Market Insights

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index declined in March to 200 from 229.2 in February (October 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also declined to 206.9 from 246.6 a month earlier.

The Hillman Group has announced the acquisition of TagWorks, a pet ID tag program, for $40 million in cash plus an additional consideration of $12.5 million on Oct. 31, 2011. TagWorks is responsible for paying $18.5 million in outstanding debt and transaction fees from the proceeds. The deal closed on March 16. 

A report on the home storage and organization category by The NPD Group indicates that consumers spent $3.3 billion on these products in the 12 months ending November 2010. Two-thirds of these purchases were in closet organization, with the remainder in laundry, tool and garage storage products. 

When asked about intent to purchase, Gen Y and Gen X consumers over-indexed in the storage and organization category. 

Arlington, Va. -- Key housing metrics are in for a slow ride in 2011, and a quick upturn in 2012, according to the forecast from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Delivering the MBA's forecast here at the Home Improvement Research Institute's (HIRI's) Spring Conference, Michael Fratantoni, the MBA's VP single-family research and policy development, said that along with pent-up demand for housing, "there's a lot of pent-up supply out there."

Sales of new single-family homes in February fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 250,000, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The February stat is the lowest since the government began keeping track in 1963.

New-home sales for the month are 16.9% below the revised January rate of 301,000 and 28.0% below the estimate from February 2010.

Also, the report estimated the median sales price of new homes sold in February was $202,100, the lowest since December 2003.

The following letters were a response to the article "Dealer turned commando stops alleged thief."

Wayne, N.J.-based roofing and ventilation manufacturer GAF was recently awarded four American Graphic Design Awards. 

The company also won an American Package Design Award for its TruSlate Sample Box. There were over 1,500 submissions in this contest, organized by Graphic Design USA magazine, which rewards packaging, p-o-p and related projects that are visually attractive and which feature designs that advance the brand and forge an emotional connection with the purchaser.

Home Channel News asked readers if they agreed with the selection of Jeffrey Immelt to lead the President's Council on Jobs and Effectiveness. Here's what we heard.