Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are slightly less confident about the economy but are feeling better than last year.

The August 2012 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to 39.2, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The August reading is down from 39.7 in July. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 35.1.

Channel analysis

From May 2011 through April 2012, dollar volume of trimmer sales increased 8.9% to around $845 million, compared with a relatively weak prior-year period, according to consumer research from The NPD Group, based in Port Washington, N.Y. According to the channel breakdown, hardware stores and home centers appear to be gaining at the expense of mass retailers and department stores.            

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumer perception of the economy increased slightly in March, compared with the prior month and the same month last year.

The March figure for the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator measured 40.2, with 0 being “very concerned” and 100 being “very confident.”

Channel analysis

Hand tools, that great infantry of home improvement products, are fighting back. According to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, year-over-year change in the dollar volume of hand tools rose 9.3% to $1.33 billion.

Demographic analysis

Channel analysis

The year 2010 was a year of double-digit declines for lawn mower sales. Happily, 2011 saw an 8.1% increase, according to consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group, though lawn mower sales remain below the 2009 sales of about $3.2 billion. The resurgence is making the biggest impact at warehouse home centers (WHC) and specialty stores, according to the data.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are feeling a little better about the economy, but not as good as they felt last year at this time.

The November 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, increased slightly to an index reading of 37.4, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The November reading is up from 35.9 in October. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 40.5.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group indicates that the home improvement industry grew 2% in the 12 months ended September 2011 compared with 2010. Specialty retailers and online shopping are making significant gains, and hardware stores are also “gaining sales momentum,” the research showed.

Home improvement, as tracked by The NPD Group, includes categories in hand tools, power tools, outdoor power equipment, storage and organization, faucets and shower heads, lighting and electrical, fans, and caulk/glue/adhesives.

There were no mixed signals this time from the NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator. October was down from the previous month, and down ever more from the previous year.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group showed that consumers are increasingly concerned about the economy. The October 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to an index reading of 35.9, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The general perception of the U.S. economy in the eyes of the consumer is slightly better than last month, but slightly worse than last year.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows that consumers remain concerned in September.

The September 2011 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, increased slightly to an index reading of 36.6, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The 2011 HIRI Home Improvement Industry Summit will include a presentation from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group that intends to identify areas of opportunity for manufacturers and retailers.