The rate of furniture production during May 2026 registered a monthly decline, while the value in domestic goods also fell on the previous month.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the rate of furniture production fell by 5% compared to April, while down 7% on May last year.
The value of the manufacture of furniture resulted at £772.8m, down 8.5% from £845.3m the prior month. Against the same period last year, the value decreased 8.7% from £847.2m.
The value of domestic furniture manufacture decreased 9.5% to £730.9m from £808.3m in the month, while down 8.8% from £802m last year.
As for the value of furniture manufacturer exports, this increased 12.9% to £41.8m for the month from £37m. Against last year, exports value declined 7.5% from £45.2m.
Overall, monthly GDP grew by 0.1%, following an unrevised fall of 0.1% in April 2026 and an unrevised growth of 0.3% in March 2026. Over a three-month period, GDP grew by 0.7%, following a growth of 0.8% in the three months to April 2026 and an unrevised growth of 0.6% in the three months to March 2026.
Commenting on the GDP figures for the three months to May, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy recorded robust growth in the three months to May, though the pace eased slightly as the latest two months showed a weaker picture.
“Services drove growth across the three months with computer programming and advertising again leading the way, while the often-volatile pharmaceutical industry also performed well.
“This was only partially offset by another weak period for power generation, while architectural and engineering firms also contracted.
“While all three main sectors grew over the three months, the slight growth in GDP in May was driven by services alone, with production and construction both falling back.”
