Verdict Research: Homewares is one of the most fragmented sectors in retail. Non-specialists dominate, though market leader Argos holds just a 5.7% share. UK Homewares Retailers 2008 explores the dynamics, growth trends and drivers of the homewares market and profiles the leading operators.

Scope

Market size, sales and growth rates for the homewares market overal and at category level and for nine subsegments. 10 year market share records with key operating and store portfolio statistics for all leading sector participants. Space allocation for leading players across 18 product categories.

Highlights

Over the last five years, the Top 10 fascias have collectively boosted their share at a faster pace than in any other major retail sector. Between 2002 and 2007 their share has grown from 32.1% to 40.1%. In so doing they have between them taken virtually all of the growth in the homewares market. Volume growth in 2007 was weaker than in the previous year. In 2007 the market grew by 3.4%, its fastest rate for five years, but this was the product of a reduction in deflation rather than a genuinely stronger demand. We estimate prices fell by just 0.1% in 2007 as retailers adjusted prices to offset higher costs. Competition intensifies as key players expand. The £11.3bn homewares market may be one of retail's smaller sectors, but it has become an intense battleground. Physical expansion, new format launches and online development have raised the competitive stakes in a sector that no longer benefits from a buoyant housing market.

Reasons to Purchase

UK Homewares Retailers 2008 is a uniquely comprehensive report, combining insightful analysis with robust statistical interpretation. This report analyses the prospects for over 25 of the leading players in the market, enabling performance benchmarking. A comprehensive outlook section is included listing the key issues likely to impact the homewares market through 2008 and beyond.