Monthly Issue
From Home Furnishing Business
July 18,
2022 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry 
Manufacturers and retailers are answering the call for pieces that pair quality and design to create a calming oasis. Based on the FurnitureCore Industry Model developed by Impact Consulting Services, parent company to Home Furnishings Business, research shows the category did increase dramatically over the past two years, finishing 2021 with $23.44 billion in sales and up from $19.75 billion in 2020. That dramatic growth has diminished in 2022 with sales in the first quarter of this year 3.8% lower than the fourth quarter of 2021. However, demand is still there as sales in 2022 Q1 were still up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year.
Historically, home buying has propelled furniture buying. And the already tight housing market paired with rising interest rates has concerned many in the industry. On the bright side, the desire to upgrade current homes is what is driving the majority of consumers to purchase new bedroom furniture. In a consumer survey conducted by FurnitureCore, 40.28% of respondents answered that replacing old furniture is what motivated them to make their most recent bedroom purchase, followed by buying a new house at 22.38%, desire for a new style at 15.51%, desire for new function at 11.01% and change in size of family (addition of a child, child moved out, etc.) at 10.84%. Rather than upgrading into a new house or even downsizing, many are staying put and enhancing the homes they have to fit new styles and needs.
Modern and contemporary styles are continuing to grow in popularity, offering more minimalist bed frames that allow for bigger beds to fit in a room. Statement headboards have become a focal point alongside versatile designs that are made well and will last through changing trends. Marge Carson has had success with its fully customizable Palo Alto Contemporary Bed. “At the recent High Point Market, people were buying these beds in multiples. It strikes a chord because it is a modern profile with a lot of softness and comfort,” said CEO Jim LaBarge.
When asked about the primary style of furniture in their bedroom, 39.22% of consumers surveyed said traditional but that was closely followed by contemporary at 35.87%. Of the remaining 25%, 6.97% answered country/rustic, followed by country/European at 5.55%, transitional at 5.16%, mission/shaker at 4.26% and cottage at 2.97%.
The statement headboard incorporated with upholstery has proven successful for AICO and CEO and designer Michael Amini. “I designed this bed with the intent to bring sophistication and sleekness to any home,” said Amini. “When customers respond positively to a particular piece that we have created, as in the case of the Marin Panel Bed, it shows that quality as well as design sense have prevailed and that makes all of us proud.”
While upholstery is showing up among best sellers, many consumers still prefer wood or wood mixed with upholstery accents. During a FurnitureCore survey, when consumers were asked why they chose a wood bed over an upholstered bed in their most recent bedroom purchase, 66.82% said they preferred the look of wood, 9.87% were concerned about keeping an upholstered bed clean, 9.42% were concerned that an upholstered bed would become dated quickly, 9.42% did not find an upholstered bed they liked, 5.16% were concerned about the quality of an upholstered bed and the remaining 21.30% did not consider an upholstered bed.
As more consumers are looking for sustainable and environmentally safe products, Greenington has enjoyed success with its Ventura collection, made from solid Amber bamboo. “We are very excited about the solid performance of Ventura as it has earned a place in our top sellers. We look forward to introducing other intriguing designs in Amber,” said Troy Lerew, vice president of sales. Whether it is lighter, minimalist wood pieces that do not overwhelm the room or upholstered headboards that add depth and softness or a combination of the two, manufacturers and retailers are offering something for everyone.
May 17,
2022 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry
As one of the fasted growing categories in the furniture industry, motion furniture and recliners accounted for 47.4% of total upholstery sales in 2021, according to the FurnitureCore Industry Model, developed by Impact Consulting Services, parent company to Home Furnishings Business. Research also shows that sales of motion sofas and chairs increased by 32.6% from 2020 to 2021 and recliner sales grew by 26.1% during the same time period. Overall, the upholstery category increased by 24.6% from 2020 to 2021. Although stationary upholstery is still the majority of total upholstery sales (52.6%), motion sofas and chairs accounted for 30.4% and recliners for 17.0% in 2021, both categories increasing their shares from 2020.
The desire for furniture that incorporates both style and comfort has only increased since the pandemic. Gaining in popularity for years now, reclining sectionals provide an abundance of seating and functions to fit every need. According to Cheryl Sigmon, vice president of merchandising and product development at Bradington-Young, “Sectionals are becoming more and more important now that people are spending more time together at home with family and friends.” The company’s best-selling Raiden sectional “stands out not only for its tailored good looks, but its exceptional comfort, thanks to spring-down cushioning and the plush, two-piece back which offers great back and lumbar support.”
Bridging style with comfort has proved successful for Catnapper. As Anthony Teague points out when describing the company’s best-selling Sydney sectional, “Combining function and fashion has been the key to our growth in this category of motion furniture, as we continue to strive to get motion out of the basement and into the living room with sleek designs and tasteful fabrics.”
