Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Whitemeadow profits rise as sofa maker finds cost savings amid sales decline
Whitemeadow Furniture grew profits last year despite lower revenue as cost reductions helped the upholstery manufacturer counter challenging market conditions and increased overseas competition.
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Snap Finance revenue surges as home furnishings drives lending growth
Snap Finance revenue surged by more than half last year as the consumer lender expanded its loan book, with home furnishings remaining its largest market.
Profit rebounds as Burmatex manufacturing investment comes fully on stream
Commercial flooring manufacturer Airea returned to profit in the first half as higher sales at home and abroad accompanied the completion of a major investment programme at the Burmatex brand owner's West Yorkshire manufacturing operation.
Margin squeeze weighs on Annaghmore profit despite sales growth
Higher sales failed to translate into higher earnings at Annaghmore Agencies last year as a narrower gross margin and increased finance costs weighed on the furniture wholesaler.
Longstanding carpet industry supplier closes as administrators seek buyer for assets
A Yorkshire textile business supplying the carpet industry has ceased trading after 125 years, with all 26 employees losing their jobs.
Likewise lifts full-year expectations as sales growth accelerates
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise Group has raised its full-year profit expectations after first-half sales growth accelerated sharply during the summer and early autumn.
Cotswold Company takes Grade II-listed site for 17th showroom
The Cotswold Company is to open its 17th UK showroom before the end of the year, extending a store expansion programme that has already seen it add two locations in 2026.
Hilco vehicle emerges as funder of Headlam restructuring
A Hilco Capital vehicle has emerged as a major provider of funding to Headlam Group’s principal trading business following its entry into administration earlier this month.
HSL lifts sales and EBITDA despite cost of expansion drive
HSL increased sales and EBITDA last year as investment across its store estate, people and systems helped the furniture manufacturer and retailer grow, albeit at the expense of near-term profit.
Swyft opens fourth London store as physical retail expansion gathers pace
Upholstery and furniture brand Swyft has opened its fourth London showroom, completing the latest phase of a rapid expansion into physical retail.
Investors in ecommerce furniture brand feather the nest
Design-led furniture and interiors platform raised £370,000 from investors last year amid continued founder support. [Premium]
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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Mattress shoppers trade down as spending squeeze bites
Consumers are trading down when buying mattresses, with the average amount spent falling sharply and a growing proportion of shoppers opting for products costing less than £400.
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Home sales fall as cautious shoppers rein in discretionary spending at John Lewis
Home sales at John Lewis fell in the first half as pressure on household budgets made consumers more reluctant to commit to discretionary purchases.
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Aquaclean search interest surges after consumer advertising push
Sofa industry supplier Aquaclean says Google search interest in its brand has increased by more than 5,000 percent following its investment in consumer advertising in the UK.
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Tapi profits more than triple as sales surge after Carpetright expansion
Tapi Carpets & Floors delivered bumper profits in 2025 as sales jumped by more than 40 percent, buoyed by underlying growth and the contribution from former Carpetright stores.
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Fishpools delivers solid year as higher costs weigh on profit
Fishpools maintained sales and grew cash reserves in the past year in what the closely-held home furnishings retailer described as a very solid performance against a backdrop of pressured...
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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New business: Furnishings companies incorporated between September 21–27, 2026
Over 80 new industry companies were incorporated in the period between September 21–27, 2026 inclusive. Full list by business type.
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Insolvencies & business closures: 155 filings between September 21–27, 2026
155 furnishings companies were placed into administration, liquidation, wound up or dissolved in the past week. Full list here. [Premium]
TOP STORIES
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Whitemeadow profits rise as sofa maker finds cost savings amid sales decline
Whitemeadow Furniture grew profits last year despite lower revenue as cost reductions helped the upholstery manufacturer counter challenging market conditions and increased overseas competition.
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Dormeo reverses TV advertising cut after sales fall sharply
Dormeo UK saw sales fall sharply last year after a move away from television advertising failed to deliver the anticipated results, though the bed brand narrowed its annual loss.
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Sanderson Design chair faces shareholder bid to oust her from board
Sanderson Design Group chair Dame Dianne Thompson faces an attempt to remove her from the board after a shareholder requisitioned a general meeting to force a leadership change at the luxury interiors group.
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Next-backed online furniture brand takes on new investor debt in reset year
Next-backed furniture retailer Swoon took on new shareholder debt last year as it absorbed a deeper loss and invested in what directors described as an operational reset.
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Karndean earnings fall as sales decline in depressed flooring market
Karndean saw underlying earnings halve last year as lower sales and depressed flooring volumes continued to weigh on the global luxury vinyl tile market.
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OTHER NEWS
Snap Finance revenue surges as home furnishings drives lending growth
Snap Finance revenue surged by more than half last year as the consumer lender expanded its loan book, with home furnishings remaining its largest market.
Profit rebounds as Burmatex manufacturing investment comes fully on stream
Commercial flooring manufacturer Airea returned to profit in the first half as higher sales at home and abroad accompanied the completion of a major investment programme at the Burmatex brand owner's West Yorkshire manufacturing operation.
Margin squeeze weighs on Annaghmore profit despite sales growth
Higher sales failed to translate into higher earnings at Annaghmore Agencies last year as a narrower gross margin and increased finance costs weighed on the furniture wholesaler.
Longstanding carpet industry supplier closes as administrators seek buyer for assets
A Yorkshire textile business supplying the carpet industry has ceased trading after 125 years, with all 26 employees losing their jobs.
Likewise lifts full-year expectations as sales growth accelerates
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise Group has raised its full-year profit expectations after first-half sales growth accelerated sharply during the summer and early autumn.
Cotswold Company takes Grade II-listed site for 17th showroom
The Cotswold Company is to open its 17th UK showroom before the end of the year, extending a store expansion programme that has already seen it add two locations in 2026.
Hilco vehicle emerges as funder of Headlam restructuring
A Hilco Capital vehicle has emerged as a major provider of funding to Headlam Group’s principal trading business following its entry into administration earlier this month.
HSL lifts sales and EBITDA despite cost of expansion drive
HSL increased sales and EBITDA last year as investment across its store estate, people and systems helped the furniture manufacturer and retailer grow, albeit at the expense of near-term profit.