The supply chain<\/strong> is diversified and populated by many companies: from those specialised in the production of raw materials to its processing, through design and the production of internationally appreciated furniture.<\/p>\n What opportunities<\/strong> are there for companies to seize? What are the major challenges<\/strong> to be faced at the moment and beyond?<\/p>\n If 2020 was the year of the stop, partially mitigated by last summer’s reopening, 2021 will be the year of the relaunch<\/strong>.<\/p>\n With a positive trade balance<\/strong><\/a> of more than \u20ac7.6 billion<\/strong> in 2019, Italian wood-furnishing is undoubtedly one of Italy’s key economic assets.<\/p>\n The production<\/strong> and logistical difficulties<\/strong> of the past few months have hit both the domestic and foreign markets, which have always been essential for companies. With an overall drop in turnover of 9.1%, 2020 closed negatively for operators in the sector. But the latest figures reveal a different scenario<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The current recovery sees Italian furniture as a protagonist, as emerges also from the recent report<\/a> dedicated by ICE and Prometeia to our international trade.<\/p>\n Looking beyond national borders will continue to be a fundamental factor for the country system: with the value of exports now equal to 1\/3 of GDP<\/strong>, our companies are called upon once again to make a difference.<\/p>\n In this sense, the wood-furnishing sector is no exception, and in recent months it has been estimated that production will grow by 5.3% in 2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n E-commerce<\/strong> is certainly a preferential channel for this purpose, with a turnover of 2.7 billion euros<\/a> for the home<\/strong> and living<\/strong> sector in 2020, as shown by the Digital Innovation Observatory of the Milan Polytechnic.<\/p>\n Presiding over both the digital<\/strong> and physical<\/strong> dimensions – with particular regard to foreign countries – remains a crucial goal for reaching Italian and foreign consumers.<\/p>\n More specifically, which are the countries<\/strong> to focus on in the coming months?<\/p>\n This question is once again answered by the ICE-Prometeia analysis, which reveals excellent growth opportunities in both mature markets<\/strong> and emerging territories<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Among the first are areas such as the United States, France, Sweden, Canada and Australia<\/a>, where a decisive rise in sales of Italian furniture is expected in the two-year period 2020-2022.<\/p>\n Forecasts of double-digit growth<\/strong> in demand are also a precious opportunity in areas that have not been covered to date, such as South America, with interesting prospects in countries such as Chile<\/strong> and Colombia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The progressive reopening of the sector is also testified by the confirmation of the next edition of the Salone del Mobile<\/strong><\/a>. The event, scheduled to take place in Milan from 5 to 10 September, is a unique opportunity for companies: a time to give Italian production the right visibility again, focusing on quality<\/strong> and innovation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Two distinctive factors of the sector, ready to return to the forefront also through one of the most representative international fairs<\/strong> for interior design. In this scenario characterised by positive signs, however, there are also major challenges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n What are the most pressing ones for companies?<\/p>\n The need to rethink current strategies is also pressing for the furniture industry and its supply chain. Product innovation in the direction of ever greater sustainability<\/strong> is now essential, and Italian companies have long understood this.<\/p>\n Combining design<\/strong> and new production methods<\/strong>, many furniture companies are constantly trying to reduce their environmental impact, gaining a competitive advantage and making the EU’s ecological transition<\/strong> objectives a reality.<\/p>\n A vision based on sustainable development is therefore beginning to take hold in the supply chain, as a report<\/a><\/strong> by the Symbola Foundation and FederlegnoArredo<\/a> shows: attention to recycled and recyclable materials, reduction of energy consumption and the issue of quality certifications are now increasingly in demand, especially in advanced economies.<\/p>\n Added to this is a change in consumer habits, especially in the contract segment: the growing mix of face-to-face and remote work<\/strong> imposes the need for new solutions, bringing our home closer to the office.<\/p>\n The study and creation of innovative products<\/strong> is therefore one of the pillars of the new strategies of companies, called upon to seize the transformations of the market.<\/p>\n These important changes are also accompanied by operational difficulties<\/strong>, first and foremost the increase in the price of wood that has recently affected the supply chain, with repercussions on the building industry.<\/p>\n![\"Arredamento](\"https:\/\/www.matchplat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LEGNO-ARREDO-2.png\" "\\"Matchplat\\"")
<\/p>\nItalian furniture: on the road to recovery<\/h3>\n
![\"Arredamento](\"https:\/\/www.matchplat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/MicrosoftTeams-image-29.png\" "\\"Matchplat\\"")
<\/p>\nSustainability, new products and raw material costs<\/h3>\n