Reupholstery and Furniture Repair NAICS 811420

Nov 25, 2025 - Remodeling Uptick Expected in Early 2026

• Home remodeling spending, a demand driver for furniture repair and reupholstery, is expected to reach 2.4% growth in early 2026, continuing a modest and steady pace of growth, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) by the Joint Center for Housing Studies. The latest reading forecasts $524 billion in renovation spending in the US in early 2026, a new record high, representing an upward trend in remodeling permit activity and single-family home sales. The growth is projected to soften to 1.9% in Q3 2026 due to headwinds from anticipated sluggish housing starts and economic uncertainty.
• According to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, furniture and home furnishings stores lagged behind broader retail gains in October 2025, missing the seasonal sales bounce. Core retail sales rose 0.6% month over month and 4.89% year over year, reflecting solid consumer spending supported by wage growth and low unemployment. However, furniture and home furnishings stores posted a 0.08% monthly decline (seasonally adjusted) and a 1.7% annual drop (unadjusted), making them one of only two categories to contract. Building and garden supply stores also fell, down 0.81% month over month and 8.52% year over year. In contrast, categories such as clothing (7.8% year over year), electronics (6.5% year over year), and digital products (22.3% year over year) saw strong growth. For the first ten months of 2025, core retail sales were up 5.28%, and the NRF projects holiday sales to rise 3.7%–4.2% to just over $1 trillion. The data, based on Affinity Solutions’ anonymized card transactions, highlights competitive pressures facing furniture retailers.

• According to Furniture Today, President Trump has announced a new 30% tariff on upholstered furniture imports, effective October 1, citing national security and unfair trade practices. The scope of the tariff’s overlap with existing duties remains unclear. Additional tariffs were also introduced on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, branded drugs, and heavy-duty trucks. Reupholstery and furniture repair services may see higher demand as the new tariff takes effect. As imported upholstered furniture becomes more expensive, consumers may increasingly turn to repair and restoration as cost-effective alternatives. This shift could drive demand for skilled reupholstery professionals and boost service-based businesses that extend the life of existing furniture. Additionally, rising prices may encourage more sustainable consumer behavior, positioning repair services as both economical and environmentally responsible options in a tightening market.
• US consumer sentiment weakened in October and November 2025, raising concerns for reupholstery and furniture repair providers that depend on discretionary spending. The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 6.2% month over month to 50.3 in November, nearly 30% below last year, while the Expectations Index dropped 36.3% annually to 49. Inflation expectations rose to 4.7% for the year ahead, and the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 94.6 in October, with short term expectations down to 71.5 despite stronger current conditions. With more than half of consumers anticipating higher interest rates, households are expected to delay or scale back big ticket purchases such as sofas, dining sets, and bedroom furniture. For the furniture industry, the environment points to softer demand, heightened price sensitivity, and increased reliance on promotions to drive sales.