INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research have published the Eighth Edition of the 'Domestic Kitchen Furniture Market - UK 2006” report. This report incorporates original input and primary research and represents an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the kitchen furniture market.

Product sectors covered in the report include:

• KITCHEN FURNITURE

• SINKS

• WORKTOPS

The UK kitchen furniture market is a mature sector, with overall market value experiencing a decline in 2005, following a slow down in the housing market and lower levels of consumer confidence. In 2005, the market was estimated at £1.1 billion at manufacturers selling prices.

Key Points on Interest Include:-

• The changing role of the kitchen, providing a functional area for cooking, and a place for socialising, entertaining, relaxing etc.

• Improvements in materials and design, providing a wider choice of worksurfaces, sinks and accessories in particular.

• Greater consumer awareness of products and fashion trends within the industry has influenced the distribution mix.

• The shift towards professional installation in line with the ‘Get Someone In’ trend.

• The growth of imports in the furniture sector.

This report reviews developments within the industry, with emphasis on both QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE market assessments.  The report contains over 90 pages of ORIGINAL research on the UK Domestic Kitchen Furniture Market and provides incisive and thought-provoking views on its future development.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

THE MARKET

• Total Kitchen Furniture Market - market background, product mix by value.

• Furniture, Worktops and Sinks Market - historical market development, analysis of market size by value 1999-2009.

• Factors influencing Market Development - economic situation, house building and house price inflation, consumer confidence, growing influence of design/style changes, population mix changes, increases in the number of second/third time buyers, low interest, growing ownership of a greater number of kitchen appliances etc.

• Fitted & freestanding kitchen furniture – household ownership levels and analysis of the factors affecting the development of each sector.

• Imports and Exports - developments in import and export levels 1991-2005, factors influencing the level of imports and the gradual increase in exports.

• Fitted Kitchen Furniture Ownership - changes in ownership levels 2005, factors influencing current and future ownership levels e.g. new house building, choice of products now available, public housing.

• Kitchen Appliances - annual value sales by built-in and free standing products, mix by type of appliance, influence of appliance sales in fitted kitchen furniture market.

PRODUCTS

• Flat-Pack/Rigid Units - market share mix of each sector, quality levels of flat-pack kitchens, factors affecting mix between flat-pack and rigid kitchens, market share of flat-pack/rigid kitchens, assembly methods of kitchen furniture.

• Trends in Design/Materials in Kitchen Furniture – High proportion of modern and contemporary designs, greater consumer awareness; emphasis on performance and benefits, quality and features, trends in colours and finishes, long term trends in styles and designs, etc.

• Trends in Design/Materials in Worktops - share mix by material, colour/pattern trends in worktops, growth of non-laminate materials such as solid surfaces, wood, stone, stainless steel advantages/disadvantages, new product developments.

• Trends in Design/Materials in Sinks - historic and current developments in materials, current and future trends, material share estimates, factors influencing material trends e.g. product development, fashion influences, popular colours, trends surrounding other kitchen products.  Sinks increasingly designed as food preparation areas.

DISTRIBUTION / SUPPLIERS

• Distribution Channel Shares - analysis of shares by value, trends/developments in shares, growth/declining sectors.

• Role of Distributors - importance of distributors in kitchen furniture market, own branding by distributors, review of major national distributors.

• Analysis of Supply Structure - supplier market shares, recent developments in supplier shares.

• Profiles of Leading Suppliers - furniture, worktops, sinks suppliers, market position, analysis of activities, financial information etc.

KEY MARKET INFLUENCES / FUTURE PROSPECTS

• Housing Market - analysis of developments in new house building and house moving activity, influence of house prices and consumer confidence.

• Population Profile - analysis of changing profile and implications for kitchen furniture sales.  Personal Disposable Income and Savings - developments in ratios and impact on consumer durable purchasing.

• Economic Influence – unstable global political and economic environment and the effect on consumer confidence and market growth.

• Future Prospects - key factors influencing future market developments, performance of the economy, housing market, consumer confidence, market factors, and future growth prospects.