Market research on the furniture and wooden products industry, commissioned by Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), has found that the retail market requires financing options and warranties not offered by many local furniture manufacturers.
Conducted by consultants Rohan Bell and Lincoln Price of Research and Analysis Associates Limited, between December 2011 and March 2012, the study found that the market is willing to pay a premium for furnishings for which financing and product warranties are available.
By financing is meant that customers prefer to be offered a contractual arrangement in which they are allowed to pay for the goods in parts, or a percentage at a time.
Bad perception
The researchers also recommend that local manufacturers move to correct the perception that locals cannot deliver on time.
"Businesses and households who are not impressed with local industry perceive the local furniture maker as unreliable, likely to vary from specifications agreed for an order, not offering warranty and financing, and untimely with delivery," the researchers found.
"Based on the desirability of hire-purchase options, product warranty, guarantees to supply the volume ordered, to deliver on time, and the unfavourable perception of the market for the local industry on these selling features, focus must be placed on greater pre- and post-sales services that are enablers for the consumer at the decision making stage," said the researchers.
Businesses and householders agree that they prefer to visit showrooms to inform their purchasing decisions for furniture and wooden products. The Internet was identified as an important source of shopping information for businesses, three times as much as it is for households.
The researchers indicate that focus group feedback "suggests a pervasive impression that the local furniture maker is unreliable," although additional surveys contradict this.
"The conflicting impressions suggest a need for initiatives to push back negative perceptions in the market place that undermines acceptance of the local furniture maker," the researchers said.
The study shows that the most important features for household and businesses in furniture and wooden products are durability, type of material used and the finishing. As such, the researchers suggest that product development for the local industry must focus on those qualities to improve market competitiveness and consumer value.
In the survey, the researchers found that in terms of material, mahogany is the favourite choice for businesses, while households prefer cedar.
"Those who prefer wood tend to be willing to pay a higher price for their intended purchases than the market, generally. Leather, mahoe and pine fetch the highest reserve price," the researchers also found.
business@gleanerjm.com
Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
Joan Miro painting smashes auction record - BBC News
Joan Miro's 1927 work Peinture (Etoile Bleue) has sold for more than £23.5 million in London, setting a new auction record for the Spanish painter.
An anonymous telephone bidder saw off three rivals at the Sotheby's sale.
The abstract work has tripled in price since it was last sold in 2007 and fetched the highest price reached at a London auction so far this year.
The previous auction record for a Miro was £16.8m, set when his 1925 work Painting-Poem sold in February.
Peinture (Etoile Bleue) - which translates as Painting (Blue Star) - hails from Miro's 'dream paintings' cycle and had been expected to fetch no more than £15m.
According to Sotheby's Helena Newman, the high figure reflected the current "unprecedented demand" for the best of 20th Century art.
The second highest price at Tuesday's event was fetched by Pablo Picasso's Homme Assis, which sold for £6.2m.
A Henry Moore sculpture, Mother and Child With Apple, was one of the night's other star performers, raising well above its pre-sale forecast of £3.7m.
The auction was the first in a busy week for fine art sales in London, which continues on Wednesday at Christie's.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Philippa turns her dream into reality - This is Gloucestershire
Fine furniture making student Philippa Moss always wanted to be a cabinet maker and now her dreams are becoming a reality.
Philippa, pictured, is thought to be one of the best trainee cabinet makers in the region after coming second in the cabinet making section of the South West heat of SkillBuild 2012, the UK's biggest construction skills competition. She is now laying the foundations for a bright future.
"When I was young I always want to be a carpenter and used to spend hours watching my grandad in his workshop. But as I got older and did my A-levels I just sort of forgot about it. It was only when I returned home and started to use the tools again that I rediscovered my love for the craft."
Despite her recent success, being a cabinet maker was not always on the cards for Philippa, and it was only at the age of 24 she finally decided to pursue her dreams.
After completing A-levels, Philippa continued in education progressing on to a degree in Geology at Portsmouth University and then on to a Masters degree in Geology and Archaeology at the University of Reading. She was all set move to Canada to undertake a PHD but the funding fell through and so, at the age of 24, she found herself returning to her home county of Gloucestershire.
Once at home, Philippa rediscovered her love for cabinet making. She began designing and creating a chicken house for her mum and her interest grew and grew. Philippa was introduced to a furniture maker in Nailsworth, who recommended the furniture making course at Gloucestershire College, and was inspired to develop a career in the industry. Impressed by the level of skill and detail taught at the college, Philippa enrolled on the two year course and began to learn skills including solid wood construction and marquetry.
Philippa gained part-time employment earlier this year as a cabinet maker at Roundhouse, a kitchen design company in Malvern. In her spare time she also designs and creates decking, outdoor furniture and fencing.
Mike Hyett, fine furniture lecturer at Gloucestershire College, said: "Throughout the duration of the course students develop their skills so at the end of the two years they can create bespoke fine furniture pieces. Philippa has been a dedicated student and made a fantastic start to her career."
The college is hosting its annual Fine Furniture Exhibition this month on Wednesday, June 27, 12noon to 9pm; Thursday, June 28 12noon to 9pm and Friday, June 29 10am to 5pm at Theatre, Gloucester Campus, Llanthony Road, Gloucester. Visitors will be able to view the furniture designed and created by Philippa and her fellow classmates. It is open to everyone.
Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
Painting Nature's Spirit at The Gallery, Chard - Chard & Ilminster News
Painting Nature's Spirit at The Gallery, Chard
8:00am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in What's On By Jamie Brooks
PAINTING Nature’s Spirit is the theme of the latest exhibition on show at The Gallery Café Bar and Bistro in Chard this month.
Gwyn Ardyth’s art explores the visible and invisible realms of the woodland landscape in a bid to convey a sense of the mystical and the wild, the untamed and vibrant life force in these ecosystems.
Gwyn, Californian by birth, now lives in Somerset, where she finds endless inspiration for paintings and photos with woods filled with the sound and scent of dripping rain, reflecting pools, damp earth, creaking branches, shadows, and shifting sunlight.
Having previously studied art in California, New York and England, Gwyn achieved an HND in Fine Art at Weston College, Somerset in 2003 and a BA (Hons) Degree in Drawing and Applied Art at the University of the West of England, Bristol in 2006.
For more information follow the related link on this story.
Source: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk
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