Furniture Stores NAICS 449110

May 27, 2026 - Survey Shows Low Furniture Loyalty

• A newly released Provoke Insights survey highlights weak brand loyalty in the US furniture store industry, creating both challenges and opportunities for retailers competing on price, service, and quality, according to a Furniture Today report. Furniture ranked among the lowest of 13 categories for brand loyalty, with only one-third of consumers saying brand name matters when shopping for furniture. Nearly half (47%) said they would switch to a similar unbranded product if priced lower. Quality was the top loyalty driver for furniture buyers at 53%, while declining quality (34%) and price increases (31%) were the biggest reasons shoppers abandoned brands. The survey also found furniture shoppers rely heavily on brand recognition (53%) and customer reviews (40%) to narrow choices. Despite inflation concerns elsewhere, only 22% of consumers noticed higher furniture prices, suggesting retailers may face continued pressure to maintain promotional pricing and value positioning.
• 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 slow sales growth for US furniture stores as consumers delay major 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 straining 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 reported that spending plans for home furnishings eased or remained unchanged in May. For furniture retailers, softer consumer demand and growing recession concerns could reduce purchases of living room, bedroom, and dining furniture, while persistent inflation continues increasing shipping, inventory, and operating costs. Consumers are also likely becoming more price-conscious and focused on discounts, financing offers, and lower-cost alternatives.
• Legal challenges to previously imposed tariffs could provide meaningful financial relief for the US furniture retail industry, according to a Furniture Today report. At least nine home-related companies, including four retailers such as City Furniture and American Furniture Warehouse, have filed claims seeking refunds of tariffs deemed unconstitutional under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A US Court of International Trade judge has indicated that companies that paid these tariffs are due refunds, potentially offsetting prior cost burdens tied to global sourcing. Industry participants note tariffs had pressured margins, prompting pricing adjustments to mitigate costs. For furniture retailers, potential reimbursements could improve profitability and cash flow, while reinforcing the importance of trade policy developments for a sector heavily reliant on imports. The outcome may also influence future pricing strategies and sourcing decisions across the broader home furnishings market.