The Impact on Imports


3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:39pm

The domestic housing downturn, which has had a predictably harsh impact on retail sales of home furnishings in general, has finally put a dent in imports of lighting fixtures.
That is somewhat surprising, because imports to this country do not necessarily follow the trajectory of retail sales. A steadily weakening U.S. currency requires importers to spend more for even the same amount of units they took in the year before: the weaker the dollar, the more are needed to buy goods.

Should the Buyers Beware?


3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:37pm

By Nancy Meyer
Lighting retailers across the channels are being affected by today’s tough economy.
The two lighting market-share leaders, Home Depot and Lowe’s, have cut back on store growth and are focusing on managing inventories, according to vendors. Extreme sales weakness in lighting is reflected in much smaller orders, they said. Sources estimate a double-digit sales decline in lighting for Home Depot, and a high-single-digit decline at Lowe’s in 2007, compared with the prior year. The outlook for 2008 is even bleaker, sources told HFN.

Dimming the Lights


3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:36pm

The portable lamp business decreased by 8 percent in 2007 as a reflection of the overall malaise at retail.
The category, which encompasses all manner of styles, from basic student desk lamps to high-end crystal designs to statuesque floor lamps, accounted for an estimated $1.86 billion at retail, down from $2 billion the year before.
In terms of distribution, the specialty channel maintained its share of the market. That channel includes the home decor superstores, linens and office products superstores, as well as the lighting showrooms and boutiques.

Fixtures in a Fix


3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:36pm

By Nancy Meyer
The hardwire lighting business has fallen on hard times.
Directly attributable to the sharp decrease in new home construction and a subsequent decline in remodeling, the lighting fixture business plummeted 15 percent in 2007, to $2.6 billion, from more than $3.1 billion in 2006.
Consumers are putting off spending money on lighting fixtures, a purchase that involves a lot of forethought and planning.

Can Brighter Days Return?


3 Thu, 05/29/2008 - 3:34pm

By Nancy Meyer
The outlook has dimmed in the residential lighting market, as vendors and retailers come to grips with the most challenging economic environment in memory.
What’s different today from past recessions is the depth of the housing and credit crisis, coupled with extreme pressures from China that make getting product at reasonable prices very difficult. Price quotes change weekly and a significant number of factories are shutting down, leaving vendors scrambling to get goods.

Brighter Days Ahead?


3 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 4:50pm

All stories by Nancy Meyer
As the lighting industry gathers for its semiannual market in Dallas, executives said they’re concerned about oversupply and will focus on managing their businesses in a very tough economy.
While some call this economic situation a “downturn,” others are calling it a crisis. Either way, it may be keeping some retailers from venturing to the Dallas Market, vendors told HFN.
Retailers making the trip, however, are serious about getting help from vendors to drive sales in their stores.