• Additional funds for one-time assistance

• Fines without masks

• Snowy responsibility

• Hope for spring and “smartphone generation”

• Furniture as sports equipment

Everything that happened last week in Ukraine and the world and that is relevant for the furniture maker, read in our digest:

1. The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated an additional UAH 200 million from the 2021 state budget for one-time assistance to FOPs in the amount of UAH 8,000. The relevant order is published on the government portal. According to the decree, funds are allocated to the Ministry of Social Policy to complete the provision of one-time financial assistance to insured persons who may lose income in the event of a complete ban on their activities due to the strengthening of restrictive pandemic measures.   

In total, according to the calculations of the Ministry of Social Policy, 712,000 people can apply for one-time assistance.

2. The parliamentary newspaper Golos Ukrainy published Bill 131113-IX, which provides for fines for businesses and businesses for customer service without masks. The law has already entered into force.  

For violation of the law, a legal entity, a natural person-entrepreneur will pay a fine of 200 to 300 non-taxable minimum incomes or from 3400 to 5100 UAH.

In addition, the law provides for fines for not wearing masks by employees of private individuals.

3. The heads of enterprises, institutions and organizations must bear personal responsibility for the condition of the territories assigned to them.

Since the beginning of the first snow day, inspectors of Kyivblagoustriy and district state administrations have already submitted 411 instructions and drawn up 42 reports on the heads of enterprises for untimely clearing of balance areas from the snow.

4. Sellers of furniture stores are considering different scenarios, adapting to changes in customer demand in a pandemic environment. Some believe that in the spring there may be a growing demand for inexpensive furniture for country houses. After all, trips to the resort this year are still in great question. Thus, many people may prefer a country holiday and may want to update the interior.

Now there is an increase in sales via the Internet. And, according to forecasts, such sales will only increase. After all, very soon the peak of consumer power will reach a generation that does not let go of their smartphones.

5. Amsterdam studio “HO-TT” presented a series of items of sports equipment, which simultaneously perform the functions of various items of furniture and decor. The collection was created to prove the benefits of home training to those who live in small spaces, and was created based on pandemic trends when the role of improvised gyms was largely taken over by apartments.

For example, a high stool Iasius can be turned to the side and used as a bar, and its characteristic twisting handle has a dual function: as well as a decorative element. The legs of the Heracles coffee table are, in fact, five pairs of dumbbells from 2 to 5 kilograms.

The idea, in particular, involves the design of products in three different styles – from an exquisite version of brass, marble and oak to a more playful interpretation using bright colours of terrazzo and resin. It is also planned to include a version of items made using recycled and recycled materials