Our cover star this month is Furniture Sales Solutions where they reveal the questions every retailer should ask before investing in sales training. It’s a must read! Another article to note is with Perfect Dreams, with the business recently celebrating 20 years. Meanwhile, we also caught up with Mattressman’s new CEO on its new direction, look and recent award win.
Keeping within the beds sector, Harrison Spinks talks about its expansion into Indonesia, Shire Beds levels up its status and Sealy reveals the secret to its success, with people at the heart of the business. Loren Williams introduces the Wellbeing Collection – backed by science, while Enchanted House Beds reflects on the past year, Higgy’s explains more about its partnership with BackCare and Purecare returns with more Sleep Study insight, this time focusing on how surroundings shape rest and wellness.
We recap the recent Gallery Direct ‘Home Show’ where the BFG team were invited up to see all the new products in the flesh, as well as catching up with GFW on the past year, Beehive and Furnt on partnerships and Buoyant Upholstery on its own tie-up with Premier. Sofa Source, Avriio, Sofa Connections and Sofa Factory share respective updates, while Bentley Designs unveils an exclusive insight into the company following a transformative year.
This month, we also introduce PICK4U and logistics specialist Grays Transport, while getting the low down on fabrics by Agmamito and DAVIS Fabrics. Meanwhile, Birlea launches new premium beds, SleepSoul celebrates another Which? award and IFD talks about why floorspace deserves the right products. Furthermore, we take a look ahead at AIS’ INDX Furniture event as well as the January Furniture Show 2026, with the latter also providing an exclusive sit down in our ‘Ask the Organiser’ feature.
As for the regulars, David Hewitt, Group CEO at RetailSystem, talks about his life in the furniture industry, why JFS 2003 has a special meaning and an insight into what’s next for the business in our latest Big Interview. Meanwhile, Scott Birnie, Director of Banff-based independent bed retailer The Good Sleep Company, talks about expanding its store space, the need for better balance and future own label plans in our Retail Focus feature.
RetailSystem also contributes with a look at the future of furniture retail technology, James Wilson, aka The Sleep Geek, explains why to stop selling beds and start selling better sleep, and George Sinclair talks about UK manufacturing vs overseas imports. We also sat down with Dave Marsden in our next Meet the Agent/Rep feature, while Natalia Samodina returns with further legal insight. Letters from China, Vietnam, USA and Ireland detail respective market updates, Furniture & Choice shares some of the latest trends and FurnitureBooks details how to start your new financial year the smart way.
We also spoke with Chris Bristow, a business rescue expert at Real Business Rescue, who shares advice about how to decelerate financial decline and revive company health. Novuna details flexible finance and IFHS reflects on 2025, while Furniture Sales Solutions rounds off the edition with an insight on overcoming objections.
That’s enough from me, so enjoy our latest magazine. If you have any news you want to shout about or if you’re keen to get involved with the industry’s leading publication, drop me an email on dan@bigfurnituregroup.com. We’d love to share your story.
