Vietnam Clamp Down On Illegal Logging Is Good News For Home Fashion Industry
News reports from Vietnam detail a clamp down on the sale of illegal timber, a practice that effects wooden furniture manufacturers and retailers across the world, such as Fashion For Home, on a daily basis. In recent months, the country’s media has reported on a number of cases of illegal logging and shipment of the resulting timber, raising public awareness and pressurising the Vietnamese government into action. Vietnam is not the first Asian country to announce a crackdown on illegal timber, with Malaysia also releasing details of their own plans recently.
Forestry industry leader Nguyen Huu Dung told Vietnam News that he believed over 32,000 hectares of woodland in Vietnam is lost each year due to this illegal logging. In a bid to combat the trade, the Vietnamese forest management sector has revealed plans to introduce tougher penalties that it hopes will prevent these opportunistic traders from selling their illegally-sourced timber to foreign customers.
In the last month, Vietnamese authorities have stopped more than fifteen train coaches as they attempted to transport illegally-sourced wood around the country. Deputy director of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, Ha Cong Tuan, reassured reporters that the agency would be making sure that investigations into trafficking rings in Vietnam would be more numerous and more comprehensive in the future. He also detailed plans to train and deploy more staff to regulate and manage the Vietnamese forestry industry during 2012, with the majority of these teams hopefully working at ground level.
This announcement is good for the European furniture industry. The illegal timber trade in Asia often has a knock-on effect on genuine manufacturers and retailers, who make and sell items like these cool sofas on Fashion For Home. Many larger manufacturers already have procedures in place to avoid purchasing tropical woods from dubious sources, many smaller enterprises do not have the time or money to implement such ethical policies.
In similar news, the government of the Central African Republic has recently finalised a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU, which will see the two bodies come together to quash the trade of illegal wood between the two areas. The Timber Trades Journal has also reported that the EU is in talks with the Malaysian government over a similar arrangement as well.
With these VPAs becoming more commonplace, the furniture industry in the UK and Europe should see the amount of illegal-sourced wood hitting the market decrease significantly in the next few years.
Cosine Celebrates Launch of International Benelux Division
Cosine is delighted to announce its further expansion into the European market with the launch of Cosine Benelux. After another year of impressive growth.
Cosine continues with its strategy to develop a European solution for clients. This strategy was launched in 2010 with Cosine taking control of 2 other Omnicom agencies; Stein, a German promotions agency and Daytona, a Paris based sales agency.
Nick Jones, CEO at Cosine, had this to say about the imminent launch: “We are excited to be launching our Benelux business having identified an opportunity for a Data Led Sales agency that has the ability to offer clients high levels of insight, using our retail expertise.”
With LG Electronics Benelux already on board, Cosine Benelux shows every sign of reproducing the successes of its award-winning UK division in Belgium and the Netherlands. Cosine Benelux was selected for the desirable contract with LG Electronics over several local competitors, partly due to its superior solutions capability and its backing by the powerful Omnicom Group. Combined with years of experience and a long-standing commitment to innovation, these factors make Cosine an outstanding choice among field marketing agencies across Europe.
“Cosine convinced us with their ambitious, driven approach and great track record in the UK” Claudia Nijland, project manager at LG Electronics Benelux, said. “We are looking forward to a professional way of working based on their Field marketing crm tool and insights in retail dynamics.”
As Cosine continues to grow in line with the needs of its clients, it will continue to deliver exceptional marketing solutions forged from its winning formula of business intelligence supported by market, retailer and consumer data. By bringing data to the forefront of the sales agenda, Cosine has identified and exploited opportunities in the UK market and will now take its methodical approach further a field. Clients across a diverse range of industries trust Cosine because of its proven expertise in driving sales across both business-to-business and business-to-consumer environments. Whether promoting telephone services to small businesses or sampling food and drink in supermarkets, Cosine consistently delivers its clients quantifiable results. This degree of adaptability is just one of many reasons Cosine continues to thrive both at home and abroad.
Cosine is no stranger to silverware, having already received a host of awards and been named ‘Field Marketing Agency of the Year’ (2011), in the Field Marketing and Brand Experience Awards and by Marketing magazine (2010). Daytona has recently won the Argent de la meilleure Externalisation Commercial trophy, for their work with Johnson and Johnson.
Cosine’s Data Led Sales solutions for retail execution, consumer engagement, direct sales and tactical activity are widely recognised for their effectiveness and efficiency. This hard-earned reputation for delivering quality results has earned Cosine the confidence of numerous blue-chip clients, such as Sainsbury’s, BT, Nokia, American Express, and now LG. With a new international focus, Cosine hopes to add to its growing collection of satisfied clients and industry accolades.
