Very few people actually need to buy a new couch, update their kitchen table, or get a new bedroom set. Usually, you can delay those purchases even if it means having a makeshift solution or scrounging an alternative option of Facebook Marketplace or some other similar place.
In addition, a lot of people upgraded their homes during the Covid pandemic. That could have been as small as getting a more comfortable couch because they were spending more time at home during lockdown to major home overhauls.
That created some benefits and some problems for the furniture industry.
“We have seen a Covid boom and bust in the sales of many products, ranging from Peloton bicycles to liquor to fireworks. Home furnishing is another one in this boom and bust category. Furniture sales spiked at the end of Covid and now the industry is dealing with the bust,” Jay Zagorsky, an economics professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, told Forbes.
Overall, priorities have changed in the post-Covid world RTMNexus CEO Dominick Miserandino told TheStreet.
“During the pandemic, the world was focused on staying at home and scaling up home improvement, building a better life at home, and getting more furniture. And post-pandemic, we’ve now switched to a travel world, a travel mindset of experiences,” he shared.
Outten Brothers Home Furnishings closing
The post-Covid furniture industry crash has claimed another victim.Outten Brothers has decided to close its doors unexpectedly. The company shared the news on its website.
Family-owned and operated Outten Brothers Home Furnishings is going out of business after providing Salisbury and surrounding communities with quality home furnishings for 78 years. The final liquidation sale opens to the public October 2, and the building is for sale.
The company has a long history and deep family connections to the market it serves.
Outten Bros. Inc. was founded in 1947 by Edward Outten and his brothers and quickly became known for customer service that went above and beyond, from in-home deliveries to flexible in-house financing. Edward opened the Salisbury store in 1958 and after his retirement in 1992, his son Jeff continued the family tradition, leading the business for more than two decades. Jeff’s children—April, Michael, and Jason—also worked alongside him, representing the third generation. During this time, he developed a close friendship with warehouse manager Roland Powell Jr., who purchased the business in 2016 and later rebranded it as Outten Brothers Home Furnishings. In 2023, April and Powell married, extending the Outten family legacy in the retail business.
Powell shared a brief statement, but did not choose to explain why the company has decided to shut down.
“Outten Brothers has always been about family, service, and community,” said Powell. “It’s been an honor to carry on this legacy, and April and I are deeply grateful to our customers for supporting us through the years,” he said.
Image source: Shutterstock
Outten Brothers Home Furnishings timeline:
- 1947: Outten Brothers (Outten Bros. Inc.) is founded by Edward Outten and his brothers
- 1958: The Salisbury location is opened.
- 1992: Edward Outten retires; his son Jeff Outten takes over the business.
- 2016: Ownership changes hands: Roland Powell Jr. (former warehouse manager) purchases the business and rebrands it as Outten Brothers Home Furnishings.
- 2023: Roland Powell marries April Outten (Edward Outten’s granddaughter), further extending the family connection.
- September 30, 2025: Announcement made that the retailer will close after 78 years in business; liquidation sale to begin October 2.
- October 2, 2025: Final liquidation sale opens to the public; merchandise discounted (including 65% off home goods) as part of going-out-of-business process.
- Post-closure: The building is put up for sale.
GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders thinks the economy is working against the furniture industry.
“Softness in big-ticket furnishings and furniture will persist until interest rates come down. At present, people are more willing to buy smaller things as part of simple home refreshes,” he told Forbes.
Furniture chains that have closed since 2020
- Badcock Home Furniture & More
- Over 370 stores across the Southeastern U.S.
- Its parent company, Conn’s, filed for bankruptcy and liquidated Badcock. All Badcock stores were closed by ~October 31, 2024. Wikipedia
- American Freight
- National furniture/appliance retailerParent company Franchise Group filed for Chapter 11; decision made to close all of its 328 locations.
- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
- Upscale furniture chain with stores in multiple states.
- Closed all its stores (27 stores in 14 states) in August 2023 after failing to secure additional financing; later converted to Chapter 7.
- Z Gallerie
- Home décor + furniture chain.
- Filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and conducted liquidation sales for all 21 stores.
- RoomPlace
- Filed for Chapter 11 in 2024; closed multiple stores and is restructuring.
“The final liquidation sale for Outten Brothers opens to the public on Oct. 2. The store says that home goods will be discounted at 65%, in addition to discounts on all furniture,” WMDT reported.
Related: Discount retail chain closes half its store locations
