2026
9
UK Homewares Retailing Market Report 2026
2026-02-24T16:01:08+00:00
REP20310EF1_4AB6_4CFF_B10E_F14AB64CFFD0
2195
191424
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Report
en_GB
78% of UK adults have bought homewares in the past year, a decline from 86% in 2023. Physical stores have strengthened their position as the main purchasing channel, reversing an…
UK
Home Retailing
simple

UK Homewares Retailing Market Report 2026

"An improved housing market has provided a welcome boost for the homewares sector. However, the landscape has become more competitive, especially on price."

Sam Nguyen, Senior Retail Analyst

Sam Nguyen, Senior Retail Analyst

UK Homewares Retail Industry – Trends and Insights

  • 78% of UK adults have bought homewares in the past year, a decline from 86% in 2023. Physical stores have strengthened their position as the main purchasing channel, reversing an assumed post-pandemic online dominance and highlighting an enduring appetite for in-person inspiration.
  • Intense price competition from ultra-cheap imports and the growing expansion of non-specialist retailers into homewares are contributing to an increasingly fragmented landscape where retailers need to work harder to deliver compelling value. Meanwhile, consumer demand for staying updated with homeware trends, while creating lucrative opportunities, has also contributed to environmental waste.
  • The most exciting opportunity comes from an improved housing market, providing a much-needed boost for the homewares sector. The rise of pre-loved homewares, while potentially directing some volume out of the market, also opens new doors of opportunity for retailers, not just in the form of catering to the demand for both sustainability and affordability, but also by providing a fresh way for retailers to communicate the value of their high-quality products.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Key trends in recent launches and innovations in the UK homewares retailing market and future opportunities
  • Trends in the purchasing of homewares and the appetite for new versus second-hand items
  • The continued importance of physical stores in homeware purchasing, along with the choice of retailers for homeware purchases
  • Key drivers of retailer choice, including the impact of price, customer service and location
  • The rise of fast homewares and opportunities to strike a balance between trend-driven demand and sustainability
  • Key consumer typologies for homeware purchasing
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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for homewares retailing
    • Opportunities
    • Create at-home moments that replicate the excitement of going out
    • Dial up the experiential elements of physical stores
    • Find the sweet spot between an aesthetic home and saving the planet
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast
    • The environmental cost of fast homewares demands urgent action
    • Digital Product Passports usher in greater product origin transparency
    • Improved UK housing market provides a much-needed boost to demand for home items
    • Graph 1: number of property transactions with a value over £40,000 completed in the UK, 2019-25
    • Incremental growth is expected for the coming years
    • Spending on homewares is forecast to grow 4.1% between 2025 and 2030
    • Graph 2: market value forecast for homewares (including VAT), 2019-30
    • Household textiles make up the largest share
    • Graph 3: homewares market segmentation, 2024-25
    • Most homewares sales are from non-specialists
    • Graph 4: channels to market for homewares, 2024-25
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Purchasing of homewares
    • The majority of UK adults have bought homewares in the past year
    • A dip in purchasing activity across the board
    • Graph 5: homewares purchasing, 2021-25
    • New homewares are preferable for most, but second-hand options are finding their footing
    • Second-hand homewares open new windows to the market
    • How and where consumers shop for homewares
    • Online engagement continues to dip, while in-store purchasing remains resilient
    • A mobile-first experience is favourable
    • Bricks-and-mortar stores appeal to the majority
    • Shoppers are happy to buy homewares from various retailer types
    • Drivers for choosing one retailer over another
    • Price remains high on the agenda
    • Service is key for younger shoppers…
    • …while location could win over their older counterparts
    • Striking a balance between style and sustainability
    • Younger shoppers are keen to keep their homewares on-trend
    • Social media sways the decision of style-driven homewares
    • Leverage social media to streamline the buying process
    • But many are aware of the toll of trendy homewares on the environment
    • Key customer typologies
    • Four consumer typologies for the UK homewares market
    • Trend Chasers: who they are and opportunities
    • Mindful Consumers: who they are and opportunities
    • Emotional shoppers: who they are and opportunities
    • Wholesome consumers: who they are and opportunities
  4. RETAILER ACTIVITY

    • Leading retailers
    • Dunelm and ProCook enjoy growth in online channels
    • IKEA embraces accessibility
    • Growing competition from non-specialist retailers
    • Dusk continues to go from strength to strength
    • Graph 6: [no title]
    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Reimagine in-store shopping experiences
    • Store openings in the spotlight of advertising campaigns
    • Enhance the convenience of online shopping
    • Dial up a sense of premiumisation
    • Leverage social media influence
    • IKEA’s complimentary service for new movers
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • The market
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast methodology – fan chart
    • Market size and forecast: underlying data
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals
    • Market segmentation
    • Market segmentation definition
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Cluster analysis
    • Repertoire analysis methodology
    • TURF methodology
    • How to read: TURF analysis
    • Other data source methodologies
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
    • Snoop SpendMapper methodology
    • Abbreviations

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