All Loaf articles
Loaf is a fast-growing furniture retailer characterised by its laid-back, informal approach. Its mission is to make the buying and delivery process as simple and hassle-free as possible for customers. Founded by Charlie Marshall in 2008, the retailer originally sold a limited range of beds. But the offer has been widened and now covers furniture and accessories for the whole house.
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AnalysisNew data shows Sosandar, Loaf and Beauty Pie smashed FY21 ecommerce growth
An additional ranking compiled by analysts in Retail Week’s latest report reveals the UK retailers that achieved the highest online sales growth for FY2021 – and features some surprising names
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GalleryStore gallery: Inside sofa brand Loaf’s biggest showroom yet
Sofa brand Loaf has selected Edinburgh for its ninth store – its first in Scotland and its largest location to date.
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NewsExclusive: Loaf names Sam Perkins chief executive as founder Marshall takes up brand role
Furniture specialist Loaf has appointed former In The Style boss Sam Perkins as chief executive as founder Charlie Marshall steps aside, Retail Week can reveal.
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AnalysisResearch: Nike, Asda, Primark, and Loaf reveal in-store CX strategies
Retailers must seize the opportunity to create differentiated and compelling in-store experiences if they want to thrive in the future, 25 leading retailers and experts warn in our new report
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (Overview)
Loaf is a fast-growing online furniture retailer characterised by its laid-back, informal approach. Its mission is to make the buying and delivery process as simple and hassle-free as possible for customers.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (SWOT)
By combining content and commerce, and bringing a digital-first approach to furniture retailing, Loaf has built a strong brand identity that is resonating well with today’s constantly connected consumer. Despite its rapid growth, Loaf is still modest in size compared to many other furniture retailers such as IKEA and DFS, giving it much less clout in the competitive current marketplace.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (Strategy)
Loaf has made the transition from a small to a medium-sized business and has invested heavily in systems and infrastructure to support this. It is now having a massive push on full multichannel development, driving ahead with the development of a series of Loaf Shacks to support its online offering.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (People)
Loaf continues to be headed up by its founder Charlie Marshall. Monsoon Accessorize founder Peter Simon has also held a significant minority stake since 2014.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisStores at Loaf
Loaf’s bricks and clicks strategy is taking off with the opening of its Loaf Shack showrooms. The retailer is targeting eleven in total, expanding outside of London and beyond.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisTechnology strategy at Loaf
Loaf is in the process of assessing where it takes its technology next, as it gears up for rapid growth over the next few years. Currently most of its systems are bespoke and built in-house.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (Financials)
Loaf saw its sales decline 1.8% in the year to end March 2023 (FY2022) citing an “overall softening of the furniture market, highly competitive retail trading environment and challenging macro-economic climate” which resulted in revenues of £92.2m.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisEcommerce at Loaf
Loaf started life as an online only retailer, and while stores are now a significant opportunity for the retailer going forward, online remains critical to its growth.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisCustomer and marketing at Loaf
Loaf primarily targets young professionals. Its laid-back approach and commitment to offering a hassle-free shopping and delivery service appeals particularly to this time-poor segment of the market.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisSupply chain at Loaf
Over the past few years the relationship with Wincanton has significantly increased warehouse capacity for Loaf and has given it the ability to scale up customer deliveries as it continues to grow. Ensuring hassle-free delivery is a key element of Loaf’s strategy.
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Retail Navigator AnalysisLoaf (Outlook)
Loaf has a new strategy – to “become the UK’s iconic premium home brand with unrivalled customer engagement.”