They say moving home is one of life’s most stressful experiences – but it also represents a golden opportunity for furniture retailers. In January's issue, Furniture News explores the correlation between home moves and furniture sales, and how timely promotions and good customer service can turn that potential into profit …
According to research by TwentyCi, whose work informs much of this feature, home movers are more than 20 times more likely to buy furniture in the month they move – and to spend more when they do so.
Against a challenging economic backdrop, tapping into these consumers can make all the difference. It is no secret that home moves generate furniture sales, but savvy retailers can truly capitalise on the opportunities generated by the shifting property market, and doing so means recognising its broader trends.
Although negativity permeated last year’s headlines, the UK housing market appears to have proved resilient. According to the Halifax House Price Index, average UK house prices edged up to another record high in November, but the relative consistency in average prices seen throughout 2025 reflected what Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, called “one of the most stable years for the housing market over the last decade.
“Even with the changes to Stamp Duty back in spring and some uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget, property values have remained steady,” she says. “While slower growth may disappoint some existing homeowners, it’s welcome news for first-time buyers. Comparing property prices to average incomes, affordability is now at its strongest since late 2015. Taking into account today’s higher interest rates, mortgage costs as a share of income are at their lowest level in around three years.”
Opportunity knocks
In promotional terms, retailers that truly know their customers are best placed to seize the advantage, targeting their sales messaging at customers preparing to move home – but they will have to respect the amplified need for timely delivery and clear communication when addressing these needs, as stressed customers are unlikely to be forgiving if their purchases do not arrive when expected …
Across the feature, Furniture News asks the experts to drill down into the specifics of what home movers – buying and rental – mean for furniture retailers and suppliers, and to share some of the challenges and opportunities of meeting demand. What might the marriage of properties and purchases mean for your business?
Read the report here.
