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German furniture retailer Franz Knuffmann is ceasing operations at its Neuss branch. Management cited profound structural changes in the furniture market and evolving consumer behaviour as the primary reasons for this move. Despite the location's closure, the company emphasised its continued economic stability. For the local catchment area, the operational focus will shift to the Krefeld store, which will also handle the fulfilment of all existing sales contracts.
With 4,636 exhibitors and around 140,000 visitors from 170 nations, Ambiente, Christmasworld, and Creativeworld have confirmed their significance as a global marketplace for the consumer goods industry. According to Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, the trio demonstrated great appeal despite economic pressures, achieving a visitor satisfaction rate of 96 per cent.
The investment company Orlando Capital V intends to acquire the home furnishing chains Kwantum and Leen Bakker, which are primarily active in the Netherlands and Belgium. The previous parent company, Homefashion Group (HFG), announced that an agreement has been reached regarding the sale of both chains, with the closing expected in March, subject to approval by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). With Orlando Capital as the new owner, HFG believes the necessary funding for the continued operation of the retail brands is secured for the long term.
Rugvista Group AB closed the 2025 financial year with a strong fourth quarter and has updated its long-term financial targets as a result. CEO Ebba Ljungerud looks back on a successful overall year with organic growth of 16.3% and an operating margin of 10%. In the fourth quarter, net revenue increased by 9.9% to SEK 270.3 million (approx. £16.9 million), while operating profit climbed to SEK 32.2 million.
The German specialist retail community is mourning the loss of Heinz Fuchs, who passed away on 31 January 2026 at the age of 84. As the founder and longtime Managing Director of TTL and TTM, Fuchs was a defining figure in the industry for decades. He laid the foundation for the group in 1974 with the opening of the first "Tapeten-Teppichbodenland" (TTL) in Hallstadt near Bamberg, before spearheading a successful expansion into East Germany under the TTM brand in 1990. Today, the companies operate a combined network of 66 locations.
Joakim Tuvner, CFO of Rugvista, has announced his decision to leave the company no later than 11 September 2026. According to a recent press release, the specialist for online rugs will initiate the search for a successor immediately. CEO Ebba Ljungerud expressed her gratitude for Tuvner’s expertise and leadership during his three-year tenure at the company.
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From 7 February to 24 May 2026, the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt am Main will host the exhibition "Wolle. Seide. Widerstand." (Wool. Silk. Resistance.). For the first time in 45 years, the museum is dedicating an entire exhibition exclusively to carpets, focusing on contemporary international perspectives. The featured works, including pieces by artists such as Jan Kath, Faig Ahmed, and Alexandra Kehayoglou, explore themes of political resistance and social resilience.
The fifth edition of Flanders Flooring Days is scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 May 2026, in and around Kortrijk. According to the organizers, the event is seeing a high re-registration rate, with 74 percent of last year's participants already confirmed. The concept continues to combine decentralized visits to local manufacturers with a central exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo.