Germany

In the mid-2010s, the stationary furniture trade in Germany had a very large retail space, which was considered particularly high in an international context. According to the Federal Association of German Furniture Trade (BVDM), Germany’s top 10 furniture retailers represented over €16 billion in sales in 2015 – more than half of the market volume – and together operated around 23 million square metres of retail space. This enormous space made Germany a «paradise for furniture buyers» with numerous and large furniture stores. A quarter of the total area (approx. 5.7 million m²) was accounted by only 165 large furnishing stores, each with over 25,000 m² of retail space, such as furniture stores as IKEA, XXXLutz, or Höffner. In the late 2010s, the retail space grew only marginally. In 2019, the total retail space of the German furniture trade was still around 23 million m². The increase in space had slowed down significantly – hardly any new furniture stores were built; instead, market leaders more frequently took over existing locations. Examples include the expansion of XXXLutz (taking over Mömax/Poco branches) and Höffner’s acquisitions of regional competitors. At the same time, the number of furniture stores moderately decreased due to market consolidation: by the end of 2019, there were around 21,000 stationary outlets in the furniture retail sector in Germany, indicating the closure of smaller stores. Nevertheless, the total space remained stable as large chain stores filled the gaps or expanded existing stores.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also hit the German furniture trade. Months-long lockdowns forced stationary furniture stores to close, leading to a strong push towards online trading. Many consumers switched to online offers, causing the online share in the furniture trade to skyrocket in 2020/21. After the lockdowns, stationary sales temporarily recovered, but rising energy prices and inflation again burdened the industry. In 2023, the German furniture and kitchen trade recorded a real sales decline of 3.6%. Many consumers held back on purchases due to higher prices and post-pandemic demand saturation. This development significantly affected space productivity. Some retailers responded by reducing space or closing unprofitable locations to save costs. For example, some branches of the chain «Möbel Kraft» were abandoned (in favour of an online focus), while other major retailers (IKEA, XXXLutz) significantly slowed down their expansion in Germany. Overall, retail space has slightly declined or stagnated at a high level until 2025. However, Germany remains the largest stationary furniture market in Europe, characterised by large furnishing stores and increasing integration with online offers.

Summary Germany

The German furniture trade has experienced a consolidation at a high space level over the past 10 years. After a peak around 2015–2019 (approx. 23 million m²), the total retail space remains large, but without further growth. Market leaders dominate with ever-larger stores, while smaller retailers are pushed out of the market due to online pressure and rising costs. The pandemic and economic crises have slowed down expansion and led to occasional space reductions, but a drastic reduction in space has not yet occurred in Germany – the country still has one of the densest networks of furniture retail spaces worldwide in 2025.

France

In France, the stationary retail space in the furniture trade was slightly smaller in 2015 than in Germany but was also characterised by large retail chains. Market leaders such as IKEA, Conforama, and But operated numerous large locations. Overall, the retail space per inhabitant in France was slightly lower than in Germany, but there was also a dense network of larger furniture markets and many smaller furniture stores (including boutique furniture stores and kitchen studios). In the late 2010s, the first space reductions occurred due to market turbulence in France. Particularly severe was the crisis of the furniture retailer Conforama: the chain (then one of the largest providers alongside IKEA and But) ran into financial difficulties in 2018/19. In mid-2019, Conforama announced a tough restructuring plan that foresaw the closure of 32 Conforama furnishing stores and 10 outlet branches in 2020. These 42 store closures meant a noticeable reduction in retail space in the French furniture trade. After these restructuring measures, there were still 164 Conforama stores nationwide. A significant reduction! The background to this development was sales declines in 2018 (–4% sales) and strong competition from e-commerce and rivals such as IKEA and But. In 2018, the online trade already accounted for around 15% of the French furniture market, while Conforama itself could only show an 8% online share. The increasing online shift and market saturation thus forced store reductions and consolidation. At the same time, market concentrations occurred. The investor Mobilux, consisting of XXXLutz and the financial investor CD&R, took over the furniture chain But and large parts of Conforama France in 2020 to avert bankruptcy. As a result, two dominant groups emerged from 2020: On the one hand, IKEA as a global chain and, on the other hand, the combined But/Conforama under the strong influence of the Lutz group, which controls a large part of the remaining space (the Conforama brand remains, but belongs to the same company group). There were few new entrants; however, specialised providers such as Maison du Monde continued to expand (with medium-sized city-centre branches) and kitchen studios, which partially opened new spaces but to a lesser extent. Recently, Maison du Monde has also come under significant pressure and is reducing locations inside and outside France.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to three-month business closures in France in spring 2020, which hit the stationary furniture trade hard. Nevertheless, the market showed resilience: for 2020, «only» a sales decline of 4.8% was reported. Many French people made up purchases after the lockdown or switched to online retailers. Large furniture stores in France recorded double-digit declines during the lockdowns, while online sales (e.g., at IKEA.fr and others) increased by about +6.5%. As a result, stationary retailers invested even more in omnichannel strategies to integrate retail space and online sales. The energy crisis in 2022 and high inflation affected rising operating costs (heating large furniture spaces, lighting) and increased the pressure to reduce costs. Some companies reduced opening hours or delayed store openings. Nevertheless, innovative store concepts were also tested – such as smaller city-centre furniture stores: IKEA, for example, opened a city furniture store in Paris in 2021 (with significantly smaller space than a standard IKEA) to be closer to customers and compensate for lost frequency in city centres.

