Furniture Merchant Wholesalers — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 66% of furniture merchant wholesalers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 7.9%.

66%
5-Year Survival Rate
-3.4%
Net Growth Rate
8,932
Total Firms
667
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Furniture Merchant Wholesalers a Good Business to Start?

With a 66% five-year survival rate, furniture merchant wholesalers has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 7.9% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)5.2%
Exit Rate (closures)7.9%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-2.7 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

9.3%
Job Creation Rate
12.7%
Job Destruction Rate
-3.4%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 158,871 workers across 8,932 firms.

Want to know how much furniture merchant wholesalers businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Furniture Merchant Wholesalers

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of furniture merchant wholesalers businesses fail?
Approximately 34% of furniture merchant wholesalers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 7.9%, with 667 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the furniture merchant wholesalers industry growing or shrinking?
The furniture merchant wholesalers industry is currently shrinking with a net job creation rate of -3.4% per year. New businesses are entering at 5.2% while 7.9% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.