NEW YORK-- According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), kitchen and bath dealers remain undeterred following a challenging quarter across various industry market conditions including showroom visits, sales volumes, remodeling budgets, and revenue. The NKBA Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI), which forecasts the confidence of kitchen and bath dealers on a scale of -60 to +60, is +21 for Q3 2011. While positive, the +21 KMBI is down slightly from +33 and +37 during the second and first quarter of 2011, respectively.

“Despite relatively flat market conditions during the second quarter, the kitchen and bath dealers did report positive increases in revenue quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, which certainly helps encourage cautious optimism,” stated Bill Darcy, executive vice president of the NKBA. “However, the reality of high unemployment and low consumer spending suggest that the kitchen and bath industry along with many others will continue to face a tough road in the near future.”

NKBA KBMI Methodology

The NKBA KBMI is determined by averaging expectations of NKBA member kitchen and bath dealers during the next quarter based on expected increases (+1), decreases (-1) or no change (0) in each market condition. That total is divided by the number of dealers surveyed and multiplied by 10, which gives the KBMI a range of -60 (pessimistic) to +60 (optimistic). The NKBA KBMI surveys approximately 150 kitchen and bath dealers across North America each quarter.

NKBA KBMI Highlights

• Showroom visits

          - Down 18 percent from previous quarter; up 15 percent from previous year

          -51 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 5 percent anticipate a decline

• Kitchen remodels sales volume

         -Up 1 percent from previous quarter; up 21 percent from previous year

        -55 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 4 percent anticipate a decline

• Kitchen remodeling prices

        -Up 11 percent from previous quarter; down 6 percent from previous year

• 18 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 7 percent anticipate a decline

        -Bathroom remodel sales volume

• Up 2 percent from previous quarter; up 7 percent from previous year

• 44 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 2 percent anticipate a decline

        -Bathroom remodeling prices

• Down 13 percent from previous quarter; down 15 percent from previous year

• 18 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 6 percent anticipate a decline

          -Kitchen and bath revenue

• Up 6 percent from previous quarter; up 8 percent from previous year

• 49 percent anticipate an increase in Q3; 8 percent anticipate a decline

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, an extensive glossary of remodeling terms, and illustrations and explanations of planning guidelines. At NKBA.org, consumers can also find certified kitchen and bath professionals in their areas, submit questions to NKBA experts, and order the free NKBA Kitchen Planner and NKBA Bath Planner. To learn more, visit the NKBA Press Room at NKBA.org/Press or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).



Source: National Kitchen & Bath Association