About Cosine:
Cosine UK is at the forefront of the field marketing industry, developing and implementing cutting-edge Data Led Sales solutions across a variety of markets. With the addition of Cosine Benelux to its existing UK business, ‘Field Marketing Agency of the Year’ Cosine will bring the benefits of its award-winning expertise to an increasing number of clients.
FIRA Figures Show Furniture Manufacturing Turnover Increase
Statistics published recently by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) show that during 2010 (the most recent year that figures are available for), UK furniture manufacturing turnover increased by 3.6% to £7bn. FIRA’s newly published statistical digest shows that this growth was despite the number of furniture manufacturers in the UK declining by 3% to 6,205 during this period showing that despite the current uncertain economic climate, there is still demand among consumers for designer furniture from Fashion For Home and other high-end retailers.
The report noted that furniture imports were up by £500 million on the previous year, bringing the total to £4.5bn, while furniture exports are reported to have increased to £849,000. The majority of imports to the UK are coming from China, with figures showing they account for 33 percent of all imported furniture items into the UK. Italy also remains a major supplier of quality furniture to the UK, accounting for 11 percent of all imports. The majority of the UK’s furniture exports during 2010 were to the Irish Republic, accounting for 22 percent of the total, with 10 percent and 9 percent respectively going to the US and Germany.
China’s growth appears to have come at the expense of European furniture manufacturers.
FIRA’s statistical digest is a combination of data from the Office for National Statistics, HM Revenue and Customs and the Communities and Local Government websites. It also includes national economic trends, which include consumer spend, credit and housing. All these things can have an effect on furniture production and sales. Once collated, the figures are separated into relevant sectors which include office and shop furniture, kitchen furniture, mattresses and other items.
“This research gives the UK furniture industry vital information, both to help it survive the difficulties of the economy and grow through innovation and intelligent marketing,” said FIRA chief operating officer Jonny Westbrooke.
Detailing figures from a period when the furniture industry has had to deal with rising fuel and utility costs, plus the increased price of timber due to the government’s Renewables Obligation Woody Biomass Subsidy, the findings of FIRA’s report should provide a welcome boost to furniture manufacturers, wholesalers and retail outlets despite the news that the number of furniture manufacturers in the country has decreased. Whether sales of fashionforhome.co.uk armchairs and other home fashion items have remained as strong or even grown as much in 2011 still remains to be seen, however.
European Weekend Breaks Threatened By Ryanair Bag Charge
Travellers have been left reeling after Ryanair last week announced plans to charge passengers £100 per bag they check in next summer. While consistently offering cheap flight deals, the low cost airline has in the past come under fire for some of the extra costs it expects passengers to pay.
In the announcement, the company explained that the cost of checking in a bag online would not be increasing, but the cost for checking a bag in over the phone or at the airport looks set to rise spectacularly. From October this year to May, known in the industry as the low season, the cost of the first bag you check in will increase from £35 to £60. In high season that fee will rise from £40 to £100. The cost of checking in a second bag during low season will go up from £70 to £105 with prices going up from £80 to £135 during the summer and Christmas of 2012.
Those looking to save money by booking a flight with the company will now have to seriously consider how much luggage they need to take in order to make their weekend breaks in Berlin enjoyable without blowing their entire budget at the airport. A spokesman for Ryanair explained that the price increases have been designed to encourage customers to bring as little luggage as possible, apart from the free 10 kg allowance for carry-on luggage.
This news comes at a time when the government has raised Air Passenger Duty, which in turn has forced many airlines to increase their fees, making the type of short break that rose in popularity with the rise of low cost carriers less attainable for those with a tight budget. People in this situation could be potentially be priced out of last minute trips to a B&B in Paris, unless they choose an alternative form of transport, such as the ferry or Eurostar, although this option is not available to those who live anywhere but the south-east of England.
With travel costs rising and tour operators suffering a downturn in business, booking holidays through private sites such as wimdu are becoming more and more appealing to holidaymakers on a tight budget. With prices that are considerably lower than package deals, consumers are increasingly looking for breaks within the UK or are taking it upon themselves to book holidays abroad and find the most affordable mode of transportation to get them there. With more and more airlines charging for services such as boarding pass printing, this is a trend that looks to continue for some time to come.
CSR Announces It Is Ending Investment In HD And Digital TV
UK based computer chip and wireless technology company CSR has announced that it is ceasing investment in digital television systems on a chip, known as DTV SoC, to focus on areas of technology where they have an existing market lead such as GPS, bluetooth and wifi chips.
The company, which is based in Cambridge, stated in the announcement that the areas it would instead be focusing on would include voice and music technology, digital cameras and low energy bluetooth products. Chief executive Joep van Beurden was quoted as saying: “We have decided to withdraw investment from the DTV SoC and silicon tuner businesses and are focusing our investment where we have a strong position in platforms in the areas of voice & music, automotive infotainment, cameras, document imaging, gaming and Bluetooth low energy. We will also continue to invest in a range of products for attractive growth markets including handsets and computer peripherals.”
