Expect to see exhibitors and buyers in ebullient mood at the 2019 January Furniture Show (JFS) when the 4-day show opens on 20th January. Exhibitors will launch their new products at the NEC with the knowledge that 2017 was a record year of sales for the furniture and interiors market, and 2018 continued into the second part of the year in the same vein.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the retail sales of furniture and lighting grew by 2.9 percent in 2017 and passed £14 billion for the first time. It represented the fourth straight year of growth for the industry.
Despite the challenges of 2018 with a heatwave, world cup fever and market complexities, the predictions are that 2018 will continue the growth pattern as more and more houses are being built and need furnishing. In 2017 the NHBC (National House Building Council) registered nearly 160,606 new homes, the highest number since 2007 and by June of this year registrations were already up by 11 percent on last year, the knock for furniture and interior furnishing sales will be huge.
The exhibitors at JFS 2019 are full of positive action to meet new demand and have compelling launch plans for new collections and models. The beds and mattress sector has seen the largest sales growth recently, rising by 5 percent over last 18 months reaching over £2 billion. Silentnight, Britain’s largest bed group, will exhibit at JFS for the first time. They, along with other bed companies including Breasley, MLily, Hestia, MiBed, Vogue Beds and Highgate have all got new beds and mattresses to show.
Upholstery is second behind beds in terms of performance over the past 18 months, but upholstery manufacturers too have lots of new designs to shout about. Whitemeadow have just opened a new 4,000sqft design, development and showroom facility at its Nottinghamshire HQ and continues to develop its collaboration with Content by Terence Conran. Westbridge, Tetrad, Buoyant and Lebus are all launching new up-to-the-minute designs in muted, vibrant and sophisticated fabrics and coverings at JFS.
Living and dining furniture isn’t as high flying as beds and sofas in terms of increased sales, but is in no way short of fresh ideas and new collections. Some of JFS’s best loved exhibitors, VIDA Living, Ercol, Skovby, Weimann and Baker Furniture all have new cabinet collections to introduce, and will give buyers a feast of mixed textures, unique storage solutions and plenty of 21st Century design techniques.
To see all of the new collections and to be part of a growing industry visit JFS next January. Entry is free and registration is live at www.januaryfurnitureshow.com