Articles

“By the fourth quarter of 2019, housing starts and home improvement construction spending were increasing at double digit rates in response to the 20 percent decline in interest rates in the third and fourth quarter of the year. As a result, U.S. floor coverings dollar sales increased by 2.8 percent in the second half of 2019, while square foot sales began to rise.” – Catalina Research Read More

Catalina’s latest analysis of floor coverings industry trends indicate that the company's March predictions of a double-digit sales decline in this year’s second quarter did not occur. On the other hand, the sharp spring back in demand could be held up with the rising number of coronavirus infections in recent weeks. So, let’s review what did occur over the past three months and what the “new normal” may look like. Read More

“Even as most construction has been deemed essential during the last few months, the loss of new projects and revenue has been severe. This industry is key to our economy, representing three million American jobs and $700 billion in spending," says Christopher Griffin, president and CEO of USG Corporation. “We’re watching closely signs of improvement, as commercial construction can serve as a bellwether for other economic development and recovery.” Read More

ccording to an article on CNBC online, there are approximately 618,000 Millennial millionaires  today and, “by 2030, Millennials will hold five-times as much wealth as they have today and are expected to inherit $68 trillion from their predecessors (their parents) in the great transfer of wealth.” Read More

Catalina Research has released its newest report on flooring, furnishing and home improvement e-commerce trends.  According to the report, e-commerce sales for the leading online retailers of flooring, furnishing and home improvement products soared as the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders accelerated the shift to e-commerce business. Read More

NKBA Living Impacts Design study forecasts primary kitchen and bath influences: connectivity, simplification, wellness and living in place Read More

Existing-home sales fell in May, marking a three-month decline in sales as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the National Association of Realtors.  Read More

Personal income decreased 4.2 percent while consumer spending increased 8.2 percent in May. Read More

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The decline is the same as in the “second” estimate released in May. In the fourth quarter of 2019, real GDP increased 2.1 percent. Read More

"As the nation reopens, housing is well-positioned to lead the economy forward," said NAHB chairman Dean Mon, a home builder and developer from Shrewsbury, N.J. "Inventory is tight, mortgage applications are increasing, interest rates are low and confidence is rising. And buyer traffic more than doubled in one month even as builders report growing online and phone inquiries stemming from the outbreak." Read More