Experts believe that by moving away from the increasingly competitive HD and DTV SoC market, CSR stands to make a saving of almost £40m annually from reduced operating costs as a direct result of the changes. The chip industry has experienced a slump recently, as sales of gadgets have lowered across Europe, the USA and other areas due to the economic uncertainties that continues to effect consumer spending.
The company will continue to provide support for existing users of their DTV SoC products and will continue to deliver products to their customers in these areas, although future development will be directed at improving connectivity, voice command technology and various other products that will be useful to the DTV market.
CSR do not belief the change will have a negative effect on its revenues for 2012, in fact the cost reductions expected as a result, such as the cost of goods, looks to save the company almost £10m, although this could be bad news for some employees, as the company is aiming to trim down staff levels from around 3200 personnel, the figure in their employ at the end of September 2011, to 2400 staff worldwide by the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2012.
The technology CSR is retracting investment from is currently found in most set-top boxes you would find on an online HD package checker or postcode HD checker . The announcement will have no effect on consumers, as production of these chips will not slow as a result. If anything, the news should cause excitement among gadget enthusiasts, as CSR’s cost cutting measures could lead to technological advancements in numerous areas.
Regions in Britain Prepare for Extreme Weather
Winter has officially arrived in Britain, with forecasters predicting snow and high winds for parts of northern England and Scotland in the coming weeks. It is recommended that motorist in these areas of the country look at breakdown recovery deals on price comparison website, such as www.breakdownchoices.co.uk for example, before the conditions take a real turn for the worst. Motorcyclists are advised to consider the necessity of their journey and to only attempt to get anywhere if they have comprehensive motorbike cover .
This week has already seen gale force winds in parts of Scotland, with wind speeds of up to 165 miles per hour recorded in some places. With forecasts warning of snow, sleet and hail in the coming weeks, making sure you are prepared before conditions deteriorate further is possibly the wisest thing that motorists can do at the moment.
With temperatures continuing to drop, the likelihood of roads becoming icy is ever increasing meaning that those driving early in the morning as advised to use caution if conditions are poor. Southern areas of England should escape the worst of the weather, but Scotland has been issued with severe weather warnings by the Met Office.
Before attempting a journey of any distance, you should make sure that your car is safe to drive. Check oil and water levels, as well as your screen wash and engine coolant. If your water is frozen, tepid water (never boiling) can be used to melt it, by adding a suitable anti-freeze product to your screen wash reservoir can also help prevent any problems with that. Another important check to carry out is the pressure of your tyres. In cold weather, some wheels can contract slightly, meaning that tyres lose pressure. By investing in either a foot pump or cigarette lighter-powered tyre inflator, you can make sure that you are able to top up the air in your tyres wherever you are, saving money on roadside callouts and time waiting for them to arrive.
To drive safely in snowy or icy conditions you should consider include increasing the distance you keep between your car and the vehicle in front of you as braking distances are vastly increased in bad weather. To slow your vehicle, move down through the gears before using your brakes. Hard braking should be avoided, as you can easily lose control of your car and if you skid, always steer into it until you either come to a stop or regain control. Always keep food and drink, a torch, waterproof footwear, blankets and a shovel in your car in case you do break down or get stuck in snow and ensure your mobile phone has sufficient charge to last the whole journey.
By being prepared, drivers can avoid the worst of the problems that riddle the country each time we experience extreme weather conditions, although the best piece of advice is arguably to keep an eye on forecasts and judge each journey you need to take on its importance.
Everything Everywhere Moves to Improve Mobile Coverage
UK mobile network provider Everything Everywhere has recently announced plans to invest over £1.5 billion in the next three years to improve mobile coverage and prepare for the launch of a 4G mobile network.
As part of the plans, users of both the Orange and the T Mobile networks should experience increased signal strength and coverage as network parent Everything Everywhere takes steps to ensure a greater level of integration between the two networks. Under existing plans, mobile users should see their telephones able to switch between the two networks according to which has the strongest signal in the area. Starting early 2012, this process should become automatic.
According to Everything Everywhere, the increasing integration between Orange and T Mobile should give customers access to the UK’s broadest 3G data coverage. The announcement is in line with a general positioning strategy that will see Everything Everywhere compete to offer the best and most reliable 3G data service in the UK. Data is becoming more and more important to users of the latest and greatest camera phones of 2011 due to an increasing level of internet-based smartphone functionality.
It is likely that a large proportion of the proposed investment will also go into developing the infrastructure required for a 4G mobile network. The auction for 4G spectrum is currently scheduled to take place in Q4 2012 and this will be closely followed by the deployment of 4G network infrastructure. The most optimistic predictions see the first commercial 4G signals go live in the UK in January 2013, although some commentators remain sceptical that this will happen.
