January 2009 - Furniture Show and Beyond

Today marks the final day of Interiors 2009 at the NEC in Birmingham. After much conjecture many manufacturers attended that weren't expected, whilst some were unable to attend after the impact of the financial markets had affected their businesses beyond the point of return. Only the year ahead will be able to let us know the success of this years show although it is clear that wholesale changes are afoot within the industry.

Cheap imports are becoming a thing of the past with the falling pound and increased import cost from the Far East, the volume furniture market is being heavily impacted upon. A poor performance in the pound usually spells good news for UK makers and this may well prove so over the coming weeks and months. Manufacturing costs are relative and whereby it has been unusual to export too much for established furniture companies whether in the Long Eaton Guild or a part of the bedding sector, exports are becoming a real opportunity.

Whilst increased exports are expected the global (and importantly European) nature of the current credit crisis will perhaps restrict the ability for individuals to purchase British goods as we would hope. For those attending Interiors 2009 all things have become possible.

Following the 2008 exhibition there was a genuine hope that optimism would return to a market that was in decline. With the decline the optimism is that it wont get too much worse before it gets better although retail trading has been severely impacted upon.

The bedding industry continues to go from strength to strength across the branded bed market place. The reported success in the Cabinet Maker of both retailers and manufacturers suggests that the market is buoyant. In real terms trade is difficult and whilst many manufacturers and retailers are bucking the national trend the national trend is one where it is becoming increasingly difficult for retailers and manufacturers alike.