by Year-over-year new orders rose 13%, while shipments rose 3% during same period
HIGH POINT — Year-over-year furniture orders and shipments in July were up compared with July 2024, according to the latest Furniture Insights report from Smith Leonard.
New orders for residential furniture were up 13%, rising to $2.17 billion from $1.92 billion in July 2024. The firm said that about two-thirds of participants reported increases versus decreases during the same period.
By comparison, new orders were up 6% from June from $2.05 billion.
Shipments totaled $2.1 billion, up 3% from $2.056 billion in July 2024 and also up for about two-thirds of survey participants. They were down 2% from $2.12 billion in June 2025.
July backlogs totaled $2.45 billion, down 4% from $2.55 billion in July 2024. They were up 2% from $2.4 billion in June “as new orders outpaced shipments.”
Other highlights of the report are as follows:
+ Receivable levels were level with July 2024 and up 2% from June, which the report said were both materially in line with related shipment trends.
+ Inventories were up 1% from July 2024 and down 2% from June, also “materially in line with prior periods and current operational levels.”
+ The number of factory and warehouse employees was down 3% from July 2024 and down 1% from June.
+ Payroll expense was up 4% compared with July 2024 and down 3% from June.
