What opportunities for French furniture manufacturers in the European market?
6 July 2018

According to CSIL, the furniture market is forecasted to grow worldwide in the next years. The fastest growing region continues to be Asia and Pacific, with all other regions growing between 1% and 3% in real terms.
In terms of international trade of furniture, all the leading markets have shown a greater degree of openness in the last decade. Naturally there are still important differences among various national markets.
THE ROLE OF FRANCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF FURNITURE
France is the fifth largest furniture exporter in Europe, the eleventh at a global level. With a production of furniture reaching around Eur 7 billion in 2017 and an export on production ratio of about 30% (23% in 2012), the country shows a large potential in the coming years.
In 2017 exports of French furniture amounted to around Eur 2 billion (over 2/3 of which are destined to other European markets, first of all Germany), with a double digit increase between 2012 and 2017.
At the annual Export Meeting 2018 (Rencontres de l’Export) of GEM (Group of French furniture exporters) held in Paris on June 14th, Sylvia Weichenberger, CSIL Senior Partner, presented the main results of CSIL furniture sector analysis with a special focus on opportunities for French exporters in Europe.
Major international changes and future perspectives of markets like Germany, UK, Scandinavian countries, Spain and Portugal were outlined.
The presentation further analyzed structural changes in the European furniture distribution system, the e-commerce and prospects for the Contract segment.
More information can be requested to csil@csilmilano.com
RELATED REPORTS
- The furniture industry in Europe, October 2017
- World furniture outlook, December 2017, new edition July 2018
- Furniture distribution in Europe, February 2018
- The contract furniture and furnishings market in Europe, March 2018