Posted by Diane Capuano

The sales picture for independent paint and decorating stores was relatively flat, with reports indicating growth of less than 1 percentage point in the third quarter. A 0.4 uptick in sales is still better than a negative figure, however. And on an even more positive note, the average independent paint and decorating retailer has been in positive sales territory through the first three quarters of 2011. Year-to-date sales show positive growth of 1.8 percent.

The strongest growth continues to be in the Northeast, which posted sales growth of 2.9 percent for the third quarter and 4.5 percent for the first nine months of the year. Lagging behind are the South and Midwest (at 3.2 and 1.1 year-to-date sales growth (more…)

Posted by Diane Capuano

Sales results for the second quarter of 2011 were a bit of mixed bag for independent paint and decorating stores, with slight growth for retailers in the U.S. and moderate losses in Canada.

U.S. independent decorating products retailers had overall market gains in total store sales with a 3.7 percent increase. The Midwest and Western states registered slight losses. Window coverings were the only product category showing across the board increases. The first six months of 2011 ended with total store sales slightly above last year. (more…)

Modest improvement for U.S. and Canadian independent retailers characterized the first quarter of 2011, according to the PDRA Pulse Report. Fueled by growing consumer confidence, sales performance grew slightly by 0.3 percent in the United States and 0.2 percent in Canada.

The increase was paced by improving sales in window coverings and paint, while wallcoverings and sundry products still lagged behind first-quarter sales from last year. The South experienced the best sales gain, followed by the Midwest and Canada. The West and Northeast continued to be in the red for the first quarter. (more…)