Garage organization

DSN Retailing Today, August 2, 2004

Growing consumer interest in storage solutions and home improvement combined to make garage organization one of the hottest product trends this past year. Several new competitors launched products in this category in recent months, including ready-to-assemble furniture makers Sauder and O'Sullivan, hardware suppliers Stanley and Knape & Vost, and even audio storage specialist Case Logic.

Garage storage is an $800 million retail business that's growing 10% a year. "This is the fastest-growing area in home organization and storage," said Mike Franks, director of strategic planning at O'Sullivan Furniture. "We all own a lot of stuff, and the garage has become the overflow valve for the rest of the house." Franks said O'Sullivan's garage storage program licensed under the Coleman brand and carried at diverse retailers such as Lowe's, Target, Pep Boys and Office Depot has sold phenomenally well since launched last fall. The whole system, including worktable, pegboard and cabinets, sells for less than $1,000. But the market is also strong for higher-end lines, such as Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool. Sauder's answer to the Coleman line, for example, is a licensed Hot Rod Garage workshop organization system.