Big Bites

Independent raises funds for instore defibrillator

Independent furniture retailer Sopha has raised over £1,100 for a community defibrillator. On Easter Bank Holiday Monday, Sopha held its Easter Raffle live on Facebook and raised £1,273 towards its fundraising goal of £1,400 to install a defibrillator in its store and to train people on its proper use.

Sofa Club partners with Panther

Upholstery retailer Sofa Club has announced the appointment of twoperson delivery provider Panther Logistics as its logistics partner. Panther will be taking charge of Sofa Club’s warehousing, fulfilment and two-person distribution requirements.

Dreams opens new distribution warehouse

Bed retailer Dreams has opened its new Willenhall warehouse, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth strategy. The new, 260,000sqft site is Dreams’ largest distribution centre, within its network of 18 sites across the UK and follows a £2m investment, creating around 25 new jobs. The new warehouse will help to improve product availability and provide shorter lead times for customers.

Flexlux show van hits the road

Danish sofas and chairs manufacturer

Flexlux has announced its UK launch for the brand with leading furniture agency, Westgarth. Following the acquisition of SITS into the Actona group, and the formation of an industry leading B2B upholstery unit, Westgarth Furniture agency is launching the Flexlux brand into the UK.

IKEA opens in Stockport

Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has announced the opening of its new Plan & Order Point store in Stockport. The Plan & Order Point is situated in the Merseyway Shopping Centre and spans over 764sqft, and is a smaller store dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning. The opening comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to become more accessible and sustainable for customers shopping with IKEA in the North West of England.

Independent changes ownership

Independent furniture retailer Irvine Interiors has announced it has entered new ownership. Former owners Raewyn and Leslie Irvine have decided to retire after 20 years and handed over the business, which is located on Commercial Rd in Lerwick, Shetland, to Jordan and Gemma Thomason. In a statement, outgoing owners Raewyn and Leslie said: “We are very excited for them as we know that they are the perfect people to carry the business forward with their enthusiasm and brilliant new ideas.”

Sussex Beds opens Caterham store

Independent beds and mattresses retailer Sussex Beds has announced the opening of its new store in Caterham. The new store officially opened on 1 April 2023 and is located in Church Walk Shopping Centre, Station Avenue, Caterham, becoming the retailer’s 15th store and its second in Surrey.

Glasswells raises £900 for East Anglian Air Ambulance

Independent furniture retailer Glasswells has raised £900 for charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Eighteen teams, made up of members of staff at Glasswells, plus guest teams, met in the in- store Place to Eat restaurant to battle it out for the coveted title of Quiz Team Champions 2023. The Glasswells annual quiz has raised tens of thousands of pounds for many different local and national charities in previous years.

HSL opens in North London

Yorkshire-based furniture maker and retailer, HSL, has announced the opening of its first ever flagship furniture showroom in Hendon, North London. The new 4,570sqft HSL showroom has created a total of seven new job roles in the area. Managed by Team Leader, Ben Spray, the new Hendon showroom also marks the launch of HSL’s contemporary rebrand.

Oak Furnitureland searches for creative agency

Furniture retailer Oak Furnitureland has announced a review of its UK creative agency requirements. A shortlist is currently being drawn up with the assistance of AAR, and a result is expected by the end of June 2023. Incumbent creative agency, Wordley, has been invited to take part in the process. The business also works with Carat and Merkle who are not affected by the review.

Dunelm delivers Q3 growth

Home furnishings retailer Dunelm has reported a growth in third quarter sales. According to its latest trading update for the 13-week period ended 1 April 2023, total Q3 sales were 6% to £423m from £399m against the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis, sales are up 5% to £1.2bn from £1.1bn. Digital sales represented 36% for the quarter, up 1%.

BFM appoints retail Board member

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has announced the appointment of James Heese, Commercial Director at ScS, as a new Board member, with a remit to support its new retail membership category. James will provide valued insight to help the BFM develop its offer to members in this emerging area