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Demand for used furniture wanes

SHARJAH - Until two years ago, the sale of old furniture was a booming business in Sharjah. However, with the glut of newer and cheaper furniture from China, Italy and Indonesia, the buying and selling trends in the market are witnessing a sea change.

On offer are a variety of bedroom sets, a whole range of furniture for the dining and living room, a child's bedroom set and even a strong and hand-carved babycot - all this for a very reasonable price in the market, thanks to the import from the Far East.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Israr Khan, a Pakistani salesman at Al Afamia Used Furniture Shop, said: "Over these years, I have witnessed a marked change in the selling trends of the market. Earlier, all the shop owners used to buy old furniture from people who were shifting houses and then resold them to other customers who wanted a particular piece of furniture."

However, with the availability of newer and cheaper furniture from the Far Eastern countries, people were opting for the newer pieces because of the low price range as compared to the old funiture.

"We sell a new bedroom set from Italy for Dh1,200 only while earlier, this was the price we used to quote for a used set. Now we sell the used set at a price that a customer demands," he said.

"Earlier, we used to buy old but valuable pieces of furniture for the whole household from villas or Europeans and sell them at slightly higher rates, but since the popularity of new furniture has taken off, we are now considering stocking newer furniture," he added.

Speaking about the popularity levels of the market, Mr Khan said that mostly Arab, Indian and Pakistani expatriates preferred to visit the market. "Earlier there were several bachelors preferring old pieces, but now since the market has been taken over by newer goods, several families are seen around," he added.

Another salesman, Muhammad Raheem, employed at Rawalpindi Furniture, said that the Sharjah Municipality did not give the licence to stock old and new furniture together. "Either we have to sell the new furniture or only stock the old ones - both cannot be done at the same time," he said.

Mustapha Said, an Arab expat, whose family was looking for a bedroom set for children in the market, said: "I have no qualms about shopping from this market because it is cheaper. Earlier, we bought several pieces of furniture for our house from this market, because if had bought new furniture, it would have cost us a fortune. Since the new furniture are available at throwaway prices, we prefer the newer ones." On the other hand, Ram Gopal, an Indian who was also shopping in the area, said: "We still prefer older furniture because of its durablity. Though the newer furniture is cheaper, it does not last long."

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