Furniture chains under threat as growth slows

The UK furniture and floor-covering market grew by 3.4 per cent to£14.5 billion last year, the second weakest increase for a decade, according to Verdict.

Households turned to non-specialists Argos and B&Q for sofas and carpets, which made the most significant market gain.

Argos edged up to 5.1 per cent, while B&Q laid claim to 3.6 per cent.

MFI retained market leadership, adding 0.1 per cent to command 7.9 per cent.

Verdict warns of a 'retail casualty' on the horizon, because three of the top 10 specialists - Allied Carpets, Courts and Harveys - are in the red.

Of the remaining seven, only Carpetright and MFI made operating margin gains.