Future looks bright for youth segment
By Lisa Casinger -- Furniture Today, July 14, 2008
HIGH POINT — Despite rising fuel costs, other pricing pressures and waning consumer optimism, the future looks bright for the youth industry.
Consumer spending for youth bedroom furniture is expected to grow by 23.5% in the next five years, with sales to reach $6.3 billion by 2012, according to Easy Analytic Software Inc. The greatest growth is expected in the West and South and the slowest growth in the Northeast. The 10 largest metro markets for youth bedroom are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, Washington, Houston, Atlanta and Boston.
Some in the industry think the 23.5% growth estimate is on the conservative side and they might not be wrong. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 74 million children under the age of 18 living in the United States.
Manufacturers are more than ready to help fill those bedrooms and the product style and selection continues to evolve in youth. Here are some of the key trends:
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Sophistication: Parents know that kids are becoming (or at least they think they are) more sophisticated at increasingly younger ages. They're more tuned in to style and image than ever before, and in their quest to become “more mature” they're looking for more grown-up looks in their clothes, shoes and room décor. Sophisticated designs are more refined and elegant and hit on a variety of styles from French country and modern to Asian-inspired and Art Deco.
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Storage: Storage is a key element of the triumvirate needed for kids' rooms — sleep, storage and study. While each element is important, parents will tell you the most challenging of the three is finding good storage solutions for all the stuff kids accumulate. Underbed storage is great because it doesn't take up any extra floor space (often a premium in kids' rooms), and this season has brought a new twist on underbed storage by way of doors and drawers on the footboards. Another storage option gaining popularity is the use of bookcases flanking bookcase beds. The effect is a wall of shelving with tons of storage options in a relatively small footprint. Stacking storage is also on the rise. Manufacturers are offering storage cubes that can be configured multiple ways depending on the child's needs.
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Circles: Circles, polka dots, spheres, rings, disks or loops — regardless of the name, round is in. Solid and outlined circles are found on everything from bedding and car seat covers to lamp shades, diaper bags and wall décor. There's something happy and hopeful about the shape itself. Depending on the hue, shading, size and intensity, it goes from childlike and playful for a baby or toddler's room to hip and chic for a tween or teen's room.
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Electronics: The focus is no longer on a desk and hutch in a child's room but rather on media/gaming centers. These are evolving from the big armoires of the past to more compact SKUs as the technology of flat screens and gaming systems increasingly migrates to kid's rooms.
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Contemporary: Most every major furniture company that produces youth furniture now has at least one contemporary/modern group. Today's looks are cleaner, typically with silver/nickel hardware, lower profiles and darker finishes.
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Girl power: Uber-feminine looks are coming back. White girls groups are a mainstay in youth, but there's also a resurgence in more ornate, traditional-looking girls groups. Some are being punched up slightly with pastel finishes like soft yellows and mint greens.
