhibition returns to the City of London this October, offering the industry opportunities to connect with a new generation of designer-makers looking to make an impact on the sector.
Why Natuzzi and other global furniture makers might build or buy U.K. factory
Upholstery giant Natuzzi announced a new business plan is on the way to mitigate the impact of tariffs imposed on China-made goods arriving into the U.S.
Long-term mattress import trend under threat in 2019
Mattress imports into the U.K. are barely above year-earlier levels at the half-year stage, threatening a first full year drop in the category for six years.
INTELLIGENCE
Market Data
Detailed market information about each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors at suppliers' prices.
Discover the up-to-date value of:
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UK production
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Imports
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Exports
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Key Trading Partners
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Total UK market size
BEST READ IN THE PAST MONTH
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Senior Airsprung duo became AHF non-execs earlier this spring
Furniture retailer AHF strengthened its board with the appointment of two senior executives from sister company Airsprung earlier this spring.
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Deal value, motive disclosed for Sofa.com takeover by Sports Direct
The price paid and reason behind Sports Direct International's takeover of upholstery vertical Sofa.com has been disclosed for the first time. Neither will surprise many in the furniture trade.
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Furniture giants build wall between themselves and Trump's tariffs
The acquisition of a majority stake in a large Vietnamese case goods factory by Samson Holding was the latest indication of the impact on the global furniture trade President Trump has had since he...
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New customer wins helped bedroom furniture maker counter tough retail market
The Yorkshire group behind the Spaceslide bedroom furniture brand returned to profit at the EBITDA line last year, while entering new sectors helped offset weak retail demand.
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ScS trading well, closes in on 100 stores with planned Scottish expansion
ScS, Britain's number two upholstery retailer, will expand its Scottish footprint later this year as it takes store numbers to three figures. It also said yesterday that it is trading ahead of...
INTELLIGENCE
Retail Sales
Up-to-date monthly UK retail sales data spanning total furniture and lighting sales PLUS detailed breakdowns for each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors.
Proprietary granular data covering:
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UK retail sales value and y/y delta. Monthly and annual
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Breakdown by product category
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Historical data
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Monthly and annual figures
OPINION & ANALYSIS
Why Natuzzi and other global furniture makers might build or buy U.K. factory
Upholstery giant Natuzzi announced a new business plan is on the way to mitigate the impact of tariffs imposed on China-made goods arriving into the U.S.
Furniture giants build wall between themselves and Trump's tariffs
The acquisition of a majority stake in a large Vietnamese case goods factory by Samson Holding was the latest indication of the impact on the global furniture trade President Trump has had since he was sworn into office.
Key takeaways from 2018 U.K. furniture, beds and floorcoverings production data
The release of 2018 manufacturing data across U.K. industry by the Office for National Statistics leaves us with a complete picture of the key furniture and floorcoverings categories when combined with already-known import/export data.
After 30 years, industry braced for change to furniture fire regs
Loved, loathed or tolerated, Britain's furniture fire regulations are some of the most stringent in the world. Introduced in 1988, they are also in need of a serious overhaul.
DATA & LISTS
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Debt Report: Who's owed what by insolvent industry companies — August 16, 2019
Today's list contains six insolvent companies leaving combined debts of c. £1.35 million. Names all c. 25 creditors owed £10,000 or more.
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Insolvency Report: Corporate bankruptcies announced between August 10–16, 2019
Six insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period August 10–16, 2019.
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Debt Report: Who's owed what by insolvent industry companies — August 9, 2019
Today's list contains ten insolvent companies leaving combined debts of c. £2.5 million. Names all c. 35 creditors owed £10,000 or more.
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Insolvency Report: Corporate bankruptcies announced between July 26–August 9, 2019
14 insolvencies from within the furniture and furnishings industry were announced in the period July 26–August 9, 2019.
