Record month for furniture as flooring booms

Furniture sales see January record as flooring booms

January saw the value of furniture sales at its highest level for the month since records began, while flooring sales were more than 50% above pre-pandemic levels.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that sales of furniture and lighting in England, Scotland and Wales were worth £1,316,682,000 during the month: the highest figure since ONS records began in 1986.

The performance was the 20th best month of 433 since then.

Sales were 7.15% lower than December 2021, 51.3% higher than January 2021 (when when stores were closed), 7.7% lower than January 2020 and 17.8% higher than January 2019.

Flooring sales leapt on all measures, as it recorded the best-performing January since 2014.

At £177,981,000, sales were 28.9% higher than December 2021, 412% up on January 2021, 54.88% higher than January 2020 and 66.5% higher than January 2019.

It was the 200th best month since January 1986, and compares with £198,763,000 generated in January 2014, the 111th best month.

The figures do not allow for inflation and are subject to revision.

Sales growth continued

Prescott to head Greendale

Eamonn Prescott, former Adam Carpets sales and marketing director, is to be the next chief executive of flooring buying group Greendale Carpets & Floorings.

He will join Greendale at the beginning of May and will assume full responsibility when Rob Harding retires in mid-June.

Prescott has more than 20 years of experience in the flooring industry, including in retail and 11 years at Adam Carpets, where he introduced a number of award-winning marketing initiatives.

Thompson takes Made reins

Philippe Chainieux, Made ceo has stepped down for family reasons, with Nicola Thompson, Made chief operating officer becoming interim ceo. He had been at the company for nine years, the past five as ceo.

Susanne Given, Made chair described her as ‘an exceptional colleague and impressive leader’.

‘It is with sadness I have to pause my professional activities to take care of my family. I am confident that everything is in place to achieve our long-term ambition,’ says Chainieux.

‘I cannot emphasise enough how instrumental NIcola has been in growing our business, through designing and implementing our strategic plan. I am leaving the business safely in her very capable hands.’’

Tough start to year as interiors inflation jumps yet again

Furniture inflation leapt in January, while flooring saw another increase.

Consumer Price Index data from the ONS shows that household furniture prices were 14.1% higher in January than in 2021. This is an increase from 12.5% in December.

Carpets and other floorcoverings saw prices rise from 7.8% to 8.1%.

All nine of the ONS’ furniture, furnishings and carpets indices saw an increase, including lighting and outdoor furniture. Of these lighting witnessed the lowest increase of 5.7%, but this was up on December’s 4.1%.

Inflation for household textiles was flat at 3.3%, despite furnishing fabrics and curtains seeing a jump from 0.9% to 4%.

The overall Consumer Price Index rose from 5.4% to 5.5%, while the Retail Price Index rose from 7.5% to 7.8%.