Latest results from the NBF Tracker* – the bed industry’s state-of-trade weathervane – shows overall sales up by just over 7% by volume and 1.7% by value. It covers the July to September 2019 quarter compared to the same period in 2018.
The results, based on data collected from NBF members (representing 50% of UK manufacturing output by volume and 70% by value), also pointed to growth in mattress only sales with an increase of over 6% by volume and 3% by value.
However, the average unit price of divan sets was down by almost 12.5% which resulted in a year-on-year drop of 5.5% in the total value of divan set sales.
Said Simon Williams, marketing and membership manager for the NBF: “While overall the data pointed to an industry holding firm in difficult times, only 15% of members reported being optimistic about the state of trade. That compares to 33% in the same 2018 period – we also noted 19% of contributors reported being pessimistic about trade compared to the previous 17%. These figures were however compiled prior to the General Election on 12th December so opinions may well have changed since then!”
The reports can be viewed in full by NBF members in the members’ area of the website – www.bedfed.org.uk
