Researcher calls staycation an industry "bright spot"

Washington, D.C. -- Speaking to fellow researchers gathered for the Home Improvement Research Institute's (HIRI) 2009 Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., the staycation trend was described as a significant force in 2009.

"Outdoor living and staycation spending are certainly what I would call a bright spot," said Mark Delaney, director of NPD Group's home improvement division.

"I think this is the year that people are pulling back on vacation spending -- they might not take the vacation to Florida, or wherever. But they still want to sit out on their deck, their patio, their driveway -- whatever the case may be -- and feel good about themselves and their home."

Delaney said that finding was supported by a recent NPD research project on outdoor living, highlights of which will presented at the National Hardware Show in May.

"Most of those categories are fairly low cost, and I think that's one of the bigger bright spots in home improvement right now," he said at the HIRI event.