Summary France

Overall, France’s stationary furniture trade has experienced a slight decrease in total retail space between 2015 and 2025. Although exact square meter figures are not available, the closure of over 40 branches at Conforama must have noticeably reduced the space. Market consolidation is clear: Two large chains now dominate most of the stationary offerings. While Germany’s space stagnated, France has seen a moderate reduction in space due to restructuring and higher e-commerce penetration. French furniture retailers increasingly rely on multichannel and experience worlds in remaining stores to continue attracting customers to the – tendentially somewhat fewer – stationary spaces.

Italy

The Italian furniture market is traditionally characterised by a dense network of smaller furniture stores and studios, complemented by a few large providers. In the mid-2010s, there were around 18,000 furniture stores (stationary locations) in Italy, often family-run furniture stores, kitchen studios, and design furniture stores spread throughout the country. The total retail space was distributed among many small units; only a few chains operated large stores. Well-known national large-scale providers included IKEA (about 20 locations in Italy, each with usually 25,000–30,000 m² of retail space) and Mondo Convenienza (an Italian furniture discounter with large branches mainly in central and southern Italy). Mercatone Uno, a chain of furniture hypermarkets, was also important. In the late 2010s, the Italian furniture market came under strong pressure due to economic weakness and structural change. The prolonged economic crisis after 2010 (high unemployment, weak real estate business) and changing consumer behaviour led to numerous closures. Many small furniture retailers gave up because demand stagnated and younger customers increasingly preferred large-scale furniture stores or online shops. The industry discussed as early as 2017 that an «innovative approach» was needed to save the traditional furniture business. Particularly drastic was the collapse of Mercatone Uno in 2019, one of Italy’s largest furniture market chains. All 55 branches were closed overnight, affecting 1,800 employees. These 55 hypermarkets had a combined retail space of approximately 500,000 m² (estimated) and had served price-conscious customers since the 1980s. Their demise left a gap, especially in the large-scale supply in many regions. Although some locations were later taken over by competitors, most remained closed or were repurposed.

Other Italian providers also reduced their presence: Grancasa and some regional chains closed branches, while Poltronesofà expanded its numerous small showrooms as a franchise model. Overall, the stationary retail space in Italy likely decreased significantly between 2015 and 2020. This is indicated by the closure of 55 large Mercatone Uno locations and the disappearance of several thousand small stores – from 18,000 providers in the mid-decade to significantly fewer in the 2020s (current estimates are around 15,000–16,000). At the same time, the large ones grew: IKEA opened a few new furniture stores from 2016 to 2019 (e.g., in Catania and Roncadelle/Brescia), and Mondo Convenienza expanded into new regions. However, this could not fully compensate for the shrinkage among the smaller ones.

Italy was hit very early and hard by COVID-19. In 2020, stationary trade came to a near standstill – furniture stores were closed for weeks, putting many already fragile small retailers in existential distress. Although government support measures helped some businesses survive, many small companies permanently closed in 2020/21. Consumers shifted purchases online or postponed acquisitions. As a result, the online share (e.g., through international platforms and domestic shippers) also increased significantly in Italy – an area that was relatively weak before 2019. After reopening, Italy experienced a catch-up effect with rising furniture sales in 2021. Still, high inflation and energy costs dampened consumption again in 2022/23. Furniture retailers faced rising electricity bills for large exhibition spaces. Some therefore reduced opening hours or heated/cooled less space to save costs. New branch openings remained rare. However, an interesting phenomenon was the market entry of new foreign players: The Danish chain JYSK, for example, expanded strongly in Italy from 2018 with dozens of smaller branches, and Maison du Monde from France also opened some stores. These new spaces cater more to specialised assortments and do not replace the lost large furniture stores.

