A recent study by L'ObSoCo highlights a striking contrast between collective pessimism and individual optimism among the French. While 70% expect a difficult year for the country in 2026, about a third remain personally optimistic, reflecting the same pattern seen in 2025. This divergence is particularly relevant for furniture manufacturers and home goods retailers, as household sentiment heavily influences purchasing decisions.
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The 2025 retrospective paints a largely negative picture: three-quarters of respondents rated the year poorly, yet 32% viewed their personal experience positively. For 2026, national expectations remain subdued, with only 6% anticipating a good year, but personal optimism holds steady at 33%. These findings suggest that while economic and political uncertainty weighs on the national mood, individual households may continue spending cautiously on home improvements and furnishings.
Political change and economic stability remain top priorities. Nearly a third of respondents expressed a desire for government renewal, while 19% focused on improving purchasing power through higher wages, lower taxes, and inflation control. Security, peace, and social cohesion also feature prominently in public concerns. On a personal level, health, financial stability, work satisfaction, and well-being dominate priorities, with modest aspirations reflecting pragmatism rather than resignation.
The study underscores a dual lesson: the French are wary of external challenges yet remain attentive to what they can control in their own lives. For home furnishings professionals, this means adapting to cautious yet resilient consumer behaviour, offering quality, value, and reassurance to households navigating uncertainty, while recognising that optimism, however measured, continues to drive engagement and purchases.
This nuanced understanding of sentiment may be the key to sustaining demand in 2026.
Source: www.meuble-info.fr
