Flooring sales stabilised in April despite another substantial decline in the wider furniture sector, according to latest data from the ffice for National Statistics (ONS).
Sales of floorcoverings were down 1.4% to £211.5 million in April. This contrasts sharply with a 14.2% drop in the value of sales in the furniture and lighting sector, the biggest decline there for over three years.
Overall UK retail store sales in April declined by 2.7% while online sales were up 3% following a poorer performance last month.
The ONS has also uprated March figures for flooring to a healthier 3.8% rise, now factoring some late data – this is more than double the rise published by the ONS last month.