Summary Italy

The stationary furniture trade in Italy has experienced a significant reduction in total retail space between 2015 and 2025. Many smaller retailers have disappeared, and with Mercatone Uno, a large chain also went under, which together means a noticeable decrease in total retail space. Exact square meter figures for all of Italy are not available, but indicators – such as the closure of 55 large Mercatone Uno stores and several thousand vanished small stores – show a clear downward trend. Italy thus differs from Germany and France in that the branch networks of the large providers remained denser there; in Italy, the furniture trade in 2025 is more fragmented and at the same time thinner than a decade earlier. The crisis has also led to modernisation: The surviving retailers rely more on design, consulting quality, and online sales to compete in the difficult market.

Switzerland

Switzerland has a relatively small home furnishings market but with high purchasing power per capita. Around 2015, stationary furniture space in Switzerland was characterised by domestic traditional houses and a few international chains: Market leader was Möbel Pfister with large furniture stores in all parts of the country, followed by IKEA Switzerland (then 9 large branches) and other providers such as Conforama Suisse, Interio & Micasa (Migros subsidiaries), Lipo (discounter), and Top-Tip (now Livique), a Coop subsidiary. The retail space in the middle of the decade was a notable 2 million m². The space density corresponded to about 0.25 m² per inhabitant, which was similarly high to neighbouring countries. Starting in 2018, there was strong market consolidation in Switzerland through company acquisitions. The Austrian furniture giant XXXLutz began an expansion into Switzerland and gradually acquired several established furniture retailers. First, XXXLutz took over the entire Pfister group (including Möbel Pfister and its house brands Hubacher, Egger and Svoboda) at the end of 2019. In 2020, the best branches of Interio, which were closed by Migros, followed and were then turned into Mömax branches (Lutz’s subsidiary brand). Also in 2020, the Lutz group acquired Conforama Switzerland, and in 2022, Lutz also absorbed the furniture discounter Lipo with 23 locations. Within a few years, the majority of Swiss furniture retail space was thus under the umbrella of one group (XXXLutz). A market consolidation unparalleled in Europe. IKEA remained the most important independent competitor, but was overtaken by the new dominant player, the Lutz-Group.

Despite these acquisitions, the total space initially remained stable: XXXLutz continued to operate most of the purchased branches (often under the established brands). However, there were optimisations in the branch network: Overlaps were resolved – for example, some nearby locations were merged in 2019/20. The Interio brand disappeared, but 6 of 11 retail spaces still exist as Mömax. From 2020 to 2022, the range of discount furniture markets increased, and new stores were also created: XXXLutz opened a large furniture store in Rothrist, followed by ones in Affoltern am Albis, Dietikon, Monthey, and Pfäffikon. Thus, no decline in space is observable until 2025, rather a redistribution of space to new operators.

Switzerland remained slightly better positioned during the pandemic than some EU countries; however, furniture stores also had to close temporarily here (spring 2020). Online business (e.g., via Galaxus, Beliani, or Home24) gained many new customers during this time. The online share continued to grow and is now around 18%. Digitalisation has also relativised space requirements in Switzerland: Especially IKEA invests in formats, virtual planning services, and small formats in more attractive locations. The strong Swiss Franc affected consumer behaviour and fuelled shopping tourism, which dampened domestic space sales.

After completing its «shopping tour,» XXXLutz began the consolidation phase: In 2024, it was announced that 6 of the 22 Lipo branches in Switzerland would close by 2025. This reduces Lipo to 16 locations, but remarkably: 3 of the abandoned houses will not really close but will be reused by other Lutz brands. Effectively, only 3 locations disappear. This approach shows that poor-performing space is occasionally reduced, but the group strives to preserve valuable space and continue with a more suitable concept. Overall, the stationary furniture retail space in Switzerland is likely to be about the same in 2025 as it was in 2015, with an estimated 2 million m². However, the space is now distributed differently: Besides IKEA, the XXXLutz group (Pfister, Conforama, Mömax, Lipo) dominates large parts. There are only a few independent medium-sized furniture stores left.

