A STORE that sells second-hand home and office furniture from Japan is eyeing a 25-percent growth this year, as real estate developments in Cebu continue to expand.
Rosana Giango, finance officer of BT Home and Office Furniture, reported high sales since the past year, following the accelerated developments in all segments of residential and office buildings.
Dining tables and clothing cabinets are the popular items Cebuanos usually buy at their store, while steel cabinets, drawers, vaults, office tables and chairs are in-demand items for offices.
“There is always a strong second-hand market because people are looking for ways to maximize income. They opt to buy Japan-made items also because of its quality rather than buying brand new ones that are China-made,” said Giango.
“The clients we have here are mostly repeat customers. People find our pieces durable,” she added. Lately the store observed high sales from the office sector.
BTS Home and Office Furniture has been in the business for seven years, an indication that the second-hand market in Cebu promises long-term growth of this kind of industry, she said. The company is currently giving away discounts of up to 50 percent in all of its products until May 28 (Saturday).
Sales of second-hand furniture usually pick up towards the “ber” months, when purchasing power is high. Low season is recorded during the middle of the year.
BTS Home and Office Furniture occupies a 3,000-square-meter area along Archbishop Reyes Ave.
Whether bargain furniture or not, the furniture industry expects to hit huge growth this year, as demand in the local market continues to flourish.
“Compared to a few years ago, the local (market is) 100 percent more... Look at the developments, these are all over the country,” said Myrna Bituin, a trustee of Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.