Fast Fact: Employee Numbers Remain Below 2007 Levels as Furniture Stores Continue to Close

January 20, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Economic News, Industry   

Furniture store locations dropped 18.8% from 27,386 in 2007 to 22,201 in 2012, while home furnishings stores decreased 22.5% during the same time period. Furniture stores declined another 0.9% from 2012 to 2016, while home furnishings stores lost 5.3% more stores.

Paired with store closings, the decline in the number of employees decreased steadily from 2007 to 2012, employees in furniture stores diminished by 28.4%, while home furnishings stores cut employees by 29.8%. And though employment continues to slowly increase since 2012, it is still well below 2007 levels – 20% less for furniture stores and almost 24% less for home furnishings stores.

For a closer look at the numbers, click here.