Ikea names new CEO

/0 Comments/in /by

Ikea Group has named company veteran Jesper Brodin its new president and CEO, effective in September.

Brodin currently is managing director of Ikea of Sweden, responsible for the development of product and supply chain. He will replace 22-year Ikea veteran Peter Angnefjall, who has led the business since 2012.

In a release, Ikea Group Chairman Lars-Johan Jarnheimer said Brodin’s “extensive experience and passion for life at home and retailing will enable him to successfully continue the remarkable work conducted by Perter Agnefjall.”
“Under Peter’s leadership, Ikea Group has expanded into new and crucial markets, accelerated our retail transformations in order to meet the changing needs of customers and taken our sustainability commitments further,” he said. “I look forward to working with Jesper as we take our next steps in becoming the world’s leading multichannel home furnishings retailers for the many people.”

Agnefjall said he plans to take time off with his family before embarking on “my next journey.”

Ikea’s now 43-store U.S. operation is No. 3 on Furniture Today’s just released Top 100, with estimated furniture bedding and accessory sales of $3.2 billion and total revenue of $5.2 billion for its fiscal year ended Aug. 31. That doesn’t include the retailer’s worldwide sales at more than 390 stores in 48 countries.

The company said it is strengthening integration of is stores and e-commerce platform and in the coming year will open stores in new markets, including India.

Call for entries for Bed Industry Awards

/0 Comments/in /by

The National Bed Federation is calling for entries for the 2017 Bed Industry Awards. Taking place at the Bed Show Gala Dinner on Tuesday 19th September, for the seventh consecutive year, the Bed Industry Awards identify and reward manufacturers, suppliers and retailers in the bed sector who are ‘Best in Class’.

“The awards are a credible celebration of what’s good about the industry and provide a great opportunity for businesses of all shapes and sizes – from big brands to small niche players – to highlight their fantastic achievements,” says Jessica Alexander, executive director of the NBF.

Bed Component Supplier of the Year and Bed Retailer of the Year (split into two awards –over £5m beds turnover and less than £5m beds turnover) categories remain the same. This year Bed Manufacturer of the Year will also be split into those with a turnover over £10m and those with a turnover under £10m. The Judges Choice Award will run for a second year.

“Over the years, we’ve lost some categories, added new ones and tweaked them to reflect the changing nature of the industry,” says Jessica. “What the judges are looking for is who has excelled themselves in the past year and how they’ve done it – they want cold, hard facts that demonstrate and back up the entry. Good quality, clear entries are key, the judges won’t be fooled by a fancy presentation.”

This year’s independent judging panel is made up of Peter Mallinson, AIS; Roy Beagent, Minerva; Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail; Richard de Melim, Furnishing Report and Jessica Alexander, NBF.

Last year’s winners were Kaymed for Bed Manufacturer of the Year; Vitafoam for Bed Component Supplier of the Year; Mattress Online for Bed Retailer of the Year (over £5m beds turnover); Surrey Beds for Bed Retailer of the Year (under £5m beds turnover); and Dreams for the Judges Choice Award.

Tickets are now available for the Bed Show Gala Dinner, and more details on the 2017 awards, including how to enter, are available on the Bed Show website.