Summary Switzerland

Switzerland experienced significant structural changes but without extreme space losses. The mega-mergers resulted in two players (IKEA and XXXLutz) controlling almost the entire stationary furniture trade in 2025, which is unique. Despite slight location clean-up, the total retail space remained stable, as new branch concepts replaced old ones. Therefore, Switzerland differs from the EU countries: Here, it was less about space reduction but rather about the shift in market power. For consumers, this means a good range of furniture spaces, but less variety among operators. For retailers, this means that, given the declining total sales and increasing online shares, they are in a space trap without clear concepts to escape.

Overview and Conclusion

Development of Stationary Furniture Retail Space 2015–2025 (by Country)

All four countries have seen structural changes in the furniture trade over the past 10 years, but to varying degrees:

• Germany maintained its enormous brick-and-mortar retail space relatively constant. Thanks to its high population and purchasing power, a network of giant furniture stores remained intact. However, the era of retail space growth is over. Expansion now occurs almost exclusively through acquisitions, not through new openings. Online retail has established itself without completely eroding the retail space base (online share approximately 18%). Germany continues to have the highest absolute retail space, with a very high per capita supply density.
• France experienced consolidation and selective withdrawal. Per capita retail space is somewhat smaller than in Germany, and it has declined further due to the crisis of a major retailer (Conforama). France now has a duopoly-like market structure (IKEA vs. But/Conforama) and is increasingly relying on new concepts, such as smaller city stores, to keep customers offline. Customers› online affinity is relatively high, with a 19% online share, which puts pressure on brick-and-mortar retailers to adapt.
• Italy recorded the sharpest decline in retail space. Many traditional structures collapsed there. The country began with a fragmented retail landscape and has experienced a significant shake-out in ten years. What remains are a handful of large retailers and significantly fewer small shops than before. Total brick-and-mortar retail space decreased noticeably, a sign that online sales and economic weakness have diverted many sales from brick-and-mortar stores. While Italy still lags somewhat behind in e-commerce sales, brick-and-mortar retail space has already adjusted to the lower demand (partly due to bankruptcies).
• Switzerland remained stable in terms of retail space but experienced a shift in market power. Consumers still have a similar number of square meters of furniture display available as in 2015, but suppliers have changed drastically. International corporations (XXXLutz vs. IKEA) now dominate, which will lead to increased efficiency and lower prices. Compared to other countries, Switzerland plays a slightly above-average role online, with an online share of around 18%. However, online growth is increasingly flowing to foreign providers.

Common influencing factors: External shocks had a similar impact in all countries: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented short-term closure of brick-and-mortar stores in 2020, triggering a surge in digitalization. The energy crisis and inflation in 2021–2023 made it more expensive to operate large furniture stores (electricity, heating) and dampened consumer sentiment, dampening expansion. Furthermore, all countries are united by the boom in online furniture retail: Companies such as Home24, Westwing, and Amazon (for furniture), as well as the online shops of established retailers such as IKEA, are experiencing double-digit growth. These trends forced brick-and-mortar retailers to use space more productively – for example, through showroom concepts, click-and-collect warehouses in stores, or downsized downtown outlets – or to abandon unprofitable spaces altogether.

Conclusion: Overall, brick-and-mortar retail space in the furniture trade shrank or consolidated between 2015 and 2025. In Germany, the high level remained largely intact, while Italy and, to a lesser extent, France recorded a reduction in space. Switzerland, as a special case, changed ownership of the space but retained the volume, despite a simultaneously declining market. In the future, the brick-and-mortar furniture trade will concentrate on fewer, but larger, experience-oriented, smaller furniture stores, likely again increasingly in city centers, flanked by strong online channels. For consumers, this means, on the one hand, fewer but modernized local furniture stores, and, on the other hand, a stronger integration of online and offline offerings.

Essential Sources:

Handelsverband Deutschland HDE (2024); IFH Köln (2016 – 2024), von Ballmoos, Yves (2024); Statistisches Bundesamt und Branchenberichte (u.a. möbel kultur, möbelmarkt, Home24 Geschäftsbericht, BVDM, etc.); statista; IPEA, Résultats du Marché (2024), Pressemitteilungen von L’Ameublement français, französische Medien (Courrier du Meuble, LSA Conso, Les Echos und Le Monde); CEPS, The EU Furniture Market Situation and a Possible Furniture Products Initiative (2015); ANIEME: Furniture Report 2020; ResearchGate: Italian Districts in the Furniture Industry During and After the International Economic Crisis; Online Trends & Statistics for UK, Europe & N. America 2022-2024; GfK Switzerland (2016 – 2025)