ANALYSIS OF RETROSPECTIVE TRENDS IN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF CHINESE FURNITURE INDUSTRY ENTERPRISES

Introduction: The article provides a retrospective analysis of the competitiveness of Chinese furniture industry enterprises since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The key stages of the industry’s development are highlighted, starting from the period of almost complete state control until the present time, when the Chinese furniture industry has become the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter. However, in the context of slowing market growth after the pandemic, unresolved problems remain, including low innovation activity, limited marketing opportunities and environmental challenges. Methods: To analyze the competitive advantages of the industry, the «competitiveness polygon» method was used, which covers key aspects such as product quality, innovation, environmental sustainability and global reach. The research is based on reports from expert agencies and statistical data describing the dynamics of the Chinese furniture market and its role in the global economy. Results: The analysis showed that Chinese furniture companies are focused on mass production due to affordable labor and scalable production facilities. Government support and investment have played a crucial role in the industry’s success on the international stage, but manufacturers need to overcome historical barriers to innovation and environmentally friendly technologies. The market also faced a slowdown in growth due to the pandemic, which reinforced the need for further improvements to maintain competitiveness. Available data: No available data. Discussion: A retrospective analysis showed that the features of the historical development of the Chinese furniture industry played both a positive and a limiting role in its development. Further growth requires a transition to technology-capital intensive production, expansion of marketing strategies and improvement of environmental sustainability, which requires significant changes in management and approaches to production.