The unemployment rate rose to its four-year high of 4.6%, up from 4.4% year over year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Positively, employers added 64,000 jobs in November. Household survey data for October 2025 were not collected …
Read More »
Builder confidence inched higher to end the year but remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariffs and economic uncertainty, and as many potential buyers remain on the sidelines due to affordability concerns. …
Read More »
Around 158.9 million consumers plan to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The number is up from 157.2 million shoppers in 2024, …
Read More »
The gifting season is here. New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania rank among the highest in hardware and home improvement gift giving, with 77.35 hardware and home improvement gifts given for every 1,000. These three states have some of the …
Read More »
Houzz released findings from its 2026 U.S. Houzz Renovation Plans Report, revealing that renovation demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Around 91% of homeowners say they will move forward with a planned renovation in 2026. Of those who plan …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
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 …
Read More »
Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
