Spotting Scopes

Posts Tagged ‘2010’

Lots on view in october and numbers still building.

Shaine Reece brings you the latest products from Swarovski Optik. Visit www.silentdrawoutdoors.com for more videos, articles and gear reviews.

HU Corner @ sites.google.com HU 2010 MOD PACK v1.04 ===================== * WEAPONS: – Remington Model 700 CDL (ita): – v1.04 – .223 Rem – .243 Win – .25-06 Rem – .270 Win – 7mm-08 Rem – 7mm Rem Mag – 7mm Rem Ultra Mag – .30-06 Sprg – .300 Win Mag – .300 Rem Ultra Mag – .35 Whelen – PSE X-Force 7 GX Compound Bow (ita) – .45 Muzzleloader (Lone Wolf) – .338 Sako TRG-42 (Bolt-Thrower) – .223 Rem Lever action (HU Mod Squad) – .284 Lazzeroni Firebird (Big~Daddy) – .338 Lapua Magnum Timberwolf (HU Mod Squad) – .416 Barrett Model 99 semi-auto (Imasniper) – .500 S&W Magnum Revolver (Lone Wolf) – .30-06 Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker (ita) – .44 Caliber 6 Shot Revolver (Aussie Guy) – .45 Auto M1911 (Imasniper) – .50 BMG Bolt Action Rifle (Lone Wolf) – M107 SASR (Imasniper and ^v^LadyHawke^v^) – 8mm Mauser bolt action rifle (Imasniper) – PzB 39 Panzerbuchse (Aussie Guy) – 12ga Browning Citori XS Sporting (ita) – Air Gun enabled * SCOPES: – 4.5-18x RF Leupold (replacing the 4-14x) (Imasniper) – 5-22x RF Nightforce NXS quick zoom (replacing the 4-12x RF) (Lone Wolf) – Spotting scope now goes to 25x, and zooms quicker (Lone Wolf) * MODELS: – new boy hunter model w/ Camo (ita) note: the .300 WSM Barnes MRX Reptile Bolt is not part of v1.04 and will be added later!

Introduction

The UK furniture and floorcoverings market was heavily by hit the recession, forcing some high profile retailers out of the market. However, while competitor failures supported the survivors in 2009, a stagnant housing market and less spare capacity are making 2010 just as challenging. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the market and its major players.

Scope

*A full breakdown of the market in terms of channels and sectors for both furniture and floorcoverings, now including a separate bathrooms market

*An outlook which focuses on the challenges and issues that retailers will face and the key battlegrounds that they need to focus on

*Detailed profiles on 16 major retailers in the market, with 6 more concise profiles, with furniture and floorcoverings market shares for 20052010e

Highlights

Furniture and floorcoverings was the weakest performing retail sector in 2009, with sales declining by 10.5%. The economic downturn was the main factor behind this, with customers shying away from big ticket items to pay down debts. The housing market, a catalyst for the furniture and floorcoverings sector, also stagnated as housing prices fell.

In furniture, IKEA has extended its lead over DFS for the largest market share in furniture in 2009. With its contemporary products and low prices, IKEA’s offer will be highly attractive to those looking to buy new furniture. Its share increased by 0.9 percentage points to 7.8% in 2009 and was aided by the opening of a new store in Southampton.

Kitchens will become the strongest growing sub-sector in furniture in 2012 and 2013, growing by 2.9% and 3.4% respectively. This will be driven by the housing market growing again, as first-time buyers look to buy. This is key to the kitchens market as shoppers moving in or getting ready to sell are the main scenarios for buying a kitchen.

Reasons to Purchase

*Use Verdict’s analysis of key market issues to guide future strategies, while exploiting opportunities and minimising risk

*Benchmark businesses future prospects using the key operating statistics and unique market share data

*Understand key success drivers using Verdict’s detailed insight on major market players

 
 
