The rate of furniture production during April 2026 registered a slight monthly increase, while the value in domestic goods declined on the previous month.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the rate of furniture production rose by 1% compared to March, while down 0.2% on April last year.
The value of the manufacture of furniture resulted at £852.2m, down 10% from £947.7m the prior month. Against the same period last year, the value increased 4.3% from £816.5m.
The value of domestic furniture manufacture decreased 9.6% to £815m from £901.9m in the month, while up 6.3% from £766.3m last year.
As for the value of furniture manufacturer exports, this decreased 18.9% to £37.1m for the month from £45.8m. Against last year, exports value declined 26% from £50.2m.
Overall, monthly GDP contracted by 0.1% in April 2026, following growths of 0.3% in March 2026 and 0.4% in February 2026. Over a three-month period, GDP grew by 0.7%, following a growth of 0.6% in the three months to March 2026 and a growth of 0.5% in the three months to February 2026.
Commenting on the GDP figures for the 3-months to April, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy grew in the latest three months as a whole, reflecting strong growth in February and March. This was despite April showing a small fall.
“Services were again the driver with particular strength in computer programming, marketing and wholesale companies across the three months, while construction showed some further signs of recovery after a weak winter.
“This was partly offset by falls in research and development and in sports industries, alongside a notable fall in electricity generation.”
