The rate of furniture production during September 2024 registered a monthly uptick, while the value in domestic goods was also up on the previous month and against last year.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, the rate of furniture production rose by 3.1% compared to August, while falling 4.7% on September last year.

In the three months to September 2024, production output is estimated to have fallen by 0.2%, when compared with the three months to June 2024. On the month, production output is estimated to have fallen by 0.5% in September 2024, following growth of 0.5% in August 2024.

Meanwhile, the value of the manufacture of furniture for September resulted at £843m, up 5.1% from £801.8m in August. Against the same period last year, the value fell 2% from £860.6m.

As for the value of furniture manufacturer exports, this increased 9.7% to £49.4m for the month from £45m. Against last year, exports value fell 32.2% from £72.9m.

The value of domestic furniture manufacture increased 4.8% to £793.6m from £756.8m in the month, while also up 0.7% from £787.7m last year.

Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have fallen by 0.1% in September 2024, largely because of declines in manufacturing output and information and communication services, after unrevised growth of 0.2% in August 2024.

Commenting on the GDP figures, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy grew a little in the latest quarter overall as the recent slowdown in growth continued. Retail and new construction work both performed well, partially offset by falls in telecommunications and wholesale. Generally, growth was subdued across most industries in the latest quarter.

“In September the economy shrank a little. Services showed no growth with a notable increase in car sales offset by a slow month for IT companies. Production fell overall, driven by manufacturing, though there was an increase in oil and gas extraction.”