‘Hitting the breaks’ on home goods: Jordan’s furniture businesses report dropping sales

AMMAN — Local furniture and home goods retailers are voicing concerns regarding a 40 per cent drop in sales this month. 

“People seem to be hitting the brakes on home furniture purchases. Sometimes the day ends and we do not sell anything,” Saed Subhi, the owner of a furniture shop in Amman, told The Jordan Times over the phone on Saturday.

Subhi’s sales have declined by around 30-35 per cent: “There are not many people coming; the phone calls from customers have significantly decreased during the current month and June”.

Similarly, furniture store employee Emad Shabsough told The Jordan Times that his store is offering “major discounts” on bedroom furniture, kitchen appliances, various home decor selections and other home furnishings due to a drop in sales volume.

“People are not buying, and if new customers come, they try to stick to their budget which usually does not exceed JD500,” he said.

Operational costs are high at furniture stores, which often employ many workers. “If sales decrease by even 10 per cent during a certain month, it leads to major financial problems,” said home furnishing store owner Mahmoud Darwazeh.

“Most of our furniture designs are by order, or we bring in designer pieces, but still our orders have decreased. I do not know what is happening, but people seem to have other priorities at the moment,” Darwazeh said.