Kika and Leiner with new online shops

Kika and Leiner are doing really well online: according to a press release by the Kika/Leiner group, the number of visits to the sites has risen sharply in the last few months; especially small pieces of furniture (for working from home), box spring beds and wardrobes are in high demand. This is one of the reasons why the planned relaunch of the two online shops has been brought forward.

Mischioff senior boss Sandro Misio deceased

For the Swiss hand-knotting specialist Mischioff, the year 2020 came to a sad end: on 22 December, senior boss Sandro Misio died at the age of 89. Misio took over the wholesale company from his father in 1967. Since 2000, his sons, Dani and Sascha Misio, have been running the business; Sandro Misio continued to support them with his expertise.

Ebay: free support for German bricks-and-mortar shops

Bricks-and-mortar retailers who want to get started online can get support from Ebay Germany: As part of the "Ebay-Durchstarter" programme (a programme for "rising stars", so to say), the online marketplace operators offer personal consultation and service regarding all aspects of selling goods via the said platform. For six months, retailers can participate free of charge and pay no sales commission on their premium shops for three months.

Pappelina sold to Wallvision

Swedish Wallpaper supplier Wallvision broadens its portfolio by including designer rugs and acquiring Pappelina on 7 January. Pappelina's founder and Creative Director Lina Rickardsson will continue to work 50% as an employee, focussing on the design side of the business.

In addition to wallcovering, where the group has its roots, Wallvision offers home furniture textiles and cushions.

Möbel Höffner: Creative lockdown solutions

If the consumer is not allowed to visit the furniture shop (as much as he would like to) ... Möbel Höffner will visit the consumer – via "Höffi TV": In these short videos, a Höffner employee demonstrates various product ranges, for example upholstery programmes or home office solutions. There are also recipes, competitions and discount offers: visit Höffi TV

Otto: demand for Home & Living products up by 55%

Hamburg-based mail-order company Otto reports record Christmas sales: never before have so many people ordered from otto.de as at the end of 2020. In the period under review (1 October to 31 December), demand rose by 55% in the Home & Living segment compared to 2019, and by as much as 66% in the Garden & DIY segment.

Domotex 2021 canceled

After being postponed to 18-20 May, Domotex will not be held as a physical trade show this year. The current worldwide infection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic makes reliable planning for a physical presence on site in Hanover at the world's leading trade fair for rugs, carpets and floor coverings impossible at the moment, report the organizers in a press release. Instead, the Domotex Digital Day will take place on May 20, which is intended to address current industry topics purely digitally.

Vandewiele acquires Savio

Vandewiele, the Belgian specialist in machines for yarn extrusion and carpet production, has reached an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the Savio Group. Savio is an important Italian corporate group in the yarn finishing sector with factories in Italy, China, India, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.

India Carpet Expo: rescheduled to end of January

The online edition of the carpet fair India Carpet Expo (ICE) will not take place from 12 to 16 January as initially planned, but from 27 to 31 January 2021 at www.indiacarpetexpo.com.

Trend presentation for retailers in February

Presenting new trends together: Following this principle, entrepreneurs from the lifestyle & interior sectors have joined forces to organise the Corona-compliant trade event "Trends up West" in North Rhine-Westphalia. From 6 to 14 February, around 30 suppliers will show trade visitors their trends and products for 2021.