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."
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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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
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
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
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
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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