Monthly sales by retail channel

Home Channel News, March 20, 2000

Monthly sales history for major home improvement retail channels through March 2000. Total U.S. sales per channel are given in billions of dollars.

                                    2000
                             Jan  Feb   Mar
Home centers and lumberyards 8.73 9.10 11.51
Hardware stores              1.22 1.11  1.34
Paint and supply stores      0.70 0.77  0.92
L&G stores                   0.38 0.45  0.66
Data for January 2000 are estimates; for
February and March 2000, forecasts.

Housing growth fuels late winter sales surge Housing markets remained strong in early 2000, as buyers and builders tried to lock in mortgage rates before further increases. This strength in housing starts through January of this year will keep building material demand strong through the first quarter. New housing starts have been running in excess of 1.6 million units since July a year ago. This high level of activity will be shown initially in lumberyard sales and then in nursery sales. Both retail sectors will be very strong through the first quarter of this year. The consumer will remain in a strong financial condition this year even if mortgage rates rise.

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