May 20,
2017 by Jane Chero in General 
This is the third factoid in a series of four factoids detailing monthly Furniture Store sales and the top selling times of the year to buy furniture and home furnishings. Many life events spur home furnishings purchases. But along with buying a new home, marriage, and having children, the time of the year plays an important part in overall Furniture Store sales.
While the 1st quarter contributed less than 25 percent to Furniture Stores sales in 2016, tax refunds issued at the end of February and throughout March propelled sales upward impacting March significantly. January is negatively impacted especially in markets sensitive to winter weather. And with no big sales event to lure customers, it is the worst performing month of the year for Furniture Stores. February has the draw of big Presidents’ Day sales which helps the weather-sensitive markets recoup somewhat. However, consumers seem to be holding out until spring when income tax refunds arrive. In 2016, almost two-thirds of total annual refunds totaling $203 billion (out of $317 billion) were paid before March 25. March is the only month in the quarter that consistently out performs the average for all months, which is 8.3 percent of sales.
The 2nd quarter typically produces lower Furniture Store sales than the remainder of the year because of a historically poor performance in April. Memorial Day sales in May always produce excellent sales– an average of 8.4 percent throughout the past two decades. In recent years June has also performed above the average. The next and final factoid of this series will focus on third and fourth quarters.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services
May 14,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
The furniture and bedding slowed a bit last year, growing a revised 3.2 percent over 2015. In the first quarter of this year, the industry took what’s become its traditional first quarter dip with sales falling 1.2 percent over the previous fourth quarter, but up 3.0 percent over the same quarter last year, 2016Q1. Revised 2016 year end furniture and bedding sales totaled $96.33 billion. First quarter 2017 industry sales reached $24.16 billion.
Furniture (excluding Bedding) in the first quarter increased 3.1 percent compared to the same quarter in 2016 totaling $20.63 billion. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, furniture sales fell 2.4 percent. Last year, furniture (excluding bedding) totaled $82.26 billion, up 3.4 percent over 2015.
The Bedding industry finished 2016 a disappointing 1.8 percent growth over 2015. In the first quarter of 2017, bedding sales were up 2.4 percent over the same first quarter of last year and up 6.5 percent over the previous fourth quarter. The fourth quarter is traditionally bedding lowest sales volume segment. Bedding sales (revised) totaled $14.08 billion last year and $3.53 billion 2017Q1.
Quarter-over-quarter growth shows the slowing of the industry in 2016. The first quarter of this year, however, perked up slightly growing 3.0 percent over the same first quarter last year. Furniture and bedding sales totaled $24.16 billion in the first quarter compared to $23.45 billion in 2016Q1.
The first quarter is typically the industry’s smallest volume period and compared to the previous fourth quarter, 2017Q1 sales were down 1.2 percent.
Furniture (excluding Bedding) increased 3.1 percent in 2017Q1 versus the same first quarter of 2016 with sales of $20.63 billion.
Bedding quarter-over-quarter sales totaled $3.53 billion, up 2.4 percent over first quarter of 2015.
Year-to-date industry sales in the first quarter of 2017 totaled $24.16 billion, an increase of 3.0 percent over the same period last year.
Source: Impact Consulting Services, Inc. industry model 2016 sales have been slightly revised
May 7,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
In keeping with this seasonality, 2017Q1 Bedding sales were up 6.5 percent over the fourth quarter. Compared to the first quarter last year quarter sales of $3.5 billion were 2.4 percent higher. Last year the Bedding industry totaled $14.1 billion, a disappointing 1.8 percent increase over 2015.
The slow growth in 2016 in the Bedding industry is reflected in the quarter-over-quarter performance. Bedding sales in the first quarter this year up 2.4 percent quarter over quarter totaling $3.53 billion.
First quarter 2017 bedding sales totaled $3.53 billion, up 2.4 percent from the same period last year.
Source: Impact Consulting Services, Inc. industry model 2016 data has been slightly revised
April 29,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the second factoid in a series of four factoids detailing monthly Furniture Store sales and the top selling times of the year to buy furniture and home furnishings. Many life events spur home furnishings purchases. But along with buying a new home, marriage, and having children, the time of the year plays an important part in overall Furniture Store sales.
