Shifting Demographics and Economic Power
Statistics paint an interesting picture of consumer demographics to come in the next 15 years. According to a January 2025 report titled ‘Dependency and depopulation? Confronting the consequences of a new demographic reality’ by the McKinsey Global Institute, age structures are shifting, and seniors will account for one-fourth of global consumption by 2050, double their share in 1997.
Interestingly, this senior population demographic is wealthier than their younger counterparts, with 43% of the nation’s total wealth held by households where the primary householder is 65 years or older. While this report did not develop a study focused specifically on retail consumer populations, it underscores a significant sales opportunity for the furniture industry.
Expanding Health and Wellness Product Lines
Health and wellness have been key talking points in retail for some time, but with the growing senior population, the category presents expanded possibilities. Beyond lift chairs that support mobility, there is potential for a growing embrace of ‘self-care furniture’ that promotes longevity.
Total Spa Experience
Cozzia, a longtime manufacturer of premium massage chairs, is introducing fifth-generation robotics to its line, expanding their chair experience with over 40 preset auto programs including global massages such as Chinese, Balinese, Thai, and Swedish.
CEO Mark Holmes stated, ‘This dual-mechanism technology offers two robotic massages at the same time: one for the seat and one for the back.’ The expansion allows consumers to use their chairs for both quick pain relief and health-and-wellness therapy.
Focus on Long-term Wellbeing
UltraComfort is focusing on enhancing quality of life through innovative products that incorporate health-and-wellness features. CEO Rich Golden mentioned, ‘Our mission is to enhance quality of life… Our products are often used 12-plus hours a day, so providing additional wellness benefits is vital.’
Golden explained that ‘lift’ is just one of the positions that promote wellness; UltraComfort offers positioning patents on its recliners that allow for various positions. Incorporating full-body far-infrared HeatWave Technology and Nirvana Air Massage enhances wellness benefits significantly.
Expanding Retail Presence in Furniture Stores
Michael Milone, vice president of sales for Infinity Massage Chairs, predicts that over the next five to ten years, ‘all furniture stores will have massage chairs on their floors.’ Amidst a growing understanding of the daily benefits of massage, Infinity continues adding retail options.
Milone highlighted their bestseller, ‘The Luminary Syner-D… mimics the hands of two professional massage therapists.’ To enhance customer experiences, their marketing plans will make it easier for customers to locate nearby retailers offering products.
Proactive Growth in the Health-and-Wellness Category
Michael Hsieh from Lifestyle Enterprise noted that ‘the health-and-wellness massage chair category continues to gain acceptance at retail… We will allow retailers to create a merchandising program while filling in price points from $400 to $2,000 wholesale.’
Consumer Demand for Enhanced Relaxation
As consumer priorities shift, companies like Best Home Furnishings are focusing on health and wellness reclining categories. President Brian Lange said, ‘As consumers are increasingly prioritizing health-and-wellness features… there’s a growing demand for zero-gravity positioning, lumbar support, heat, and massage functions.’
Best is addressing these demands through their product lines designed for optimal relaxation and support, ensuring comfort across varying consumer sizes.
Conclusion: The Future of Furniture Retail
As the furniture industry increasingly caters to a health-conscious and aging demographic, innovative products that focus on wellness will redefine consumer expectations and experiences, setting new benchmarks for growth in the sector.
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