Market Insights

Green all along
Throughout the downturn of the last four years or so we have seen the lumber and building materials industry shrink dramatically. Some estimates of sales shrinkage at the dealer level put it beyond 50%. In some markets, that estimate is absurdly low. There is no denying that everyone in all segments and steps in the chain is battered. Unfortunately, even the homeowner/consumer is somewhat damaged as well.  
Report shows lawn & garden industry is beginning to stabilize
A new report from Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, points to growing stability in the lawn and garden industry.

In "Lawn and Garden Equipment in the U.S., 11th Edition," Packaged Facts demonstrates how lawn and garden sales have fared since they peaked in 2005.

According to the data, sales declined by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.2% between 2010 and 2014, an improvement over the more than 1% decline between 2008 and 2012.

Houzz Stat: Trends in kitchen cabinetry & storage

The study surveyed more than 2,700 Houzz users in the U.S. who own homes and are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, have recently completed one or are planning one in the next three months. Read on to learn what people are doing with these important rooms.
NKBA says contemporary is key in kitchen & bath

The National Kitchen & Bath Association has sniffed out an important development in the world of kitchen and bath design: the tipping point has been reached for contemporary styles.

According to the NKBA's 2015 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends report, transitional (followed closely by contemporary) styles are now most popular in kitchens, with both styles tied in first place for bathroom styles.

That means transitional and contemporary have superceded the traditional aesthetic as number one in North American homes.
From HIRI research: lawn & garden leads by a long shot

The summer months are typically the high points for home improvement project planning, and based on the second-quarter installment of the Home Improvement Research Institute’s Project Sentiment Tracking Study, this year doesn’t seem to be different.
HBSDealer Stock Watch: Central G&P blooms

Central Garden & Pet saw the highest increase at +2.76% at the close of Monday.
Adhesive & sealant demand to reach $12.8 billion in four years

A new report from The Freedonia Group has pegged the U.S. adhesive and sealant market for slow and steady growth over the next couple of years.

According to the study, titled "Adhesives & Sealants," nationwide demand for the market is forecasted to increase 2.8% annually to 6.4 billion pounds, or $12.8 billion, in 2019. This will primarily be driven by renewed construction activity and a widening in the scope of adhesive and sealant applications.
Lawn & garden leads by a long shot

The summer months are typically the high points for home improvement project planning, and based on the second-quarter installment of the Home Improvement Research Institute’s Project Sentiment Tracking Study, this year doesn’t seem to be different.
Survey on K&B remodels shows mixed results

Results from the third-quarter survey from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) indicated a 42% rise in showroom traffic and a 36% increase in kitchen remodel sales volumes from one year ago, as well as a significant increase -- 85% -- in bathroom sales over the third quarter of 2010. Overall, kitchen and bath remodeling revenues reported by NKBA dealer members rose 69% in year-over-year figures.
Caulk & Sealant, by the numbers

Channel analysis
Dollar sales and unit sales of the caulk and sealant category both showed year-over-year gains, according to consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group. But unit volume is down compared with two years ago. The warehouse home centers dominated — nearly three of every five tubes of caulk — but have trended down in the past 12 months.