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The UK domestic
window coverings market is comprised of four major sectors: curtains;
blinds; lightweight curtains (voiles, sheers and net/lace curtains); and
curtain suspension systems. The window coverings market is a mature
market and has traditionally enjoyed steady, if incremental, growth.
However, difficult retail conditions in the UK market in the latter part
of 2004 and throughout 2005 have impacted on the window coverings market
and growth has not been as healthy as we had previously forecast.
The window
coverings market was estimated to be worth more than £1.2 billion at
retail prices in 2005, showing little or no growth on the previous
year. With a slight recovery in general market conditions, the market
could reach a value of just under £1.3 billion by the end of 2006.
The
window coverings market has experienced a relatively steady rate of
growth over the period but stagnated when market conditions were poor or
uncertain as in the late1990s and 2004/05. Market performance since
1997 suggests that the market can grow by around 5% in good conditions,
but falters in times of uncertainty as consumers defer non-essential
purchases. Current indications suggest growth of around 2% per annum to
reach a value of just under £1.4 billion in 2009
The window
coverings market is highly subject to trends in fashion and design.
Although the market has not grown significantly during the last two
years, there have been changes in market share between the sectors
reflecting consumer preferences. Manufacturers have responded to demand
with an increased emphasis on style and the types of material available,
in many cases extending their ranges to capture as many market
opportunities as possible. However, this trend towards diversification
is already showing some signs of reversal, particularly among small and
medium-sized companies as manufacturers find it more profitable to
concentrate on their core business.
Curtains
have succumbed to increased pressure from the blinds market over the
last two years with market share reducing to an estimated 52% value
share of the market in 2005 down from 56% in 2003. However, curtains
are still the largest sector. There appears to have been a polarisation
of this sector with the ready-made curtains at the value end of the
scale keeping volume sales up, while the higher end made-to-measure
curtains maintains sector value. The expansion of express curtain
services in a wider variety of retail outlets has also helped to
maintain growth.
Blinds
have enjoyed considerable growth in market share over the last two years
and are estimated to account for 31% of the market, up from an estimated
27% value share in 2003. The sector has benefited from the current
trend for simple décor and also from a wide variety of new materials
available to consumers, particularly natural materials such as wood and
grasses. This has enabled the market to withstand the decline in the
domestic conservatories market, traditionally a significant application
for blinds. The recent success of this sector has seen the entry and
expansion of many small and medium-sized businesses keen to benefit from
current trends. However, the sector remains dominated by Hillarys,
Hunter Douglas, Louver-Lite and Benthin.
In contrast, the
fortunes of the lightweight curtains market have dwindled. Net
and lace curtains, traditionally the mainstay of this sector, have
fallen out of favour with consumers, with the sector maintained by the
introduction of voiles and sheers. Blinds have taken significant market
share as new materials enable blinds to fulfil the functions previously
performed by net curtains. The sector is estimated to have declined to
5% in terms of overall market share and manufacturers in this sector are
struggling with falling turnover and a series of financial losses.
The curtain
suspension sector has enjoyed more positive fortunes over the last
two years and is estimated to represent around a 12% value share of the
window coverings market in 2005. Interior design trends have favoured
poles, which generally command higher prices over plain tracks. This,
coupled with the increasing popularity of corded track and the
acceptance of automation and controls in domestic settings, has seen
innovation drive market growth.
There have been
some changes on the supply front with Newell Rubbermaid,
the largest supplier in this sector, granting marketing licences to
Sunflex Packaged Products and withdrawing their own presence from
the UK market.
Distribution
has been marked by a reduction in independent and specialist retail
outlets with a share of distribution going to DIY multiples as well as
through direct sales, for example, via internet sites. The purchasing
power of the retail multiples has meant that a wider variety of products
are available to consumers at more competitive prices. Department and
variety stores have also gained distribution share, focusing on service
and express delivery of bespoke orders to fulfil consumer demand. List
of Companies Mentioned
Tyrone Textiles, Filigree, Northern Nets, John Aird,
Newell-Rubbermaid Corporation (USA), Coats, Headlam, Cornwell Parker,
Courtaulds Textiles, Gordon John Textiles, Rectella, Curtina, Crowson,
Arthur Sanderson, Walker Greeenbank, Laura Ashley, Coats plc, Coats
Viyella, Ewart Liddel, Sarah Lee Corporation, Headlam Group, Style
Furnishings, Global Exports, Al-Zukhraf, Textile Mills, Hamilton McBride,
Imperial Home Décor Group, Blackstone Capital Partners, Semple &
Peck, Mostyns Group, Sleepdown Textiles, Willman Interiors, CWV Group, A T
Cronin, Cleland Mciver, Curtain Express, Norwood Textiles, Trendmost, Home
Curtains UK, Ena Shaw, Ashley Wilde, Prestigious Textiles, Tichard Barrie,
Whiteheads Fabrics, Claremont Fabrics, Silentnight Holdings, Cornwell
Parker, Eclipse Blind, Monkwell Fabrics, The Design Archive, GP & J
Baker, Kravet Fabrics, Montgomery Tomlinson, Walker Greenbank, Colefax
Group plc, Osborn & Little, Sixten & Cassey, Buckingham Tapestry,
Denise Fabrics, Designer Guild, Edmund Bell & Co, Hardy Fabrics,
Marvic Textiles, Rufflette Ltd, Skopos Designs, Style Furnishings
(Sheffield) Ltd, Tyrone Textiles, Warwick Fabrics, Whiteheads Fabrics,
Anne & Robert Swaffer, Clough House, Evans Textiles, Riva Fabrics,
Tudor House Textiles, Stead Mcalpin, Louver-lite, Hunter Douglas,
Ventolite, Arena, Turnils, Villa Nova, Eclipse Blinds, Faber Blinds, AS
Chresten Fabers Fabriker, John King & Son Ltd, Somic plc, Glamorline
International, Milltex Fabrics, Arding Marketing, Julius Koch (UK), Decora
Window Blinds, William O'Hanlon, C & I Holdings, Deans Blinds &
Awnings, Starline Blinds, T F Sampson, Velux Company, VKR Holdings A/S,
East Anglia Blinds, Julius Koch
Living Connection, Regal Heights, Solent Blind & Curtain Company,
Tailor Made Blind Company, Appeal Conservatory Blinds, Fiesta Blinds Ltd,
Plymouth Blind Makers, Solaris Sunblinds, Westwood Blinds, R E Ashworth,
Morton Young & Borland, Simon May & Company, White Angel Curtain
Company, Stuart Knitting Mills, John D Maltby, Newell-Rubbermaid, Spur
Shelving, Homelux Nenplas, EGP IP Ltd, Harper Industries plc, Cope &
Timmins Holdings, Speedy Products, Silent Gliss Holdings AG, Phoenix Furnishing Accessories, Byron &
Byron, Benson For Beds, Decorative Holding Company, Northern Nets,
Knightingales, Dunelm Soft Furnishings, Freemans, Otto Versand GmbH,
Grattan plc, Empire Stores Group plc, Pinault Printemps Redoute SA,
Ewbanks, Scotts of Stow, N Brown Group, Designers Guild, Crest Décor, AG
Stanley, Ingka Holdings BV, Habitat UK, Courts, Next, Laura Ashley, Sainsburys, Focus Wickes, Handyman House,
Arnold Lever, Budget DIY, Trago Mills, Leekes, Hillary's.
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