According to the Central Association of Industrial Groups (Zentralverband Gewerblicher Verbundgruppe - ZGV) and the European Trade Institute (Eurohandelsinstitut - EHI), the specialized trade in the German furniture sector plays an important role. According to these two bodies data, around 11.000 furniture enterprises mainly in 2002 almost 2/3 (74,5%) of the 30.400 million euros of total turnover.

Anyway, 4/5 of these commercial enterprises belong to a sales association. According to the figures from ZGV and EHI, there have been a small backward movement in the sector turnover of 10,8%, from 34.100 million euros in 2001 to 30.430 million euros in 2002