The latest edition of the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) Statistics Digest for the UK Furniture Industry, published this autumn, is a valuable snapshot of the sector’s evolution, from pandemic highs to shifting overseas trade gaps. In December's issue, Furniture News shares an exclusive look at the report’s key findings, including insights regarding the industry’s size, scope and activity …
The UK furniture and furnishings industry remains a vital contributor to the national economy, providing scale, employment and resilience across manufacturing, retail, wholesale and trade.
FIRA’s new digest compiles the latest available data to offer decision-makers and stakeholders a clear, evidence-based view of current performance and structural trends, drawing from authoritative Government sources including the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and covers 2019-24.
Manufacturing data by product, sourced from the ONS’ Prodcom series, is available up to 2024, but data by business activity is only available to 2023. Based on historic publishing schedules, data for 2024 will be published in spring 2026, with the release of the Annual Business Survey results.
The digest adopts a dual classification approach using the UK’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system to assess domestic business activity, and the internationally recognised Harmonised System (HS) codes to evaluate trade performance. These frameworks allow for clarity in mapping production volumes, business demographics and global trade flows.
Read the report summary here.
