The Farnsworth Contractor Index for Q4 2025 shows contractors remain confident about near-term work, even as revenue expectations and growth soften compared to last year. Overall confidence in securing new business over the coming six months scored 8.3 out of …

Retail sales saw strong year-over-year growth in November, with the first half of the month posting results on track to meet the National Retail Federation’s spending forecast, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “Retail sales showed healthy year-over-year gains in November …

The latest data from the United States Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey show the homeownership rate rose to 65.3%. Despite this quarterly increase, the trend continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated and housing supply …

Independent retailers are coming into 2026 with a cooling renovation market and a cost-sensitive customer with a shift toward DIY. Dave King, executive director of the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), says those pressures hit independent retailers differently than big-box …

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a vote of 9-3, a smaller margin than typically seen. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the panel of Federal Reserve officials responsible for setting monetary policies, dropped the interest rate range to …

Friedman’s Home Improvement, which operates four locations around Northern California, announced two new appointments to its leadership team. Sushil Singh has been appointed as vice president and Jake Wilson takes on the role of vice president of merchandising and replenishment. …

Heated Towel Rack The Cape in Matte Black from Amba has 12 horizontal and vertical bars that heat up. It warms or dries 1–2 towels and comes as a plug-in unit with a hardwiring kit for permanent installation. All bars …

The independent home improvement channel needs to consistently shift and follow consumer habits, adopting omnichannel strategies. Ryder’s 2025 E-commerce Consumer Study shows shoppers are blending online and in-store experiences, prioritizing value and convenience over speed. Hardware Retailing broke down the …