AM17024

AMA RESEARCH Market Report : UK Household Textiles: November 2004

CLICK TO BUY

Introduction

AMA Research have published the seventh edition of the “Household Textiles Market - UK 2004”.  The report incorporates original research and provides a comprehensive review of household textiles market exploring key product sectors.

Sectors covered include:-

BEDLINEN – Duvet Covers, Sheets & Valances, Pillowcases, Bedspreads & Blankets

FILLED PRODUCTS – Duvets, pillows & cushions

BATHROOM TEXTILES

TABLE LINEN

The household textiles market is estimated to be worth just under £1.2 billion at manufacturers prices and has been subject to changes in product mix during the last decade. Household textiles is a well-established market, comprised of a wide range of products, which continues to see significant change despite its maturity.  The market continued to experience moderate-healthy growth in 2003, which has continued in 2004.  Prospects for the short-term future are for further moderate-good levels of growth, although performance will vary between sectors

Key points of interest:-

Growing penetration of imports into the UK.

Influence of fashion/trends on household textile products.

Rationalisation of manufacturing production capacity within UK

Evidence of some trading-up activity

Wider distribution of household textiles

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

THE MARKET

Total Household Textiles Market – key characteristics of the market, analysis by value, historical trends and forecasts to 2008.

Overview of current market performance, impact of economic conditions on the household textiles market.  Influencing factors, future trends, areas of potential opportunity and threats/limitations to growth.

Imports and exports – significance of imports, mix of imports by product, source countries.

Analysis by major product sectors – filled products, bedding, bathroom textiles & table linen.

BEDLINEN

Total bedlinen market – analysis of size by value, historical and current trends, reasons for market performance and forecasts to 2008.

Mix by product type and factors influencing market developments.

Duvet covers – size by value, current trends, reasons for recent market buoyancy, growth in quality of fabrics, detailed designs and discounted products.

Sheets & Valances – market size by value, recent trends, future prospects. Flat sheets, fitted sheets, valanced sheets and divan trims.

Pillowcases, Bedspreads & Blankets – size by value, current and future trends.

FILLED PRODUCTS

Total filled products market – analysis of size by value, historical trends, forecasts – factors influencing market trends.

Duvet market – analysis of size by value, historical trends and forecasts to 2008.

Mix of duvets by filling, mix changes between synthetic and natural fillings.

Market size and recent trends of naturally filled and synthetic duvets market.

Pillow market – size by value, current situation, factors affecting market performance.

Cushions – market size by value, historical trends, future prospects, cushions for indoor use and for garden furniture.  Reasons for growth.

Growth of Upholstered Garden Furniture and implications for garden upholstery sector.

BATHROOM TEXTILES AND TABLE LINEN

Bathroom textiles – market size by value, historical trends and forecasts to 2008.

Product mix for bathroom textiles, factors influencing trends, e.g. en suites, cloakrooms etc

Table linen – size by value, historical trends, current performance, future trends.  Value of imports and major supplying countries.

SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE

Supply structure of Household Textiles Market, high levels of retailer/unbranded products.

Major suppliers market shares, product & market positioning of leading filled product, bedlinen & other household textiles suppliers.

Industry rationalisation, impact of imports on supply structure.

Major channels of distribution, definitions, shares by type of outlet in the retail sector, areas of growth and decline, future trends and opportunities.

Key outlets involved in distribution of household textiles.

The report contains 130 pages of ORIGINAL research and comment on the UK Household Textiles Industry and provides an independent and incisive view into this market.

Executive Summary

The household textiles market is comprised of four major sectors: bedlinen, filled products, bathroom textiles and table linen.  In 2003, these four sectors combined were worth just under £1.2 billion, having experienced growth of 4% on the previous year.  The market is forecast to experience lower growth of 3% in 2004, reflecting slower consumer spending, to reach £1207m.

The relatively slow period in the late 1990’s was followed by moderate to healthy growth.  Buoyant levels of consumer confidence and spending have boosted the market, which is also benefiting from the current focus on interior design, redecoration and trends in the fashion market.  Indications for 2004 reveal anticipated growth of 3% for the year, with longer-term forecasts currently indicating that the market will reach just under

£1.4 billion by 2008.

In late 2004, the future of the housing market is uncertain.  Increases in interest rates in the last 2 years are beginning to adversely affect the market, although currently consumer spending is relatively buoyant.  Since many household textiles products are purchased following a house move, any changes in the housing market will impact on the performance of this sector.  Any decline in consumer confidence will also adversely affect the market since some products in this sector are not perceived as necessities.