 
Table of Contents : 
CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6
Key findings 6
Summary 7
Furniture and floorcoverings is the hardest hit out of all retail sectors 7
Furniture has marginally outperformed floorcoverings 7
Inflation is set to return to the market 7
Specialists are set to struggle from the increased threat of non-specialists 8
DIY specialists are set to gain a greater share of the furniture market 8
IKEA has overtaken Home Retail Group for the number one spot in furniture 8
Administrations have heavily affected the major floorcoverings specialists 9
Carpetright has accelerated its share gains 9
The market is set to evolve away from being solely price-driven 9
Growth will become harder to achieve in 2010 10
The internet is set to become more important for retailers 10
Kitchens are set to become a strong growth area 10
CHAPTER 2 MARKET ANALYSIS 12
Market definitions 12
Overview 13
The recession caused a sharp fall at the end of the decade 13
Furniture remains the dominant sector in the furniture and floorcoverings market 16
Furniture 17
The housing downturn has reversed the trend in a previously buoyant market 17
Beds and bedroom furniture 18
Upholstery 19
Dining and living room furniture 19
Kitchen furniture 19
Bathroom furniture 19
Home office furniture 20
Floorcoverings 21
Floorcoverings has underperformed compared to furniture 21
Carpets and rugs 22
Hard floorcoverings 22
Vinyl and linoleum flooring 22
Furniture specialists 24
Furniture specialists 24
Floorcoverings specialists 26
Channels of distribution 28
DIY retailers are the big winners in the challenging furniture market 28
Multiple specialists 28
Independent specialists 28
DIY retailers 29
Department stores 29
Catalogue showrooms 29
Remote retailers 29
Other 30
Specialists still hold the dominant share in the floorcoverings market 31
Independent floorcoverings specialists 31
Multiple floorcoverings specialists 31
DIY retailers 32
Department stores 32
Multiple and independent furniture specialists 32
Remote retailers 33
CHAPTER 3 COMPANY DATA ANALYSIS 34
Furniture market shares 34
Floorcoverings market shares 37
Key operating statistics 39
Advertising 41
CHAPTER 4 OUTLOOK 43
The role of websites in furniture and floorcoverings 43
Shopping for furniture and floorcoverings online has its problems 44
A website must convey the retailer’s brand 45
Less capacity will be freed up in 2010 46
The housing market is set to remain sluggish 47
The housing market may stall again in 2010 48
Impact of the 2010 general election 50
Public sector cuts and higher levels of tax are likely, whichever party is elected 51
Each party has suggested different ways to stimulate the housing market 52
A hung parliament could negatively affect retail 52
Margin pressures 53
Attempts to stimulate the market have been ineffective 53
Rise of the non-specialist 55
Non-specialists are able to be more flexible than specialists 57
The market is no longer just about price 58
Consumer demands are changing 58
Major opportunity for specialists 59
Carpetright and Dreams have tailored their strategies 59
Delivery will now become a key battleground 59
Kitchens is set to become a growth area 61
Retailers are positioning themselves to take advantage of growth 62
Investment must not be a one-off thing 62
CHAPTER 5 DFS 64
Private equity support provides future foundations 64
Recent key events 65
Sold to private equity group following review 65
DFS conducted a strategic review to consider refinancing opitions 65
Doubts remained over whether the business would be sold at all 65
DFS was eventually acquired by Advent International 65
The retailer is considering launching a transactional website 65
DFS is continuing to promote itself to create top-of-mind awareness. 66
Proposition 67
Financials 69
DFS’ deteriorating sales highlight the challenging furniture market 69
Space 73
DFS is looking to expand its store portfolio again 73
Sector performance – furniture 75
DFS’ market share continues on an upward trend 76
Outlook 77
Outlook 77
Private equity backing is set to make DFS stronger still 77
Private equity investment will provide DFS with a platform to grow 77
DFS’ current performance is commendable in such a challenging market 77
Moving onto the high street could also be positive for the business 77
DFS must be wary of the rise of the non-specialist 77
Launching a transactional website is an important step for the retailer 78
Continued promotional spend has been a sensible stratergy 78
While price is important, changing the message of its adverts may help them 78
CHAPTER 6 DREAMS 79
Leading bed specialist prospers in recession 79
Recent key events 81
Dreams’ new owners have bank-rolled expansion 81
Exponent buys Dreams 81
Deal with British Land 81
Dreams wins recycling award 81
Proposition 82
Financials 84
Underlying profits improve on strong sales growth 84
Space 88
Dreams continues to expand, despite the recession 88
Sector performance – furniture 90
Dreams’ market share continues upward progress 91
Outlook 92
Dreams is well placed for further growth 92
Trading will become more challenging 92
The Dreams brand continues to strengthen 92
In-store presentation could be improved 92
Older consumers present an opportunity 93
Longer term expansion is possible beyond the UK 93
CHAPTER 7 FURNITURE VILLAGE 94
Caution has paid dividend at Furniture Village 94
Recent key events 95
Furniture Village has broadened its brand appeal 95
Furniture Village celebrated its 20th birthday in 2009 95
Launch of FV essentials 95
Acquisition of World of Leather brand 95
New store openings 95
Furniutre Village has worked to improve the service levels of its supply chain. 96
Have made improvements to its online offer. 96
Proposition 97
Financials 99
Profits drop as sales growth reverses 99
Space 103
Controlled expansion is set to continue 103
Sector performance – furniture 105
Furniture Village has seen a gradual increase in its market share 106
Outlook 107
Furniture Village is well placed for expansion when demand recovers 107
Quality positioning is preserved 107
There is clear potential for building a larger store estate 107
Potential to develop sales online 107
Further investment is needed to expand the home office and bedroom offerings 108
CHAPTER 8 HOMESTYLE 109
Proves resilient to recession 109
Recent key events 110
Homestyle has expanded despite the recession 110
Acquisition of Reid Furniture 110
Launch of Homestyle stores 110
Proposition 112
Financials 116
Homestyle’s margins have defied the recession 116
Space 119
Homestyle has resumed the expansion of its portfolio 119
Sector performance – furniture 123
Homestyle has experienced strong gains in market share 126
Outlook 127
There is potential for renewed growth 127
Robust margins will provide a platform for growth 127
There is scope to capitalise on the glut of empty units 127
Reid acquisition will strengthen Homestyle 127
Homestyle’s bed businesses will lose ground to Dreams 127
CHAPTER 9 IKEA 129
IKEA’s value offer and new stores provide growth 129
Recent key events 130
IKEA adapts to volitile internal and external enviroments 130
Significant upheaval in IKEA’s board of directors 130
The retailer has changed its strategy to reflect current market conditions 130
IKEA still plans to expand into new markets, although it has shifted focus away from others 130
IKEA has looked to promote its kitchens offer 131
IKEA acquires a retail park 131
The retailer has continued working on its multi-channel offer 131
Pr
 

