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 According to the Austrian Credit Protection Association (Kreditschutzverband) of 1870, the restructuring plan was withdrawn after no investor could be found.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.

Victoria Group Reports Revenue Decline After Six Months

At the midpoint of its 2024/25 financial year (ending 28 September), the British Victoria Group reported revenue of £568.8 M (€682.3 M), reflecting an 8.9% decline compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA dropped sharply to £50.2 M (-45.8%), while pre-tax profit fell from £51.8 M to £7.7 M.

Oriental Weavers Presents Vision 2025

Oriental Weavers, one of the leading manufacturers of woven carpets, recently hosted its Egypt Market Week. The event brought together 37 global partners and industry representatives from countries such as the USA, Germany, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. It showcased the latest collections, blending Egypt’s cultural heritage with modern manufacturing techniques, while also exploring opportunities for expansion and highlighting the importance of sustainability standards.

Ikea: Austria and Switzerland Fall Short of Last Year’s Record Sales

Similar to Germany, Ikea’s national subsidiaries in Austria and Switzerland were unable to match the record-breaking sales of the previous year in the 2023/24 financial year (ending 31 August). In Austria, the Swedish furniture retailer reported a turnover of €964.3 million, marking a decline of 5.0%. However, the share of online sales increased from 25.7% to 27.4%. In Switzerland, revenues totalled CHF 1.24 billion (€1.33 billion), a decrease of 3.4%. Here too, the online share rose, climbing from 25.7% in the previous year to 27.5%.

New Rezas Showroom Opens in Odense

Rezas Oriental & Modern Rugs, the renowned Danish carpet importer, has opened a new showroom at its location in Odense. Spanning 430 m2 and designed in a Scandinavian-modern style, the showroom showcases the company’s extensive range of modern hand-knotted rugs, flatweaves, and machine-woven carpets. The existing warehouse, featuring a diverse selection of classically patterned hand-knotted rugs and flatweaves, remains unchanged.

Kika/Leiner Files for Insolvency Again

Austrian media reports indicate that the furniture retailer Kika/Leiner has filed for insolvency once more. The company had already been declared insolvent in 2023 and underwent a restructuring process: 23 out of 40 stores were closed, and the workforce was initially reduced by 1,600 employees, with a further 500 jobs cut this year, leaving 1,400 staff members. Despite these measures, Kika/Leiner reportedly continued to post losses.