Furniture Sales Weak in October as Buyers Wait for Deals

This week’s four items were published between 6 and 12 November 2026: weak furniture sales in October, a forecast that the kitchen market has passed its low point, no date yet for new furniture fire-safety rules, and a smart LED strip kit stopped at the border. The first two bear directly on what you can expect to pay for a sofa or a kitchen over the next few months.

Furniture was one of October’s weakest categories

The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, published by the British Retail Consortium on 10 November, found that total UK retail sales rose 1.5% in October on a year earlier, while non-food sales were flat. Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s chief executive, said: “Big ticket categories, such as furniture and white goods, performed badly as customers waited for November deals.” Online took 38.6% of non-food sales, up from 38.2% a year earlier.

Why it matters: when shoppers hold off, retailers need November to make up the gap, so expect strong promotions on sofas, beds and dining furniture through Black Friday. A discount is only worth having on a piece you would have bought anyway, so fix your room budget first; our furniture budget calculator and interior design cost per room guide help you set it. Compare delivered totals, and check lead times, since sale stock ordered in late November may not arrive before Christmas.

Kitchen sales down 20% since 2019, but a slow recovery is forecast

Mark Waddy of MTW Research set out the findings of its Kitchen Market Report 2026 in kbbreview on 12 November. UK kitchen sales have fallen by 20% since 2019, with five of the past seven years in decline, and by almost £1 billion at constant prices since the 2022 peak. MTW expects the market to stabilise in the second half of 2026 and forecasts £50m of growth in 2027. It says independent kitchen retailers have been gaining share since 2022 and expects them to lead the recovery, while chain retailers and merchants may wait until 2027/28 for demand to return. Sales of rigid (ready-assembled) units have grown by more than £200m, which MTW puts down partly to the shortage and cost of fitters.

Why it matters: a market that has shrunk for years is one where showrooms want your order, so it is reasonable to get three quotes and negotiate. Rigid units cost more than flat-pack but take less fitting time, so price the two routes with labour included, not units alone. Our new kitchen cost guide gives typical prices, and kitchen interior design in London explains when a designer earns their fee.

Still no date for new furniture fire-safety rules

The government consulted on reforming the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, the rules behind the fire-safety labels on sofas, armchairs and mattresses, and the consultation closed on 23 June. Furniture News reported on 6 November that Greg Smith MP, the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group, had asked when the response would be published and how long manufacturers would get to adapt. The minister, Kate Dearden MP, replied that the responses are under review and a formal response will follow, but gave no timetable and no indication of the transition period.

Why it matters: nothing changes yet. Any upholstered furniture you buy today must still meet the 1988 rules, so look for the permanent label on new sofas and chairs, and ask about it when a piece is made to order. If you are commissioning bespoke upholstery, our interior design contract guide covers what to agree in writing.

A smart LED strip kit stopped at the border over shock risk

The Office for Product Safety and Standards published a product safety report on 12 November on the Palitix Smart Wi-Fi RGB LED Lighting Strip, a 10 metre kit sold via Amazon with a white mains adaptor (plug model QZT-2401500, adaptor model QZT-2403500). The plug’s live and neutral pins sit too close to the edge of the plug face, so the live pin could be touched while the plug is pushed in or pulled out, and it does not meet the British plug standard, BS 1363. Some required markings and documents were also missing. Trading standards rejected the import at the border and rated the risk high.

Why it matters: colour-changing LED strips are a popular cheap way to light shelves, kitchens and bedrooms, and the plug-in adaptor is usually the weak point. If you have this kit, check the model numbers on the adaptor and stop using it if they match. Our room lighting calculator helps you plan how much light a room needs before you buy.