For more information, please contact :
http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/UK-Furniture-Floorcoverings-Retailers-2010-45453.html

Introduction

has highlighted 10 trends that will influence consumers and their attitudes to FS in 2010 and beyond. These trends are varied and wide reaching; some driven by the global economic crisis while others emerge from broader consumer trends motivated by technological developments and changing lifestyles.

Scope

*The report is global in scope, highlighting the broad consumer trends that will influence the attitudes and behaviours of consumers towards FS in 2010

*Extensive secondary sources as well as primary data is used to analyse emerging trends in the context of existing industry strategies

Highlights

The successful banks of 2010 will be those that effectively remove the stain of ‘too big to fail’ from their brand image. This is easier to accomplish for smaller, local banks that can more effectively convey a human face to the consumer.

Consumers are confused by the jargon that accompanies the purchasing of financial products and more than ever seek a clearer understanding of what they are truly signing up for when they commit.

The branches of the future will place more weight on the experiential aspect of the FS services. When a customer invests the time and effort involved in making a personal visit to the bank, the branch experience must justify their trouble.

Reasons to Purchase

*This report provides key insights on how best to position product propositions given the consumer trends emerging in 2010

*Primary and secondary data is used to profile how consumers are reacting as they emerge from the global economic crisis and contemplate the future

*The report provides examples of FS providers already attuned to emerging consumer trends, showcasing best practice

Table of Contents :

