After years of decline, furniture posted solid sales growth of 4.6% to CHF 5.5 billion in 2020. (archives) KEYSTONE / CHRISTIAN BEUTLER sda-ats
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–This content was published on May 17, 2021 – 11:03
(Keystone-ATS)
The furniture and interior design sector performed well last year in Switzerland, despite the health crisis, recording solid growth, especially in online commerce.
The furniture sector rebounded in 2020, audit and market research firm GFK said on Monday. The clothing sector, on the other hand, is struggling.
After years of decline, furniture posted solid sales growth of 4.6% to CHF 5.5 billion in 2020, a level last seen in 2014, GFK said in a study. . In 2010, this sector still posted sales of 5.9 billion.
In a context marked by the closure of stores due to the coronavirus pandemic, internet sales have taken the elevator. While they represented only 6.6% (or 350 million francs) of total turnover in 2017, their share increased to 14.5% or 790 million francs last year.
Internet sites like those of the Swiss Galaxus, the American Amazon or the Chinese Alibaba continue to gain market share with Swiss Internet users.
Conversely, the field of ready-to-wear and shoes suffered. Its turnover fell last year by 16.4% to 6.8 billion francs, accelerating a downward trend observed for several years. In 2012, this sector recorded revenues of 10.3 billion.
Online sales have nevertheless gained in importance, now accounting for 29%, or nearly 2 billion francs, of the total, against only 7.4% eight years ago (760 million).
The share of e-commerce is expected to grow further next year, predicts GFK. While furniture will continue to grow in 2021, clothing should recover somewhat.
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