Global Wood --industry news and reports on timber and furniture and other wood products

European Furniture Market Reports

¡¾March.02, 2002¡¿

Danish furniture exports up, earnings down

A recent analysis of the Danish furniture industry shows that, whereas the net turnover in the sector went up by 6% in 2000-2001 compared with the previous year, operating profits have dropped by 2.5% and 17% respectively. The furniture industry has been slow to adopt mergers and consolidation in order to be able to have an impact on export markets. Economists forecast an improvement within the next six or twelve months.

Germany: MHK forecasts.

Germany's leading purchasing association in the kitchen furniture sector targets a turnover rise in the range of 1.5%-2% for 2002, after group turnover fell by 1.4% to DM 2.9bn in 2001. About 1,200 dealers belong to MHK, which offers Musterhaus kitchen furniture.

Germany: Pötter's results.

The German furniture company Potter GmbH, which became insolvent in 1999, managed to break even in 2001 for the first time and raised its turnover by 8.5% to DM 22.5mn.

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Pötter, which produces mainly cupboard units and other system furniture for the upscale specialist trade and attributes this turnaround to tougher cost management and revision of its product range.

Lutz owns 100% of Groebel Moebel.

Since 2001 the furniture group Lutz, has owned 100% of the furniture store Groebel Moebel in Styria. Lutz had owned the majority of shares of the store before and only acquired the last remaining 33%.

Conforama takes over Emmezeta.

Coforama, the French furniture and domestic appliances retailer, which is part of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, has raised its stake to 100% from 60% in Italian specialist retailer Emmezeta. Emmezeta, which operates a chain of 16 outlets in Italy and one in Croatia (+ two new outlet planned for 2002), posted a Eur 563mn turnover ( up 10.8% from 2000), so achieveing second ranking in Italy.

Ikea's plans.

Ikea Polska has signed an agreement for the construction of a new 23,000 square metre outlet in the city of Bydgoszcz. An additional Zl 17mn will be invested to modernise its communication infrastructure.

Ikea also plans to open an 11th store and new warehouse with a 23,500 square metres display area and 1250 parking places, in Breda. The store should be open by the end of 2003. Another store is planned near Den Bosch

Furniture sales up in Finland

In Finland, furniture sales increased by 6-7% in the fourth quarter of 2001, registering an overall growth of 4% in year 2001. This was due mainly to the relatively lively apartment sales, the decrease in travel and the slow car sales.