Articles

The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet anticipated demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed and released by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2026, the industry will need to bring in 499,000 new workers as spending picks up in response to presumed lower interest rates. Read More

Tile is ready to slowly grow in 2025 After an uninspired year, the tile sector looks forward to a better 2025. With a strong product foundation, the sector’s manufacturers and distributors look forward to leaving 2024 behind and drive improvement in the new year. Read More

At the 2025 Shaw Flooring Network convention in Orlando, Florida, Betti Packman, partner/principal with EY-Parthenon and Ivan Kleinfeld, senior director with EY-Parthenon reported that, in the last 22 years, the percentage of remodel budgets devoted to flooring fell from 11% in 2003 to 6% in 2021. Read More

Floor Trends & Installation, in collaboration with its sister brand Stone World and research division My Clear Opinion Insights Hub, will unveil findings from a major new research study on tile and stone purchasing behaviors at The International Surfaces Event (TISE) in Las Vegas this January. Read More

After a soft 2024, industry looks to bounce back in 2025. With 2024 in the rearview mirror, industry executives are looking to reverse course in 2025. “We are optimistic about 2025,” said Tim Baucom, president, Shaw Industries. “After several years of market contraction, we anticipate a modest recovery, with demand outpacing GDP growth.” Read More

In the months January to November 2024, total U.S. imports of ceramic tile were 163.7 million square meters, a decline of 4.1% from the same period in 2023 when imports were 170.7 million square meters, according to Grosser Consulting. Read More

Tile closed out 2024 with minimal if any growth. “Sluggish” was the word Jamann Stepp, vice president of hard surface for Stanton, used to describe the market. While tile’s technology, style and performance, he said, were on point, economic conditions prevented significant growth. Read More

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has released its 2025 Bath Trends Report. Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, architects and more, the NKBA Bath Trends Report provides a look into current and upcoming trends in residential bathrooms. Read More

The kitchen and bath industry, moving into 2025, should see an upward projection after a flat year according to experts. Reported Tricia Zach, head of research, National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), “Demand for kitchen and bath products and remodeling projects in 2024 was flat, as economic and political uncertainty weighed heavily on U.S. consumers this year.” Read More

Lowe's reported total sales for Q3 2024 were $20.2 billion, a 1% decline compared to $20.5 billion in the prior-year quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter decreased 1.1%, driven by continued softness in DIY bigger-ticket discretionary demand, which was partly offset by storm-related sales and positive comparable sales in Pro and online. Read More