Furniture prices rose slightly again in April while carpets declined as overall inflation climbed steeply.
According to the latest Office for National for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to April 2025, up from 2.6% in the 12 months to March. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 1.2% in April 2025, compared with a rise of 0.3% in April 2024.
The largest upward contributions to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates came from housing and household services, transport, and recreation and culture; the largest, partially offsetting, downward contribution came from clothing and footwear.
For furniture, furnishings and carpets, the combined figure saw prices fall -0.1% month-on-month, while on the last year prices were up compared to its fall of -2.2%. Sectors within the category are detailed below.
Furniture and furnishing prices rose by 0.2% in April, down from a rise of 0.9% in March, while up from a -3.1% fall compared to the same month last year.
The retail price of household furniture increased by 0.5% in the month, down from a rise of 1.2%, while also up from a decline of -2.9% last year.
Garden furniture prices fell -1.4%, compared to a fall of -11.6% on last month, and from a decline of -23.4% compared to last year.
Carpets and other floorcoverings prices fell -0.2%, compared to a fall of -1.8% the previous month, while down from a 1.7% uptick last year.
Other household textile prices, including furnishings fabrics, curtains and bedding, saw prices rise by 0.3%, lower than its rise of 1.2% the previous month, while down from a rise of 0.5% on last year.
Commenting on the inflation figures for April, ONS Acting Director General Grant Fitzner said: “Significant increases in household bills caused inflation to climb steeply. Gas and electricity bills rose this month compared with sharp falls at the same time last year due to changes to the Ofgem energy price cap.
“Water and sewerage bills also rose strongly this year as did vehicle excise duty, which all pushed the headline rate up to its highest level since the beginning of last year. This was partially offset by falling prices for motor fuels and clothing, driven by heavy discounting for children’s garments and women’s footwear.”
