Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Jul 4th 2010, 9:14 am
#31
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Posts: 1,705
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Fairydown
Katmandhu
Rodd & Gunn
Line7
Blackbox Headphones
Perreaux Audio
Pumpkin Patch
Danske Mobler
NZ Carpets (Cavalier Bremworth, Feltex etc)
Mountain Buggy
Bobux
Navman
Canterbury clothing
Jul 4th 2010, 11:15 am
#32
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
I’ve got to say when I look at IKEA products they are starting to look a bit of a dated fashion now. 5 - 10 years ago that sleek furniture looked modern and clean, now it just looks a bit try hard and commercial somehow. The whole brushed chrome and exposed wood clinical thing has really been covered from every angle.
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
So out with the new:
In with the old:
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
So out with the new:
In with the old:
Jul 4th 2010, 11:24 am
#33
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 1,208
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Jul 4th 2010, 11:25 am
#34
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 1,208
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
I’ve got to say when I look at IKEA products they are starting to look a bit of a dated fashion now. 5 - 10 years ago that sleek furniture looked modern and clean, now it just looks a bit try hard and commercial somehow. The whole brushed chrome and exposed wood clinical thing has really been covered from every angle.
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
Jul 4th 2010, 12:15 pm
#35
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Joined: Nov 2007
Location: homeless
Posts: 1,756
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
I’ve got to say when I look at IKEA products they are starting to look a bit of a dated fashion now. 5 - 10 years ago that sleek furniture looked modern and clean, now it just looks a bit try hard and commercial somehow. The whole brushed chrome and exposed wood clinical thing has really been covered from every angle.
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
So out with the new:
http://www.bratproductions.com/gr/bl...pen_normal.jpg
In with the old:
http://activerain.com/image_store/up...0858769905.jpg
I’m seeing more high end design outlets (which usually signal a look into future trends) going for twists on classically styled refinished furniture (often in bright colours with hand finishes).
I don’t think there are any really exciting major NZ furniture makers out there but then the kiwi taste in furniture has always tended to be very conservative (the thought you might want to buy new furniture every few years horrifies kiwis, most of who don’t earn much money TBH) and major retail chains here are reluctant to take risks on new products, they would rather sell the same thing year after year.
So out with the new:
http://www.bratproductions.com/gr/bl...pen_normal.jpg
In with the old:
http://activerain.com/image_store/up...0858769905.jpg
Kiwis can't help loving old (50/60's) fashioned (nana style) horrid stuff.
Last edited by crap coffee; Jul 4th 2010 at 12:24 pm.
Jul 6th 2010, 6:47 am
#36
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Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
As SR71 points out there are some 'niche' NZ brands mostly in clothing and outdoor gear, of which I doubt very much of it is made in NZ. The prices in the likes of Danske Mobler, Rodd and Gunn (eg. $169 for a shirt) and other NZ brands are usually way beyond the means of the average Kiwi income.
Has anyone seen the price of carpet and rugs? OMG you would never think that sheep and wool were grown here, with the prices they charge.
Jul 6th 2010, 10:48 am
#37
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
I got basically chucked out of a shop for mentioning the prices of these one time. Got told to get me back from where I originally comes from. Trouble was, I was price & quality checking them at the time. OOps. Nil points.
Jul 6th 2010, 11:44 am
#38
It is what it is Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Blockhouse Bay, Auckland
Posts: 2,797
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Cool custy service eh? Nil point for that too!
Jul 6th 2010, 11:03 pm
#39
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Joined: May 2010
Location: Mission Bay, Auckland yay!
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Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Just as an aside I have heard very positive things about quality of NZ products from expats. It seems it could be luck of the draw.
Last edited by londonescapee; Jul 6th 2010 at 11:11 pm. Reason: whittering away and needed to cull....
Jul 7th 2010, 4:38 am
#41
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
F&P appliances manufacture in Southeast Asia somewhere (Thailand?) IRRC so it’s kind of local? F&P healthcare still make medical equipment here and IMO are one of our most promising future companies (but then I would say that, would give my right arm for a job with them
).
Jul 7th 2010, 5:03 am
#42
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Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,010
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
Last I heard was that Kumf's made about 40% of their shoes in China, mind you that was a few years back and it could be more or less now.
Jul 7th 2010, 8:37 am
#44
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Joined: May 2010
Location: Mission Bay, Auckland yay!
Posts: 493
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
But even here goods from shops that you think would be better quality - and that you are paying more for - still don't last like they should (House of Fraser, and I would include the more expensive IKEA stuff in there now as well but that's just my experience!). That said, our £5 Argos toaster is 4 years old and still going strong 
Why make it in your own country when it is cheaper to manufacture and then ship it over? A concept I have never quite grasped personally
but it obviously makes more money for the companies concerned!
Last edited by londonescapee; Jul 7th 2010 at 8:38 am. Reason: try and try again doh
Jul 7th 2010, 9:15 pm
#45
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Ikea in NZ at last, well nearly?
China has a massive competitive advantage with cheap energy and now to a lesser extent labour. It really annoys me when people criticize China on pollution because most of the rubbish they are making is for us in the west. We didn’t suddenly get all clean and green, we just outsourced our lifestyle problems to another country.