What was the trend of the slate furniture sector in the first half of the year? Compared with 2020, what are the new changes of slate in the furniture industry this year?

Price| The overall price reduction, about 12,000 yuan, to 6,500 yuan

From the overall price point of view, the price of slate furniture in the market this year is lower than that of last year. Last year, the research team visited several furniture markets in Foshan and found that the average price of a mid-to-low-end rock table (1.6 meters in length) was around 1,400 yuan, while this year' s average price was around 1,260 yuan, slightly lowered.

Among them, the price of rock slab products with a price of about 12,000 dropped the most. According to visit statistics, many merchants reduced the original price of rock slab dining tables to less than 1,000 yuan through discounts or promotions. A merchant' s rock slab dining table in the Louvre was even directly discounted to 6500 yuan from the original price of 13,000 yuan.

But there are also some high-end customized slate furniture prices that can continue to rise. Compared with the slate furniture processed at reduced prices, these custom slate furniture that can still maintain a high price incorporate more designer elements. While ensuring the quality of the product, it pays more attention to product personalization and customized design. Last year, a high-end custom slate dining table launched by a high-end furniture company of Red Star Macalline in Shenzhen was priced at about 32,000 yuan.

As shown in the picture below, the relevant person in charge mentioned that it was designed by a well-known designer, using imported rock slabs and solid wood, and the base is designed with the concept of "Tai Chi". The discounted price is still required more than 40,000 yuan. " (Currently) sales are pretty good, so they are placed in front of the exhibition hall as a key display."

Product differentiation strategies such as high-quality materials + exclusive design can effectively distinguish ordinary slate furniture, help increase product prices, and are also one of the future development directions of slate furniture.

Style| Combined with wooden furniture into a new trend

Last year, the selection of slate furniture on the market was mainly based on the combination of metal and slate or resin and slate. There are not many new products that add slate to wooden furniture. During this year's visit, the team found that many wooden furniture companies are mainly pushing rock slab + solid wood furniture in the C position of the exhibition hall, which they call "new Chinese style". 

On the one hand, the wooden furniture industry needs new growth points. On the other hand, slate as a "high-performance new material" gives designers rich design inspiration and creates more possibilities for integration with traditional wooden furniture.

In terms of styles, there are currently two main combinations of rock slabs and wooden furniture: stacking and built-in. The stacking style is to add slabs on the basis of the original wooden furniture. Taking the round table as an example, the merchant will add a rock slab turntable on the original solid wood round table top. The embedded system uses solid wood as the frame and embedded rock slab as the tabletop.

While businesses continue to expand the application of rock slabs in restaurants and toilets, they are also actively promoting the application of rock slabs in the living room space. When the team visited, it was found that one of the wooden furniture companies had introduced a rock slab + solid wood background wall. This kind of collocation is really eye-catching.

Design| More colors and textures to choose from

Last year, the popular designs on the market were mainly black, white and gray, and there were not many designs for consumers to choose from. During this year' s visit, the team found that many new styles and slate furniture have become the mainstay of shops.

Take the following picture as an example. This dining table uses Laminam' s imported rock slabs, with an imitated metal surface design, with a bumpy level of touch, and its unique color matching, which can meet consumers' more personalized customization requirements.

After-sales---Providing more convenient and high-quality services

The poor after-sales service of slate products has always been a subject of criticism. Last year, most businesses only provided limited transportation and handling services, and most products required consumers to install themselves. This has also led to some negative reviews of the after-sales of rock slabs.

This year' s visit learned that due to the continuous improvement of supporting services, most of the merchants selling rock furniture provide high-quality logistics installation supporting services. During the interview, we also learned that the cost of finding local installation services is much lower than that of general supporting services.

Whole house customization| There is still a long market acceptance period

The first space that the rock board entered was in the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. As for entering the bedroom space, matching stone wardrobes, bookcases, etc., it is still at the preliminary stage. The team interviewed a business in the Louvre with 22 stores, covering design and products, and learned that they have not received a project that guests use slate as a wardrobe or bookcase. The customization of slate bedroom is a blank for them.