Local furniture store Modern Style Outdoor Furniture will open its third store next month in Christchurch.

The new 380sqm showroom will feature 20 to 30 sets of aluminium, teak and rattan
outdoor furniture, the retailer’s bestsellers.

The retailer doesn’t have any plans to expand overseas but it is currently updating its site to include e-commerce, which will be launched in the coming weeks.

“Our online business is growing,” said Steve Foreman, the founder of Modern Style Outdoor Furniture.

Foreman said they used to post their pieces on online marketplace TradeMe but people would still want to view the furniture in person and visit their stores.

According to Foreman, they picked Christchurch as the location for their third store mainly because of its growing population. He said they plan to open a showroom in Wellington in the next few years.

Foreman said the business, which has been operating since 2012, stands out among other outdoor furniture stores in the country because they use materials that will last in New Zealand’s environment.

“We use quality materials yet offer a great range at affordable prices which can withstand New Zealand conditions and with five-year warranties,” he said.

He said the coast range is the most versatile, mid-range priced furniture in their collection and suits most people, but rattan is still a bestseller.

Foreman designs the furniture, along with a team based overseas.

“I travel to furniture shows around the world for inspiration,” he said.

“I found that what I like is what most people like so for myself it was very easy. In the beginning, I didn’t realise this but now I just go with my taste and not overthink it.”

The furniture pieces are imported directly from Asia and Europe, and the retailer’s warehouse doubles as the showroom to cut cost. Foreman added that they do their best to make the business sustainable as well.

“Our fabric is Sunbrella, the best in the world, our teak is reclaimed and all certified, our manufacturing plant in China meets all the new health and safety requirements, all our materials used can be recycled, meaning once they come to the end of their life the materials can be recycled. But they last for many years,” he said.

Foreman, whose first job was in print media, said he went into the furniture business because he saw there wasn’t much well-designed outdoor furniture. He opened the first store in Albany and says the business grew primarily by word of mouth.

“Customers come back and say they wouldn’t go anywhere else and lots of them have referred friends and family. It really makes us proud to deliver such awesome designed outdoor furniture.”

He said service is something they do well.

“Customers love it that we can deliver the next day or same day.”

Foreman said he doesn’t really pay attention to the retail environment in New Zealand, but he does plan to grow the business’s position in the market and strengthen the brand.

The Modern Style Outdoor Furniture’s third store will open on August 2.