Tough times for bathroom furniture

The Central European production of bathroom furniture and mirror cabinets is mainly dominated by Germany and Italy. Around 55 per cent of the production comes from companies in these countries, although the total production volume decreased from 2007 to 2013 by € 207 mio or 13.9 per cent.
These are figures from a recent study by the German consultancy company Titze. According to the survey the import volume is also on the decline. However, since 2008 the value has only decreased by 10.7 per cent over the last five years.
According to the authors, the export suffered from the extreme slump during the global economic crisis in 2008. After that the markets did not sufficiently recover. Up until 2013, the export volume in Central Europe decreased significantly, i.e. by 15.8 per cent.
The Central European domestic supply reached its highest value in 2007 with € 1.628 bn (net ex-factory prices). After a short interim high in 2010 figures have continuously gone downhill. The current value of € 1.421 bn corresponds to a decrease of 12.7 per cent. Only the German speaking countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland have managed a positive development.
A significant concentration of manufacturers can be determined in Central Europe, according to the authors. In the nine countries selected for the study, there are currently 207 manufacturers of bathroom furniture and mirror cabinets. It should not be overlooked that 113 of these, which corresponds to 54.6 per cent, come from the two largest production countries Germany and Italy.

The most important distribution channel is the furniture and kitchen trade with more than 35 per cent market share. In Austria and France the market share is even higher with more than 40 per cent.
DIY stores as well as the bathroom and sanitary trade are neck and neck, each with 21 per cent market share. The German speaking countries with their strong specialist retailers prevent a higher share for the DIY stores.
Distance trade has a 12 per cent market share and is continuing to grow. In the large countries Germany and Great Britain, this sales channel reaches an even higher share of 17 per cent. Contract business and other stationary distribution channels have a market share of about five per cent.
When considering the individual product groups, bathroom suites retain their undisputed…