Modest Gains for Independents in First Quarter 2013

//Modest Gains for Independents in First Quarter 2013

Modest Gains for Independents in First Quarter 2013

Paint and decorating stores posted modest gains overall for the first quarter of 2013 over the first quarter of the previous year. Not all regions fared well, however, with the Midwest posting losses of 5.9% from the first quarter of 2012. Canadian paint and decorating retailers also posted a loss compared to last year’s first quarter figures.

On a positive note, the Consumer Confidence index has been above 50 since November of 2011, settling back to just below 60 in March of 3013. New home starts have been showing solid growth trends from a low 18 months ago of 600,000 units to just over 1,000,000 units.

Overall, wallcoverings posted the only loss for the first quarter of 2013 as compared to the same time period of 2012. Paint, window coverings, and sundries all posted modest gains for the time period as compared to first quarter 2012. As noted above, the Midwest, West, and Canadian regions did not fare quite as well.

The Pulse Report is a product of PDRA Market Research. View the full report here.