MAFSI Barometer Rebounds In First Quarter

After a year of moderate gains, the MAFSI Business Barometer surged in the first quarter of 2015, rising 4.7%. It was the largest increase for the indicator since the fourth quarter 2013 and follows a 2.9% gain in the fourth quarter last year. The Barometer is maintained by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry. It tracks sales changes reported by the association’s members.

Three of the four major product categories posted strong gains. Equipment and durable-supplies sales rose 5% each, while tabletop products were up 5.6%. Furnishing sales trailed, posting only a 0.4% gain. Furnishings account for only 6% of total sales. Among the equipment subcategories, refrigeration and ice-machine sales jumped 6.7% while sales of primary cooking equipment were up 5.1%. Warewashing- and sanitation-equipment and ventilation sales lagged, up only 2.9% and 0.1%, respectively.

The regional disparities that have characterized the Barometer recently moderated during the first quarter. The Midwest saw the strongest gain, up 6% overall. Sales rose 5.6% in the West and 5.1% in Canada. Sales gains were slower in the South and the Northeast, with increases of 4.3% and 3% respectively.

Quotation and consultant activities remained strong, boding well for sales the remainder of the year, with 58% of reps reporting they are quoting more and 49% reporting more consultant activity. The forecast for sales in the second quarter was a strong 4.6%.

The complete MAFSI Business Barometer is available at mafsi.org.

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