InDEPTH | MIXED SIGNALS IN THE MARKETPLACE
BY CECILE CORRAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
MIXED SIGNALS IN THE MARKETPLACE I nflation, tariffs, store closings and consolidations, and shifting consumer priori- ties continue to reshape the U.S. retail landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities for home furnishings retailers. Off-price and e-commerce channels are steadily gaining share in the promotional segment, while big-box home-improvement stores continue to see consistent demand for project-driven flooring. Department stores and specialty retailers are navigating mixed results, with some trimming home assortments to focus on efficiency, while others are doubling down on curated collections and higher- margin categories to appeal to changing consumer tastes. Costco, Amazon and Ashley Furniture continue to be major forces, reporting strong sales and expanding their area rug assortments. But in addition to publicly reporting retailers like these and many others, several key privately-held players remain influential in the rug and home décor market. Take JCPenney, Big Lots, Havertys, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Bob’s Discount Furniture – although none disclose detailed quarterly results, they all maintain significant footprints across home furnishings and offer thoughtfully curated selections of rugs and soft flooring products. Together, these retailers illustrate the broader market’s resilience, as consumer demand for value, variety and home upgrade projects continues to support growth even amid macro challenges in the economy impacting consumers’ pocketbooks.
VALUE CHANNELS AND ONLINE SALES GAIN GROUND, FLOORING DEMAND HOLDS FIRM, BUT DEPARTMENT STORES AND LUXURY RETAILERS CHART UNEVEN
COURSES AS SHIFTING SHOPPER HABITS TEST STRATEGIES.
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