UK Bathroom Market Experiences Growth Across All Sectors

Following a decline in 2012, the bathroom market in the UK started to steadily recover in 2013, and has since experienced sustained growth.

Estimated at over £320m in 2017, baths and sanitary-ware are by a significant margin the largest sector of the bathroom products market by value; followed by bathroom accessories, taps and mixers, bathroom furniture and finally whirlpool/spa systems.

We took a look at another of the press releases from AMA Research, highlighting key trends within the UK bathroom market.

Sales of baths & sanitary-ware continued on an upward trend in 2017, and the sector is estimated to experience a reduced growth of around 2% in 2018.

The market for taps & mixers has seen strong growth since 2014 onwards with a peak of 6% in 2016. Slightly lower growth rates of 3-4% are currently forecast until 2020.

The bathroom furniture sector has experienced solid growth from 2014 onwards. In 2016 this sector achieved growth rates of 3% - similar levels of growth are predicted up until 2020.

The market for bathroom accessories has seen modest growth since 2013, with 3% growth estimated in 2017. Similar levels of growth are predicted in the short term.

The whirlpools & spas market remains relatively small, with a market penetration of just 2% - this low penetration combined with the high value of products means the sector has large growth potential.

When designing their bathrooms, homeowners are increasingly investing in co-ordinating product designs that offer both longevity and luxury. Design has gained importance in commercial applications such as schools and hospitals in a shift towards more domestic orientated styling.

The growth of showering is likely to add more pressure to the baths sector; around 90% of homes have at least one shower. In bathroom installations such as ensuites, householders are beginning to favour shower enclosures and wetroom areas at the expense of baths.