UPHOLSTERY

Angry customers prompt store closure of firm that made price-fixing allegations

16th February 2010

A independent furniture retailer that accused Italian sofa supplier Natuzzi of fixing prices has closed its doors.

No official record of the firm, Cresta Furniture, entering insolvency proceedings has been placed on public record as yet, but speculation on various Internet message boards is rife that this will follow shortly.

Cresta Furniture, based in Preston, was a long time Natuzzi stockist before a breakdown in the relationship last year. The dispute culminated in the retailer accusing Natuzzi of fixing prices, an allegation the Italian company denies, at the end of last year.

Cresta has since closed its Ribbleton Lane store following what it described as safety concerns. A newspaper in the north west has published a story about angry consumers who have paid deposits to Cresta without receiving goods.

This has been followed by a barrage of posts on a consumer complaints website (www.complaintsboard.com) about Cresta. Follow this link to read the posts.