Market Insights

A glimpse inside the numbers of the Home Improvement Research Institute's Sentiment Tracking Study.

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s (AHMA’s) Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index improved in March to an all-time high of 350 from 270.8 in February (March 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also increased to 298.3 from 229.3.

In comparing current sales levels to year-ago levels, 84% of respondents said sales were higher in March versus year-ago levels, up from 65% in February.  For March, 11% reported sales were even, and five% said sales were below year-ago levels.

A study suggests delivery time impacts online shoppers’ purchase decisions. Will retailers rise to the occasion?

American Express estimates 2 in 5 adults shopped small on Small Business Saturday

CoreLogic, a provider of analytical information about the housing market, reported that the current residential shadow inventory as of January 2012 was 1.6 million units, approximately the same level reported in October 2011. CoreLogic estimates shadow inventory by calculating the number of distressed properties not currently listed on multiple listing services (MLSs) that are seriously delinquent, in foreclosure and real estate owned (REO) by lenders.

 A survey of more than 500 homeowners points to regional differences in attitudes and behaviors.

2017 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study reveals the features that attract homeowner dollars.   

The comment board on the Toledo Blade newspaper’s website takes a simple story of a closing hardware store — Fleeger’s PRO Hardware — and turns it into a tragedy and a mystery.

Tragic because of the loss of another business in downtown Toledo. Fewer jobs for fewer Americans. A way of life eroded. Mysterious because — well, who was to blame, really?