MILAN, Italy — Furniture industry leaders in Italy report that rising uncertainty related to President Trump’s tariff trade policies is beginning to negatively impacting business confidence, reports International Leather Maker.
Citing the latest quarterly Monitorreport by FederlegnoArredo and La Conceria, ILM reports that the furniture sector posted a turnover of over €2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, down 0.7% compared to the same period in 2024. FederlegnoArrdeo is the Italian Federation of Woodworking and Furniture Industries and includes its affiliate society, Federlegno Arredo Eventi SPA, organizer of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile which takes place every year in Milan, Moscow and Shanghai.
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More than 400 firms were surveyed for the report, and nearly half of respondents estimate a 5% drop in turnover as a result of the escalating trade tensions, while a further 26% expect losses of up to 10%. Another 25% fear the impact could exceed 10%. The remaining respondents said it was currently impossible to quantify the effects.
“The most worrying data is the number of companies that are unable to make any forecast at all,” said Claudio Feltrin, Federation president. “It testifies to a state of confusion and total uncertainty that has immobilized many companies while they await a clearer outlook to plan future strategies, including opening to new or emerging markets.”
The report notes that despite external pressures, the overall performance of the sector in Q1 was relatively stable. Domestic sales, accounting for nearly 56% of turnover, declined by 0.5%, while exports dropped by 1%. Forecasts for the full year are cautious, with respondents expecting a modest 2.8% growth – lower than projections made in previous surveys.
FederlegnoArredo includes 11 sectoral associations including importers of raw materials (wood). semi-finished products (panels) and finished products (wooden construction products, interior finishing, furniture, office furniture, bathroom furniture and accessories, lighting equipment).