Home24 launches in Italy

Home24, Europe’s largest online furniture shop, has launched in Italy, and has also presented its half-year figures for the first half of 2014.

Home24 reports positive business development and continues to expand its strong market position. In the first half of the year, the net revenue totaled €59m, which equals 64% of the total net revenue of 2013. In the first six months of 2014, the gross merchandise volume was at €69m (+43% compared to the first half of 2013).

Furthermore, in the first half-year of 2014, the number of orders totalled 0.4 million (+37% in comparison to the first half of 2013). A further increase is expected for the second-half of the year.

Home24 has now launched in Italy, its seventh market in Europe, and the third this year for the e-tailer. At the beginning of the year, Home24 launched in Switzerland, and in Belgium shortly after.

Domenico Cipolla, CEO at Home24, comments: "Our goal is to offer our customers the best possible shopping experience. At Home24, our clients are able to choose their products via the internet, without being forced to spend their free Saturday in overly-crowded furniture stores. We deliver all products free-of-charge into the homes of our customers. Should they not be satisfied with their choice, we will pick the product up – this is also for free.

"Italy is one of the most important countries in the European furniture industry. We are currently already working with a variety of Italian manufacturers and will expand this collaboration even further with our launch in Italy. Furniture and Italy clearly belong together. Nevertheless, we currently do not see any comparable shop to Home24, in Italy. Our assortment and service is one of a kind in Italy. The Italian furniture market is enormous and Italians continue to order more online – we therefore see huge potential in this country. From now on, we are able to also cater to the needs and wishes of our Italian customers and elate them with the shopping experience at Home24."

Source : Paul Farley - Furniture News
www.furniturenews.net/news/articles/2014/11/862034292-home24-launches-italy-and-presents-half-year-figures