Specialist furniture stores gaining momentum

There’s good news for start-ups looking to get into the furniture business, with a new survey revealing 67% of Australians buy their furniture from a specialist furniture retailer rather than a major store.

According to Joseph Bruzzaniti, co-founder and director of Connectfurniture.com.au, the findings will come as a shock to many retailers and manufacturers.

“It highlights the need for Australian manufacturers and retailers to better understand what drives furniture buyers,” he says.

The number of people purchasing specialist furniture is well ahead of those who purchase furniture from major department stores, which sits at 49%.

This could be attributed to the fact that one in three people wish to consult with someone prior to making a furniture purchase.

The survey also paints an interesting picture for online retailers, with men more inclined to steer clear of physical shops in favour of online stores.

According to the survey, men are three times more likely to shop online on a Saturday or Sunday compared to women.

The findings suggest that an online furniture store offering a specialised service could comfortably compete with larger, more traditional retailers.

The survey also reveals that 29% of online shoppers are from regional and rural Australia, so perhaps you could establish an online presence by tailoring your products and services to this market, complete with consultation and a delivery service.