The past 2-3 years have seen little change in the product mix for household textiles with bedlinen continuing to dominate the market with 43% share in value terms.  This is followed by filled products and bathroom textiles, each with a share between 24-30%, and table linen remaining a very small sector of the market.

The bedlinen sector was estimated to be worth £501 million in 2003 and is forecast to reach  £519 million for 2004.  The sector is comprised of duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads and blanket, with duvet covers dominating the market with a 46% value share.  The bedlinen sector is benefiting from a measure of trading up to better quality, higher priced items in the middle and upper market sectors, although the lowest sectors of the market are still characterised by very low prices.  Discounted bedlinen has become a feature of the market in the last 2-3 years, as has the increasing importance of fashion trends in this sector.

Filled products are the second largest sector of the household textiles market with estimated value of just under £350 million in 2003.  Market growth was slower between1999-2002 but saw better growth in 2003, reflecting the growing cushions market, trading up in the duvet market and gaining share within the total household textiles market.  In 2004, the market is forecast to show slightly lower growth reaching £353m.

The market for filled products has seen an increase in quality, although the lower end of the market has seen a trend towards heavily discounted products, which has undermined value growth at this level.  The garden furniture market remains a key end user of cushion products with the trend for wooden furniture helping to boost the cushion market.  The pillows market continues to show a steady level of growth underpinned by a relatively short replacement cycle in the domestic market.

The bathroom textiles sector is comprised of bathroom towels, tea towels and bath & pedestal mat sets and was worth approximately £280 million in 2003, reflecting an increase of 4% in value on the previous year.  Current indications show a comparable level of increase for 2004, and short-medium term forecasts indicate that this sector should be worth approximately £320 million by 2008. Towels have continued to dominate the market accounting for 74% value share.  The growth in the towels market in recent years has been due to increased replacement of existing products, or additional purchases for use in domestic cloakrooms and en-suite installations, with beach towels and character towels remaining popular in the children’s market.  Fashion trends have also gained influence in recent years and the market has seen an increase in the incorporation of quality fibres, such as modal and silk, to add value to the market.

Pedestal and bath mats sets, accounting for 19% of the market, have benefited from an upward trend to better quality higher value products, e.g. chenille twist mats, but this sector suffers historically from an ‘old-fashioned’ image and perception as a low value product.   Tea towels remain a very small part of the bathroom textiles sector accounting for less than £20 million in 2003.  This sector has been affected by the move to dishwashers in both the domestic and commercial sectors, with the availability of some very low priced imports also subduing any significant value growth.

Table linen is the smallest sector in the household textiles market and is dominated by the contract sector, with hotels and restaurants important end-use sectors.  The domestic market has been adversely affected by the move away from formal dining, but the continued focus on the garden as an area for outside entertainment and dining has seen the emergence of a significant niche for the table linen sector. Within the domestic sector, the last 2-3 years have seen some growth in table runners and an increase in the quality of table linen but the sector remains vulnerable to wipe-clean and disposable substitutes.  2004 is forecast to see good growth, reaching £45m.

International trade has long been a significant feature of the household textiles market, but import penetration has increased since 1995.  In 2003, the household textiles market experienced a trade deficit of £457 million with imports now estimated to account for approximately 58% of the total market.  The high value of Sterling in recent years has helped to contribute to the success of imports in the UK and also contributed to the decline in exports over the last 5 years.  The market has seen a continuing trend by manufacturers and retailers to relocate production overseas, as well as sourcing raw materials and products in low cost countries, e.g. China and India.

In terms of suppliers, the household textile market has become more fragmented in recent years with the divestment of some textile divisions by conglomerates such as Coats and Courtaulds.  Following the disposal of Dorma in 2003, Coats has now withdrawn from this sector.  The wide range of products within the household textile market means that the majority of suppliers only have small overall market share.

Leading suppliers in the bedlinen sector include Dorma and CWV Group, whilst John Cotton, Fogarty and Delbanco Meyer are key suppliers of filled products.  Leading towel suppliers include Christy and Stott & Smith, with Grandoption, Artraco and Wedgwood supplying table linen.  Suppliers of blankets have come under increasing pressure in recent years and leading suppliers include AW Hainsworth and Whitley Willows, who are also leading suppliers of pedestal and bath mats.

