The purpose-
- To identify and define the main product sectors within domestic furniture for the purpose of the present investigation.
- To classify and assess the range of furniture currently available.
- To determine the size of the market and to analyse the structure in terms of product trends, distribution and geographical patterns, advertising and promotional expenditure and so on.
- To estimate the relative market shares of leading manufacturers and suppliers.
- To assess the degree of foreign competition in the market.
- To highlight the main conclusions from the survey and to indicate possible future developments within the market, including estimates of future market size.

Many of the conclusions from the study are expected to be of use to companies either within the furniture industry or contemplating entering it, whether based in the UK or overseas.

As always in reports of this nature, comment has been restricted to statements of fact and reasoned estimates. We have avoided making recommendations relating to entry into the market, to advertising and sales promotional policies or to other similar matters. Each individual company's resources and assets, skill and policies are different from those of other companies and specific recommendations on courses of action should only be made after careful analysis of a firm's individual circumstances.

Methodology:

The project was carried out using the following research methods:
- Desk and bibliographic research
- Telephone interviews
- Personal interviews
- Analysis and evaluation of information

The initial stages of the survey consisted of desk research, which was used to extract and collate published information on the market under review and to obtain details of manufacturers and suppliers and the products currently available. Desk research was also used to evolve a suitable sampling frame for personal and telephone interviews.

Telephone interviews are the most economic means of obtaining basic information and are most useful when the data being collected is of a standardised nature. Accordingly this method was used to obtain the bulk of information in this research project. In addition, a number of personal interviews were carried out in those circumstances where the information required was of a more complex nature.

The assignment was carried out wholly by qualified staff of ours, all of whom are experienced enough to obtain an adequate response at a senior level. Overall responsibility for the supervision of the assignment was accepted by an Executive Director of the Company.

Research parameters:

This report covers the domestic sector of the furniture market and embraces self-assembly products supplied for houses or flats whether public or privately owned or rented. We have excluded, therefore, such furniture installed in hotels, offices, government buildings and so on.

In Appendix III we show the definitions of product groups within the domestic furniture industry that have been used in this report.

The main product groups are as follows:
Upholstered furniture
Kitchen furniture
Bedroom furniture
Dining room and living room furniture
Beds and bedding
Miscellaneous includes home office, conservatory and bathroom furniture

The market under review is the UK market comprising the following geographical areas:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland