Better Times Ahead for the UK Upholstered Furniture Market.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c43940) has announced the addition of UK Market for Upholstered Furniture to their offering.

This report provides a collection of statistical data and forecasts on the upholstered furniture industry in Britain. It contains information on the value of manufacturers' deliveries for all sectors of the market. The report also covers distribution channels, advertising and trade exhibitions. Major manufacturers are profiled.

Sales of domestic furniture in the UK increased by 3.0% in 2004. This was followed by a decline of 2.6% in 2005, the first fall for many years. Upholstered furniture currently accounts for 32% of the total market. After several years of growth and similar to the overall furniture segment, upholstered furniture suffered a decline last year, reaching a low of u1570m. Sales are now increasing again and the projections for 2007 are also positive. In real terms the market has grown by 29% since 1995, compared to an increase of 47% in absolute terms.

Sales of settees, fireside, easy and reclining chairs reached u1435m in 2005. These products dominate the upholstered furniture sector with 91% of the total market. Leather finishes continue to capture market share in both volume and value terms. Sales of these products account for 46% in volume terms and 54% in value terms. Cotton fabrics account for most of the rest.

Competition is fierce throughout the industry as witnessed by the demise of the Christie-Tyler group as a major force in the upholstery segment. In addition, several smaller companies have gone into receivership. The main upholstery manufacturer is now Sofa Brands International Ltd, which acquired several companies from the liquidators of Christie-Tyler. The group accounts for around 5-6% of the total market. JDP Furniture Group Ltd is the second largest supplier with around 3-4% of the market.

The emphasis within the furniture industry has moved consistently from manufacturing to retailing. However within the upholstery sector, companies such as DFS, Reids, or Multiyork have combined both functions.

Multiple furnishing outlets - including specialist groups such as DFS, ScS, and Land of Leather - are the main outlets for upholstered furniture with a 40% share, compared to independent outlets with 19% of total sales. Continuing price competition at the retail level has shaken the market, with the result that several retailers, such as Courts, Allders, Furnitureland went into liquidation.

Imports continue to advance strongly, with supplies from outside the EEC accounting for a growing share. Imported upholstered furniture totalled about u606m in 2005, or for 39% of the total market in value terms. Natuzzi, the large Italian upholstery manufacturer, is a major supplier to the UK with sales of around u40m. Nicoletti and Ekornes are also important foreign suppliers.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the research

1.2 Terms of reference 

1.3 Methodology

1.4 Research parameters

2. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

3. THE UK ECONOMY

3.1 General economic appraisal 

3.2 Consumers' expenditure on household goods

4. MARKET SIZE AND STRUCTURE

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Past and present market size

4.3 The market by product group

4.4 The leather upholstery sector

4.5 The market by distribution outlet

4.6 Geographical distribution of the market

4.7 Consumer preferences

5. MAJOR MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS

5.1 The market leaders

5.2 Other important manufacturers

6. ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION

6.1 Direct advertising

6.2 Exhibitions and display

6.3 Sales promotion

7. THE THREAT FROM IMPORTED FURNITURE

7.1 Analysis of import penetration

8. THE FUTURE FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

8.1 The outlook for the UK economy

8.2 Market forecasts

APPENDICES 

TABLES & CHARTS

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