Gallery Direct never does things by halves. Every major exhibition sees the Sittingbourne-based supplier unveil a major new initiative, product line, or more – and this year’s January Furniture Show will be no exception. Paul Farley managed to collar James Hudson, Gallery’s sales and business development director, for a sneak preview of the next big instalment …
“The last few months have been like a whirlwind,” says James, caught in a rare moment of downtime between projects. “Everyone’s going at a thousand miles an hour!”
As well as the January Furniture Show, Gallery has committed to major appearances at Top Drawer and Spring Fair this year, giving its ever-broadening product offer the platform it deserves.
“We’re seeing real commitment to our offer,” says James. “In particular, those stockists who have really bought into our ethos are seeing a lot of success, and we’re gaining market share across the board.”
As we speak, Gallery has just experienced the best week for order intake in its history, including its largest single order to date. Coupled with its strongest FY of turnover, there are plenty of reasons James should be proud of the company’s progress.
“When it comes to new lines, we look at things from a point of difference, we’re quick to react as a business, and we work at a very fast pace,” he explains. “The core depth of our product offer is key to our success – we don’t just do one look, but spread our nets far and wide to make sure we’re hitting every emerging commercial trend. There’s plenty of business to be had out there, it’s just a case of knowing where to find it!”
There are several major product stories to be told at the January Furniture Show. First is a tale of mid-century design, in the form of two new dining/living ranges, Barcelona and Madrid. Making the most of the consumer’s demand for classy mixed media furniture, Barcelona’s centrepiece table boasts an acacia frame, polished to a deep walnut tone, and is topped with white, Carrara-style marble. Madrid is a smaller oak variant of the same look.
Following up the launch of sofabeds at September’s NBF Bed Show – which “introduced Gallery’s Dreamworks Beds arm to a whole new customer base”, says James – the NEC show will see the company’s most significant upholstery launch to date, as those existing sofabed models, all made to order in Wiltshire, are made available as sofas, plus armchairs, corner units and stools. An entry-level sofabed has also joined the range.
Gallery’s lighting collection will be expanded significantly, accompanied by a new dedicated directory. Six of these attractive tomes are now available, covering the spectrum of Gallery’s portfolio – furniture, upholstery, textiles, mirrors, accessories and wall art, and now lighting – and these can be displayed in-store in a tasteful PoS display stand.
As if this wasn’t enough, there are further developments to come this year – James hints at a new mattress and divan concept, plus a new website, which promises easier ordering facilities and a greater level of product detail.
Visitors to the January Furniture Show will find Gallery’s largest display to date on stand 3-L20. Meanwhile, those attending Top Drawer will find the company on stand F47, and on stand 8-D12-E11 at Spring Fair.
