Wayfair Exits German Market

The US-based online furniture retailer Wayfair has announced its withdrawal from the German market after 15 years and plans to cut approximately 730 jobs globally – around three per cent of its workforce. This decision is part of a strategic realignment, focusing on other growth areas and the brick-and-mortar retail sector.

Thierry Leys appointed Managing Director of Leen Bakker Belgium

Leen Bakker, a retail chain with over 150 stores in Belgium and the Netherlands, has appointed Thierry Leys as its new Managing Director for Belgium. He will take up the role in January. Leen Bakker is part of the Homefashion Group, led by CEO Linda Keijzer, which employs over 4,200 people.

Restructuring at Balta

The British Victoria Group has provided an update on its efficiency and cost reduction programme. Fixed costs have already been reduced by £12 million (€14.5 million) by the middle of the 2024/25 financial year. An additional £20 million is expected to be saved in the second half of the year, partly through restructuring measures at its subsidiary Balta. By the end of the 2026/27 financial year, the flooring manufacturer aims to achieve total savings of over £80 million.

Deutsche Messe to Expand Asian Business with New Joint Venture

Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai, the joint venture between Deutsche Messe and Fiera Milano in China, has established a new company, DACF Exhibitions Shanghai, in partnership with Globus Events. Under the new agreement, DACF Exhibitions Shanghai Ltd. will take full responsibility for organising and managing Domotex Asia / Chinafloor, the largest flooring trade fair in the APAC region.

XXXLutz Acquires Porta Group in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia

The XXXLutz Group is acquiring the Porta Group. The furniture retail group operates around 140 locations in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, including brands such as Porta, Möbel Boss, Asko, and Möbel Letz.

PAD: New B2B Online Shop and Expanded Sales Team

The German designer label PAD is setting the course for the future. In a press release, the company announced the launch of a new B2B online shop and the expansion of its sales team. From now on, trade partners will have 24/7 access to PAD’s entire product range, enabling them to place orders directly and draw inspiration from the latest collections.

Farewell to a Textile Icon: Marla Mallett Passes Away

Marla Mallett passed away on 13 December 2024. She was a renowned expert in oriental textiles and is best known for her seminal work Woven Structures: A Guide to Oriental Rug and Textile Analysis. First published in 1998, this comprehensive handbook remains an indispensable resource for analysing flatweaves and knotted rugs from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

New Concept for IMM Cologne Unveiled

Koelnmesse has introduced a forward-looking concept for the Cologne furniture fair. Following the cancellation of IMM Cologne 2025, the event will return in a refined format from 20 to 23 January 2026, targeting the consumer-oriented market with a more focused approach. A new premium format will debut even earlier: the Interior Design Days Cologne (IDD Cologne), scheduled from 26 to 29 October 2025, will cater specifically to the unique requirements of the brand and premium segment.

Pantone Colour of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse

The Pantone Colour Institute, a subsidiary of the American colour authority X-Rite, has announced the Colour of the Year 2025: 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. This versatile shade embodies earthy elegance and provides a strong foundation, equally suited to minimalist and opulently adorned designs. The Colour of the Year is not only a trend indicator but also serves as a source of inspiration for designers and industries focused on colour. According to Pantone, Mocha Mousse reflects a longing for simple pleasures in everyday life and a mindful sense of indulgence.

Kika/Leiner: Final Closure for Austrian Furniture Retailer

Efforts to rescue the Austrian furniture retailer Kika/Leiner, which has been insolvent since November 2024, have failed. According to the Austrian Credit Protection Association (Kreditschutzverband) of 1870, the restructuring plan was withdrawn after no investor could be found. The company, Leiner & Kika Möbelhandels GmbH, is now being wound up, with its remaining 17 stores set to close following the clearance sale. A total of 1,350 employees will lose their jobs.