While more consumers are finding options in the motion and reclining category, lack of a desired style can still be a deterrent. According to a FurnitureCore, Inc., survey developed by Impact Consulting Services, parent company to Home Furnishings Business, 54.73% of consumers surveyed considered the style of reclining furniture an inhibitor to their purchase in the category but 45.27% did not see it as an inhibitor.
Not only are manufacturers striving to create a multitude of style options, but many also continue to increase technology integration into their motion furniture. Many pieces now include motorized recliners, storage spaces and USB ports. The technology keeps changing to keep up with how we live.
Consumers were asked by FurnitureCore to pick the top four items they have now or would want to have in their next reclining product. The results were heat/massage at 58.41%, followed by automated adjustable headrest and lumbar supports at 58.10%, storage drawer at 49.21%, hidden tabletop at 45.08%, docking station for telephone at 31.75%, built-in remote at 28.25%, built-in beverage cooler at 27.62%, and surround sound system at 26.98%.
However, even with all the fancy buttons and power options, many consumers still prefer the hand operated lever. In the same survey, consumers were asked which mechanism they preferred as a reclining method for reclining furniture and 51.43% chose a hand operated mechanism, followed by power operated mechanism at 30.48% and body pressure mechanism (the push back method) at 18.10%.
Regardless of whether consumers want a traditional recliner with puffy arms and a wooden lever or a chair with all the power options in a sleek, smaller design, there is something for everyone. As this category continues to grow, rest assured, we will see motion and reclining furniture front and center.
March 24,
2022 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry
Now, the pandemic has stripped away any rules left for the dining category. While some consumers gravitated to rekindling family meal time around a large table, others chose to blend intimacy with functionality – creating space with smaller, cozier tables paired with arm chairs, desks or sofas. When it comes to the dining area, consumers want options. Manufacturers and retailers are called to the challenge by supplying a variety of products to fit an array of needs.
When consumers were polled during a FurnitureCore survey (FurnitureCore is a sister company of Home Furnishings Business) and asked the area they most recently purchased dining room furniture for, 71.32% said a casual dining area and 28.68% said a formal dining room. The desire to incorporate a versatile dining space has led to a rise in contemporary and modern dining room furniture. During the same consumer research, FurnitureCore asked consumers what style of furniture they had in their casual dining room area. 40.74% answered contemporary, followed by 29.49% with traditional, 11.8% with country/ rustic and 6.7% with country/European. The categories of mission/shaker, cottage, and transitional each accounted for 3.75% of consumer response.
Always popular are dining tables that can serve both small family dinners and large gatherings. Stickley has found success with its bestselling Walnut Grove Table that expands from 74” to 110”. “Customers old and new have flocked to the Walnut Grove Collection and are making new family memories around the rectangular dining table and chairs. The blend of mid-century modern and Scandinavian design is fresh and appealing,” said Matt Target, director of marketing for Stickley. Greenington’s bestselling collection with an expandable table also bridges contemporary design with functionality. According to Vice President of Sales Troy Lerew, “the Erikka Collection provides a modern design with timeless appeal. Our dealers will tell you that it provides the perfect solution for any size dining room.”
The dining room has become a hybrid space used for what people need at different times in their lives and for many that is still the formal dining room. Tradition, paired with European design, is driving the success of Hooker Furniture’s current bestseller. Mike Harris, president of Hooker Upholstery and Case Goods says, “Commanding attention in any space, the Castella Table is a European-inspired, traditional piece that pairs seamlessly with wood and upholstered dining chairs alike. Its size and scale are perfect for entertaining, and its soft, rustic finish works well with several variations of décor.”
Whether the style is traditional, modern or country and being used for office space, homework, a dinner party of eight or a small family dinner, consumers are now putting dining room furniture in all different living areas of the house. Consumers were asked by FurnitureCore to choose from a list of activities that their family does in the dining room/kitchen in addition to eating. Sit at table/talk received 77.44%, followed by watch TV at 45.51%, pay bills at 42.83%, do hobbies at 36.52%, do school work at 28.30%, and do work brought from the office at 27.72%.
In line with other furniture categories, dining room furniture sales have skyrocketed over the last year. Based on the FurnitureCore Industry Model, developed by Impact Consulting Services, parent company to Home Furnishings Business, research shows that the dining room category has increased steadily since 2019, finishing 2021 with $14.96 billion in sales, up from $12.62 billion in 2020 and $11.44 billion in 2019. While sales dipped 2.4% from $3.73 billion in Q1 of 2021 to $3.64 billion in Q2, sales rebounded by 7.1% from $3.66 billion in Q3 to $3.92 billion in the final quarter of last year. Whatever you call the space you put your fabulous new table and/or chairs in, the dining category is not going anywhere.
