Südbund launches online magazine for end consumers

The living magazine is the name of the new online magazine with which the German purchasing association for interior decoration Südbund is now providing end consumers who are interested in living and interior decoration with inspiration. It replaces the previous printed magazine "Wohnen & mehr" and opens up new opportunities in digital format to generate and retain customers for Südbund speciality shops. It is updated four times a year with new content, seasonal focal points and lifestyle topics. The association also offers its customers and members the opportunity to customise the online magazine to suit the specific offerings of their specialist shop.

Rugvista Group reports record sales in the fourth quarter of 2023

Rugvista Group AB has published its annual report for the 2023 financial year. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the company reported net sales of SEK 233.3 million (EUR 20.1 million), an increase of 14.3%. Profit for the period totalled SEK 24.3 million. For the full year 2023, Rugvista achieved net sales of SEK 702.2 M (EUR 60.5 M), an increase of 9.8% (-9.3%). Organic net sales growth was 2.8% and profit for the period totalled SEK 70.0 M.

Domotex Middle East will take place as planned

In view of the current flooding in Dubai, Deutsche Messe would like to emphasise that Domotex Middle East will take place as planned. Preparations are in full swing. According to the organisers, it is safe to travel to and stay in Dubai. The trade fair for rugs and floor coverings will therefore open its doors at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23 to 25 April 2024.

IMM Cologne: New Concepts for 2025

Preparations for the next IMM Cologne, which will take place from 12 to 16 January 2025, are already in full swing. According to Koelnmesse, the aim is to offer an even more attractive and effective trade fair experience by further developing proven formats that inspire and encourage exhibitors and trade visitors alike. In 2025, new hall concepts in the Pure, Home and Sleep segments will offer surprising trade fair experiences.

Westwing: Market share gained, 2023 sales almost at previous year's level

Westwing closed 2023 with a positive fourth quarter and generated sales of EUR 429 million, only slightly below the previous year's level (EUR 431 million). Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, the e-commerce company was able to gain market share. Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 18 million. For 2024, Westwing forecasts revenues of between EUR 415 million and EUR 445 million.

Medipa / Merinos: Warehouse capacity in Germany to be expanded

Machine woven carpet supplier Medipa / Merinos continues to grow and announces the planned expansion of warehouse capacity at its German site in Troisdorf. The expansion is in response to increasing demand and will ensure that the company can continue to meet the needs of its customers.

Steinhoff: Jooste fined millions and deceased

According to reports from NDR and Handelsblatt, former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste has been fined 475 million rands (the equivalent of around €23 million) for falsifying accounts and misleading others in connection with the 2017 accounting scandal. Almost simultaneously, it was reported that Jooste had been pronounced dead by the South African police after being admitted to hospital on 21 March.

Pad: New flagship store on the Côte d'Azur

The German home textiles label Pad wants to conquer the French market in 2024 and therefore opened an exclusive showroom & flagship store on the Côte d'Azur at the beginning of the year. "The French coast and the positive attitude to life here are simply perfect for our optimistic, colourful, feel-good home textiles," says Managing Director Michael Rossmann, delighted with the new store.

New Object Carpet showroom in Hamburg

On March 13, carpet manufacturer Object Carpet hosted a showroom opening in central Hamburg at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 14. After 15 years in Neue ABC-Straße (also in central Hamburg), the showroom moved just around the corner. It is now located in the so-called Springer Quartier, named after the Springer publishing house in this area. The new showroom is around 200 square metres, more than double the size of the old one.

Deutsche Messe: Annika Klar to head the "New & Global Business Development"division

Annika Klar (42) will become Senior Vice President of the freshly established "New & Global Business Development" division at Deutsche Messe on 1 April 2024. Annika Klar has been with Deutsche Messe since 2013, for the past three years as Managing Director of Hannover Fairs Turkey Fuarcılık A.Ş., a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Messe in Istanbul. Annika Klar will continue to manage Hannover Fairs Turkey Fuarcılık A.Ş. until further notice in addition to her role as Senior Vice President at Deutsche Messe. The activities of the freshly established "New & Global Business Development" division are focused on the conceptualization and implementation of new trade fairs and events in Germany, as well as on strategic growth abroad.