The French domestic furniture market fell by 1.4% in April, extending the downward trend seen since the start of 2026, according to the latest monthly report from IPEA – Institut de la Maison. While the sector remains under pressure, the pace of decline has eased compared with February (-4.2%) and March (-6.3%), suggesting a gradual stabilisation in market conditions.

Overall, the market has now recorded a cumulative decline of 2% over the first four months of the year. Excluding kitchens and bedding, the contraction is even more pronounced at 3.6%, highlighting uneven performance across different segments of the furniture industry.

Economic conditions continue to weigh on consumer demand. High fuel prices have limited mobility and discretionary spending, while household confidence has fallen further, with INSEE's composite indicator dropping by five points in April. Concerns over potential renewed inflationary pressure, echoing the 2022 crisis, are also contributing to cautious consumer behaviour.

Despite this challenging backdrop, the kitchen segment remains the standout performer and the only category to record growth in April. Kitchen specialists and online retailers also posted positive results, reinforcing the segment's resilience. In contrast, bedding specialists and mid- to high-end furniture retailers experienced the strongest declines during the month.

Looking ahead, IPEA maintains a cautious outlook for the coming months. While warmer seasonal conditions could support some recovery, the broader macroeconomic environment remains uncertain. A weaker comparison base in June 2025, when the market contracted by more than 10%, may, however, offer statistical improvement in year-on-year performance.

Overall, the French furniture market continues to reflect a mixed landscape, with isolated pockets of growth unable to offset broader declines driven by subdued consumer confidence and ongoing economic pressure

Source: meuble-info.fr