Glue and adhesives, by the numbers

Channel analysis
The dollar volume of glue and adhesives surged 38.0% in the 12 months ended August 2012, according to consumer research from The NPD Group, based in Port Washington, N.Y. Dollar sales outpaced unit sales, indicating a propensity to pay more from an increasingly sophisticated product range of glues.

Demographic analysis
Young millennials are the leading consumers of glues and adhesives, accounting for more than a quarter of the sales in the most recent 12 months.

Purchase motivators
Proximity to home is important to consumers when deciding where to purchase a glue/adhesive, but availability is growing and is nearly as important as price. When it comes to the glue/adhesive itself, brand stands out as the most important consideration.

Product attributes
With so many types of glue on store shelves, 25% market share is a dominant position for multi-purpose adhesives. The No. 2 player is “other.” Heavy-duty adhesive has gained the most market share this year. Squeeze tubes are the most popular type of packaging (40.9%) and growing.

Methodology: NPD data are based on monthly tracking of more than 30 home improvement-related categories and 30,000 opt-in consumers.

*2012 data reflects the period September 2011 through August 2012.

**Key: WHC: warehouse home center; MM: mass merchant; DS: department store;
SS: specialty store; HS: hardware store

*** More than one answer accepted