SOFA RETAILERS TAINTED BY ASSOCIATION AS FIRMS MOVE TO PROTECT IMAGE AND ALLAY CONSUMER FEARS

11th November | leather | BBC Watchdog’s exposé of alleged health problems caused by Chinese manufactured sofas is affecting sales at furniture retailers who have no association with the two suppliers named in the investigation.

That’s the view of a director of one of Britain’s leading furniture retailers, who told the Furnishing Report that the BBC’s investigation had prompted many consumers to enquire about the origins of its upholstery after viewing the consumer affairs programme.

In two separate programmes, BBC Watchdog has reported cases of skin problems including rashes and burns said to have been caused by anti-fungal sachets inserted into sofas manufactured by Linkwise and Eurosofa.

Other retailers, including nine-store Anglia Home Furnishings (AHF), have taken steps to prevent association with the affected upholstery. A prominent statement on the AHF website reads:

‘Following the recent Watchdog television programme and subsequent media coverage you may have concerns about certain leather sofas manufactured in China. Please be assured that AHF sources all imported leather sofas from Italy and Malaysia and no product stocked or ever offered for sale by AHF is affected.’

Legal firm Russell Jones & Walker is leading a High Court class action against retailers known to have sold the affected upholstery with sofa rash claimants having their cases dealt with under a defective product Group Litigation Order – the largest of its kind ever recorded in England and Wales.

The next hearing is scheduled for December.