Westwing with 62% more turnover

According to a report in the Handelsblatt, online furniture retailer Westwing was able to increase its turnover in 2020 by 62% compared to the previous year: from EUR 267 million to EUR 433 million. In terms of profit, Westwing expects to reach the upper end of the forecasted EUR 37 - 48 million, the report continues.

Dänisches Bettenlager: New name, expanded home range

After Austria, now also in Germany: "Dänisches Bettelager" becomes "Jysk". From autumn 2021, the chain store Dänisches Bettenlager will also operate in Germany under the name of its parent company Jysk. In the future, all of the company's more than 3,000 shops worldwide will operate under the uniform name. In addition to the new name, the product range offered is also to be significantly expanded.

Maison & Objet only again in autumn

The organiser has cancelled the Maison & Objet, which has been postponed to March 2021. As planned, the Paris furnishing trade fair will not take place again until 9 to 13 September. Then, with "Work", a focus on the design of offices and working environments is planned, among other things. There have been major changes in this sector in recent months.

Kika and Leiner with new online shops

Kika and Leiner are doing really well online: according to a press release by the Kika/Leiner group, the number of visits to the sites has risen sharply in the last few months; especially small pieces of furniture (for working from home), box spring beds and wardrobes are in high demand. This is one of the reasons why the planned relaunch of the two online shops has been brought forward.

Mischioff senior boss Sandro Misio deceased

For the Swiss hand-knotting specialist Mischioff, the year 2020 came to a sad end: on 22 December, senior boss Sandro Misio died at the age of 89. Misio took over the wholesale company from his father in 1967. Since 2000, his sons, Dani and Sascha Misio, have been running the business; Sandro Misio continued to support them with his expertise.

Ebay: free support for German bricks-and-mortar shops

Bricks-and-mortar retailers who want to get started online can get support from Ebay Germany: As part of the "Ebay-Durchstarter" programme (a programme for "rising stars", so to say), the online marketplace operators offer personal consultation and service regarding all aspects of selling goods via the said platform. For six months, retailers can participate free of charge and pay no sales commission on their premium shops for three months.

Pappelina sold to Wallvision

Swedish Wallpaper supplier Wallvision broadens its portfolio by including designer rugs and acquiring Pappelina on 7 January. Pappelina's founder and Creative Director Lina Rickardsson will continue to work 50% as an employee, focussing on the design side of the business.

In addition to wallcovering, where the group has its roots, Wallvision offers home furniture textiles and cushions.

Möbel Höffner: Creative lockdown solutions

If the consumer is not allowed to visit the furniture shop (as much as he would like to) ... Möbel Höffner will visit the consumer – via "Höffi TV": In these short videos, a Höffner employee demonstrates various product ranges, for example upholstery programmes or home office solutions. There are also recipes, competitions and discount offers: visit Höffi TV

Otto: demand for Home & Living products up by 55%

Hamburg-based mail-order company Otto reports record Christmas sales: never before have so many people ordered from otto.de as at the end of 2020. In the period under review (1 October to 31 December), demand rose by 55% in the Home & Living segment compared to 2019, and by as much as 66% in the Garden & DIY segment.

Domotex 2021 canceled

After being postponed to 18-20 May, Domotex will not be held as a physical trade show this year. The current worldwide infection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic makes reliable planning for a physical presence on site in Hanover at the world's leading trade fair for rugs, carpets and floor coverings impossible at the moment, report the organizers in a press release. Instead, the Domotex Digital Day will take place on May 20, which is intended to address current industry topics purely digitally.