1998 Was A Productive Year For The French Furniture Industry

Furniture World Magazine

Benefiting from the economic upturn which affected household consumption, more than seven million French households bought furniture in 1998, spending an estimated $10.4 billion. This represents an increase of 4.5% over the previous year. Business activity in the furniture industry saw a growth of nearly 8% in the first ten months of 1998. This increase represented a turnabout when compared to the flat activity that occurred during the period 1991 to 1997. Demand was particularly strong for storage unit, kitchen and bathroom, and office furniture. The dynamics of domestic demand had a positive effect on the industry. Reaching $4 billion for the first nine months of 1998, industrial production of furniture increased by 8.4% in value. Chairs benefited from this increase, as did shop, office, and school furniture. Home furnishings also recorded a significant rate of growth. 1998 will also represent a rise in French furniture exports over that in 1997, during which year exports rose to $2.1 billion. France is Europe's third largest exporter after Germany and Italy, and is in fifth place worldwide. For exports, 70% of its trade is with European Union countries, including Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Spain. These results are in no small part due to advances made by the industry. Furniture manufacturing companies in France have become better organized and better structured introducing innovations in technology, materials, and products. Worldwide, the furniture market changes periodically. France is still the world leader in "classical" furniture, but today modern and contemporary styles dominate the market, with a 62% share by value. For more information on the French Furniture Industry, contact: Ms. Delphine Quere, Communications Department, Union Nationale Des Industries, Francaises De L'ameublement 28 bis, avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris, FRANCE, Tel.: (011.33) 1 44 68 18 00, Fax: (011.33) 1 44 68 18 01