Furniture production in the UK saw a monthly decline in March 2025, though values in both domestic output and exports recorded notable growth, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
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The rate of furniture production fell by 3.4% compared to February 2025, although it remained 1.4% higher than in March last year. Overall production output across industries dropped by 0.7% in March, largely due to a 0.8% fall in manufacturing output. This followed a 1.7% growth recorded in February.
Despite the fall in production volume, the total value of furniture manufactured in March reached £892.4 million—an increase of 3.5% from £862.1 million in February, and 3.4% higher than the £862.9 million recorded in March 2024.
The value of domestic furniture manufacture rose by 2% to £841.8 million on the month, and by 3.4% compared to the same period last year, which stood at £813.8 million.
Furniture exports showed a significant monthly surge, with the value jumping 34.9% to £50.6 million, up from £37.5 million in February. Compared to March 2024, exports were up 3%.
Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.2% in March, following 0.5% growth in February. ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown commented that 'the economy grew strongly in the first quarter of the year', highlighting growth in services, wholesale, retail, and computer programming as key contributors. These gains were only slightly offset by declines in education, telecoms, and legal services.
The data reflects a mixed picture for the UK furniture sector—facing lower production output but benefitting from rising value and stronger market demand.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com