154 JANUARY FURNITURE SHOW HALL 5
Putting value – and values – first Lebus Upholstery’s well-rounded proposition always seems to hit the mark at JFS – and particularly so when value is the consumer’s priority. Furniture News asked MD Karl Walker to share the employeeowned business’ progress over the past year, and a hint of what visitors to Hall 5 can expect to find …
How’s business been? OK, overall. Certainly no ‘fireworks’, but it has been consistent, even after the pre-Christmas cut-off. You do sense a lack of urgency throughout the back end – however Black Friday traded well for certain customers. We do see a significant uplift when customers engage in serious promotional acivity and call consumers to action. What are you bringing to JFS? The show always represents a great springboard for the new year and the main launch for new collections. Our focus will remain firmly on our established value proposition, which has proven to be invaluble, especially when trading becomes challenging. We will be launching 10 new ranges to complement the existing collection, plus new packages for the current bestsellers, to further broaden the offer. Have you noticed any changes in consumer demand in the past year? Certainly, a shift away from 50 shades of grey! Much more demand for natural colour and textures with
“Yes, the market has been challenging, but demand exists if you are focused
softer lines on one side – but colour and patterns growing strongly on the other. Last January, you told us you were “incredibly optimistic” going into 2023. Was your optimism misplaced? Optimism is never misplaced! Had I been offered the year we’ve just achieved back in January, I would have bitten your hand off! Yes, there have been difficulties, and the market has certainly been challenging, but demand exists if you are focused on the product, customer service, and value for the consumer. What progress been made on staff integration since Lebus became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) in 2021? We’ve done an enormous amount of work to ensure the goals of the EOT goals are achieved. The significant investment in our future leadership programme has been very successful in recognising the young individuals we have within the business – this will form a major part of our succession planning, and guarantee our future success and direction.