The German furniture industry recorded a significant decline in sales in 2024, with a drop of 7.8% compared to the previous year, according to preliminary results from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The sector generated sales of approximately €16.3 billion, down from €17.7 billion in 2023, marking the steepest year-on-year decline in the past decade.
The downturn affected all production sectors. Sales in the kitchen furniture segment fell by 6.5%, mattresses by 5.5%, and office and shop furniture by 5.3%. The largest decline was seen in the 'other furniture' category, which dropped by 10.9%. The domestic market remained the primary revenue source, accounting for 66.8% of total sales, amounting to €10.9 billion.
The slump in sales was accompanied by a reduction in employment within the industry. By the end of 2024, the sector employed around 70,000 people, a decrease of 5.4% from the previous year and the lowest workforce level in ten years. For comparison, 83,500 people were employed in the industry at the end of 2014.
Furniture production also suffered a downturn. In the first three quarters of 2024, the total value of manufactured furniture stood at €13.0 billion, representing a 7.1% decline compared to the same period in 2023, when production was valued at €13.9 billion. The overall decline in production continued from the previous year, when the total value had already fallen by 3.5% to €18.4 billion, down from €19.1 billion in 2022.
Retail sales of furniture also experienced a significant downturn, with real sales declining by 5.5% in 2024 compared to 2023. This follows an even steeper decline of 10.8% in 2023. Despite this, the beginning of 2025 has shown slight signs of recovery, with real sales increasing by 0.8% in January 2025 compared to the previous month, and a year-on-year increase of 0.6% from January 2024.
Consumers benefited from slightly lower prices for home furniture in February 2025, with a year-on-year price decrease of 0.7%. Notable price reductions were seen in mattresses (-6.9%), living room or dining room tables (-4.9%), and bathroom furniture (-3.5%). In contrast, wardrobes (+1.1%) and kitchen units or fitted kitchens (+0.8%) saw modest price increases. In 2024, home furniture prices remained almost unchanged from the previous year (+0.1%), while overall consumer prices increased by 2.2%.
The data for employment and sales is based on monthly manufacturing sector reports, covering companies with at least 50 employees. Production statistics apply to businesses with 20 or more employees, classified under the 2019 Goods Classification for Production Statistics (GP 2019). Comparative data for the furniture industry falls under the classification WZ 31 "Manufacture of Furniture."
More information:
Destatis
www.destatis.de