Market Insights

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes reached its highest level since May 2007, reaching a level of 29 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This is a gain of five points from the previous month, which was downwardly revised.

A study looking at consumer shopping behavior found that nine out of ten shoppers purchase something not on their intended list, according to The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research. 

Among shoppers who purchase off-list items, 66% say the reason was a sale or promotion, 30% say they found a coupon, and 23% say they simply wanted to pamper themselves, The Checkout study found.

Sister Bernice Marie, my 90-year-old great aunt, had this to say about Apple’s iPhone launch:...

For the first time in several years, all of the major end-use markets for wood products are expected to move in concert and increase this year. Housing, the largest market for many products, is expected to increase 10% this year when U.S. and Canadian starts are combined, according to APA -- The Engineered Wood Association.

It might not be such a bad idea for Penney to play in appliances. Read and discuss.

It wasn't enough to push builder sentiment into negative territory, but the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell a little in May.

Channel analysis

Hand tools, that great infantry of home improvement products, are fighting back. According to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, year-over-year change in the dollar volume of hand tools rose 9.3% to $1.33 billion.

Demographic analysis

Morton Salt survey points to the benefits of softer water all over the house.