Furniture manufacturers must feel as if they are on a rapid rollercoaster ride.
The pandemic initially gave them incredible jumps in sales and profits, because during the lockdown many consumers stared at their own four walls until they invested their free vacation budget in a new living room or a chic kitchen.
Then supply problems initially slowed down the upswing, and now the wave of inflation is causing demand to plummet.
Insecure customers not only have their hands on their wallets in view of the next gas and electricity bills.
Those who can raise 30,000 euros today often prefer to invest in a solar system on their own roof than in marble countertops and stainless steel appliances.
The discount battles are already starting in the lower price segment.
But the battle for market share is also raging among high-priced providers.
Blessed are those who set their sights on business outside of Germany and Europe at an early stage and who can at least mitigate the decline in sales through expansion.
Nevertheless, the golden age for the industry is over for the time being.