HIGH POINT, NC - New furniture orders increased 4% in 2012 according to furniture consulting and accounting firm Smith Leonard.

The year-over-year increase was recorded by Smith Leonard's monthly survey despite a 7% decline of new orders in December. In its March issue of Furniture Insights, Smith Leonard noted that considering 2011 December orders were 15% greater than December 2011, "the 7 percent decline, while not something we wanted, was not as bad as it might seem."

In addition, shipments for 2012 bested those for 2011 by 6%.

"In looking at each of the other key indicators,." Smith Leonard noted, "it also appears that the results of those are also in pretty good shape. Receivable levels up 4 percent from last December are in line with increased shipments and payrolls and employees also appear to line up. Inventories may be a bit high, but we think that is a result of slower business in November and December."