Guide · Trade practice
Trade-only vs retail furniture showrooms in London: what's the difference?
By Faura Editorial · · 6 min read
A trade-only furniture showroom in London is reserved for accredited professionals — interior designers, architects, developers and contractors — and works on appointment, trade pricing and specification support. A retail showroom is open to the public, priced at RRP and optimised for a single buyer choosing a finished piece. The two formats look similar from the pavement, but the workflow, pricing and depth of service inside are meaningfully different.
What "trade-only" actually means
A trade-only showroom does not sell to the general public. Its collections, sample libraries, technical files and pricing are reserved for accredited trade accounts. Accreditation is usually based on a portfolio, a company website and a live or recent project. Once an account is open, the studio unlocks trade pricing, on-site sampling and named specification support.
Retail showrooms, by contrast, welcome walk-in visitors, list published RRPs and design the space around a domestic buyer choosing a sofa, a bed or a dining table for their own home.
How the two compare
| Aspect | Trade-only | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Access | By appointment, trade only | Walk-in, open to public |
| Pricing | Trade pricing per project | Published RRP |
| Sampling | Full sample library, cuttings, memos, finish boards | Limited display swatches |
| Technical support | CAD blocks, fire & contract ratings, drawings | Product spec sheet |
| Typical visit | 45–90 minute working session with brief | 15–30 minute browse |
| Delivery | Coordinated to site, UK & overseas | Home delivery of stocked items |
Why the difference matters
Interior designers, architects and specifiers are resolving dozens of decisions across a project — dimensions, finishes, lead-times, contract ratings, site logistics, budget alignment. A trade-only format is built to answer those decisions in one place: a sample library rather than styled vignettes, technical files rather than marketing brochures, a project schedule rather than a single ticket.
A retail showroom is optimised for a different job — helping one buyer choose a finished piece for their own home. Both formats are valid; they are simply built for different customers.
Which London showrooms are trade-only?
Most London design-district showrooms are hybrid: open to the public but with a designer discount scheme in the background. A smaller set is genuinely trade-only. Faura's showroom at 75 Page Street, Westminster SW1P 4HA is trade-only by design — every visit is booked in advance and hosted by the in-house team, so appointments are unhurried and the room can be dressed to the project.
How to visit a trade-only showroom
- Confirm your studio has (or can open) a trade account.
- Send a short project brief in advance — location, room count, budget band, programme.
- Book an appointment; ask for the specific brands or references you want to see.
- Bring drawings and moodboards; expect to leave with cuttings, memos and a written schedule.
If you are a designer, architect or contractor and want to visit Faura's trade showroom in Westminster, book a private appointment — the trade account can be opened on the day of your first visit.