GERMANY – The German furniture industry sees good opportunities to further expand its activities in North America.

“The market offers our manufacturers interesting growth opportunities not only in stationary sales, but also in the online channel,” said Jan Kurth, Managing Director of the German furniture industry associations (VDM/VHK), at a virtual meeting of the association export working group on April 27 October feast. A comprehensive study on the furniture market in North America was presented, with a focus on online sales, which was commissioned by the VDM and which contains specific working aids for German furniture manufacturers to get involved in the region.

According to forecasts, the North American furniture market will continue to grow in the coming years, as study author Elmar Stumpf from the management consultancy Conneum said. There is a lot of potential for German suppliers, especially in the upper price segment and in the high-end area. Furniture “Made in Germany” is held in high esteem by American consumers. “In addition, the modern, minimalist furnishing style that characterizes German furniture is becoming increasingly popular in North America,” reported co-author Veronika Miller from Modenus Media in Pennsylvania.

The United States represents the most important export market for the German furniture industry outside Europe. In the first half of 2022, German furniture worth EUR 145 million was exported to the USA, almost 26 percent more than in the same period last year, as VDM foreign trade expert Alexander Oswald reported.

For the second time there will be an official German joint stand at the KBIS trade fair next year in cooperation with the industry association AMK. KBIS – The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show – taking place in Las Vegas from January 31 to February 2, 2023, is the largest North American kitchen and bath industry show. “The participants in German Pavilions can make promising customer contacts at the most important industry trade fairs worldwide at favorable conditions,” said Oswald.