“Overview 1
Catalyst 1
Summary 1
Executive Summary 2
10 Trends Identified 2
TREND 1: ‘Too big to fail’ will drive consumers to the personal and the local 2
TREND 2: Simplicity and certainty will drive the product selections of consumers in 2010 2
TREND 3: Renewed focus on ethics, sustainability and social responsibility will permeate both choice of product and choice of institution 3
TREND 4: Consumers in 2010 will rely on the actions and advice of their peers when making financial decisions 3
TREND 5: Customers will look beyond price to find value 3
TREND 6: Trust and heritage will play an increasing role in brand choice 3
TREND 7: Service must be innovative and flawless 3
TREND 8: 2010 will see a return of the long-term perspective in consumers’ FS choices 3
TREND 9: Consumers will drop vanilla products in their search for individualism 3
TREND 10: Consumers diverge in their desires: experiential banking for bespoke issues and efficient pragmatism in their day to day banking 3
Table of Contents 4
Table of figures 5
Table of tables 6
10 CONSUMER TRENDS FOR FS PROVIDERS IN 2010 AND BEYOND 7
Introduction 7
TREND 1: ‘Too big to fail’ will drive consumers to the personal and local 7
‘Move Your Money’ campaign gains social media attention 8
INSIGHT: The collapse of the ‘big bank’ brand will lead to the rise of the local bank 9
2010 will see consumers appreciate smaller local banks and building societies in a bid to deal with someone they feel can better understand them 9
Local banks are still perceived as serving the community, something lacking in the brands of their larger relations 10
INSIGHT: Larger banks can entertain a return to personal banking through treatment tailored to the individual 11
Banks must make better use of customer relationship management tools in order to construct a personal service 11
TREND 2: Simplicity and certainty will drive the product selections of consumers in 2010 12
INSIGHT: Consumers covet stability and, without sufficient trust in the FS community, wish to know more about the products they are purchasing 13
Product presentation has never been more important as consumers are not willing to invest significant time in understanding the prospective offerings 13
Scarcity of information can dissuade the 2010 consumer 15
Consumer and political pressure combine to motivate clear-cut financial instruments and new entrants are already appearing to meet this demand 15
FS providers must focus their literature on the bottom-line product, avoiding smoke and mirrors tactics and instead focusing on results 17
TREND 3: Renewed focus on ethics, sustainability and social responsibility will permeate both choice of product and choice of institution 18
INSIGHT: Consumer demand for ethical FS is looking set to blossom 20
The rallying 2010 consumer looks ready to embrace a more ethical outlook in the recovery 20
The economically important BRIC markets look to be receptive to ethical financial services opportunities while Western reservations begin to change 20
Interest among high net worth individuals is starting to build but providers must increase awareness and trust 21
Consumers will not accept ‘green-washed’ financial services and will react negatively to a policy facade 22
INSIGHT: Consumers are looking for social empathy from their bank 22
Public perception minefield: JPMorgan versus Goldman Sachs 24
TREND 4: Consumers in 2010 will rely on the actions and advice of their peers when making financial decisions 24
INSIGHT: Digital networks are now bigger than physical ones, and this will continue to impact attitudes towards information in 2010 25
INSIGHT: FS providers will realize the truth about the value of social media 26
Social media will emerge as a trend rather than a fad in 2010 27
Social media will facilitate peer-to-peer recommendations and boost sales through viral marketing 28
INSIGHT: Consumers will look to their peer group for reassurance that they are making the right move 28
Peer emulation can offer fearful consumers, uncertain of which move to make, a well-trodden path 29
TREND 5: Customers will look beyond price to find value 31
INSIGHT: Price is only one small part of the proposition: security, quality, brand loyalty and service must each be respected 32
INSIGHT: FS providers must find the ‘value sweet spot’ in order to entice the 2010 consumer 33
TREND 6: Trust and heritage will play an increasing role in brand choice 33
INSIGHT: FS brand image was damaged in 2009 as customers lost faith in the FS institution 34
INSIGHT: The importance of branding in FS should not be underestimated and will only intensify in 2010 35
Cross-selling is essential to reaping the rewards of successful branding 35
INSIGHT: Messages generating reassurance will be embraced by a consumer seeking certainty 36
FS providers must emphasize their longevity and heritage to rebuild trust, while showing that they have learnt the lessons of the crisis 36
TREND 7: Service must be innovative and flawless 38
INSIGHT: Financial services must provide the same core services but in a better way 39
Clunky systems must be updated to streamline services 39
INSIGHT: Banks have to distinguish themselves through consistently excellent delivery and problem solving, including technology-led enhancements 40
Mobile banking will begin to take off in 2010 as banks refine their systems to fit better with smartphone services 40
Other technologies will also gain momentum in 2010 as more providers develop the delivery of their offerings 41
TREND 8: 2010 will see a return of the long-term perspective in consumers’ FS choices 41
INSIGHT: Financial and emotional factors caused consumers’ myopia to intensify during the crisis 42
INSIGHT: As pressures begin to ease, consumers in 2010 will once again look to the bigger picture 43
Many consumers will have drained their savings in order to survive the crisis and are concerned about the longer-term implications 43
Consumers are therefore more aware of the implications of poor saving habits and once they have found their feet can rebuild with a longer-term goal in mind. 43
Longer-term financial services schemes will come under more scrutiny as a consequence of a post-crisis perspective 43
BRIC consumers will want to take advantage of their freshly established economic leadership and ensure they are prepared to meet the challenges of the longer term. 44
TREND 9: Consumers will drop vanilla products in their search for individualism 44
INSIGHT: Personalization in FS acts as an opportunity for consumers to streamline and refine their FS package 45
Consumers see products geared to their specific needs as a priority, allowing them a ‘no frills’ approach 45
INSIGHT: Providers see personalization as a cost but it could be an opportunity for providers to be able to extract more wallet share 46
Greater individualism is already being reflected in FS rewards packages 46
TREND 10: Consumers diverge in their desires: experiential banking for bespoke issues and efficient pragmatism in their day to day banking 47
INSIGHT: The 2010 consumer is looking for an effective system to manage their finances with little fuss 48
Online banking systems must provide functionality from the outset 49
If online platforms do not meet standards then consumers have other options in the form of personal financial management systems 50
INSIGHT: Consumers will desire more from the banking experience when they head in-branch, both from the branch experience and the higher-order services on offer 51
The branch environment itself must elevate the experiential element of banking 51
2010 entrants must seize the opportunity to adopt the branches of the future today 53
THE 10 TRENDS GOING FORWARD 54
Big bank fears are

For more information please visit :

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/10-Consumer-Trends-for-Financial-Services-Providers-in-2010-and-Beyond-45179.html