CHICAGO – The Census Bureau’s April retail sales report is out, and one retail and consumer behavior expert believes that although consumer spending will remain strong, consumers will hunt harder for deals.
Furniture and home furnishings sales declined only slightly in May after slipping by more than three points in April, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce‘s advance monthly estimates, which were published on June 17.
May home furnishings store sales rose 1.0% from April but dipped 1.2% year-over-year. And through the first five months of 2026, the DOC says the furniture category has accumulated an unadjusted $53.685 billion, which is 3.1% down from 2025’s levels.
“Many furniture stores conveyed that traditional Memorial Day promotional events at the end of the month performed strongly, boosted by tax refund recipients who held out for holiday weekend deals,” said Chip West of RRD, which provides marketing, packaging, print and business services to global brands. “However, the historical housing mover bump that typically triggers furniture spending has been muted. Beyond that, consumers are delaying full-room overhauls and choosing longer replacement cycles.”
“While a significant percentage of consumers are still planning to buy furniture, their priorities have shifted toward cost-efficiency,” West added.
As the Middle East crisis extended throughout May, West said, “A popular theme persists that higher-income households carried much of the discretionary purchasing weight, while middle- and lower-income families were more actively hunting for value and trading down to private labels. I believe that affluent households are influenced by the middle class when it comes to deal-seeking behaviors.”
Improving geopolitical and economic conditions should lift consumer anxiety, according to West.
“I predict consumers will experience an emotional boost that will power summer spending. When consumers feel less panicked about the future, they are more willing to book summer travel, dine out, invest in experiences and spend on discretionary items like apparel, outdoor furniture and more.” —Thomas Lester of Furniture Today contributed to this story
