Retail price deflation in the flooring sector eased significantly in April, according to provisional data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rate of deflation dropped from 1.8% in March to just 0.2%, marking a notable shift after seven months of broadly declining prices across the past eight.
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The data suggests a possible stabilisation in the sector, though inconsistencies remain. The ONS was once again unable to publish pricing information for carpets and rugs due to insufficient data—this being the second such omission in less than a year. A similar issue was recorded for smooth flooring data in June 2024.
While general flooring prices showed less deflation, smooth flooring saw a reversal in trend, with deflation deepening from 1.7% to 2%. The broader picture of pricing behaviour remains unclear due to these ongoing data gaps.
Despite limited clarity, the sharp overall drop in retail price deflation may indicate shifting dynamics in consumer demand or supply chain adjustments. The flooring industry continues to face uncertainty, with accurate month-by-month tracking hindered by inconsistent data collection.
Source: www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk