In this month’s bumper edition, we recap on the recent January Furniture Show and INDX Furniture Show, but before we get into that, our cover star this month, Sleepeezee, is celebrating an historic milestone during 2024. To help celebrate its centenary, we sat down with the mattress maker to find out more about its rich history.
In keeping with celebrations, and following on from last year’s March edition, we spoke to six more influential women across the furnishings industry to help celebrate International Women’s Day. Furthermore, Harrison Spinks talks about its recent award win, while Mammoth shines a light on its Centres for Excellence launch around the country, aiming to enhance the retail experience, and Gruppo Mastrotto shares the success of its ‘Sustainability Passport’.
From one success to another, Sofas & Stuff and Vispring talk about their respective showroom launches, Purecare reflects on a successful entry into the UK market, while Novaluna is looking to bring some Italian flair to the country and Kettle Home reveals the power behind its portal. And talking of powerful tools, FurnitureTexts details the importance of text marketing and why your business needs to do it.
As for the regulars, our Green Retail highlights IKEA’s latest updates, Vic Smith Beds is the retailer in focus and Gallery Direct’s Michael Baxendale, Design Director, and Lizzie Sladen, Product Director, share their respective insights in a double Big Interview that highlights trends, future plans and what needs changing. Gallery also reflects on a stellar start to the year, while the Bed Expert and Letter’s from China and Vietnam return with more insights.
As mentioned, March sees the review of both JFS and INDX, with Alpha Designs, Wiemann and Mattsons sharing their thoughts. March also means Bed Month, an annual awareness campaign run by the NBF and Bed Advice UK. For GNG, the focus shifts to its Active Kids range, while Vogue Beds readies the HQ ahead of its ‘At Home Show’ later this year. On the topic of shows, the BFM’s Furniture Component Expo is set for its big debut next month, while independent marketing agency Boutique unveils its third Home & Garden Marketing Conference.
To wrap things up, Ahmed and Partners share the success of its Woodvale recliner range, Maze talks about how UK garden furniture continues to evolve and krow London unveils the consumers psyche in furniture shopping. Meanwhile, DispatchTrack delves into delivery along with its partnership with Furniture Village, we find out just who MFC are, and Furniture Sales Solutions talks about the magic of open questions. Finally, in the first of our new series of interviews with agents across the furnishings industry, we spoke with James Howard as he approaches his first anniversary of being an agent.
That’s enough from me, so enjoy our latest magazine. Oh, and if you have any news you want to shout about or if you’re keen to get involved in our Retail Focus and Big Interview features, drop me an email on dan@bigfurnituregroup.com. We’d love to share your story.
Cover stars: Sleepeezee (front); Purecare (back)
