Bean Bag Chairs Market

Market Overview

The global bean bag chairs market size was valued at USD 3.83 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 5.35 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

The bean bag chair is also known as a Sacco chair, beanbag chair, or beanbag. A bean bag is a sealed container filled with dried beans, PVC pellets, expanded polystyrene, or expanded polypropylene. Leather, suede, corduroy, and synthetic fur can be utilized to create bean bag chairs. Outdoor use is possible with a variety of bean bags made from waterproof polyester. Likewise, giant bean bags can be an inexpensive alternative to purchasing a settee or couch.

Beanbags, designed by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro and manufactured by the Italian company Zanotta in 1969, are now globally recognized furniture. The employees reportedly sat on Styrofoam-filled sacks during their coffee and cigarette breaks. "Sacco" is the name of the original beanbag chair, a pear-shaped leather pouch filled with styrofoam beans that is still in production.

Market Dynamics

Global Bean Bag Chairs Market Drivers

Increasing Residential Construction Coupled with Rising Spending on Comfort and Relaxation

The provision of shelter is considered to be a fundamental and essential requirement for human beings. Residences have increasingly emphasized comfort and luxury as a result of evolving lifestyles. Therefore, furnishing concrete structures to add comfort to residences has become common. Every time a house is newly occupied, it is decorated with comfortable trending furniture that complements the overall setup. Moreover, interior designers have also been emphasizing harmonizing furniture with the overall aesthetic of the residence.

The International Monetary Fund stated that the global housing market has steadily climbed since July 2019. Another important factor to be considered is the housing index, which reflects the changing prices of residential properties. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the number of single-family permits in the U.S. increased by 8.4% in 2018. These rising developments in the residential household category are expected to boost the need for home furnishings, resulting in a dramatic rise in bean bag chairs in the market.

Rising Popularity of Flexible Seating across Commercial Sectors

Flexible seating options are becoming increasingly common in business settings, particularly in offices and schools, because of their many advantages. Flexible seating allows increased collaboration among students, allowing for more creativity and classroom discussions through teamwork. Bean bag chairs are popular in flexible seating arrangements in schools and playschools, as these allow for redesigning the classroom and giving students a choice to sit wherever and however they want.

Moreover, higher traction of bean bag chairs across the working environment increases demand for the product from commercial sectors, particularly co-working spaces. Modern office layouts must be ergonomically sound, and the best office layouts promote an open, lively workspace. Research studies have estimated that productivity surges by about 17-18% among employees using adjustable seating furniture in office spaces. This is expected to drive the demand for ergonomic seating in the future market, thereby widening the scope of the bean bag chairs market.

Global Bean Bag Chairs Market Restraints

Stringent Safety Regulations

Defective and poorly constructed bean bags cause injuries; thus, manufacturers will likely abide by various new standards and regulations to stop such accidents. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued voluntary standards, particularly for zippers. These require bean bags not intended to be refilled to have either a permanently disabled zipper or no zipper. However, refilling bean bags must include a locking zipper requiring a special open tool. Such safety regulations are expected to hamper the market growth.

Global Bean Bag Chairs Market Opportunities

Development of Eco-Friendly Bean Bags

The concept of eco-friendly or sustainable furniture products such as bean bag chairs, stools, armchairs, tables, and beds has given rise to a new market that has been gaining much steam in recent years. Manufacturers have been using a sustainable manufacturing process to produce eco-friendly bean bags and are increasingly launching innovative products. For instance, in June 2019, ApiHappi launched a sustainable ergonomic beanbag. The product is manufactured using hand-loomed Sri Lankan cotton and features a waterproof liner.

Furthermore, the development of furniture from environment-friendly products not manufactured from trees is expected to create new opportunities for companies in the industry. One of the numerous ways classrooms and schools can go green is by investing in green furniture. As per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, air quality and lighting improvements can significantly increase the productivity of students. Numerous studies show that sustainable facilities in a classroom can significantly improve student performance by up to 20%.

Regional Analysis

Europe Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global bean bag chairs market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Europe is the most significant global bean bag chairs market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period. Expansion of commercial spaces in major countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K., coupled with the upgradation and renovation of hotels, lounges, luxury residential units, and corporate offices with ergonomic and relaxing chairs to accommodate different seating styles, is likely to drive the growth of bean bag chairs market during the forecast period. According to the World Economic Forum, office workers in European countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia spend over 38 hours weekly in office chairs. Likewise, the average European office worker spends over 30 hours weekly in office chairs. Indoor bean bag chairs are proven to offer flexibility and comfort to employees and are expected to witness significant traction in the coming years.

