|
|
Article: Why furniture brands look a bit threadbare: squeezed by the price-cutting of the big retail chains, Silentnight is seeking to sell off or close down famous names such as Parker Knoll. Caroline Parry gauges the prospects of branded furniture.(News Analysis)
- Article from:
- Marketing Week
- Article date:
- November 11, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Centaur Communications Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The combined influence of home makeover shows and the arrival in the UK of Ikea has been credited with changing the way people furnish their homes.
But despite a 25 per cent increase in furniture sales in the past five years--owing to a buoyant house market and this increased interest in design and style--there is a distinct lack of brands driving the sector. In fact, one major player, Silentnight Group, announced last week that it will close down its furniture brands division, which includes names such as Parker Knoll, Ducal, Nathan and Stag, unless a buyer can be found for the business (MW last week). The group is retaining its bed division, which includes ...