The Irish furniture company Sofa Source has just returned from the January Furniture Show in Birmingham. We talk with CEO Mark Gannon to learn more about their experience, and the upcoming Meble Polska fair in Poland. 'The January Furniture Show was an incredible event for us at Sofa Source. It's always such a fantastic opportunity to connect with customers and industry peers, but this year felt particularly special with the launch of our new brand, Avriio,' he says. 'At Sofa Source, we're constantly looking for ways to deliver value, style, and innovation to our customers. The future is bright, and we're excited for the journey ahead.'
Sofa Source's CEO Mark Gannon, our editor at InteriorDaily Juli Wentholt and the new Head of Sales Stephen Murphy at the January Furniture Show.
Can you tell us more about your experience at the January Furniture Show and the new brand?
'We're incredibly excited about Avriio. It represents a bold new direction for us, built on years of expertise and a deep understanding of what customers are looking for in furniture today. The brand is all about blending contemporary design with exceptional comfort and quality, creating pieces that not only look great but are also made to last.
At the show, we introduced a range products that reflect modern lifestyles—versatile, stylish, and designed with sustainability in mind. We're especially proud of the craftsmanship behind every piece; the materials are carefully selected to ensure durability and a premium feel, while the designs cater to a variety of tastes, from minimalist chic to more classic styles. We were also honoured to win Best Stand at the show, a fantastic recognition of our efforts to showcase Avriio in the best possible way. The response has been overwhelmingly positive—the take-up has been excellent, particularly in our home market of Ireland, and we've had serious interest and further discussions with major UK retailers.
We're looking forward to seeing Avriio resonate with customers across the market. It's an exciting chapter for us at Sofa Source, and the January Furniture Show was the perfect platform to kick it off. It was our biggest and best show yet—written orders exceeded our targets, helping to elevate our company profile and strengthen our penetration into the UK market. We also expanded our floor space, allowing us to engage even more effectively with our main customers.'
Did you notice any emerging trends or industry shifts?
'One of the most prominent trends we observed was the continued focus on sustainability. Consumers are increasingly looking for furniture that's not only stylish and functional but also eco-friendly, and manufacturers are responding by using sustainable materials, emphasising recyclability, and adopting greener production practices. It's a shift we're proud to embrace with our products, as sustainability is a core part of our ethos.
We're also seeing a clear evolution in upholstery trends, with lighter, more tonal colours, earthy tones, and softer shapes becoming increasingly popular. Compact and versatile seating is in high demand, particularly as smaller living spaces drive the need for smart, space-saving solutions.
Sofa beds remain a strong category, while tech-integrated sofas are a rapidly growing sector as consumers seek multifunctional furniture that enhances their lifestyle. With more people investing in creating entertainment spaces at home, we're seeing a surge in interest for sofas that combine luxurious comfort with cutting-edge functionality. Features like reclining seats, integrated technology, and enhanced ergonomics are becoming increasingly popular as customers look for that perfect balance of style and home-theatre-level relaxation.
This trend aligns perfectly with the launch of our new LoungeTech range, which we unveiled at the show. LoungeTech is designed specifically to cater to this growing market, offering premium cinema-style seating with features like power recliners, USB charging ports, and innovative comfort technology. It's all about elevating the home entertainment experience while maintaining the contemporary aesthetics that modern homes demand.
Overall, the show reaffirmed that the furniture industry is evolving rapidly, driven by changing consumer preferences and lifestyles. For Sofa Source, this means doubling down on innovation, sustainability, and exceptional customer experiences as we continue to grow and adapt.'
From the fair in England, you're now planning on attending Meble Polska in Poland. What can visitors expect from Sofa Source at Meble Polska this year? Are there any exciting new products or collections being showcased?
'We're incredibly excited to be attending Meble Polska this year and building on the momentum from the January Furniture Show. Visitors can expect a dynamic showcase of our most innovative and versatile ranges, designed to meet the needs of modern living for our European customers. With a strong focus on excellent value, stable prices, and consistent quality, we continue to demonstrate our ability to deliver exceptional furniture solutions. Supplying some of Europe's leading retailers confirms that we provide quality, value, and service to the most exacting of customers.
This year, we'll be shining a spotlight on our new sofa beds, which have been thoughtfully designed to combine style, practicality, and comfort. As multifunctional furniture continues to grow in demand, our sofa beds offer a perfect solution for smaller spaces, guest rooms, or anyone seeking versatility without compromising on design.
We're equally thrilled to introduce our new accent range, featuring statement pieces that add character and personality to any living space. From bold colours and unique textures to eye-catching designs, this range is all about helping customers express their individuality through their interiors.
Finally, sustainability remains a key focus for us, and visitors can expect to see how we're integrating eco-friendly materials and practices across our ranges. We can't wait to connect with visitors, share our passion for design, and explore new opportunities in the European market.'
What makes Meble Polska an important event for your brand?
'Meble Polska is an incredibly important event for Sofa Source, as it provides us with a unique opportunity to connect with a broad audience of international buyers and potential partners. It's one of the leading furniture trade fairs in Europe, and being part of it allows us to showcase our brand on a global stage. For us, it's not just about presenting our products—it's about building relationships and understanding market trends across Europe.'
What's next for Sofa Source?
In terms of product development, we're committed to pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of today's consumers. This means expanding our LoungeTech range with even more cutting-edge features and introducing additional modular options and sofa beds that cater to smaller spaces and multifunctional living. We're also putting significant emphasis on our accent range, creating bold, design-led pieces that help customers bring personality and style into their homes.
Sustainability will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy. We're investing in new ways to make our processes greener, from sourcing eco-friendly materials to reducing our carbon footprint across the supply chain. It's not just about responding to demand—it's about leading the way in responsible furniture production.
We have a full programme of fairs and product launches this year and will now launch new ranges quarterly to ensure we always offer the best products for our customers. Our aim is to grow our UK and European business to new heights, supported by our excellent design and development team in Roscommon, Ireland. From the four fairs in the UK to Poznań, our own show at IFHS in Dublin, and major events in Shanghai and Brussels, our reach is ever expanding.
More information:
Sofa Source International
[email protected]
www.sofasource.com
Ireland