HIGH POINT, N.C. –  Residential furniture new orders for December 2014 increased 15 percent over the same month in 2013, according to a survey of industry manufacturers conducted by Smith Leonard PLCC.

That big monthly jump brought orders up 7 percent for the year over 2013 for 74 percent of survey participants, the accounting firm said. In 2013, new orders were 5 percent ahead of December 2012, so the 15 percent increase appears to be a pretty strong increase, the survey revealed.

For the past 20 months survey participants have reported new orders have been up each month. Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were up 5 percent for the month and shipments were up 6 percent over December 2013. Orders for November were up 3 percent.

Receivables, were up 2 percent and inventories were up 7 percent for the month. Survey takers said that appears “in line with current order and shipment levels.” The number of factory and warehouse employees were also up 2 percent and total factory and warehouse payrolls were up 4 percent.