The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) has published the April 2026 edition of its Statistics Digest for the UK Furniture Industry, delivering the latest analysis of the sector’s performance, structure and economic contribution.
Now updated on a quarterly basis, the digest brings together the most recent official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to provide an evidence‑based overview of the UK furniture and furnishings industry.
This spring edition covers the period 2019-25, enabling trend analysis alongside newly released national datasets.
The April 2026 edition incorporates several important updates, including: new 2025 consumer spending and trade statistics, offering the most current view of household expenditure on furniture and furnishings, as well as updated figures for furniture imports and exports; manufacturing data by product updated to include figures for 2024, sourced from the ONS Prodcom series, with activity‑based manufacturing data available as at the end of 2023 ahead of finalised 2024 figures due later this year; and consistent domestic and international analysis, using a dual classification framework combining the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system with the internationally recognised Harmonised System (HS) for trade.
Key findings in this latest edition highlight the continued scale and resilience of the UK furniture and furnishings sector: UK furniture manufacturing remained a significant industrial base, comprising 6,705 enterprises, employing around 72,000 people, and generating £10.4b in turnover; the sector continues to be characterised by a strong mix of SMEs alongside higher‑turnover manufacturers supporting regional employment;
UK household final consumption expenditure reached £1.78t in 2025, increasing by 4.5% YoY. Furniture and furnishings expenditure returned to modest growth, with furniture spending rising 3.2% to £20.15b, outpacing flooring and other household categories; total UK manufacturer sales reached £10.8b in 2024, remaining above pre‑pandemic levels, with kitchen furniture continuing to lead domestic production;
the wider sector – spanning manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and related services – generated over £39b in turnover in 2023 and supported more than 235,000 jobs across the UK; and, on the international front, furniture exports grew by 4.7% in 2025, outpacing import growth and demonstrating sustained overseas demand for UK‑made products, particularly in the US.
"Overall, the data points to a sector that has adjusted following the post‑pandemic peak but continues to make a substantial contribution to the national economy and remains deeply integrated into global trade networks," states FIRA.
"The Statistics Digest offers essential insights for manufacturers, retailers, policymakers, investors and analysts, enhancing awareness of industry performance and supporting strategic decisions. The April 2026 edition of the Statistics Digest for the UK Furniture Industry is free to download for members of the Furniture Industry Research Association, and non‑members can purchase the digest via the FIRA Bookshop, priced at £600."
