Welcome to May’s Big Furniture Group Magazine ”

To kick things off this month comes with a BIG announcement of the Big Furniture Group Awards – ‘The BIGGIES’. It’s the perfect platform to vote for your people, suppliers and trade services from across the furnishing industry, where every one of your votes counts. Jump to page 18 to find out more and then get voting!

In keeping with award wins, we cover the recent double King’s Award achievement by Harrison Spinks, as well as MattressTek’s recognition across multiple categories and why they are masters in machinery. We also have special interviews with creative marketing agency Boutique, on why having a nailed-on strategy is a must, and Peak Converters, master of the foam and fibre conversion arts, who shares a background into their past as they build for the future.

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Print: Buxton Press

ISSN No: 2753-3387

Copyright © Big Furniture Group 2022

Issue No: 9

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the specific prior written consent of the publisher. Big Furniture Group Ltd accepts no responsibility for variations in colour reproduction and cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any solicited or unsolicited material. We are committed to producing a true, factual, fair and unbiased publication through the editorial content within and takes appropriate measures to do so. Big Furniture Group Ltd reserves the right to edit any content other than advertisements, with the editor’s decision being final. All material submitted for inclusion in Big Furniture Group is done so entirely at the owner’s risk. Advertiser information is accepted in good faith and Big Furniture Group accepts no responsibility in in adverts appearing in the magazine, and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s views. Contributors are advised to keep copies of all material submitted.

In the BFG hotseat this month is Jonathan Burrage, Managing Director at Hydeline Furniture, who talks about the biophilic design movement, what he would change and why it’s important to keep bringing fresh ideas to the industry. As for the other regular, independent furniture retailer Pieces for Places goes under the Retail Focus spotlight, where they share the initial reaction of their recent second store opening and why the internet is more of a problem than a solution for their business. Our Bed Expert, Vic Smith, is back for another insight into the beds industry, while our Letter from China returns with some more helpful tips when sourcing from the country, with this month talking about the importance of visits. As for our Green Retail sustainability-focused feature, we concentrate on IKEA’s green credentials.

You’ll also find a preview of the upcoming Long Point and Spring Furniture & Bed shows, as well as the latest updates from mattress manufacturer GNG Group, furniture wholesaler Julian Bowen and Mammoth, with the latter recently challenging professional rugby players from the country’s top clubs to take on the Mammoth Making a Bed Challenge. We also spoke with Diane Chadwick, new UK Sales Director at fabrics supplier Panaz, who discusses her recent appointment and the company’s plans for 2023.

To wrap things up, our Big Question this month is all about investments, spurred on by the recent £5m new Barker and Stonehouse store opening, which is also featured in this month’s magazine, as well as the latest insight from Furniture Sales Solutions, who reveals the most common mistake made in sales.

That’s enough from me, so enjoy our latest magazine. Oh, and if you have any news you want to shout about or 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.

Contents

16. Big on Social

18. Big Furniture Group Awards: The Biggies

20. The Big Interview with Jonathan Burrage, Managing Director at Hydeline Furniture

24 How effective is your creative strategy?

28. Peak Converters innovate for the future by building on the past

30. Long Point Preview

34. Spring Furniture & Beds Show Preview

38. Julian Bowen: All set for future growth

40. Retail Focus with Pieces for Places

44. British bedmaker achieves double King’s Award

On The Cover

06 /

14 18

46. Masters in machinery

48. British manufacturing at its best

50. The Mammoth Challenge

52. The Bed Expert

54. Sustainability: Green Retail

56. Eco focus key for Panaz’s new UK Sales Director

58. The Big Question: Recent investments?

59. A Letter from China

60. New Products

64. Two years and £5m in the making

66. Last Word with Furniture Sales Solutions on the most common mistake in sales

BIG INTERVIEW JONATHAN BURRAGE

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Contact: alan.whitley@uk.rhenus.com www.rhenus-home-delivery.co.uk

INTERVIEW SPECIAL

Boutique shares an insight into the importance of a creative strategy and why they are the go-to agency in the home furnishings space.

40 28

Foam and fibre converter, Peak Converters, have been producing innovative, high-quality products from their site in Wirksworth, Derbyshire for over 50-years. We found out more.

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