The UK upholstered furniture and beds market has shown
good growth in recent years of around 3-4% per annum until 2015, with a further
increase of around 3% expected in 2016. According to a new report by AMA
Research, reasons for the market increasing steadily in the 2012-15 period,
include an improving UK economy, rising consumer confidence and an increase in
sales of higher value products.
In the upholstered furniture sector, sales of single
sofas and convertibles represent an important part of the upholstered furniture
market, while armchairs sold separately account for smaller share. Modular, corner, U Shaped sofas are gaining share. These flexible
designs are suited to open plan living and are adaptable to different spaces. The share accounted
for by leather has declined marginally over the last 3-5 years, with the wide
range of colours and styles supporting the growth of the fabric sector.
During the last 5 years, there has been a marked trend
towards double beds and, in particular, to king sized beds. This growth is
largely attributed partly to the high level of price competition within the
market, particularly in the bedstead sector. Growth in the mattress sector has
been underpinned by increased demand for higher value pocket sprung mattresses,
along with the growing popularity of other materials, such as memory foam. Demand
for divan sets has fallen steadily due to growth in demand for mattresses,
either sold separately as a replacement purchase or together with bedsteads,
including wooden, upholstered and metal
bedsteads.
The supply structure of the upholstered furniture market
has not changed dramatically in recent years, though the major suppliers have
increased their overall share of the market. The furniture multiples continue
to dominate the distribution of upholstered furniture, with multiple
specialists such as DFS, ScS and Sofology accounting for a significant share,
along with general furniture multiples, such as IKEA, Harveys and Furniture
Village, and department stores/variety chains. Imports of upholstered furniture
have increased in the 2012-15 period to reach around 45% of the market by value,
with imports from China now accounting for the major share.
The beds sector is more concentrated in terms of
suppliers compared with the upholstered furniture market, however, in recent
months there has been considerable activity in the mattress sector, with newer
entrants specialising in offering a compact range of products, often via the internet
and available for early delivery.
While forecasts for the UK economy in 2016 have recently
been upgraded slightly by the major forecasting institutions, the uncertainty
surrounding Brexit and the current high levels of indebtedness for many people
is likely to impact consumer confidence. The rate of growth until 2020 is
expected to be lower than in the last few years. While the upholstered
furniture and beds sectors are relatively mature, a growing demand for housing
should stimulate market growth. Mattresses are one specific area of the beds
market where opportunities for further value growth exist, with relatively
short replacement cycles and consumers trading up to higher quality products.
“The popularity of
modern and contemporary furniture seems to favour alternative furniture
combinations, rather than the traditional 3-piece suites” said Hayley
Thornley, Research Manager at AMA Research.
“Other trends include flexible and modular furniture options to allow for open
plan living areas and awkward spaces. This is also reflected in the range of
design options now offered, including corner sofas, u-shaped sofas and chaise
sofas.”
The ‘Upholstered Furniture and Beds Market
Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a
leading provider of market research and consultancy services within the
construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can
be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.
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