TOP STORIES
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Half-year sofa profits up for Alstons, Ashley Manor owner as sales trend improves
There was an improving sales trend in the second quarter of 2019 for the Thai owner of British sofa makers Ashley Manor, Alexander & James and Alstons, negating weaker first quarter top-line figures.
-
Multiyork administrator close to resolving claim against foam supplier
Duff & Phelps says "progress has been made" in its bid to claw back cash from a foam supplier for the benefit of creditors of fallen upholstery chain Multiyork.
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AHF expands store footprint with Homebase tie-up
Furniture chain AHF has extended its footprint into southwest England after opening its first two concessions inside home improvement retailer Homebase.
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High-end Internet furniture retailer hires new CFO ahead of investment round
Houseology, the Glasgow-based etailer of prestige furniture and accents, has hired former Dobbies Garden Centres executive Laura Jamieson as chief financial officer.
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Investment and output climbed at retail giant Next's upholstery plant
General merchandise retail giant Next expanded the output of its Yorkshire sofa manufacturing plant in 2018–19 but cautioned that activity remained in the developmental phase.
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Furniture retail price inflation jumps to 17-month high
Consumers paid considerably more to buy furniture in July after inflation in the category climbed to its highest level since February 2018.
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Natuzzi seeks 'alternative manufacturing strategies' amid tariff challenge
Italian sofa giant Natuzzi says it will sell non-strategic assets and revise its worldwide manufacturing configuration as part of plans to insulate itself from new tariffs.
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The Yorkshire carpet factory delivering class-leading performance for Victoria
Revenue and profit growth returned for Westex last year, as the West Yorkshire carpet maker — part of the flooring conglomerate Victoria for nearly six years — delivered a best-in-class performance.
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Surge in foreign-made upholstery arriving on U.K. shores
British buyers bought upholstery from overseas like never before in the first half of 2019 with arrivals from China and Poland leading the way.
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Design-your-own sofa company agrees CVA with creditors
One of the first direct-to-consumer sofa makers to allow shoppers to design their upholstery using an online configurator has agreed a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with creditors.
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OTHER NEWS
John Lewis to sell Casper mattress brand in 24 stores and online
Department store retailer John Lewis & Partners has agreed to sell Casper products in its stores and online in the first U.K. retail partnership secured by the American mattress company.
Why highest mattress inflation in three years is slightly misleading
The highest factory gate mattress inflation for nearly three years was the principal reason furniture producer price inflation ticked up in July, according to new Government figures.
Longtime Leeds furniture store director retires
Howard Sudall, store director at renowned Yorkshire furniture store Christopher Pratts, retired earlier this summer after nearly 50 years with the retailer.
Wayfair raises $825m through private convertible bond placing
Home furnishings retailer Wayfair has raised new capital through a private convertible note offering. It says it will use the funds for working capital, capex projects and possibly to fund acquisitions.
Rug supplier gets major third-party logistics boost but Homebase CVA hit sales
One of the U.K.'s biggest rug and floormat suppliers said the downsizing of home improvement chain Homebase had a negative impact on sales last year.
Landmark relocation prefaces property sale for Argos home accents supplier
Melrose Interiors, one of the country's largest independent rug suppliers, closed out a seven-figure property sale this summer after earlier completing a "landmark relocation."
Wood cabinet imports up 5.1% in first half of 2019
Living, dining and bedroom cabinet imports to the U.K. have trended up in mid single-digits in the first half of 2019 driven by shipments from the Far East.
Charity to host Young Furniture Makers exhibition
The Young Furniture Makers exhibition returns to the City of London this October, offering the industry opportunities to connect with a new generation of designer-makers looking to make an impact on the sector.
Long-term mattress import trend under threat in 2019
Mattress imports into the U.K. are barely above year-earlier levels at the half-year stage, threatening a first full year drop in the category for six years.
Third straight home sales fall at John Lewis
Customers spent less on home products at John Lewis & Partners for the third straight week as the chain relied on higher technology spend to deliver growth.