The rate of furniture production during May 2024 registered a monthly increase, whilethe value in domestic goods rose on the previous month but fell against last year.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the rate of furniture production rose 1.8% compared to April, while falling 4.7% on May last year.

On the month, total production output is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in May 2024, following an unrevised fall of 0.9% in April 2024.

Meanwhile, the value of the manufacture of furniture for May resulted at £871.6m, up 3.7% from £840.2m in April. Against the same period last year, the value fell 2.8% from £897.5m.

As for the value of furniture manufacturer exports, this increased 20.2% to £58.9m for the month from £49m. Against last year, exports value fell 16.9% from £70.9m.

The value of domestic furniture manufacture increased 2.7% to £812.7m from £791.2m in the month, while down 1.6% from £826.6m last year.

Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.4% in May 2024 after showing no growth in April 2024.

Commenting on the GDP figures for May, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy grew strongly in May with all the main sectors seeing increases. Many retailers and wholesalers had a good month, with both bouncing back from a weak April.

“Construction grew at its fastest rate in almost a year after recent weakness, with house building and infrastructure projects boosting the industry. Meanwhile, manufacturing also grew a little, led by food and drink firms. 

“Across the last three months as a whole, the economy grew at its quickest pace for over two years with strong growth across services, partially offset by the weaker longer-term performance from construction.”