by Furniture Insights survey shows September orders for residential furniture rose 7% and shipments rose 6% from same period last year
HIGH POINT — New orders and shipments for residential furniture were up from September 2024 and August, according to the latest industry survey by Smith Leonard released Friday.
The latest Furniture Insights report said that new orders totaled $2.5 billion in September, up 7% from $2.3 billion in September 2024 and up 15% from $2.1 billion in August.
The report said that roughly two-thirds of participants reported increases versus decreases compared with September 2024.
Year to date through September, new orders totaled $19.3 billion, down slightly from $19.4 billion the same period last year.
September shipments totaled $2.3 billion, up 6% from $2.17 billion in September 2024, also up for about two-thirds of the participants compared to September 2024. They were up 3% compared to $2.2 billion in August.
Year to date through September, shipments totaled $19.7 billion, down 1% from $19.85 billion the same period last year, the report said.
September backlogs totaled $2.5 billion, up 2% from $2.45 billion in September 2024 and up 5% from $2.4 billion in August.
Other highlights of the report were as follows:
+ Receivable levels were up 3% from September and up 2% from August.
+ Inventories were up 2% from September 2024 and level with August. The report said this is likely impacted by tariffs.
+ The number of factory and warehouse workers was down 2% from September 2024 but level with August.
+ Payroll expense was up 6% compared with September 2024 and up 4% from August, which it said was likely resulting from the increase in orders and shipments noted above.
+ Year-to-date payroll expense was up 2% compared to the same period last year.
