Sunday, September 20, 2026
IKEA UK profit falls as food and services cushion decline in goods sales
IKEA’s principal UK retail company booked a sharp fall in annual profit as lower goods sales weighed on the business. Rising food and services revenue softened the impact on overall turnover.
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Oliver Bonas pushes sales to record as store estate expands
Oliver Bonas, the accessible premium retailer, increased annual sales by more than 11 percent to a record high last year after expanding its store estate and opening in new locations.
Explainer: Furniture and flooring retail sales growth and a note of caution
Official retail sales put both both furniture and flooring sales in strong growth territory in August. That is positive, but the figures should still be viewed with caution. [Premium]
Sell-out BFA summit puts practical AI applications under spotlight
The British Furniture Association brought together technology specialists and furniture industry executives last week for a sell-out summit examining the practical application of artificial intelligence across the sector.
Man Wah chairman’s DFS interest climbs higher still
The attributable interest of Man Wah Holdings chairman Man Li Wong in DFS has climbed again, extending a stake build that has accelerated during 2026.
Analysis: Next steps up quality drive across sofas and home furnishings
Next is putting greater emphasis on design, materials and supplier capabilities as part of a product improvement programme spanning sofas and other home furnishings. [Premium]
Dewsbury bed maker scales workforce as investment, cash climb
Adjust-A-Bed expanded its workforce by more than half last year as the West Yorkshire bed manufacturer continued to scale its operations.
Victoria targets £70m from asset sales as organic revenue rebounds
Victoria is targeting £70 million of net proceeds from property and non-core asset sales this financial year as the flooring group returns to organic revenue growth for the first time since 2022.
Cotswold Company widens online reach with Marks & Spencer furniture tie-up
The Cotswold Company has struck a partnership with Marks & Spencer that will see the furniture retailer sell a curated selection of its products through the latter’s website.
Debenhams growth accelerates as marketplace strategy gains traction
Ecommerce brand Debenhams continued to outperform its wider group in the first half as its owner reported accelerating growth and a sharp improvement in statutory earnings.
Analysis: Why affiliate debt payback could expand Mlily retail operations
Efforts by the group behind Mlily to recover millions of pounds owed by European affiliates could ultimately result in the mattress brand expanding its directly controlled retail operations. [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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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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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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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...
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Harvey Norman advances plans for two more West Midlands stores
Harvey Norman is progressing plans for two further stores in the West Midlands as the Australian retail conglomerate continues to build out its fledgling English store network.
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Furniture brand valuation climbs after fresh investment round
Modular sofas and furniture brand Cozmo has raised further equity funding at a substantially higher valuation than that implied by its previous investment round.
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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Explainer: Furniture and flooring retail sales growth and a note of caution
Official retail sales put both both furniture and flooring sales in strong growth territory in August. That is positive, but the figures should still be viewed with caution. [Premium]
-
Analysis: Next steps up quality drive across sofas and home furnishings
Next is putting greater emphasis on design, materials and supplier capabilities as part of a product improvement programme spanning sofas and other home furnishings. [Premium]
TOP STORIES
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IKEA UK profit falls as food and services cushion decline in goods sales
IKEA’s principal UK retail company booked a sharp fall in annual profit as lower goods sales weighed on the business. Rising food and services revenue softened the impact on overall turnover.
-
British furniture retail sales rise for sixth straight month
Furniture and lighting retail sales rose for a sixth straight month in August according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released Friday.
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Designers Guild files second notice of intent to appoint administrators
Designers Guild has filed a second notice of its intention to appoint administrators, extending the period of protection while efforts to secure the future of the upmarket furnishings business continue.
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Furniture brand MADE among Next-owned labels delivering rapid growth
Next’s portfolio of wholly-owned brands and licences, which includes furniture and homeware brand MADE, has delivered sharp growth in Britain and overseas during the first half.
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Two promoted as Ercol sales and marketing director leaves after six years
Ercol is promoting two longstanding executives as part of a management reshuffle prompted by the departure of its sales and marketing director.
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OTHER NEWS
Oliver Bonas pushes sales to record as store estate expands
Oliver Bonas, the accessible premium retailer, increased annual sales by more than 11 percent to a record high last year after expanding its store estate and opening in new locations.
Explainer: Furniture and flooring retail sales growth and a note of caution
Official retail sales put both both furniture and flooring sales in strong growth territory in August. That is positive, but the figures should still be viewed with caution. [Premium]
Sell-out BFA summit puts practical AI applications under spotlight
The British Furniture Association brought together technology specialists and furniture industry executives last week for a sell-out summit examining the practical application of artificial intelligence across the sector.
Man Wah chairman’s DFS interest climbs higher still
The attributable interest of Man Wah Holdings chairman Man Li Wong in DFS has climbed again, extending a stake build that has accelerated during 2026.
Analysis: Next steps up quality drive across sofas and home furnishings
Next is putting greater emphasis on design, materials and supplier capabilities as part of a product improvement programme spanning sofas and other home furnishings. [Premium]
Dewsbury bed maker scales workforce as investment, cash climb
Adjust-A-Bed expanded its workforce by more than half last year as the West Yorkshire bed manufacturer continued to scale its operations.
Victoria targets £70m from asset sales as organic revenue rebounds
Victoria is targeting £70 million of net proceeds from property and non-core asset sales this financial year as the flooring group returns to organic revenue growth for the first time since 2022.
Cotswold Company widens online reach with Marks & Spencer furniture tie-up
The Cotswold Company has struck a partnership with Marks & Spencer that will see the furniture retailer sell a curated selection of its products through the latter’s website.