Monthly sales by retail channel - Home centers and lumberyards - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Home Channel News, June 18, 2001

Monthly sales history for major home improvement retail channels through June 2001. Total U.S. sales per channel are given in billions of dollars.

Light at the end of the tunnel for retail sales Retail building material sales turned the corner in April, with strong gains from March 2001 and a year ago, continuing through May and June. Declining mortgage rates have stimulated new housing construction and major improvements to existing homes. Rising household incomes and confidence have boosted maintenance spending. Lumberyard sales lead the way, pulled by demand from pro markets. Paint store sales are up as consumer spending improves. Hardware store sales are showing exceptionally strong gains from a year ago. In the second quarter of 2000, hardware store sales were exceptionally light, making 2001 comparisons to a year ago look very strong.

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Building Materials Research Institute

Data for April 2001 are estimates; for May and June 2001, forecasts.
Home centers and lumberyards
     1999  2000  2001
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr              $12.5
May              $14.4
Jun              $13.8
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Hardware stores
     1999  2000  2001
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr              $1.48
May              $1.65
Jun              $1.61
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Note: Table made from bar graph
Paint and supply stores
     1999  2000   2001
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr               $.89
May              $1.01
Jun              $1.06
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
L&G stores
     1999  2000  2001
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr              $1.43
May              $2.27
Jun              $1.46
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Note: Table made from bar graph