Those businesses that are suppliers of house and garden products are benefitting from the boom in the housing market this year.  According to a study by Google and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) the total search volumes for products in the home and garden industry grew by 15% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter last year.

BRC director general Helen Dickinson credited the increase due to strong UK housing market sales.

Furniture sales also profited due to the many new home buyers and home movers as there was a 10.6% increase over last year according to the preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics.  Homeowners may have been a part of the boom to the house and garden and furniture purchase data as many have sought out cash releases on remortgages due to higher equity levels and may have updated or added furniture to their home.

Despite the low interest levels currently offered by lenders, the increase in demand has not materialized.  Some cheap remortgage and mortgage deals are the lowest seen in years despite warnings that the Bank of England will be increasing the standard base interest rate in 2015.  It was forecasted that the rate would change in early 2015 but now it has been revised with a possible increase in spring or early summer.

Consumers appear by many reports to be gaining confidence in the economy and some will find relief from lower fuel prices.  More savings are due to be found say experts in the beginning of the holiday shopping season as retailers fight to get consumers to spend with them first by offering deep discounts.