While furniture companies in Europe are experiencing difficulties and bankruptcy, the sector in Bulgaria is growing, according to data from the Chamber of the Furniture Industry. A major factor in this is the construction boom, including new homes and hotels that require furnishing.
At one of the large furniture companies in Ruse, HR manager Hristo Darov indicated that the growth in orders for 2025 is expected to exceed 15%. “Many people are buying properties that need to be furnished. "This is what drives the market," he explained, quoted by Nova TV.
The company predicts a 3-5% jump in furniture prices due to increased wages, more expensive materials and logistics costs, as well as the new EU directives on wood traceability.
Delivery times depend on the order - for mass production, the period is between one and two weeks, and for specialized furniture it can be extended to 30-40 days.
A main problem in the industry is the shortage of workers. The company in Ruse has solved this problem by importing personnel from seven countries, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Uganda and Nigeria. Durov specified that foreign workers are doing well and the company does not rely entirely on them, while at the same time introducing automation and new technologies.
This year, natural colors and simple shapes are leading. Minimalist furniture and practical solutions with sandy tones combined with green or deep blue accents are popular. Innovations also include foiled coatings on kitchen elements that do not leave fingerprints after touch.
Detailed statistics on average property prices in Bulgaria by city and neighborhood can be found at imot.bg