It contains information on the value of manufacturers' deliveries for all sectors of this market. The report also covers distribution channels, and profiles major manufacturers.

The year of 2005 proved to be an extremely poor year for the UK furniture industry, with sales declining by around 4% and several major companies going into liquidation. Total sales of domestic furniture reached an estimated £4870m in 2005. Total industry sales increased by 1.6% in 2006 to reach £4950m.

It is estimated that sales of motion upholstery reached £235m in 2006, compared to £224m in 2005; the share of the total upholstered furniture market held by such products increased from 14.1% to 14.5% during that period.

The year of 2005 proved to be an extremely poor year for the UK furniture industry, with sales declining by around 4% and several major companies going into liquidation. Total sales of domestic furniture reached an estimated £4870m in 2005. Total industry sales increased by 1.6% in 2006 to reach £4950m. Producer prices increased by around 1-2% during the year.

Few furniture manufacturers improved sales in 2005 or 2006 and margins were again under pressure, although the major retailers such as Ikea, DFS, Argos and John Lewis bettered their positions in the market. To some extent they had been helped by the previous demise of competitors such as Uno, World of Leather, Kingsway, Landmark and more recently Courts, Allders, Furnitureland and so on.

Sales of upholstery reached £1620m in 2006, compared to £1570m in 2005, accounting for 33% of the total market in 2006; this is much higher than the 28% market share that this product group held in 1990.

In value terms sales of suites, settees, fireside, easy and reclining chairs reached £1470m in 2006, accounting for just over 90% of the total upholstery market, whereas sales of convertibles reached £85m in that year, accounting for 5% of the market.

Sales of suites reached £1150m in 2006, accounting for 74% of the total market, with suites incorporating a 3-seater settee being the most popular combination, accounting for 33% of the total market.

It is estimated that sales of motion upholstery reached £235m in 2006, compared to £224m in 2005; the share of the total upholstered furniture market held by such products increased from 14.1% to 14.5% during that period.

Multiple furnishing outlets, including upholstery specialists, remain the major outlets for motion upholstery with 38% of total sales, compared with independent furnishing outlets with 15% of the market and department stores and variety chains with 14% of the market.

The leading specialist manufacturers of motion upholstery are Ekornes, La-Z-Boy, Celebrity Motion Furniture and Royams Upholstery, although most major mainstream upholstery suppliers incorporate such products in their range, including G-Plan, Parker Knoll and Buoyant Upholstery.

Imports of motion upholstery reached £58.6m (at Manufacturers' Selling Prices) in 2006, compared to £50.9m in 2005. It is estimated that imports currently account for around 25% of the motion upholstery market at the present time.

The market for upholstered furniture is forecast to reach £1640m in 2007 and £1705m in 2008, indicating an annual increase of 1.2% in 2007 and a further increase of 4.0% in 2008. By the end of the period upholstered furniture is expected to account for around 33% of the total domestic furniture market.

Sales of motion upholstery are estimated to reach £241m in 2007 and £252m in 2008, accounting for 14.7% of the total upholstery market in 2007 and 14.8% in the following year. Within that sector electrically operated products are forecast to reach £24m in both years, accounting for around 10% of the total motion upholstery sector.