U.S. furniture retailers are either expecting a bumper spring for sales, or have over-built their inventories. Furniture store sales increased by just 0.9% on a year earlier in April after a 5.8% increase in March, official figures show. On the one hand consumer confidence reached a four month higher according to Bloomberg.

Yet, Panjiva data shows the value of imports increased by 11.3% in March and in April may have surged 32.3% on the basis of seaborne imports. Growth in shipments has been particularly strong from China (21.4% higher in March) and Vietnam (expanding 21.6%). That’s been common across a range of consumer products, including electronics and apparel.

Chart segments U.S. imports of furniture selected from HS category 94 by country of origin. Data for February 2017 based on seaborne shipments. Source: Panjiva

Among the big five retailers Dorel has increased its imports the most rapidly, with a 184% rise on a year earlier in the three months to April 30. While the company beat analysts’ expectations for first quarter earnings, the increase in imports also likely reflects supply chain shifts by the mass retail supplier. Number one importer Ikea expanded 5.6% after a near one-quarter rise in April. By contrast Rooms-to-Go saw a 4.4% drop in imports despite a 16.9% rebound in April.

Seaborne imports of selected furniture categories for Ikea, Bob’s, Rooms to Go, Dorel and Big Lots on a trailing three month total basis Source: Panjiva