REPORT SUMMARY

1) INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

2) SUMMARY OF REPORT CONTENTS

3) CONTENTS and LIST OF TABLES & CHARTS 

INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

Some of the companies featured include:

AGA Rangemaster, Alno (UK), Astracast, B & Q, Blanco UK, Bushboard, Carron, Crown Products (Kent), E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Egger (UK), Everest, Formica Ltd, Franke UK, Homebase, Howden Joinery, IKEA Group, International Decorative Surfacing (IDS), ITW, J.T.Ellis and Co, Kitchens Direct, Kronospan Holdings, KWP Interiors, Leisure Sinks, LG Hausys Ltd, Magnet, Mark Wilkinson Furniture, Mereway Kitchens, Miele, Moben, Moores Furniture Group, Nobia Holdings UK, Omega, Pfleiderer Industrie, PJH Group, Rixonway Kitchens, Smallbone of Devizes, Snaidero Group, Sylmar Technology, Teka Products, The Symphony Group, Travis Perkins, Westag & Getalit, Wickes, Wilsonart UK.

Key areas covered in the report include:

THE KITCHEN FURNITURE, WORKTOPS & SINKS 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 2004-2010.  Forecasts of market sizes to 2015.

• Factors influencing Market Development - house building, economic situation and house price inflation, RMI, consumer confidence, growing influence of design/style changes, population mix changes, increases in the number of second/third time buyers, decent homes programme, etc.

• Imports and Exports - developments in import and export levels to 2010, factors influencing the level of imports and the changes in exports.  Dramatic rises in imports in 2007 and 2008, contrasted with sharp falls in 2009 and 2010.

• Fitted Kitchen Furniture Ownership - changes in ownership levels 2010, forecasts to 2015, factors influencing current and future ownership levels e.g. new house building, choice of products now available, public housing, decent homes programme. 

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

PRODUCTS

• 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.

• 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 Worktops - share mix by material, colour/pattern trends in worktops, growth of non-laminate materials such as solid surfaces, wood, stone/granite, 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

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

• Impact of failure of major companies such as MFI.

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

• 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.

KEY MARKET INFLUENCES / FUTURE PROSPECTS

• Future Prospects – forecasts through to 2015, key factors influencing future market developments, performance of the economy, housing market, consumer confidence, market factors, and future growth 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.  (BACK)

SUMMARY OF REPORT CONTENTS

 Product Mix in the Kitchen Furniture Market 2010

The UK domestic kitchen furniture market experienced steady growth in the 2002-2007 period, reaching a market size of £1,390m by the end of the period. The decline in the housebuilding sector, together with a downturn in consumer spending and tighter financial conditions resulted in a significant decline in the market in 2008 and an even steeper fall in 2009, however, the market began to show some stability in 2010.

Duriong this period the level of price competition has remained high in most sectors of the market, but particularly in the low and mid priced sectors.

The kitchen furniture market comprises furniture, worktops and sinks, with furniture accounting for 76% of the market in value terms, whilst worktops account for 14% and sinks for 10%. Worktops have gradually gained market share in recent years in line with the trend towards higher value products in this sector.

The kitchen furniture market is at the mature stage of its product lifecycle. Consumer awareness is high and purchasing decisions tend to be based on design, colour and materials. Features such as soft-closing doors and drawers, sophisticated lighting and additional electrical appliances such as televisions and coffee machines are increasing in popularity.

At the upper end of the market handle-free doors are offered by some manufacturers in line with sleek, minimalist styles. High gloss finishes, stainless steel, frosted glass, wood and metallic finishes are all popular, with combinations of materials frequently used to add interest.

Demand for design features in the kitchen has increased the importance of both worktops and sinks which can create high visual impact. High gloss laminates, solid surfaces and granite all increased in popularity in the mid 2000s, although their growth has been restricted during the downturn in the market and the affordability of laminates means that they are likely to continue to dominate the market in the foreseeable future.

The popularity of dishwashers has contributed towards changing the use of a sink from an area simply for washing up, to a multi-functional work centre, which incorporates features for washing, food preparation and drainage. Multi-functional sinks are widely available, with a range of different features, such as strainer and draining bowls in varying depths, a variety of chopping boards, larger sinks, as well as associated products such as pull out spray rinse taps. In general, the focus on food preparation and overall design is helping to promote the growth of the sinks market.

Imports of kitchen furniture increased significantly in 2007 and to a lesser extent in 2008, reaching £188m in 2008, compared to £162m in 2007, before declining by almost 20% in 2009 and by a further 15% in 2010, to reach £129m. Imports currently account for around 14% of the kitchen furniture market. Italy (47%) and Germany (31%) are the major sources of imports and Alno, the German based company, is a major exporter to the UK.

The distribution channel structure has experienced some changes in recent years, with a sharp fall in the share held by the furniture multiple sector, due to the closure of MFI and a shift towards builders’ merchants, with the sector benefiting from MFI’s demise.  (BACK)

CONTENTS and LIST OF TABLES & CHARTS 

(BACK)