The overall impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on kitchen and bath businesses has remained steady, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Demand for kitchen and bath services, particularly design services, has increased steadily in recent weeks. NKBA's weekly survey polls building and construction professionals, designers, manufacturers, and retailers in the kitchen and bath space about the effects of COVID-19 on their business and demand for their services.
Among the four member segments, all groups’ rating remained under 6.9 (out of 10). Building and construction pros were the only group who said the impact was greater this week compared to the June 4 survey, rating it at 6.8 from 6.2. Last week, however, their rating fell a full point, so it’s possible that an initial surge of business after many states started reopening eased slightly this week. Designers said the shutdown’s impact fell by 0.2 to 6.5; manufacturers reported no change, at 6.3, and retailers’ rating edged down by 0.1 to 6.6.
There was encouraging news about demand. Overall, 48% of respondents said demand was increasing, up nine percentage points from last week. Just 11% said demand was falling, down six points.
Designers showed a 12-point bump, with 43% reporting demand on the rise and 18% saying demand was decreasing, a two-point dip. Manufacturers and builders each broke the 50% mark, with 51% of manufacturers and 52% of builders reporting increased demand. Each of these reflected a seven-point hike. Retailers who said demand was on the upswing rose by five percentage points, to 47%.
It’s reasonable to assume that as economies in more areas begin to open up, more business will begin to return as well. Remodelers are increasingly being permitted to return to in-home job sites, and designers are being enlisted to evaluate remodeling projects as states reduce restrictions.
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