BUSINESS NEWS: The economy: looking ahead

Friday, 30 September, 2022

In these turbulent times, conflicting information really doesn’t help when you need to be sure of moving your business forward. War, shortages and talk of inflation and recession create confusion. What should we believe? What should we dismiss as sensationalism? All too often, individual factors are taken out of context and when given perspective through real insight, positives start to emerge. It’s time for a considered look at what lies ahead.

 

Steelcase to reduce spending and lay off 180 salaried positions

Thursday, 22 September, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A decline in incoming orders and lower than expected return-to-offìce trends in the Americas, has led Steelcase Inc. to implement a further reduction of planned spending including a reduction of approximately $20 million of annualized spending and the elimination of up to 180 salaried positions across America’s core business and corporate functions.

“In response to inflation and supply chain challenges throughout this year, we have been pulling back on our planned level of incremental spending while staying invested in our most critical strategic initiatives,” said Dave Sylvester, senior vice president and CFO, of Steelcase.

West Elm and Office Furniture Startup Branch Announce New Retail Partnership

13 September, 2022

BROOKLYN, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Global design company, West Elm, a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM), the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today, a new partnership with premium office furniture startup, Branch. The partnership, which is Branch’s first with a major retailer, will provide both commercial and residential West Elm customers access to a curated assortment of high-quality, ergonomic office furniture designed to accommodate the needs of both at-home workers and small to medium-sized businesses.