glass furniture

China has enjoyed 20 years of rapid economic development ever since it opened its doors to the wider international market. In turn, the furniture industry has made vigorous and considerable progress, and the country is fast becoming a world-class location for setting up furniture factories and an important export base. Due to large differences in topographies, climates, cultures and business practices throughout the vast country, China’s furniture industry is neither homogeneous nor easy to understand or predict. Chinese consumer expectations and purchasing behaviors have marked regional variations, particularly for products reflecting cultural and personal tastes. China exported about $5 billion worth of living room furniture (including glass furniture) in 2004. This figure accounted for approximately 30 percent of all furniture exports from the country. In terms of volume, overseas shipments (including glass furniture) comprised an estimated 15 million coffee and end tables, 7 million sofas and 5 million entertainment units. Although export sales (including glass furniture) are growing by about 20 percent annually, the industry could be headed for rough times as it deals with numerous challenges including rising material costs, power shortages, and increasing competition.