Our cover star this month is the Irish Furniture & Homewares Show, with the event bringing together retailers, suppliers and manufacturers serving the Irish market. We take a look at what’s on show, as well as sharing the latest news from some exhibitors. We caught up with Respa on its family-values and GIE shares what’s next. We also spoke with MPD Furniture on relationships, Image on latest collections, IFD on its show van final stop and Think Rugs explains why texture is leading the conversation this year.
This month also continues the Big Furniture Awards 2026 celebrations with some of the winners sharing recent updates. These include Wiemann, Shire Beds, G Plan, Celebrity, Bluebone and AIS, with the latter also previewing what’s on display during the next INDX Furniture Show. In keeping with shows, Gallery Direct reflects on a successful SOLEX, while we recap the recent Manchester Furniture Show through pictures as well as take a first look at next month’s NBF Bed Show.
We go on tour with Purecare across the UK to find out more about its training methods where I got first-hand experience. I also visited Saxon Furniture on how its flexible approach to manufacturing presents an ideal partnership opportunity, as well as DUXIANA to find out more about its unique sleep system.
West Midlands Upholstery details its Buxton collection, Birlea expands its Herringford range, Willis & Gambier highlights Sorrento, Annaghmore talks timeless designs and we introduce the FWSDirect Lania Colours collection. Limelight Beds also introduces two new collections; Dura Beds drives forward with new a Sales Director and Mattress Online talk about how experts boost engagement.
Jaipur Furniture talks containers, HTL celebrates 50 years, Guardsman highlights partnerships and Julian Bowen drive stock availability. We spoke with Staingard on Protect6 as well as the latest updates from TOKABO, Beehive Furniture and Windsor Bed Frames. Ben Wain, Founder – Wain Consultancy & Coaching, returns to talk about why the in-store retail display is not about furniture, it’s about imagination. We also spoke with Smiths of Harrogate on the key to its long-serving success, while also interviewing new logistics business Furniture Flow.
Lee Haigh, Sales Manager at Sherborne Upholstery, talks about his role, admiration for Sherborne’s Chairman, current trends and the importance of British manufacturing in our latest Big Interview. Meanwhile, Lachlan Roach, Managing Director of Harvey Norman UK, talks about recent investments, sustainability importance and improving the customer experience in our Retail Focus feature. David Hewitt, RetailSystem Group CEO, talks about WebSystem Shopify, we highlight the power of text marketing, while George Sinclair shares more Bed Expert advice and Furniture & Choice talk trends.
Daryl Drylie sits in the Agent hotseat and letters from China, Vietnam, Ireland and USA detail respective market updates, while Furnilytics explores the Irish furniture market. Stephen Sidkin, partner at Fox Williams LLP, talks about managing sub agents and risk, while Furniture Sales Solutions rounds off the edition by playing the weakest link.
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.
