STOP PRESS! - I've just heard that one of the top suppliers of Oak furniture in the UK, Devonshire Pine Ltd. is going to be putting up its prices by 10% from April 1st, 2010. Factors cited for the increase include the cost of the fuel used by ships bringing their supplies of oak furniture into Britain and the value of the Pound against other currencies.
If they have gone public in announcing these forthcoming price rises, you can bet that other suppliers won't be far behind. If you've got your eye on a nice oak dining set, I'd advise you to get that order in before the end of the month - if the retailer has to pay an extra 10% from April you can be sure they won't feel much like absorbing all that increase by themselves.
