Furniture companies in the province had a hard time with the pandemic as they focused more on the so-called contracting sector. Restrictions in the hospitality industry and businesses caused sales to plummet, putting companies at risk. However, everything that the coronavirus lifted at that time is now back with a return to normal. The resurgence of tourism and the need to adapt workspaces have sparked a firestorm to renovate hotels, restaurants and offices, driving exports to record levels. Foreign sales of Alicante furniture especially in the first half of the year € 57.7 million20% more than in the same period of 2019 and the highest figure ever reached.
The emergence of Covid had devastating effects for furniture companies in the province, unlike what happened at the state level. Amparo Bertomeu, managing director of the Spanish National Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Exporters (Anieme), explains that “prison drives people to stay in their homes, and many prefer to renovate them by changing cabinets, chairs or sofas.” The reason for the Alicante firms was that the majority of them focused on the contract sector. restrictions have forced the closure of hotels, restaurants, schools and even airportsand also the implementation of telework that minimizes office use”.
Thus, the fact that 47.4 million euros exported in the first half of 2019 before the pandemic came to only 36.4 million in 2020 gives an idea of the strong impact of the health crisis. Things have already improved, with 44.3 million in 2021, but have yet to reach pre-coronavirus levels. It had to wait this last period to confirm a better-than-expected recovery as sales jumped to 57.7m euros with traditional markets. Ahead of France, Portugal, Germany and Italy.
Bertomeu says this is because the situation has been reversed again. In his words, “tourism has rebounded radicallywhile promoting the renewal of hotel and restaurant businesses, at the same time, companies began to adapt to the new normal two years later without investing in the reform of their workplaces”.
An example of the contract market is the company Actiu, located in Castalla. According to its CEO, Joaquín Berbegal, “We are currently 27% above last year and our expectations are to close the year with a 30% increase. If these forecasts are met, exports will reach 2019 figures.” Regarding the prospects for the future, “There is a lot of talk of a dark autumn and it is true that there may be a recession in the next two years. Uncertainty is high due to energy costs and raw materials, but we always think positive and we don’t see any radical change at the moment”.
Even more optimistic if possible, Amparo Bertomeu points out that the exchange rate between the euro and the dollar currently supports foreign sales and it is very difficult to experience a collapse in all markets at the same time.