In the third quarter of 2024, the UK's furniture and lighting sales continued to decline, marking a consistent year-on-year drop over the past four quarters. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), store sales fell more sharply than online sales for the second consecutive quarter. Store-based furniture and lighting sales decreased by 14% to an estimated £3.05 billion between July and September 2024. In contrast, online sales declined by a lesser 10.6%, totalling approximately £484.9 million.
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This overall decrease brought the combined furniture and lighting sales to £3.54 billion for Q3 2024, reflecting a 13.8% reduction compared to the same period the previous year. The last positive growth in store furniture sales occurred in Q3 2023, with a modest 3.1% increase, while online sales last saw an uptick of 1.4% in Q4 2023.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges facing the furniture sector, as both physical and online sales struggle to maintain growth. Despite online sales faring slightly better, the overall market continues to experience significant year-on-year declines, underscoring a broader shift in consumer spending patterns and possible adjustments within the retail landscape.
More information:
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
www.ons.gov.uk