Economic events can always alter consumer confidence, but the overall monthly ebb and flow of Furniture Store sales has changed through the years. Once the pinnacle of furniture purchases, the November/December holiday season has lost some of its sales glamour, not only with furniture but will all consumer products as a total group. It is still the biggest season in total retail sales of consumer goods, but no doubt the 4th quarter has lost market share. For Furniture Stores, May and August have always been steady and strong, but March has emerged as a huge sales month. Online filing of income tax returns has resulted in quick returns for the end of February and especially throughout March.
Two decades ago in 1997, the 4th quarter far outreached the previous three quarters in Furniture Store sales. At 27.6 percent, the 4th quarter was 4.4 percent higher than the 1st quarter’s dismal 23.2 percent. Over the next 15 years, both quarter 1 and quarter 3 percentage of sales increased, while quarter 4 dropped below 25 percent. Although 2016’s holiday season performed better than 2012, quarter 3 rises as the year’s top-performing period.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services
April 21,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the first factoid in a series of four factoids detailing monthly Furniture Store sales and the top selling times of the year to buy furniture and home furnishings. Many life events spur home furnishings purchases. But along with buying a new home, marriage, and having children, the time of the year plays an important part in overall Furniture Store sales.
Economic events can always alter consumer confidence, but the overall monthly ebb and flow of Furniture Store sales has changed through the years. Once the pinnacle of furniture purchases, the November/December holiday season has lost some of its sales glamour, not only with furniture but will all consumer products as a total group. It is still the biggest season in total retail sales of consumer goods, but no doubt the 4th quarter has lost market share. For Furniture Stores, May and August have always been steady and strong, but March has emerged as a huge sales month. Online filing of income tax returns has resulted in quick returns for the end of February and especially throughout March.
Throughout the 1990’s and up until the mid 2000s leading up to the Great Recession, November and December trended as the largest sales months for Furniture Stores, often combining to capture 18 percent to 19 percent of annual sales. The exception was in December 2002 and 2007 when economic downturns and uncertainty impacted Furniture Store performance in December. However, since coming out of the Great Recession, the entire 4th quarter has garnered less importance to the Furniture Industry.
Note that an index of 100 represents the average month (annual sales divided by 12 months). An index of 115, for example, indicates sales were 15 percent higher this month than the average.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services
April 14,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the final factoid in a series of five factoids detailing the decline of prices among Furniture and Home Furnishings as well as many other major consumer items. The prices of consumer items grew steadily coming out of the recession for virtually all broad product categories until 2012 to 2014, when Durable Goods, including furniture, appliances, and electronics, along with Non Durables, and Commodities began to decline. The Services sector, led by skyrocketing medical costs, is the only broad group continuing to see large price increases. (See Interpreting the CPI in the first factoid of this series.)
By far the largest increases in prices come from the Medical Industry. Aside from Health Insurance which has fluctuated since 2010 with the introduction of Obamacare, all medical services and drug prices have maintained an upward trajectory. Hospital Care alone is up to 30.5 percent in 2010 to 2016. All other physician services, dental services, and prescription drug costs have grown between 16.5 percent and 22.8 percent. Even medical care for your pet is skyrocketing growing over 20 percent since 2010.
Education for all ages along with and childcare costs are close behind medical care in services that have sharply increased over the past six years. Up to an index of 126.1 in 2016, College Tuition and Fees have jumped an average of 4 percentage points per year. Consistently on an incline, childcare has increased 14.6 percent points from 2010 to 2016.
Source: Consumer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics *2016 data through 3rd quarter
April 7,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the fourth factoid in a series of five factoids detailing the decline of prices among Furniture and Home Furnishings as well as many other major consumer items. The prices of consumer items grew steadily coming out of the recession for virtually all broad product categories until 2012 to 2014, when Durable Goods, including furniture, appliances, and electronics, along with Non Durables, and Commodities began to decline. The Services sector, led by skyrocketing medical costs, is the only broad group continuing to see large price increases. (See Interpreting the CPI in the first factoid of this series.)
New cars and trucks is one Durable Goods area that has seen steady price increases, up 6.8 percent since 2010. On the flip side, however, is that while cars have become more expensive, gasoline prices have become cheaper. Gas prices peaked in 2012 at levels 30.8 percent above 2010, but began their decline three years ago. In 2016 the price of gasoline is down 23.4 percent down from 2010 .
