Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Headlam to appoint administrators after exhausting liquidity
Headlam Group is set to appoint administrators after exhausting the liquidity available under its existing borrowing facility, with the floorcoverings distributor saying administration is now its only viable option.
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BFA partners for furniture industry health and safety event
The British Furniture Association (BFA) has partnered with Didac and Rochdale Occupational Health (ROHS) to deliver a health and safety seminar tailored to the furniture industry.
Analysis: Man Wah puts strategic purpose behind DFS investment
Man Wah’s growing investment in DFS doesn't look unusual when viewed against the retailer’s shareholder register, but what is more notable is the explicit strategic rationale now being attached to it. [Premium]
3D furniture configurators convert shoppers as room planning engagement grows
Furniture shoppers using modular 3D product configurators are adding products to their baskets at a 16 percent rate, according to new benchmarking data from 3D Cloud.
Man Wah founder’s DFS stake now worth more than £31 million
Man Wah founder Man Li Wong’s attributable interest in DFS is now worth about £31.5 million after further buying lifted the holding above 8 percent.
Williams-Sonoma flags UK growth as brand expansion gathers pace
Williams-Sonoma has again highlighted the UK as one of its best-performing international markets, citing the expansion of its brands here among the factors supporting growth.
Oak Furnitureland reaches 70-showroom milestone with new opening
Oak Furnitureland will take its UK showroom network to 70 stores this weekend with the opening of a new large-format unit in Ipswich.
Analysis: Property provides firm foundations for Sterling's turnaround
Two successive multimillion-pound losses have eaten into Sterling Furniture Group's resources, but its balance sheet illustrates the underlying strength of the family-owned retailer. [Premium]
Natuzzi in talks with NYSE after delisting proceedings begin
Natuzzi is in talks with the New York Stock Exchange over possible solutions after the exchange suspended trading in its shares and began delisting proceedings.
Furniture chain to open ninth store at former Beales
The Furniture Warehouse is to expand its store network with a new branch in Bedford, taking space within the town’s former Beales department store.
Google among speakers at British Furniture Association's AI summit
The British Furniture Association (BFA) is bringing together experts from Google, Autonomate and other technology and industry organisations for a summit exploring the use of artificial intelligence across the furniture sector.
INTELLIGENCE
Market Data
Detailed market information about each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors at suppliers' prices.
Discover the up-to-date value of:
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UK production
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Imports
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Exports
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Key Trading Partners
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Total UK market size
BEST READ IN THE PAST MONTH
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Fenwick cuts losses as sales edge higher under turnaround plan
Fenwick narrowed losses by more than a fifth last year as the family-owned department store retailer completed the first year of a three-year plan designed to return the business to profitability.
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Bensons for Beds hires longtime DFS executive as commercial director
Bensons for Beds has recruited longtime DFS executive John Rastall as commercial director as it strengthens its senior commercial team.
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Tapi wins multimillion pound VAT battle with HMRC
Tapi Carpets & Floors has won its multimillion pound VAT battle with HM Revenue & Customs after a tax tribunal rejected the authority's claim that the retailer was liable for tax on fees paid...
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Loaf profits squeezed as promotional furniture market hits margins
Loaf maintained sales close to year-earlier levels in 2025 but a sharp contraction in gross margin sent the furniture retailer to a loss at the operating line.
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Alstons owner widens margin and sells surplus property amid tough UK market
The owner of upholstery manufacturer Alstons expanded gross margin and generated a gain from selling surplus property in the second quarter, mitigating the impact of the continuing downturn in the...
INTELLIGENCE
Retail Sales
Up-to-date monthly UK retail sales data spanning total furniture and lighting sales PLUS detailed breakdowns for each of the Upholstery, Beds, Cabinet Furniture and Floorcoverings sectors.
Proprietary granular data covering:
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UK retail sales value and y/y delta. Monthly and annual
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Breakdown by product category
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Historical data
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Monthly and annual figures
DATA & LISTS
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Insolvencies & business closures: 87 filings between August 24–30, 2026
87 furnishings companies were placed into administration, liquidation, wound up or dissolved in the past week. Full list here. [Premium]
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Analysis: Man Wah puts strategic purpose behind DFS investment
Man Wah’s growing investment in DFS doesn't look unusual when viewed against the retailer’s shareholder register, but what is more notable is the explicit strategic rationale now being attached to it. [Premium]
TOP STORIES
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Headlam to appoint administrators after exhausting liquidity
Headlam Group is set to appoint administrators after exhausting the liquidity available under its existing borrowing facility, with the floorcoverings distributor saying administration is now its only viable option.
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Man Wah outlines strategic rationale as DFS stake climbs further
Man Wah Holdings has said it is developing a long-term strategic partnership with DFS after agreeing a deal that will take the upholstery manufacturer’s direct holding in the retailer to 8.58 percent.
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Burbidge completes property disposal after securing new bank facilities
Kitchen and bathroom furniture manufacturer Burbidge has sold an investment property and agreed new bank facilities in moves that it says have strengthened its liquidity position.
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Harvey Norman UK sales jump as expansion investment widens losses
Harvey Norman grew UK sales by nearly 40 percent last year as the Australian retail conglomerate expanded its British mainland store network and broadened the offer at its Northern Ireland shops.
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Sterling plots return to profit after sweeping cost reset
Sterling Furniture Group is targeting a return to profit next year after restructuring the business and taking more than £2.6 million out of its annual cost base.
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OTHER NEWS
BFA partners for furniture industry health and safety event
The British Furniture Association (BFA) has partnered with Didac and Rochdale Occupational Health (ROHS) to deliver a health and safety seminar tailored to the furniture industry.
Analysis: Man Wah puts strategic purpose behind DFS investment
Man Wah’s growing investment in DFS doesn't look unusual when viewed against the retailer’s shareholder register, but what is more notable is the explicit strategic rationale now being attached to it. [Premium]
3D furniture configurators convert shoppers as room planning engagement grows
Furniture shoppers using modular 3D product configurators are adding products to their baskets at a 16 percent rate, according to new benchmarking data from 3D Cloud.
Man Wah founder’s DFS stake now worth more than £31 million
Man Wah founder Man Li Wong’s attributable interest in DFS is now worth about £31.5 million after further buying lifted the holding above 8 percent.
Williams-Sonoma flags UK growth as brand expansion gathers pace
Williams-Sonoma has again highlighted the UK as one of its best-performing international markets, citing the expansion of its brands here among the factors supporting growth.
Oak Furnitureland reaches 70-showroom milestone with new opening
Oak Furnitureland will take its UK showroom network to 70 stores this weekend with the opening of a new large-format unit in Ipswich.
Analysis: Property provides firm foundations for Sterling's turnaround
Two successive multimillion-pound losses have eaten into Sterling Furniture Group's resources, but its balance sheet illustrates the underlying strength of the family-owned retailer. [Premium]
Natuzzi in talks with NYSE after delisting proceedings begin
Natuzzi is in talks with the New York Stock Exchange over possible solutions after the exchange suspended trading in its shares and began delisting proceedings.