E&S Price Changes Remain Restrained, AutoQuotes Data Shows

Foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers continue to raise prices very moderately, according to the latest data from AutoQuotes Inc. List-price changes for AQ’s more than 500 manufacturers and more than 430,000 SKUs from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2013, show average increases of -0.1% for ventilation through 2.8% for cookware. But five other categories have average increases of less than 1%, including warewashing equipment, refrigeration, holding and heated cabinets, serving counters and shelving.

Average increases for the big cooking category for the six months was 1.5%, while ice-machine prices rose 1.4%, beverage equipment and food prep were up 1.2% each and tabletop products averaged a 1.8% increase.

“There just isn’t much upward pressure on E&S prices,” AQ Pres. Kent Motes told Foodservice Equipment Reports.

On the other hand, Motes said 137 manufacturers raised prices in January, the largest number of manufacturers raising prices since 2009. In comparison, 112 manufacturers raised prices in January 2013 and 108 in 2012.

For the 12-month period ended June 30, 2013, average prices rose only 2.1%, while they were only 2.2% higher in the year earlier period.

For information on AutoQuotes information products, go to aqnet.com.

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