The Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI), produced jointly by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and John Burns Real Estate Consulting, reported that sales rose 3.2 points from Q1 to 44.2 in the second quarter. A score of 50 indicates flat sales growth. The index measuring current conditions was 31.1, down from 46.9 in Q1. The indicator measuring future conditions skyrocketed 42.1 points from the first quarter to 61.9 in Q2. The effects of COVID-19 on the kitchen and bath industry have eased with year-end predictions shrinking from -13.7% in Q1 to -4.4% in Q2.
Of those surveyed, 78% reported requests by clients for lower price points and 79% asked for smaller projects. The industry is reporting increased demand of 89% for repairs and replacements, 99% for DIY assistance and 98% for wellness products. Within the wellness product category, 34% of companies reported increased interest in antimicrobial countertops or surfaces and 30% requested easy-to-clean flat panel cabinetry.
Supply chain issues continued to persist for 59% of surveyed companies. Respondents that specify flooring were the most likely to indicate supply chain problems at 63%, with cabinet specifiers at 61% and countertops at 60%.
The Q2 report is based on findings from 624 NKBA members across four primary industry segments: design, building and construction, retail sales and manufacturing. See NKBA
