This month is packed with plenty of news as the industry gears up for more trade shows. Our focus turns to the NBF Bed Show, Long Point and The Flooring Show, while also taking a look at the Autumn Furniture Show and Outdoor & Wellness Expo.
Our cover star this month, Shire Beds, shares its success since becoming a white label high street manufacturing partner and looks forward to another highly anticipated Bed Show. Also eagerly awaiting the Telford event is Sweet Dreams. Expect to see a big unveiling of its new brand identity during the show. We caught up with other exhibitors including Sealy – as they celebrate 50 years, as well as the latest updates from GNG, Healthbeds, Enchanted House Beds, Sleepeezee, Purecare and Wiemann, with the latter also showcasing during Long Point.
In keeping with the Autumn edition of Long Eaton’s prestigious exhibition, Fortune Woods details its own rebrand journey, while Siren continues in its new design direction. Elsewhere in upholstery, Celebrity, Alstons and Stressless talk new products, while Gallery Direct shifts the focus to accessorizing interiors and Cormar Carpets prepares for its Harrogate return. Stroolmount talks about the hidden opportunities for flooring and furniture since the Covid pandemic, while Furniture & Choice provides another trends update.
Also in this edition, we find out more about how AI is an image game changer, how automation helps create consistent furniture content and why SEO is important for furniture and bed retailers. Furthermore, knowing your data is paramount to future success as RetailSystem explains via its RetailHub tool. We also caught up with Grove Home on their recent investments, including digital progress, as well as gaining a further insight from Dreamland’s Matthew Randle on industry challenges, consumer behaviour and what needs changing.
As for the regulars, Tristine Hargreaves, Executive Director of the National Bed Federation (NBF), shares an insight into her role – just over one year after rejoining the NBF, in our latest Big Interview, while The Bed Post features in our latest Retail Focus. The Bed Expert and Letter’s from China and Vietnam return with more industry insights, while we also spoke with Nicola Carles in our next Meet the Agent/Rep series.
Kaydian details its key to success, Woolroom talks expansion, Panther Logistics enters a new era through a rebrand and Novuna shares the benefits of furniture finance. We also have the latest insight from Furniture Sales Solutions, a sustainability update from Bensons for Beds and just how Dreams achieved the Manufacturing Guild Mark.