Among the more successful chains in the UK furniture scene are the single-line specialists including DFS, ScS and Land of Leather, all of which specialise in upholstered lounge furniture. Similarly the bed specialists, like Dreams, appear to be coping well. This report asks if there is a place for the general furniture retailer in today’s market, and examines strategies for success among the remaining general retail chains.

Products covered within the UK Furniture Retailing report include:

• All furniture which is designed to be used in a living or dining room, including ready-assembled furniture and furniture bought for self-assembly, which is upholstered, non-upholstered, fitted or non-fitted. Sofa beds are included in this sector.
• Textured carpets and rugs; including those which are fitted or non-fitted, including smooth or hard floorcoverings such as vinyl sheets, cushioned vinyl, linoleum and cork, ceramic tiles and wooden flooring.
• All fitted and non-fitted furniture intended for use in a kitchen. This includes built-in furniture in rigid or flatpack for self-assembly format. Kitchen appliances, whether built-in or freestanding, are excluded.
• All fitted and non-fitted furniture designed to be used in a bedroom, including ready-assembled furniture and furniture bought in flatpacks for self-assembly.
• Beds including bedsteads, headboards and mattresses but not sofa beds. Sofa beds are included under the living and dining room furniture sector.