Distribution of household textiles is very widespread and is dominated by department stores, mail order, independents and specialists. Purchasing household textiles via the internet has seen an increase during the last few years.  The display of furniture and furnishing accessories has seen some improvement in recent years and retailers have increasingly used room sets to display related products. By encouraging consumers to invest in the whole design scheme rather than individual products retailers hope to stimulate additional purchases.

One feature of the distribution mix during the last 2-3 years has been the adoption of a wider range of household textile products by outlets such as grocery and DIY multiples.  Tesco, for example, are committed to expanding non-food sales and 2003/04 has seen an increase in their range of household textiles.  In late 2004, there are a number of retail developments impacting on the sector, such as the difficulties at M&S and Courts.

Companies Mentioned

List of Contents

1	INTRODUCTION
2	SUMMARY
3	ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.
3.1	GDP
3.2	INFLATION & INTEREST RATES
3.3	UNEMPLOYMENT
3.4	HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION
3.5	HOUSING & CONSTRUCTION
3.6	STERLING
3.7	POPULATION PROFILE
3.8	CONCLUSIONS
4	HOUSEHOLD TEXTILES
4.1	DEFINITION
4.2	MARKET OVERVIEW
4.3	KEY MARKET INFLUENCES
4.3.1	Housing Completions
4.3.2	House-Moving Market
4.4	MARKET CHARACTERISTICS
4.5	PRODUCT MIX
4.6	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
4.7	THE CONTRACT SECTOR
5	BEDLINEN
5.1	DEFINITIONS
5.2	MARKET SIZE
5.3	PRODUCT MIX
5.4	DUVET COVERS
5.4.1	Market Size
5.4.2	Market Characteristics
5.5	SHEETS
5.5.1	Market Size
5.5.2	Sheet Styles
5.5.3	Future Prospects
5.6	BEDSPREADS
5.6.1	Market Size
5.6.2	Bedspread Styles
5.6.3	Future Prospects
5.7	PILLOWCASES
5.7.1	Market Size
5.8	BLANKETS
5.9	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
6	FILLED PRODUCTS
6.1	DEFINITIONS
6.2	MARKET OVERVIEW
6.2.1	Future Prospects
6.3	PRODUCT MIX
6.4	DUVETS
6.4.1	Market Size
6.4.2	Mix by Type of Filling
6.5	PILLOWS
6.5.1	Product Mix by Type
6.6	CUSHIONS
6.6.1	Interior Cushions
6.6.2	Cushions For Garden Furniture
6.6.3	Future Prospects
6.7	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
7	BATHROOM TEXTILES
7.1	DEFINITION
7.2	MARKET OVERVIEW
7.2.1	Background
7.2.2	Future Prospects
7.3	PRODUCT MIX
7.3.1	Towels
7.3.2	Bath Mat and Pedestal Sets
7.3.3	Tea Towels
7.4	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
8	TABLE LINEN
8.1	DEFINITION
8.2	MARKET OVERVIEW
8.2.1	Contract Sector
8.2.2	Domestic Sector
8.3	INTERNATIONAL TRADE
8.4	FUTURE PROSPECTS
9	SUPPLIERS
9.1	SUPPLY STRUCTURE
9.2	BEDLINEN
9.3	FILLED PRODUCTS
9.4	BLANKETS
9.5	TOWELS AND BATHROOM TEXTILES
9.6	TABLE LINEN
9.7	OTHER SUPPLIERS
10	DOMESTIC DISTRIBUTION
10.1	DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL SHARES
10.2	DEPARTMENT STORES AND VARIETY STORES
10.2.1	Department Stores
10.2.2	Variety Stores
10.3	SPECIALISTS
10.4	MAIL ORDER & CATALOGUE STORES
10.5	DISCOUNT WAREHOUSES/FURNITURE & FURNISHING MULTIPLES
10.6	INDEPENDENTS
10.7	DIY
10.8	OTHER DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
11	FUTURE PROSPECTS

Tables and Charts

Text © 2004 AMA Research

Can't find what you need? Try our "Research on Request" market report service and define your own report research! Fixed prices - £150, £450 and £1,250 - and fixed delivery of 4, 5 and 14 days

Click here for full details

---

Ariadne - working together with our customers to enhance productivity and increase knowledge
© 2004 www.the-list.co.uk Ariadne
Last updated by Amanda Porteous 2004