North America is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.02% over the forecast period. The continuous development, expansion, and renovation of residential and commercial spaces have driven the demand for bean bag chairs in the North American region. Apart from this, increasing innovation in the raw materials used and a rising focus on enhancing the comfortable and sturdy design of bean bag chairs are expected to support market growth in the coming years. In addition, the U.S. is expected to account for 81.3% of the North American bean bag chairs market. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is among the most common reasons for missing work, and around one-half of the working population in America admits to having back pain due to inadequate and improper seating arrangements. Back pain accounts for over 265 million lost workdays in a year, equivalent to two workdays for every full-time worker in the country. Bean bag chairs offer a more flexible and comfortable seating arrangement than traditional office chairs, which is anticipated to expedite product demand during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is the quickest-growing regional market due to increasing product penetration and an increase in households with two incomes. The construction industry in the Asia-Pacific region is rapidly growing in various countries, including China, Japan, India, and Indonesia. These countries' residential and commercial projects are being developed with modern interiors and furniture. Bean bag chairs offer a great fit, especially for residential units, as they offer comfortable seating and high aesthetic value. These factors are anticipated to spur product demand soon.

Many international companies also establish their service centers in the Asia-Pacific due to low labor costs. These companies are partnering with local retailers to supply and distribute their products. Such factors are likely to augment the growth of the bean bag chairs market in this region during the forecast period. An increase in the number of branded retail outlets, particularly in India and China, is also expected to contribute to the expansion of the market.

In Central and South America, strong trade links and investor-friendly countries encourage companies to establish their businesses. Due to this factor, bean bag chair manufacturers are willing to expand their geographical presence in Central and South American countries. The expansion of residential hubs, renovation of existing households, and increasing disposable income in the region are expected to drive the demand for bean bag chairs over the forecast period.

In the Middle East and Africa, the market for bean bag chairs is still nascent. The demand for these chairs is highly concentrated in a few nations, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The local manufacturers in the region are trying to cater to the product demand by providing innovative and affordable bean bag chairs. For instance, Ashanti Design manufactures hand-woven traditional bean bag chairs. Similarly, FatSak, a South African company, uses super soft, high-quality fabric covers, and its inners are filled with memory foam flakes.

Segmental Analysis

The global bean bag chairs market is segmented by product and distribution channel.

Based on the product, the global bean bag chairs market is bifurcated into indoor and outdoor bean bags. 

The indoor bean bag segment dominates the global market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.01% over the forecast period. The growth of the indoor bean bag segment is primarily ascribed to the surging demand for branded and luxury furniture as well as increasing spending on home décor. Indoor bean bag chairs represent sheer comfort and provide the desired support for any sitting position. They are filled with lightweight foam beads, which allow the bean bag to mold to the body of the person sitting on it. Bean bag chairs are becoming increasingly popular because of their convenience, portability, and low maintenance.

Additionally, the growth of the construction industry is one of the primary factors propelling the overall market growth. New housing units in countries like the U.S. are boosting the demand for luxury and superior-quality furniture. This has augmented the growth of the indoor bean bag chairs market. A growing preference for aesthetically appealing yet comfortable furniture is also expected to catapult the market growth of indoor bean bags over the forecast period. Moreover, the growing inclination towards personalized indoor bean bag chairs is another factor expected to support the market growth over the forecast period.

A bean bag chair for outdoor use needs to be more durable, and its structure must be focused on weather resistance. An outdoor bean bag chair should have additional protection at the bottom. Apart from the residential end-use area, bean bag chairs are also gaining acceptance in the commercial sector, especially in restaurants, offices, hotels, cafes, lounges, and other commercial places with a casual setup. Growing demand for bean bag chairs from these areas is significantly driving the growth of the outdoor bean bag chair segment. Nowadays, bean bags at work signify a culture of consideration for employees and investment in their sense of fun and leisure.

Furthermore, commercial businesses, particularly from the hospitality and restaurant sectors, are investing heavily in décor, as customers consider ambiance essential. The growing importance of décor in commercial spaces is anticipated to further strengthen the demand for outdoor bean bag chairs.

Based on the distribution channel, the global bean bag chairs market is segmented into online and offline. 

The offline distribution channels segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period. The growth of the offline segment is mainly attributed to the inclination of people towards gauging the product quality, ergonomics, feel, or texture in person. People still prefer buying products in brick-and-mortar stores over online channels, as some want the products immediately. Some clients value acting quickly to buy a product they want while the market is still receptive to doing so.

Additionally, concerns related to privacy are boosting the growth of the offline distribution channel. Customers are not ready to give out personal data unless it is strictly necessary. The offline channel offers a sense of security and helps protect customer privacy. Moreover, the increasing number of furniture and home décor retail stores, especially in emerging economies of China, India, and Brazil, will likely fuel the market's growth over the forecast period.

The online channel is small compared to the offline channel but is witnessing considerable growth because of the Internet's and smartphones' growing penetration. Availability of a wide range of options, 24*7 accessibility, and price comparison features are important factors driving the growth of online shopping. The bean bag chairs market is highly fragmented, with many small vendors operating without owning brick-and-mortar retail stores. In addition, most vendors have private online websites from which customers can order products per their needs. Moreover, dedicated online retailers such as Overstock.com and Bean Bag City are projected to fuel the segment growth. Also, key market players seek opportunities to increase their online presence and fulfill the rising demand.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- A Japanese company, Hanalolo, introduced a wearable bean bag so one can lie down wherever they are.
• March 2023- Sony YAY! released merchandise in categories such as apparel, footwear, and bean bags, depicting characters such as Oggy, Honey Bunny, and Naruto, in collaboration with businesses like The Souled Store.