HIGH POINT, N.C. — New residential furniture orders rose 1% in March compared to the previous month, but were down 2% compared to March 2025's numbers, according to the May issue of Furniture Insights. Approximately 60% of participants reported increases versus decreases in March compared to a year ago.

Shipments were also up 6% compared to February, and up 2% over March 2025, with approximately one-half of the survey participants reporting increases compared to the year prior, according to Mark Laferriere, assurance partner at Smith Leonard, the accounting and consulting firm that produces the monthly report.   

"Similar to much of the economic data included throughout this report, monthly new orders and shipments continue to be uneven for the participants in our stats program as year-to-date March 2026 new orders and shipments are now flat and down 1%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2025," Laferriere said.

March backlogs were up 1% compared to 2025, but down 1% from February, "as shipments outpaced new orders."

Receivable levels were down 1% from February and down 3% from March 2025, according to the report. Inventories were down 2% from February, but up 4% from March 2025, "continuing the trends from recent months," Laferriere said.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales at furniture and home furnishings stores in April were down 2% compared to March 2026. Year to date on a non-adjusted basis, April sales were down 3% compared to 2025, according to May's Furniture Insights.

In his comments, Laferriere noted that while current events "continue to be a drag on consumer confidence as well as aggravating
existing inflationary pressures, particularly on freight rates and certain raw material costs," on the retail side, "Memorial Day activity was largely positive despite the current headwinds." Tariff refunds are also having a positive impact.

"Looking ahead, the Fed has another meeting scheduled for mid-June, so it will be interesting to see what actions may be taken under new leadership and how it will impact a lackluster housing market and ultimately furniture sales for the remainder of the year."