HIGH POINT, NC – Furniture Insights, the monthly survey of residential furniture manufacturers by accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard PLLC, indicates new orders in September were 2% less than orders in September 2006. For comparison, orders from September 2006 were 10% less than September 2005. Year-to-date, orders remained 4% less than last year.

Shipments in September were 5% less than September 2006. Approximately 76% of the participants reported lower shipments in September compared to September 2006. Year-to-date shipments remained off 6% from the first nine months of 2006.