UK furniture retail sales increased in August 2025, rising 2.7% month-on-month to £1.13bn, and were 4.6% higher than August 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. Sales volumes grew 0.5% over the month and 0.7% annually, while the total value spent fell 2.4% month-on-month to £39.1bn.
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Floorcovering sales showed mixed performance, rising 6.2% from July to £227.5m but falling 1.5% compared to the previous year. Non-food stores, including department stores, clothing, and household retailers, recorded a 1.1% increase, with second-hand goods and clothing contributing most.
Online sales values increased 0.4% month-on-month and 4.7% year-on-year, accounting for 27.6% of total retail spending, slightly down from 27.7% in July. Overall retail spending rose 0.6% during August.
ONS Senior Statistician Hannah Finselbach noted that retail sales fell slightly over the past three months, largely due to weak performance in antiques, auction houses, tech stores, and fuel sales, partially offset by online and clothing growth. She added that "good weather helped boost sales of clothing" during August.
The data suggest that while non-food retail faces challenges, favourable weather and online growth continue to support the UK furniture market.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
