YiXiang Furniture

As global aging accelerates, more and more elderly furniture brands are eyeing overseas markets to expand their business. However, while the international market seems full of opportunities, the actual process of “landing” products abroad is far more complicated than expected.

This article focuses on the main challenges elderly furniture companies face when going global. In Part 2: Strategies for Globalizing Elderly Furniture, we’ll provide practical solutions to address these issues.

1.Conceptual Differences: "Elderly care" means different things across countries
The core concept of elderly design varies between cultures.
In Western countries, functionality is key — features like power lift assistance and ergonomic support are widely favored.
In contrast, many Asian countries place more emphasis on emotional comfort and family-style integration.
As a result, a best-selling product in China may not resonate with customers in Europe or Japan.

2.Regulatory Barriers: Certification standards are not unified
Elderly furniture products must meet various local requirements for safety, materials, and structural integrity.
For example, Europe requires EN certifications, the U.S. follows ANSI/BIFMA standards, and Japan enforces strict flame-retardant regulations.
Failing to meet these standards can delay entry, increase costs, and lead to compliance risks.

3.Usage Habits Vary Greatly: Elderly lifestyles differ around the world
In Nordic countries, elderly people tend to live alone in spacious homes, preferring minimalistic, functional designs.
In Asia, elderly individuals often live with their families and prioritize warmth, interaction, and space adaptability.
Without local research, furniture design may easily miss the mark.

4.Low Market Awareness: High cost of educating consumers
In some emerging markets, the concept of elderly furniture is still new.
Consumers often lack understanding or think such products are only for the very ill or aged.
This leads to slow adoption, requiring brands to invest heavily in market education, which takes time and resources.

5.Weak Logistics and Service Infrastructure
Elderly furniture often involves large, heavy, and complex products that require installation and after-sales support.
However, international service networks are often underdeveloped, causing poor user experiences and affecting brand reputation and repeat sales.

Conclusion
So, is going global an impossible mission for elderly furniture companies? Definitely not.
In the next article, we will explore actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles and help elderly furniture brands find their footing in overseas markets.