The MAFSI Business Barometer maintained by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry rose 4.5% in the third quarter from the same quarter in 2012. The gain compares with a record 6.1% jump in the second quarter and a 2.4% increase in the first quarter, the weakest quarter since the Barometer recovered in late 2010. Sales increased 4.3% in the third quarter last year. The Barometer tracks rep’s sales trends.
Supplies and tabletop outperformed equipment sales in the quarter. Tabletop sales surged 5.2% and durable supplies sales rose 4.7%. In contrast, equipment sales were up 4.4% and furnishings sales rose 3.8%. It was the best quarter for furnishings since the second quarter of 2011.
Reps in the West reported the strongest sales gains, up 6.4% overall, with a 7% jump in equipment sales. The Northeast saw the slowest sales with an overall increase of 3.3% and a gain of only 2.5% for equipment. Overall sales in the South increased 4.3%, the Midwest saw a 4.1% gain and sales in Canada were up 5.4%
The trends on quotation and consultant activity also remained positive, with 42% of reps doing more quotations (vs. 20% doing less) and 43% seeing more consultant activity (vs. only 15% seeing less activity.)
The reps’ forecast for the fourth quarter is moderately positive, projected at 4.1%.
The association will release its new expanded report, which tracks sales trends for eight equipment categories, and its forecast for 2014, later in the month.
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