Food, both groceries and restaurant prices, have experienced overall growth from 2010 to 2016. Food away from home showed the most growth – increasing 16 percentage points.
Source: Consumer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics *2016 data through 3rd quarter
March 31,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the third factoid in a series of five factoids detailing the decline of prices among Furniture and Home Furnishings as well as many other major consumer items. The prices of consumer items grew steadily coming out of the recession for virtually all broad product categories until 2012 to 2014, when Durable Goods, including furniture, appliances, and electronics, along with Non Durables, and Commodities began to decline. The Services sector, led by skyrocketing medical costs, is the only broad group continuing to see large price increases. (See Interpreting the CPI in the first factoid of this series.)
In many electronics categories, the price of the durable good has fallen while the cost of operating that product has increased. For example, Television prices have dropped dramatically, but the cost of programming services has skyrocketed. The price of televisions has fallen 65 percentage points since 2010 or about 16 percent a year. During the same time period, Cable and Satellite Television and Radio Services have jumped a total of 17 percentage points – a roughly 4 percent yearly increase.
Similar to Televisions, Personal Computer prices continue to fall – down 41.6 percentage points in six years. Surprising to some, Wireless Telephone Service prices are also down, while Internet Services have stayed steady with a slight increase of 0.5 points from 2010 to 2016.
Source: Consumer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics *2016 data through 3rd quarter
March 27,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
This is the second factoid in a series of five factoids detailing the decline of prices among Furniture and Home Furnishings as well as many other major consumer items. The prices of consumer items grew steadily coming out of the recession for virtually all broad product categories until 2012 to 2014, when Durable Goods, including furniture, appliances, and electronics, along with Non Durables, and Commodities began to decline. The Services sector, led by skyrocketing medical costs, is the only broad group continuing to see large price increases. (See Interpreting the CPI in the first factoid of this series.)
Except for home furnishings and operations, housing and home energy costs have grown over the past six years. Both Rent and Home prices have crept up an average of 3 percent (Rent) and 2 percent (Homes) a year – resulting in overall growth of 18.6 and 15.7 percentage points. And while Household Energy prices peaked at an index of 106.8 in 2014, prices quickly fell back down this year to just 1 percent growth since 2010. With Rent and Home prices growing, consumers may have fewer disposable dollars available for Household Furnishings and Operations which are both below 2010’s index by 2.9 percent.
Focusing on Household Home Furnishings prices, the accessories category (Clocks, Lamps, and Decorator Items) has the most negative price growth – dropping 29.1 percentage points since 2010. Major Appliances is second with a 13.9 percent decline. Furniture and Bedding, Window Coverings, and Floor Coverings all experienced slightly less negative growth – falling between 3.9 percent and 8.8 percent from 2010 to 2016.
The CPI breaks Furniture into three broad categories – (1) Living Room including Upholstery, Kitchen, and Dining Room, (2) Bedroom including Bedding, and (3) Other Furniture. All three categories are down in price from 2010. Bedroom Furniture experienced small price increases leading up to 2012, most likely via Mattresses, but has declined steadily in price since then. Currently Bedroom and Bedding is down 4.9 percent from 2010 prices. Living Room, Kitchen, and Dining Room Furniture peaked at 102.1 index in 2012 before falling to 96.1 this year, a level 3.9 percent below 2010.
Source: Consumer Price Index, Bureau of Labor Statistics *2016 data through 3rd quarter
March 17,
2017 by Jane Chero in General
Fourth quarter is traditionally Bedding’s lowest sales period. In keeping with this seasonality, 2016 Q4 sales were down 12.5 percent over the traditionally highest third quarter. On a positive note, fourth quarter sales of $3.3 billion were up 3.4 percent over the same fourth quarter of 2015. For the year, the Bedding industry totaled $14.1 billion, up 2.0 percent over 2015.
The slow growth in 2016 in the Bedding industry is reflected in the quarter-over-quarter increase from 2015 to 2016. Bedding sales in the fourth quarter this year were up 3.4 percent quarter over quarter totaling $3.3 billion.
The Bedding industry grew a modest 2.0% in 2016 totaling $14.1 billion.
Source: Impact Consulting Services, Inc. industry model.