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Qasim Shah, in charge of business development at Modbom, says Modbom staff members have been working with a franchisee hoping to open 2 furniture stores in Paris.

Shah says the city received a building permit application and plans on Tuesday. He says the new store will be approximately 10,000 square feet.

He says the store has been looking at Paris for several years, but had not found a suitable location.

Shah says he's not aware of a time line for the store's opening. Given typical construction time lines, he says it should open autumn 2009.

Steven Chung, in charge of sales at Modbom, said one customer entered the Modbom Furniture showroom this week and said, "It was like entering a Conran store with a fresh twist."

The furniture showroom has undergone a completely new design theme, and Modbom’s staff made the transition into the new showroom this week. Monday was the first day the showroom opened.

The showroom is based in the most exclusive designer furniture area in China. Kartell have launched their first store within the same shopping mall, B&B Italia, Porro, Moroso, and Rolf Benz are but a few to the big brand names located at Wending Plaza.

 Modbom’s new showroom interior is simple, modern and sleek and uses fantastic lighting to add to the ambiance.

Modbom’s head of business development is promoting all existing franchisees and company owned outlets to confirm to the new signature interior by the end of 2009.

The new showroom, grand opening was in March 2007, and will act as the key showroom within the Chinese expansion program.

Based on the Chinese interpretation of the New York loft style, the new showroom will be designed using simple form, and visible unrefined/natural raw materials.  

The design is largely influenced by the surrounding area OCT LOFT, a government backed regeneration project which promotes the use of converting factory buildings the inhabitable commercial and residential spaces.

OCT Loft, is now the cultural and design district of Shenzhen, local and international architect and design agencies have already set up studio’s within the area. Modbom's challenge is to work together with these studio’s to offer good design, and quality products.

Much of the furniture assortment will be displayed in lifestyle vignettes that help buyers visualise what pieces will look like in their homes. Free decorating services will be available to buyers.