Bolia: three new stores in Germany

With the opening of three new shops in Germany, the furnishing company Bolia continues its international expansion. In Germany, Bolia already has 17 locations. These will now be joined by stores in Lübeck, Münster (November 2022) and Augsburg. "With the opening of these three new shops, Bolia now has a total of 81 shops across Europe. Germany is our strongest market," says Camilla Kallehauge Møller, PR & Communication Manager at Bolia.

Rezas strengthens its team in Europe

The Danish rug company Rezas is strengthening its team in Europe. Jeremy Nichols has been appointed country manager in the UK. His task is to develop the market for the company. Nichols has many years of experience and knowledge in the rug industry, most recently working for Asiatic Carpets.

In Sweden, Morgan Persson takes over from Dan Sturesson, who is retiring. Persson comes from the rug retailer Matt-Tema and has and knows the Swedish retail sector accordingly well.

Otto Group records slight decline in revenues

The Otto Group is drawing up a "mixed interim balance sheet" after the first half of the financial year 2022/23. Against the backdrop of the difficult macroeconomic environment, in particular inflation further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and the decline in demand, a press release states, the group of companies recorded a decline in revenues of 5.6 % worldwide on a comparable basis, reported -1.8 %. The international trading and services group, which was able to increase its total turnover strongly to 16.1 billion EUR in the last financial year, shows a varied development in the different business segments.

Ikea reports sales increase despite crises

The furniture retail giant Ikea was able to increase its turnover in 2022 despite Corona, the Ukraine war and inflation. According to the report, revenues climbed 5.6% year-on-year to EUR 39.5 billion in the past financial year. This has now been announced by Ikea's parent company, the Ingka Group. According to the group, growth was achieved in most markets. In addition, it had succeeded in increasing the availability of products by accelerating the omnichannel transformation.

Carpet Home IV/2022 is published

The autumn issue of Carpet Home is published and full of topics that are currently moving the rug industry. For the cover story, we spoke intensively with the organisers of Domotex and tell what the trade can expect at the world's leading trade fair for floor coverings. In the interview of the month, we talk to Fritz Langauer and Christoph Ziereis from Oritop.

XXXLutz announces takeover bid for Home24

The Austrian furniture retail group XXXLutz (370 furniture stores in Europe) is continuing its expansion. The focus is now on online retailing and so the XXXLutz Group has now published its decision to make a voluntary public takeover offer to acquire all outstanding shares in Home24 SE to all shareholders of Home24. XXXLutz will offer the shareholders of Home24 a purchase price of EUR 7.50 per share. Home24 is a leading e-commerce platform in the home & living sector and is listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Höffner furniture stores: Hoffmann succeeds Dankert

There is a change in the overall management of the Höffner furniture stores. On 4 October, Joachim Hoffman took over the management from Thomas Dankert. Hoffmann has been with the company since 2006 and has held several management positions. Thomas Dankert (65) worked for Höffner for 30 years. "We are very proud of this success and grateful for his tireless commitment. Thomas Dankert will continue to be available to the group of companies with his experience," says the company headquarters.

Otto Golze & Söhne: Florian Müller becomes new CEO

Florian Müller will take over the management of Otto Golze & Söhne GmbH on 1 October 2022. Main shareholder Ekkehart Golze will assist the company in the future as a member of the board of directors and shareholder. "I am very pleased that our paths have crossed and that I can hand over the responsibility of our family business, which will be 150 years old next year, into the hands of Mr. Müller," says Golze about the change in management. Florian Müller, a sales and marketing professional, was most recently Vice President Home & Business at Hailo.

XXXLutz acquires a stake in Braun Möbel-Center

The expansion of the XXXLutz Group continues. The Austrian furniture group has announced a 50% stake in Braun Möbel-Center. Braun operates 10 furniture stores in the south and south-west of Germany. With a good 1,000 employees, Braun is targeting a turnover of over EUR 200 million for 2022. "The newly acquired businesses are an ideal fit for the XXXL concept and are market leaders at their locations thanks to their superior selection," explains Thomas Saliger, company spokesman for the XXXLutz Group.

Tibetan Carpet Weekend at the Carpet Museum Schloss Voigtsberg

The two experts on Tibetan carpets Franz Xaver Erhard and Thomas Wild are organising a Tibetan Carpet Weekend from 14 to 16 October 2022. The context will be the ongoing exhibition "Drumze" of the carpet museum Schloß Voigtsberg. In addition to a curated tour of the exhibition, there will be a series of lectures. Speakers include the two organisers, as well as Ruper Smith, Michael Buddebert and Birgit Voß.