Sales at a standstill

In its latest study, Regio-Plan forecasts stagnant sales for the Austrian furniture sector in the year 2004, in spite of a relatively good first six months. The market researchers expect a significant revival of the furniture market in late 2004 at the earliest, and possibly not till 2005. The furniture dealers can in particular draw hope from the trend towards luxury furniture, the increasing number of private households and the furnishings replacement rhythm, where the intervals are becoming shorter as a result of rising life expectancy. The kitchen furniture market, on the other hand, will make a recovery in 2004. Last year saw sales in the sector suffer a drop of 1.7 per cent.