The annual rate of price inflation for retailed household furniture in September was 10.5% according to the Office of National Statistics.  This is the highest rate for this particular series since it was introduced in 2016.  The August rate was 8% and in each of the previous 3 months it topped 6%.

The costs of materials and fuel for furniture manufacturers rose in September by 20.8% compared to that month in 2020.  The August rise by 20.5%.  

The factory gate price of all furniture rose by an annual rate of 3.7%, up from 3.5% in August.  Seats of all kind were up by 3.9%, mattresses by 5.2% and kitchen furniture by just 1.1%.

Average weekly retail sales values for furniture and lighting were down by 5.8% in September compared to the same month last year. This represents the first negative result for 7 months, according to the official index supplied by the Office of National Statistics.  However, in terms of actual value, monthly sales topped £1.4 billion, more than the £1.2 billion sold in July and August and any month this year apart from May and June.

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