UK furniture manufacturing recorded a monthly improvement in February 2026, with production values rising strongly compared with January, according to new Office for National Statistics data.
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Furniture production volume slipped 0.7% month-on-month, but the value of manufactured furniture increased 14.8% to £879.7 million from £766.2 million in January. Compared with February 2025, production volume was down 2.3%, while total value edged 1.1% higher from £870 million.
Domestic furniture manufacture value rose 16.4% month-on-month to £832.1 million, though it was broadly flat year-on-year. Export values fell 8.1% to £47.6 million from January levels, but remained 27.9% above the same month last year.
The figures suggest pricing, product mix and improved domestic demand helped offset softer production volumes and weaker monthly exports.
Across the wider economy, UK monthly GDP grew 0.5% in February after 0.1% growth in January. Over the three months to February, GDP increased 0.5%, supported mainly by services sectors including wholesaling, hospitality and publishing.
Grant Fitzner said growth was broad-based across services, while production also improved.
For the furniture sector, the latest data indicates continued resilience in the home market despite ongoing pressure from cautious consumers, housing market weakness and global uncertainty. Manufacturers remain focused on balancing output levels with margin protection and demand fluctuations.
The February rebound may offer cautious optimism for the industry, though annual comparisons show the sector is still operating below last year's production pace.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
