[LTT Leathercare]

Last day of the Furniture Show today so thought I would just update you all on the movement in the leather market.

Last year at the show the percentage of leather furniture had balanced out at about 50% against fabric.  This year there has been another astonishing turn round and leather has once again risen.  It seem that the percentage could now be between 70% and 80%.  Alongside the imports from China there is still a fantastic range of very high quality leather being sold. 

For those of you who say that they don't see much leather I think over the next couple of years the position will definitely change.  Now is the time to update yourselves with the latest knowledge and cleaning methods to offer to your customers.

There is also a marked increase in the use of leather for flooring, both domestic and contract and having spoken to many designers over the past 3 days it is becoming quite a fashionable item.
LTT have linked up with a leather flooring producer and will be installing some flooring in order that we can test the wear and resolve any problems that might occur.  We will post some of the details as they occur.

Andy and I introduced ourselves to Ben and his Dad on Monday, really nice people.  The show has been hard work but it does keep us well up to date with the trends and all the new leather cleaning products trying to make a break into the industry, have brought several away for testing, still good fun and all the free drink and networking post show make up for the sore feet!!!!!

Regards
Judy

[Derek]

I also visited the Show today Judy...I must have missed you...mind you it isn't difficult its such a large event

I know exactly what you mean about sore feet. 

[Ben Staerck]

Yeah, every other stand had leather on it, and at very low prices too. Until you attend an event like this you wouldn't believe the mark up these furniture retailers have! I saw a three piece suite advertised in the show catalouge for only £200.......a bit cheaper if you buy it by the container!

It was nice to meet you and Andy and Jill too Judy......its always nice to put a face to a name!

mind you it isn't difficult its such a large event

On the first day I asked the security guard for directions and he was stumped! Had no idea where to send us! Not only that  he'd worked there for years as well. Its a massive place.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I appreciate that labour is cheaper over in China etc but the cheapeness must be down to quality of products (ie frames, webbing, foam etc) used aswell?

Something does have to give when you start going that cheap.

Were these £200 suites to be retailed at around £600ish?

Shaun

[*paul_moss]

Good to see faces to names have happened, now we can all get on like one happy family.

[Len Gribble]

Judy

I don’t blame you (using leather specially developed for flooring. Flooring prices start from £350 + Vat per metre square depending on the leather selection).

Len

[Derek]

Shaun

Wake up and smell the coffee sunshine 

Sell for £600...more like £1600

Seriously Shaun the mark ups are astounding...the question I ask myself is... if they are selling a suite to a retailer for £200 and making a profit, taking into consideration the manufacturing costs what is the quality of the materials likely to be like.

Don't forget that if its one of the major retailers buying in substantial quantity they will negotiate discounts on the £200 as well  :

And you wonder why we have problems with fabrics! 

[calmore]

It's the same with all products though.

Our local Asda have DVD players for £9 and microwave ovens for £19. A microwave would cost more than £19 to post!

These things have to be built, packaged, stored, exported, shipped, imported, stored, distributed and sold and someone takes a cut at each of these stages. Yet the stores can still make a profit on a £9 DVD player.

[carpetguy]

The UK is importing itself into bankruptcy..............Our manufacturing / farming / services are all being purchased abroad,

We are even importing cheap labour......................

robbie

[jasonl]

My mother recently moved back from Shanghai, the prices for everything was rock bottom, dvds ere 12pence , she had a problem in an apartment and got a plumber, they sent 6 guys, who spent all morning sorting the problem and charged 4 pounds!

[Phil Marlor]

Our local Asda have DVD players for £9

 £9.00 Wow, might go and have a look for the kids bedroom!

Got to be better value than the Roberts DAB radio I payed £120.00 for and 18 months later I go to turn it on and NOTHING!
Just taken it for repair & the bloke says Roberts is not what it was, they are all made in China with a Roberts badge stuck on it!

Its a disgrace when you pay that much money for a so called "top of the range DAB radio" and get just 1 year warranty & it breaks down after just 18 months.

Phil

[*paul_moss]

  DVD player £9  incredable
You cant buy a CD for £9

[Mike Halliday]

I bought 1 today, then went back for another ( it was only one per customer)

Mike