Residential furniture and home goods retailer issues performed well last week versus the market, while the Commercial/Contract Furniture stocks, by and large, tread water.

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It was a tough week for several Consumer Hardlines WTR stock indexes. The Commercial/Contract Furniture Index was off 4.6%, while the Home Goods Retailers Index fell 6.8% versus the four benchmarks (down between 0.8% and 3.4% for the week).The relative bright spot was Residential, which was down only 0.7%. Yet the two reporting issues in Residential did not enjoy the week. Lovesac (-19.7% for the week) continues to gain market share, while Hooker (-16.7% for the week) confirmed exceptionally soft industry demand in its 4QFY24 report.

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New orders for residential furniture dipped 1% in January compared to 2023 figures, ending an eight-month streak of year-over-year growth, according to the latest issue of Furniture Insights. Approximately half of the participants reported increased orders in January compared to a year ago.

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