Volume 19 Issue 3

March 25, 2008

RECESSION MARKETING PRIMER

Cut wisely and stay focused and are among the techniques marketing guru Drew Neisser shares in an article regarding marketing during challenging economic times.  Read the full article here: http://www.renegade.com/pr_pdfs/iMedia2138R.pdf

VALSPAR ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

William L. Mansfield, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Minneapolis Minnesota based Valspar Corporation, announced that the company's board of directors has appointed Gary E. Hendrickson as president and Chief Operating Officer. The company also announced that Paul C. Reyelts, executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer, will retire at the end of 2009. Lori A. Walker, currently vice president, treasurer and controller, has been appointed senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer. Valspar also appointed Tracy C. Jokinen vice president and controller, and Tyler N. Treat vice president and treasurer. All appointments are effective immediately. http://www.valsparglobal.com/corp/news/view_news_detail.jsp?newsid=43905

2008 DESIGN IDEA CENTER AT KITCHEN AND BATH SHOW

The National Kitchen and Bath Association and Meredith Corporation have partnered for the third consecutive year to create the 2008 Design Idea Center at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference April 11-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The 10,000 square-foot Design Idea Center (Booth #4058 in the South Hall) features kitchen and bath designs from five of Meredith's most popular consumer brands -- Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Better Homes and Gardens, Traditional Home, Country Home and Midwest Living.  In the 2008 Design Idea Center titled "Your Kitchen. Your Bath. Your Way. Designs for Every Lifestyle and Life Stage," each brand has created a fresh and unique look that addresses the needs of women as they progress through life. Whether she's a young professional, a new mother, mom-on-the-go or an active empty-nester, this year's Design Idea Center provides useful and stylish spaces for her life, her way. Other trends include eco-friendly design, spaces to entertain, aging-in-place, indoor/outdoor living, technology, organization and storage.

MOMS EMBRACE ONLINE

According to a 2007 survey cited in emarketer, 86 percent of women who had at least one child in their household go online. Read Full Report: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006020

BUILDING PERMITS

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 978,000. This is 7.8 percent below the revised January rate of 1,061,000 and is 36.5 percent below the revised February 2007 estimate of 1,541,000. Single-family authorizations in February were at a rate of 639,000; this is 6.2 percent below the January figure of 681,000.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 295,000 in February.  Read the full report here: http://www.census.gov/const/www/newresconstindex.html

HOUSING STARTS

Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,065,000.  This is 0.6 percent  below the revised January estimate of 1,071,000 and is 28.4 percent below the revised February 2007 rate of 1,487,000.  Single-family housing starts in February were at a rate of 707,000; this is 6.7 percent below the January figure of 758,000.  The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 331,000. Read the full report here: http://www.census.gov/const/www/newresconstindex.html

HOUSING COMPLETIONS

Privately-owned housing completions in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,208,000.  This is 8.8 percent below the revised January estimate of 1,324,000 and is 25.8 percent below the revised February 2007 rate of 1,628,000.  Single-family housing completions in February were at a rate of 903,000; this is 9.4 percent below the January figure of 997,000.  The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 279,000. Read the full report here: http://www.census.gov/const/www/newresconstindex.html

TREND WATCH: PREVIEWING 2009 HOT HUES & STYLES

Trend watchers see colors ranging from lilac mauve to cool olive in 2009, with purple most prevalent, and patterns varying from groovy psychedelic to crisp country. Metallic and neutrals are still in, but soft contemporary is out, and “Love That Pink” is a new banner color. During her recent Trendwatch Live! seminar at the Las Vegas Market home furnishings trade show, Michelle Lamb examined emerging trends in the fashion and furniture worlds. Lamb is co-founder and chairman of Marketing Directions, Inc., senior editor of The Trend Curve and contributor to Accessory Merchandising. Lamb highlighted six color palettes and noted the returning importance of the color purple: Porcelain Pales, Natural Mid-values, Mythological Mid-values, Tranquil Deeps, Primary School, and Glossy Brights.  Other trends to watch for include metals, are now being translated into modern metallic finishes and textures with high energy and lots of visual excitement. Metallics will be especially important in 2009, since neutrals will be so dominant.

UPCOMING DISTRIBUTOR SHOW DATES & EVENTS

TIME

“If you are in a hurry you will never get there.”

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