Nevertheless, following its recent 4G trials in Cornwall and the announcement of its planned one-and-a-half-billion-pounds expenditure, it is likely that Everything Everywhere will be well-positioned to take advantage of the 4G spectrum when it becomes available. Unfortunately for users who generally purchase handsets £100 and under in price, 4G-capable phones are likely to remain among the most expensive for the foreseeable future.
Confidence In Thomas Cook Will Be Revealed During New Year Booking Season
While announcing healthy trading figures for the year up to September, Peter Long, the head of Europe’s largest tour operator Tui, took time to express his belief that the next three months are going to be key in determining the confidence customers have in Thomas Cook.
When asked if he thought Thomas Cook’s recent financial troubles would have an effect on how the brand is viewed by the public, Mr Long said: “I think that’s the $50,000 question. In terms of the publicity […] is it short-term damage or is it long-term damage? I think there is no way to measure that. It will become apparent as we go into our peak booking period which is January and February.”
As the first two months of the year constitute the peak time for summer package holiday bookings, bankers and market analysts will be watching over the coming months to see if customer confidence has returned and Thomas Cook receive a strong amount of reservations.
Following the announcement last week that Thomas Cook had, for the second time, asked the banks lending them money to ease the conditions of the loans they currently receive, Long admitted that Tui had seen a slight increase in bookings. However, the company has been criticised this week for an online ad campaign that capitalised on Thomas Cook’s debt problems.
One advert stated: “No worries about your holiday company and no worries about what you’re spending, unlike a certain holiday company we could mention, you don’t need to worry about the way we run our business.”
In response to this, Thomas Cook has filed a complaint with Abta, the travel industry trade body, claiming that by mentioning the company’s financial issues, the advertising campaign breaches a code of conduct. When questioned about this, Long back the decision to run the adverts, claiming that customers were seeking clarification over whether Tui’s Thomson brand was affected by Thomas Cook’s problems.
It is arguable that companies offering private apartment letting, such as Wimdu.co.uk stand to benefit from this period of uncertainty, with those looking for short stay holidays, like weekend trips in Berlin or breaks in Nice apartments, possibly choosing the private route to ease fears of their tour operator being forced to file for bankruptcy when they are away, leaving them stranded.
Until the beginning of March, though, it is going to be a nervy time for Thomas Cook and the holiday industry.
Thai Floods Expected to Effect Price and Supply of Server and Computer Parts to UK
Industry commentators warn that floods which have effected production of computer components in Thailand since July this year will have serious implications for computer manufacturers and parts suppliers in the UK and around the world.
Unseasonably heavy rains that began to fall in July this year have caused widespread flooding in Thailand, resulting in the South East Asian nation’s computer component manufacturers struggling to keep production running and meet global demand. Thailand is one the world’s biggest producers of computer parts, in particular hard disk drives (HDD) and major manufacturers including Toshiba and Western Digital have already announced temporary closure of their Thai factories as a direct result of the damaged caused by the flood waters.
According to market researchers, the Internation Data Corporation (IDC), Thailand accounts for up to 45 per cent of global hard HDD production and industry analysts IHS iSuppli claim that the flooding will cause HDD shipments in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 to drop by up to thirty per cent. This, they believe, will have serious ramifications for computer manufacturers around the globe well into 2012.
With prices for Seagate and Western Digital equipment already soaring, companies like PC World expect the price of personal computers to increase by a minimum of fifty pounds as we enter the first quarter of 2012.
But there is positivity amongst the bad news. Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman claims that the industry standard server branch of the company is set to benefit from the crisis in Thailand. While recent years have seen businesses building their own servers, searching the market for the most economic server cabinet and necessary components, Whitman believes that the shortage of components the industry will experience in 2012 will cause businesses to move away from custom builds and return to companies that offer a complete package in order to buy Blade servers and other equipment.
It is likely that the ones to suffer during this period of lower production will be domestic customers, as computer manufacturers seek to keep the coffers full by offering what stocks they do possess to their larger, corporate clients.
However, IHS iSuppli believes the impact of this fall in component stocks ‘is not significant enough to have a measurable effect on overall semiconductor industry revenue growth,’ and IDC is confident that HDD prices will be stabilised by June 2012 and should return to previous recognised levels by the third quarter of the year.
So while the end of 2011 is proving to be a worrying time for computer manufacturers and computer parts UK suppliers, the outlook is not quite as bleak as recent reports tend to suggest. While the knock-on will effect the market for budget laptop and desktop PC brands, the industry as a whole should be able to survive this scare, even if Western Digital has to forego their position as the world’s leading leading provider of HDDs and their components.