Eloise Trenda
Research Expert covering global food topics with a focus on the French and Spanish markets.
Get in touch with us now2020 has undeniably influenced the relationship of French people with their homes. The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the development of telecommuting, but also the governmental measures in favor of energy renovation, have impacted the behavior of households and their plans to purchase domestic equipment.
In March 2021, more than 40 percent of households planned to buy furniture. Nuemerous people having to work from home needed a desk, an office chair, or storage boxes. Storage was in fact an issue for many French people who lacked the space to store their sports equipment, tools, or even toys. The need for additional storage space was also significantly felt in kitchens, and especially among people with children.
Although some players in the market feared that online sales would develop during the containment period and eventually take over physical sales, this does not currently seem to be the case. In 2020, the market share of e-commerce was just over eight percent, while large furniture retailers, specialty and DIY stores represented more than three quarters of the market. Households that have remodeled their homes or will do so in the course of 2021, while finding inspiration on websites, still favor the store for their home equipment purchases.
