Supplier Artisan Furniture has launched in the US market, and believes it is the first to offer a marketplace platform for retailers that is dedicated to sustainably made Indian furniture. Artisan, headquartered in London, England, has launched a  website  solely for the US market, offering furniture retailers a "one-stop solution for stocking handmade Indian furniture, that is now in high demand due to post-pandemic decoupling from China", shipping out of the company’s New Jersey warehouse or direct from India. Artisan’s CEO Amit Basu, who is currently undertaking a Goldman Sachs mentoring scheme, says: “We believe the US market is crying out for the type of distinctive, handcrafted items we are able to source – direct from the workshops of Indian artisans. Retailers will be able to offer their consumers something that is genuinely different, and not simply rolled off an anonymous production line. “We have built a business based around a philosophy of supporting an ecosystem of hundreds of skilled furniture makers in Jaipur in India, a region known for high-quality furnituremaking. Our launch in the US comes after months of preparation and sourcing the right products for the American market.” Artisan Furniture already has customers like TJX Companies and Wayfair on board, but it is targeting the many independent/online furniture retailers across the US that are looking for "fast and practical solutions such as free delivery to all 50 states, no minimum order by value or volume, and no set-up fee". Amit founded Artisan Furniture in 1995. “As a socially responsible enterprise – well before CSR was fashionable – we were focused on looking after our artisans to ensure their unique skills were kept alive and in demand around the world," he says. "We also ensure that all our products come from sustainable, commercially planted woods like mango and acacia, and are responsible-forestry certified.”

As part of its plans to expand in the UK, JYSK will open its first Telford store on 2nd June, at Unit NQ1, Northern Quarter, Telford Shopping Centre.  The store will be managed by Stephen Ambrose, and boasts 1200 sqm of floor space in the latest JYSK store concept layout. JYSK promises to bring "affordable, Scandi-chic homeware" to Telford, in addition to 10 jobs being created by the Danish brand.  “We are so pleased to be bringing JYSK to Telford this June and for local shoppers to explore our huge collection of affordable Scandi homeware and garden furniture,” says Jenny Johnston, JYSK sales and marketing manager, UK and Ireland. “The Telford Shopping Centre store will mean that local shoppers can access our brilliant same-day click-and-collect service as well as enjoying our exclusive in-store lines. JYSK prides itself on its in-store visual merchandising, and Telford is no different, so we’re really looking forward to the locals of Telford and surrounding areas experiencing it themselves.”  JYSK's next goal is 5000 stores worldwide. JYSK Telford will join 25 UK stores, three of which opened in 2021. Two more UK stores are due to be announced in September, with plans to open a further four in 2022. JYSK  saw record results in the UK and Ireland during its 2020/21 financial year, with total sales reaching €68.9m – an increase of +67% on 2019/20.

Made.com  has muted its financial expectations for 2022 due to the "volatile" and "challenging" nature of trade in the market. Made states that although its performance has remained strong versus pre-pandemic levels, trading has been volatile in recent months, and more challenging than anticipated at the start of the year – and consequently, now assumes the market will remain "highly challenging" for the rest of the year, despite enjoying significantly easier comparatives in H2. "Based on the most recent trading we are updating expectations for the full year," states Made. "We remain very confident that Made will continue to outperform the online home and furniture market by at least 20 percentage points." Made is now forecasting a gross sales decline of between 0-15% this year, with net revenue around the breakeven mark. It now expects to achieve £1.2b of gross sales later than 2025.  CEO Nicola Thompson says: "There is no escaping the tough trading environment at the moment. However, we are laser-focused on executing our strategy and we are delivering strong progress across each of our strategic pillars. Our customers are at the heart of our business and we're seeing a really positive reaction to our improved proposition, with average lead times consistently at the targeted 3-4 weeks average for the last two months. Made continues to outperform the online furniture and home market and I am confident the company will emerge in a very strong position."

Bed and mattress manufacturer Sleepeezee has announced Romney Marsh Wools as its new supplier of premium, locally sourced wool. All Sleepeezee mattresses containing wool will now use fine Romney Marsh Wool. Established in 2018, Romney Marsh Wools is owned and run by Kristina and Paul Boulden, and is based on their family farm on the Romney Marsh, Kent. Kristina says: “For us, Sleepeezee was a perfect collaboration as it is a local business with traditional family values at its heart. We too share the belief in the welfare of the planet and our people, in sourcing materials from sustainable suppliers, and that no waste from our process goes to landfill. We strive for quality and great value in everything we do, and sustainability is at the forefront of both our businesses.” On the sixth-generation farm, Kristina and Paul currently have around 1200 Romney ewes in their flock, with 150 Merino ewes. Recognised as a pedigree breed in England since 1896, Romney sheep provide wool that is natural, sustainable, and "a demi-lustre of excellent quality and staple". Sleepeezee  MD Steve Warren comments: “As a carbon-neutral company since 2017, Sleepeezee strive for sustainability in all that we do. From offsetting our carbon emissions to planting trees in our community, we have offset a total of 1643 tonnes of CO2 from within our factory since 2017. We also aim to sustainably source materials that align with our business values and customers' needs, which is why investing in locally sourced wool from the Romney Marsh is so important.” Romney wool’s biodegradability does not contribute to growing waste pollution, unlike other synthetic materials which can take years to break down and die. “Our wool is locally sourced, produced and distributed, which results in it having low embodied energy due to limited transport miles. We don’t use any synthetic dyes or damaging products on our wool and wherever possible, we reuse and recycle all our packaging and waste cardboard,” concludes Kristina.

The  Competition & Markets Authority  (CMA) is launching an investigation into Carpenter's planned acquisition of Recticel's engineered foams business. The CMA has confirmed that it has sufficient information in relation to the proposed merger to begin an investigation today (ending 4th July 2022), from which it will decide whether the issue warrants further probing through a Phase 2 investigation. Both businesses are key suppliers to the UK furniture industry, with the planned takeover threatening to reduce competition within the marketplace. The CMA's Rafia Saif (Rafia.Saif@cma.gov.uk) invites written representations about any competition issues, to be submitted by 19th May. "The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services," states the CMA.

Alongside a strong exhibitor line-up, Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the organiser of INDX Beds & Bedroom, taking place at Cranmore Park Conference and Exhibition Centre in Solihull from 26-27th April, has secured an impressive roster of keynote speakers to lead a series of onsite Retail Insights, exploring The Business of Sleep.  During the two-day show, visitors can look forward to attending sessions from a number of industry experts, alongside Olympic and three-times World Heptathlon Champion and Sleepeezee brand ambassador, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, who will be reflecting on her career as a world-class athlete and discussing how sleep affects all aspects of life.  The live speaker sessions will focus on industry-centered topics including circular design, sustainability, innovation, and the importance of sleep, and will offer attendees an opportunity to engage in an informal Q&A forum with the experts.  Click here for the full schedule and further details. INDX Beds & Bedroom is open to general trade, buyers, and retailers, and offers free entrance, free onsite parking, and complimentary refreshments to all visitors.