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Research findings suggest that total furniture sales increased by
almost 5% (or £210m) in 2002, with producer prices being fairly static or even
declining within certain sectors, whilst sales in 2003 are estimated to have
grown by 4.1% (or £185m in value terms).The latest findings indicate that sales
increased by 3.1% in 2004 or £145m in value terms. Imports continued to grow
strongly and increased by nearly £120m or over 65% of the total increase in the
market. Imports from outside the EC now account for well over 50% of total
imports.
Total sales of domestic furniture reached an estimated £4890m in
2004, compared to £4745m in 2003 and £4560m in 2002. Total industry sales
increased by 3.1% in 2004, with producer prices increasing by around 1% during
the year.
Sales of upholstered furniture totalled £1650m in 2004, compared
to £1595m in 2003 and £1530m in 2002 and currently account for 34% of the total
market, whilst sales of kitchen furniture reached £965m in 2004, compared to
£930m in 2003 and £900m in 2002 and accounted for 20% of the total market.
Total sales of self assembly furniture reached an estimated
£1150m in 2004, compared to £1120m in 2003 and £1080m in 2002. Sales of such
products accounted for 24% of total domestic furniture sales in 2004.
The South East region of the country accounts for the bulk of
sales of self-assembly furniture with 33% of the total market, compared with the
North West and West Midlands, with 12% and 10% of the total market respectively.
Within the self-assembly sector imports totalled £248.6m in 2003
and £272.6m in 2004, representing 22.2% and 23.7% of the total market for those
years respectively. However, import penetration differs significantly within
the various product groups, reaching around 45% for dining and living room
furniture, 36% for bedroom furniture, but less than 5% for kitchen furniture.
Total sales of self-assembly furniture are expected to reach
£1125m in 2005 and £1150m in 2006. Sales of these products are forecast to
account for 24.3% of the total domestic furniture market by the end of the
period; this compares to 23.5% of the total market in 2004.
Business and
Research Associates' “The UK
Market for Self-Assembly Furniture – UK 2005” report is available in hard
copy or electronic format for £495 and can be ordered online at
www.amaresearch.co.uk
or by calling 0871 3103450.
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