Major furniture chains have praised a new membership category created by trade association British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM), and its aim to promote UK manufacturing and jobs.
The BFM launched the approved retailer category at the January Furniture Show 2023, welcoming retailers into the organisation for the first time as members. Among those to join are Furniture Village and ScS.
Charlie Harrison, MD, Furniture Village, says: "We believe there are great benefits in helping to raise the awareness of our incredible industry and importance of our British manufacturing base. Having the ability to support and play our part was a key driver in our decision to join the BFM.
“As the largest family-owned furniture retailer in the UK, we will be proud to share with our customers the benefits of buying British and highlight our support for the British manufacturing industry. It will also be good to receive regular updates and news within the sector."
BFM’s approved retailer membership category recognises companies committed to selling and promoting British-made goods, and is open to retailers across the UK.
James Heese, commercial director at ScS, comments: "For 128 years ScS has supported British furniture manufacturing. As one of the leading furniture retailers in the UK we are delighted to be an inaugural retail member of the BFM. We’re proud to support UK manufacturing and UK jobs.
“We look forward to playing an active role within the BFM, and in particular work across the industry to support the development of new talent and career paths, helping create exciting career opportunities for everyone, no matter what your background.
“The furniture business is a dynamic and exciting industry. I’m delighted that the BFM is welcoming retailers to join the association and that we can work together to promote the industry and UK manufacturing.”
The initiative builds on the success of the autumn 2020 Buy British campaign, in which the BFM worked with retailers to highlight products made in Britain, using a specific red, white and blue logo on swing tags, posters, vehicle livery and web pages.
Sean Holt, MD of the BFM, says: “We are delighted with the success of the approved retailer membership in the initial weeks since its launch at the January Furniture Show.
“It is absolutely right that we recognise the importance of retailers and create a framework that allows manufacturers and retailers to work together to promote the value of buying British.
“Approved retailers receive marketing material to help them inform customers of British-made products, and have access to a range of BFM benefits to support commercial activities and staff members. They are also eligible to participate in the BFM’s Future of Furniture campaign, which highlights the value and variety of careers within the industry, as well as showcasing the steps the industry is taking to support a greener approach to manufacturing.”
