CHAPTER 4

Industry Organization and Competition

The furniture industry is highly competitive within and among major manufacturing countries. The top four large firms generate a quarter of the total profits, but the rest are small to medium companies whose numbers have diminished slightly due to recessionary pressures, mergers, and acquisitions. Overseas manufacturing thus was popular as a way to remain competitive, depending on the niche market and price point targeted, with average profit from revenue of around 2 percent. Some firms are single company giants (Ashley, IKEA), while others are multibrand outcomes of mergers and acquisitions both domestic and foreign (Samson, Ethan Allen). Each tries to make a statement with its style and matching ...

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