GERMANY - According to the latest data from the Verband der Deutschen Küchenmöbelindustrie (VdDK), the German kitchen furniture industry has experienced a notable downturn in sales in first months 2024.

Specifically, in February of this year, the industry saw an almost 8 percent decrease (-7.99%) in sales compared to February of the previous year. This decline was more severe within Germany, where domestic sales dropped by 8.53 percent. Sales in international markets also declined, albeit at a slightly lesser rate, with a decrease of 7.31 percent.

When examining the industry's performance over the first two months of 2024, the negative trend becomes even more apparent. Overall, the industry's sales for January and February combined were down by nearly 10 percent (-9.98%) compared to the same period in the previous year.

This decline was nearly uniform in scope, affecting both the domestic and foreign markets. Domestic sales decreased by 9.92 percent, while sales in foreign markets saw a reduction of 10.06 percent.

These figures highlight significant challenges faced by the German kitchen furniture industry in the early months of 2024, indicating a broader economic impact that may be affecting consumer spending and investment in home furnishings both at home and abroad.