While recent hurricanes amplified concerns about labor and construction material costs, builder confidence remains firm. Not even floods, geo-political threat of thermonuclear conflict or $1,000 iPhones could test the resilience and passion at The Glass, Window & Door Expo in Atlanta last week.
The S&P500 index made a new all-time high and tapped its second-strongest trajectory in history, while Nasdaq recorded its first-ever close above 6,000. GlassBuild exhibitors we surveyed expect business conditions to continue to improve over the next six months with the (global) economy growing amid low interest rates. Many of the new glass product introductions on the show floor were clearly positioned to feature improved water and impact resistance — as conversations focused on the southeastern storms, that contributed adversely to attendance projections.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence survey reached its second-highest level since the dot com boom year of Y2K. And the Consumer Price Index posted its largest rise since January… with signs of continuing growth and the faintest hints of inflation momentum. Households are beginning to open their pocket books as evidenced by even retail sales rising with their biggest gain for the year, reflecting renewed comfort for the expansion of household debt.
We’re looking forward to participating with our industry partners, influencers and clients at The Remodeling Show / Deck Expo in Nashville next month. Please contact me to review your 2018 plans for sales and marketing alignment together at the show.
