Originally published as the December 27, 2004 issue of Furniture/Today
What's included:
Benchmarking data for retailers from the Furniture Store Performance Report,
Estimates of sales of furniture and bedding in 2004 for the largest markets and those expected to have the largest sales increases between 2004 and 2009 in each of the four Census regions
A report on the burgeoning Hispanic market, including new information on this group’s furniture-buying habits.
Updates on the sales prospects for key product categories in 2004, along with insights into style trends and marketing strategies.
Industry Calendar-- A guide to key industry events for 2005. Rankings-- Highlights from F/T’s exclusive rankings from 2004, including the Top 100 U.S. furniture stores.Ranking figures are based on 2003 sales.
This report lays out both retailer and manufacturer expectations for 2005 based on a web poll conducted prior to the April market and gives an overview of the forces affecting the home furnishings industry – same store sales among retailers selling furniture, consumer spending for furniture and bedding, the consumer confidence index, housing, interest rates and inflation and employment. It also reports on 2004 imports, giving data on the countries giving the leading importing countries and the principle products shipped to the U.S.Separate tables forwood, upholstery and component categories are included, with shipment numbers for the five countries shipping the most in each category given. Note: This report was not abstracted from any of our print publications. It was produced prior to Market and does not include information on sales or orders at the Market.
The 2004 Universe Study breaks down the home accent universe into 10 product categories: Accessories & Gifts, Accent Furniture, Portable Lamps, Wall Decor, Collectibles, Area Rugs, Tabletop and Tabletop Accessories, Lighting Fixtures, Permanent Botanicals, Soft Goods.
The report examines each category, showing channels of distribution, gives 2004 sales estimates, and projects expected changes in sales for 2005.
Home Accents Today asked sales reps to give their views in a faxed and e-mailed survey conducted March through May.
For the 169 reps who responded, home accents represented a median of 60% of their sales last year, with two-thirds representing lines outside of the home furnishings arena as well. For most, the number of home accents lines carried has held steady since last year, with two-thirds representing 15 or fewer lines. Most continue to represent the same lines as before.
This survey reports reps' impressions of the state of the home accent industry and includes their projections of sales in thirteen product categories as well as reporting on their views of various issues pertaining to the business.
Furniture/Today's exclusive, 28-page report (plus bonus reprints of articles from Furniture/Today) on "How To Market Your Furniture In The U.S." This document presents critical information for companies seeking to gain entry into the U.S. retail furniture marketplace.
Originally published in the March 8, 2004 Issue of Furniture/Today
With a new government estimate of the industry's size at retail, Furniture/Today has updated its estimate of furniture and bedding sales by product segment.
Kay Anderson, director of Furniture/Today Market Research, uses a variety of sources, including the government numbers, industry association estimates, public company reports and the paper's own research. the latest update is for 2002. Not enough information has been reported yet for a 2003 segment breakdown.
