PARIS — The Maison&Objet Barometer #10 survey asked nearly 1,200 retailers, specifiers and brands about their businesses, not once, but twice.
Noting that “exceptional circumstances require extraordinary measures,” Maison officials surveyed décor, design and lifestyle officials two times for the latest issue — once from mid-March to early April and then again in late April — an effort to fully represent the impact and challenges of President Trump’s tariff policies and the resulting unstable business environment.
Between October 2024 and March 2025, 65% of the respondents reported sales figures equal to or higher than those of the previous year with 27% reporting sales had increased for the same period, 38% reporting sales had stayed the same, and 35% reporting that sales had decreased.
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The location of respondents illustrated differences in markets with 69% of those surveyed in North and South America reported the same or increased sales over the past six months, while in the Asia-Pacific region, the percentage increased to 81%. In Europe, 63% reported similar or higher sales to last year at the same time.
Retail and inventory
Officials note that a majority of retail respondents report lower sales in “furnishings or connected items” compared to the same period last year, while 28% of retailers in giftware and 30% in kitchenware and gourmet products have experienced increased sales volume. Additionally, 57% of retail respondents reported that they consider their current level of inventory to be normal and that they added an average of five new brands to their line between October and March.
Some 95% plan to place orders in the next six months, and more than half (56%) are planning for the same or higher level of orders compared to last year. A majority of Maison&Objet respondents (89%) are planning to launch new products between now and year end.
In response to Trump’s tariffs, 67% of respondents estimate that the policies will have repercussions on their businesses. Consequently, some report they are planning to increase prices while others state they will reduce investments and seek out new, non-U.S. suppliers.
A comparison of the two timelines for the survey underscores the uncertainty surrounding tariff policies. Between late March and early April, 83% of the respondents recorded a positive or neutral sales outlook for the next six months. In late April, following Trump’s tariff announcements, the number dropped to 79%.
Maison officials quote one American retailer in the survey.
“We’re quite concerned,” said the retailer. “But we’ve also seen how Trump does a U-turn in his decision-making. Nothing is ever sure. We prefer to adopt a positive attitude. Retailers are resilient.”
See the full report here.