Home Furnishings Stores NAICS 44912

May 27, 2026 - Home Categories Find Growth Pockets

• The US home and housewares market showed mixed but stabilizing demand in 2025, a positive signal for the broader home furnishings industry. According to the International Housewares Association’s MarketScope report, total home and housewares sales dipped just 0.5% to $77.12 billion, while small appliance sales rose 1% to $44.94 billion. Growth in kitchen electrics and cookware/bakeware, both up 4%, reflects consumers continuing to cook, entertain and spend more time at home. Categories tied to convenience, air quality and home comfort also gained traction. IHA and Circana attributed growth to at-home lifestyles, replacement purchases, weather shifts and product innovation. The report also highlights the industry’s accelerating digital shift, with 60% of purchases made online in 2025, up from 58% a year earlier.
• US furniture and home furnishings sales lagged the broader retail market in April, rising 2.58% year over year versus 5.73% growth for overall retail sales, according to the National Retail Federation’s CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. The category also slipped 0.06% month over month, underperforming most retail sectors. By comparison, apparel, sporting goods and health and personal care stores each posted annual gains above 8%, while furniture and home furnishings outperformed only building and garden supply stores, which declined 2.74% year over year. The furniture and home furnishings sector saw softer demand as consumers remained cautious on discretionary spending amid persistent inflation and higher gas prices, though broader retail sales continued to benefit from steady employment, wage growth and tax refund spending.

• Rising inflation and weakening consumer confidence could pressure the US home furnishings store industry as consumers delay discretionary household purchases, according to recent consumer sentiment sources. The University of Michigan reported consumer sentiment fell to 44.8 in May 2026, down 14.2% year over year, while 57% of consumers said high prices were hurting their finances. The Conference Board also found that two-thirds of consumers were cutting back spending because of inflation and postponing expensive purchases. In addition, The Conference Board noted spending plans for home furnishings and other big-ticket household items eased or remained flat in May. For home furnishings retailers, tighter household budgets and recession concerns could reduce demand for furniture, décor, and remodeling-related purchases, while persistent inflation may continue raising inventory, shipping, and operating costs. Consumers are also likely becoming more price-sensitive and focused on value-oriented purchases.
• Ongoing legal challenges to tariffs could have broad financial implications for the US home furnishings industry, according to a Furniture Today report. At least nine companies across the sector, including four retailers, two rug firms, two textile suppliers, and one furniture manufacturer, have filed claims seeking refunds for tariffs ruled unconstitutional under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A US Court of International Trade judge indicated affected importers are due refunds, potentially recouping costs tied to global sourcing. Industry executives note tariffs had pressured margins and required pricing adjustments to offset higher import costs. For the home furnishings industry, potential reimbursements could improve profitability and liquidity, while highlighting continued exposure to trade policy shifts. The situation underscores the importance of tariff management, pricing strategy, and sourcing flexibility in an import-dependent sector.