As 2024 draws to a close, Katie Marshall, head of Vidato UK and managing director of Bluebird Agents and Consultants, reflects on a year of milestones, challenges, and growth for her agency and the brands it represents. With a full year of operations now under their belt, Bluebird has made impressive strides. Katie looks back on the year with pride and gratitude, highlighting the hard work and collaborations that have set the stage for an exciting 2025.
In this interview, we discuss the biggest challenges the industry faced in 2024, Bluebird's strategic plans for the coming year, and Katie's insights into the future of retail and furniture design, including the role of technology and innovation.
Katie Marshall.
As we're nearing the end of the year, how do you look back on 2024?
'As we are ending the new year we, at Bluebird we can look back on the year with pride, we have successfully completed our first full year in business with our agency and have before us the start of some great strides for our brands.
In 2025 Novaluna will hit the Great British High Street and Independent Furniture Retail market with exciting partnerships.
Vidato UK have now a show season and many bespoke contract furniture orders under our belts with some super developments to be announced in future.
For HomeDecoHub we have started our first UK trials and have now onboard over 100 manufacturers worldwide, our baby is growing!
The year has consisted of hard work and strength to get to where we are, but has aligned us for a strong start to 2025. When looking back we are grateful for all the fabulous professionals we have worked with and met throughout the year, the opportunities that have come to heighten our business experiences and developments and we are thoroughly excited for what is to come!'
Rendering by HomeDecoHub.
What was the biggest challenge for the industry in 2024?
'One of the biggest challenges for the industry in 2024 has still been getting back to business and finding the new norm for our world post Covid and Brexit. Although it feels fairly far behind us now, we are still working on life today - be it with staffing levels which changed during personal periods of evaluation due to the life change, or looking to what our living habits now look like. Life changed during that period, and we are now still working on the new normal. New and recent Governmental changes are affecting smaller business and therefore our overall business platform evolves also alongside these. Retail and the furniture industry is evolving and businesses need to do so with it.'
What are the plans for 2025?
'For Vidato & Novaluna, 2025 looks strong, we need to stay focused and develop systems to support our growth, whilst pushing for our brands to be developed and recognised in the UK market.
We have signalled participation in a number of new shows and events and we will strive to make these successful. As an agency Bluebird push to be responsive and communicative and forward thinking for our brands. Consultation and support work means that we stay current in our knowledge to be able to guide and assist brands in the UK to be successful, and we also thoroughly enjoy the process along the journey.'
Rendering by HomeDecoHub.
'I'd also like to remind all furniture retail manufacturers, that we cannot afford to ignore the 3D and tech developments which will affect our industry in future. Hiding from subjects will not make the world stop the super fast development of technology in the furniture sector. The reminder is to be at the forefront of this knowledge and possibilities to be successfully retailing in the coming years. Choosing a partner to do this with which communicates in a language that you understand, and who can make the developments realistic for you is crucial, this is what we are pushing for with HomeDecoHub and the Colijn Company behind it.
Also, watch this space for some strategic new partners with Bluebird in 2025!'
More information:
Vidato Interiors UK
[email protected]
www.vidatointeriors.co.uk
Novaluna
www.novalunaitalia.com
HomeDecoHub
[email protected]
www.homedecohub.com
Bluebird Agents & Consultancy
(+44) 7823 514952
[email protected]
www.bluebirdagents.com