December 6,
2021 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry
Many consumers are still managing combined spaces, especially with some households having multiple people working from home. When consumers were polled during a FurnitureCore survey and asked the location of their home office, 55.79% said in a room specifically for a home office and 44.21% said their office is in an area of a shared room. As the popularity of standing desks has grown in recent years, Twin Star Home has targeted consumers desiring a more functional home workspace. “As the number of people working from home surged during the pandemic, so did the popularity of standing desks. For consumers who don’t have dedicated offices at home, standing desks are a great solution for providing workspace, especially in blended living spaces. We have been leaning into this category with the launch of many new designs and consumers have been raving about them,” said Lisa Cody, SVP marketing at Twin Star Home.
Offering consumers variety in their home office furniture is the key to success. More than ever, no home office is created the same. Consumer research conducted by FurnitureCore asked consumers what style of desk they preferred for the home office. 27.37% prefer a writing desk, followed by an L shaped desk at 22.1%, an executive desk at 21.75%, a desk with a hutch at 12.28%, a corner desk at 10.88%, and a roll-top and secretary both at 2.81%. After long hours sitting at any type of desk, consumers know the importance of the right chair. When asked what home office furniture have you purchased in the last two years, 50.53% of consumers surveyed said a desk chair.
Based on the FurnitureCore Industry Model developed by Impact Consulting Services, parent company to Home Furnishings Business, research shows that the home office category has increased steadily since 2019, finishing 2020 with $4.74 billion in sales and up from $4.31 billion in 2019. The momentum continues to strengthen with 2021 sales of home office up 33.6% yearto-date over 2020 Q2 YTD. At $2.85 billion in 2021 Q2 YTD, sales are on track to exceed $5 billion this year. Incorporating sustainability into the home office demand, Greenington has found success with its organic line of office furniture. “Home office continues to be a strong category with sustainability increasingly important to consumers,” said Troy Lerew, Greenington VP of sales.
Growing at roughly the same pace as home office, the home entertainment category was up 33.2% by the second quarter of 2021 at $3.44 billion in sales, compared to $2.58 billion in 2020 during the same period. Both furniture categories increased by 6.5% from 2021 Q1 to 2021 Q2. Just as important as carving out the perfect home office, is creating a place to unwind after that day at work with the latest in home entertainment.
September 24,
2021 by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry
Growth has continued in 2021 with upholstery sales up 8.5% from $13.09 billion in the first quarter to $14.20 billion in the second quarter. In a COVID 19 world, consumers are embracing the comforts of home like never before, leading manufacturers and retailers to find success incorporating style with comfort. “Comfort drives our business,” says Anthony Teague, senior vice president of sales and merchandising at Jackson Catnapper. “One of the most exciting new products to hit the streets for Catnapper in 2021 is the Angelo Power Headrest motion sofa. The features of the power recline and power headrest offer infinite positions for personalized comfort. The seating experience is highlighted by soft top grain Italian leather that envelopes the body everywhere it touches.”
Four Hands has also found success with comfortable, cozy pieces geared toward creating a space the whole family can enjoy. Regarding the company’s best-selling Chloe Media lounger, Director of Upholstery Jessica Green says, “This piece was made for connection and creating memories. It’s an intentional, purposeful shape with ample seating, layered toss pillows and exaggerated depth to support the full body, it’s ideal for cozy movie watching.” When consumers were polled during a FurnitureCore survey and asked which look they selected for their most recent upholstery furniture purchase, 56.79% selected plump, overstuffed sofas with deep seating compared to 43.21% who selected a sleek, tight body cover following the line of the furniture.
Now more than ever, consumers are seeking comfort in a variety of styles. Sleeker, more contemporary pieces are gaining in popularity while traditional styles still hold the majority of appeal. In a survey from FurnitureCore, shoppers were polled on their preferred style of upholstery and found that 44.17% preferred traditional. Second was contemporary at 32.74%, followed by country/rustic at 9.87%, transitional at 4.82%, cottage at 4.48%, and mission/shaker at 3.92%.
Upholstery demand partnered with ongoing delivery delays has caused frustration for everyone: consumers, manufacturers and retailers. A prepandemic survey asked how long customers were willing to wait for a custom order sofa. In what might seem laughable now, the survey found that a majority (40.13%) were willing to wait two weeks to a month, 38.23% were willing to wait one-to-three months, 9.64% were willing to wait three-to-six months, and 0.67% were able to wait more than six months. The remaining 11.32% were only willing to wait less than two weeks. With average wait times now over six months, customers have had to adjust their expectations. The good news for upholstery is that demand is not subsiding and many consumers are deciding that desired sofa, sectional, or chair is worth the wait.
