From encouraging trading news to rapid retail roll-outs, Furniture News puts today’s issues in perspective, looking back at what happened in the industry five and 10 years ago today …
Five years ago (August 2021)
In the news, retail sales were proving strong, but slowing, reported BRC-KPMG, the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions not quite delivering the anticipated in-store boost – yet furniture continued to fare well, both online and in-store. IMRG’s Andy Mulcahy pointed to the return of the established online sales trends, saying “we might be starting to see what the much-feted ‘new normal’ will actually look like from a retail perspective”.
JYSK’s UK roll-out continued with its 24th store opening, on South Retail Park in Leeds, and the proposal of 10 new openings in its upcoming FY. ScS traded ahead of expectations despite the mandated store closures, and John Lewis Partnership signed an agreement with Tesco to lease a 1,000,000ft2 distribution centre in Milton Keynes. Bensons opened new stores in Orpington, Paisley and Colindale, launched £3m ad campaign, and said it was seeing “significant pent-up demand” as it reopened its network.
Housing Units opened a “cool and edgy” Modern Living department aimed at the urban living market (a stark contrast with its famed top-hatted doormen), and Arighi Bianchi appointed Sarah Bianchi, who had joined the family business at the age of 23, as MD, signalling ambitions to cement the business as a national brand. Fifth-generation family member Lucy Mather was appointed head of communications.
Emma – The Sleep Company strengthened its international retail business by appointing a new regional team in the UK led by industry veteran Neil Robinson.
On the supply side, Wren opened a £20m quartz manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, Sleepeezee invested in solar power at its Kent facility, and Gallery Direct repositioned its operations, securing a long-term lease on the new OrionOne warehouse near Chesterfield.
To better ensure supply chain resilience, Whitemeadow bought a significant stake in one of its key foam suppliers, Breasley, while Harrison Spinks launched its offer in North America. TCM Living CEO Mark Smith stepped down, to be replaced by CFO Jonathan Fearn.
The BFM says furniture was performing in the top tier of manufacturing sectors, MD Nick Garratt saying: “As we emerge from lockdown, furniture manufacturers are showing a high degree of confidence going forward, with sustained levels of demand, although labour shortages are becoming a concern.”
In show news, INDX Furniture returned for its first live event since January 2020, CIFF Shanghai was postponed by three weeks to enable added safety measures, and Spring Fair announced it would be shortened to a four-day show.
In the magazine, we shared the results of our first-ever Readers’ Choice Awards, and looked at how the industry, when faced with punishing trading restrictions, had handled the ethical dilemmas presented by the pandemic. We also interviewed OKA’s Jennie Farmer, looked at manufacturer-brand rolled mattresses, and asked when the shipping situation might return to some kind of normality.
Ten years ago (August 2016)
In the news, retail sales grew modestly but the home categories continued to suffer during weeks of very hot weather. "We're reporting some recovery in the index this month as consumers settle into the new wait-and-see reality of a post-Brexit, pre-exit UK,” said GfK’s Joe Staton.
Dwell opened in Southampton, Oak Furniture Land in Salisbury, and Sofa.com announced new showrooms in Bankside and Glasgow.
BHS' Oxford Street store officially closed its doors following its administration earlier in the year, while Hammerson confirmed that Victoria Gate, its £165m development in Leeds – including anchor tenant John Lewis – would open in October. DFS and ScS reported sustained momentum, Next adding that trading remained "extremely volatile" and highly dependent on the weather.
Following the retirement of owner Ken Forrest, Glasgow retailer Forrest Furnishing was bought by Sterling Furniture.
Silentnight celebrated its 70th year and record sales, Libra rolled out a dedicated shop-in-shop model, and Relyon entered a partnership with regional retailer AHF. With bedding buoying its UK sales, Steinhoff International Holdings revealed plans to acquire the US’ biggest bedding retailer, Mattress Firm, for $3.8b, creating the world’s largest multi-brand mattress retail distribution network and facilitating Steinhoff’s entry into the US.
Sofa Brands International revealed the launch of omnichannel retail brand The Lounge Co, and The Shire Bed Company expanded its Dewsbury manufacturing facility.
Lord Kirkham CVO was appointed the new charity president of The Furniture Makers’ Company, and the National Bed Federation appeared on BBC investigative programme Fake Britain to uncover so-called ‘bargain' mattresses being sold from the backs of vans.
In the magazine, we interviewed Martin Holland, winner of the BBC's Great Interior Design Challenge 2015, profiled Bristol's Swanglen Furnishings, and looked at the implications of Brexit for the UK furniture industry.
For more retrospectives, see recent issues of Furniture News.
Pictured: Housing Units’ Modern Living department
