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From Home Furnishing Business
Fast Fact: Furniture Retail Stores Decline as Distribution Channels Shift
March 11,
2019 by Laurie Northington in Economic News, Industry
The retail landscape has evolved over the last ten years and continues to shift as more brick and mortar stores shutter their doors amid a growing e-commerce industry. Dramatic shifts in the furniture industry’s distribution channels occurred in both sales and in-store counts, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With the exception of electronic shopping and mail-order stores and general merchandise (variety) stores, virtually all other retailers of furniture and home furnishings continue to close stores.
Furniture, electronics and appliance stores, and home centers peaked in 2007 and continue to decline. Home furnishings stores have been on a similar path, but did increase in number slightly in 2017. Department stores and warehouse clubs and superstores grew during and after the recession, but have been victimized from the pressure of internet companies and have decreased in number in the last couple of years.
For a closer look at the data, click here.