The slumping housing market is still having its way with the furniture business, but La-Z-Boy seems to be outsmarting the prolonged downturn. While the retailer's overall sales were flat in the fourth quarter at $570 million, sales in its retail segment increased 11%. That came from an aggressive retail move: adding four new stores. With 230 of the fleet now company-owned -- about 60% of the store total -- the company was able to deliver a sharp jump in profits.  Industry research seems to confirm that La-Z-Boy's investment in store expansion is a smart one. A recent survey from the Home Furnishings Association, which included 9,000 consumers, reveals that customers increasingly find furniture inspiration online, and the need for hands-on interaction is growing.

In good news for shoppers, a bump in the cost of consumer goods reversed course in March 2026. Prices for everyday household purchases decreased 0.02% in March 2026 following a 0.19% increase in February and a 0.33% decrease in January. The monthly Numerator Consumer Goods Price Index (CGPI) also indicates that  prices for everyday goods are up 2% compared to March 2025.A similar trend is expected for the comparable categories covered in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) release.

April’s data reflects a cautious consumer mindset. Although browsing activity has increased, signaling continued interest in products and services, consumers are carefully evaluating their options. Sessions were up 9.64% year-over-year, indicating heightened consumer interest or browsing activity across retail websites. However, despite the traffic growth, orders were down -0.68%, suggesting that while more consumers are browsing, many are hesitant to follow through with purchases. A significant influence was the ongoing impact of tariffs introduced earlier this year, which led to higher prices on select categories, particularly electronics, home goods, and apparel. Price-sensitive consumers may have deferred purchases or shifted to lower-cost alternatives, contributing to the flat demand growth of just 0.27% year-over-year.