Paint & Decorating Retailer

Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, up from last year’s $11.6 billion and the previous record of $12.2 set in 2023, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics. “Even with concerns about price increases due to tariffs, Halloween continues to …

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building (PWB) week will take place from September 15-19, 2025, highlighting the roles women play in the residential construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of women in construction grew from 929,000 in 2015 to 1,343,000 in 2024. NAHB will be …

The Federal Reserve reduced interest rates for the first time since December amid the risk of rising unemployment, and announced more cuts would follow in response to the declining labor market. Interest rates decreased by a quarter of a percentage point, from the 4.00%-4.25% range. “There are no risk-free paths…it’s not incredibly obvious what to …

The Home Improvement Research Institute announced the findings from its latest U.S. Size of the Home Improvement Products Market report, including a revised downward forecast for market growth in 2025 due to continued macroeconomic challenges. The total home improvement market is now projected to grow by 2.5% in 2025, a reduction from the 3.4% growth …

The Krylon brand recently announced Matte Coffee Bean as its 2026 Color of the Year, a dark neutral speaking to the growing preference for spaces that feel both calm and connected to nature. “Matte Coffee Bean adds dimension with a natural, grounded allure, aligning with today’s increasing appeal of organic minimalism,” says Lisbeth Parada, Krylon …

C2 Paint recently announced Epernay as its 2026 Color of the Year. The soft ochre shade is named after the French village known for its rolling vineyards and limestone architecture and described as reflecting hues of sunlit stone, vintage textiles and champagne. “C2 Epernay has long been tied to European influences and is now emerging …

The Canadian business of Pittsburgh Paints Company recently announced it will become an independent company, renamed Canadian Industries Limited (CIL). “Launching CIL as an independent Canadian company will allow us to move faster, serve customers better and invest more intentionally in the Canadian market,” says Brian Carson, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Paints Co. “This …

Florida Paints recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest location in Sanford, Florida. The celebration at the new store featured discounts on selected products, vendor displays, giveaways, complimentary food for guests and a flooring pro show with tips and demonstrations. “Florida deserves paint that’s built for Florida,” says Don Strube, Florida Paints co-founder and …

Retail spending grew in August as consumers purchased school supplies and attempted to get ahead of rising tariffs that could begin to affect prices, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. Total retail sales were up 0.5% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 6.81% unadjusted year over year in August. That …

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently opened online registration and housing for the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS).  The largest annual light construction trade show will take place in Orlando, Florida, from February 17-19, 2025. This will be the show’s final year in Orlando before relocating to Las Vegas in 2027. “As …

Import cargo volume at major U.S. container ports is expected to decline steadily for the remainder of 2025 amid rising tariffs, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Global Port Tracker report. “We have seen the implementation of reciprocal tariffs across the globe, with a number of key trading partners being subjected to tariffs higher …

Dunn-Edwards recently announced its 2026 Color Trends, a collection of nine trending colors and eight neutral shades. The palette draws inspiration from nature and balances warm and cool tones, reflecting the landscape of rapidly evolving AI and technology. “Historically, Dunn-Edwards has released an expansive palette for its annual Color Trends. This year, we’ve decided to …

Job growth in August slowed as the unemployment rate rose to the highest level in four years, signaling a continued cooling in the U.S. labor market, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Eye on Housing report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Situation Summary reported 22,000 new jobs added in August, …

Ten states and the District of Columbia had significant year-over-year increases in total retail sales excluding nonstore retailers in May 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Monthly State Retail Sales report. On average, total retail sales were up 1.8% year over year in May 2025. States that saw the most change include Nevada (7.0%), …

Diamond Vogel recently announced it is implementing a strategic shift in its approach to the architectural coatings market. The company will exit the retail space and divest its company-owned retail stores. Spectrum Paint will acquire Diamond Vogel’s architectural paint business across 11 locations and will assume operations at eight stores in central Iowa. “In today’s …

With 150 days as the new CEO of Pittsburgh Paint Co. under his belt, Brian Carson has already navigated two major price increases, a volatile market and shifting consumer expectations. Carson sat down with Paint & Decorating Retailer to share his insights on the last five months and what’s on deck for the next five …

According to data from The Farnsworth Group’s Paint Market: Trends and Sustainability Study, pros and homeowners continue to choose specialty paint stores for their painting needs, especially when looking for quality products. To capture this market share, be sure to stock a variety of paint brands and formulas to boost sales and ensure customers have …

Understanding how independent home improvement operations are performing throughout the year helps retailers in the channel compare themselves to others and use that data to make improvements to their operations. Since 2022, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has partnered with The Farnsworth Group to produce the Independent Retailer Index, which tracks key …

For paint professionals, maintaining a clean workspace is essential in presenting themselves in a professional way and earning repeat customers, and for DIYers, dealing with mess during projects is a hassle. Investing time and money in your cleanup product category can result in increased sales and higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Meldrim’s Paint Center has …

Honoring a family legacy of military service, John Azaltovic served in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 2004 on submarines as a culinary specialist. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Navy as a SeaBee during Vietnam and both of his grandfathers who each served in the Navy during World …

Onebeat, an AI-driven inventory optimization platform, and Zipline, a retail execution and communication platform, have joined forces to offer a strategic integration designed to help retailers close the gap between strategy and in-store performance. By combining real-time, SKU-level inventory decisions with seamless store communication and execution, the partnership gives retailers a more responsive, aligned and …

Dutch Boy Paints announced Melodious Ivory as its 2026 Color of the Year. The shade is a soft, creamy beige offering a versatile foundation to complement a variety of interior styles. “Our 2026 Color of the Year invites homeowners to embrace what matters most—comfort, quality and connection,” says Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager, Dutch Boy …

Potential home buyers continue to be deterred by high mortgage rates, rising construction costs and economic uncertainty, according to an analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Newly built single-family home sales dropped 0.6% in July, falling to 652,000 annually, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. …

The Pittsburgh Paints Company announced Warm Mahogany as its 2026 Color of the Year, a rich red shade with brown undertones. “In 2026, we anticipate consumers will embrace opportunities to rest, rejuvenate and connect with others, prioritizing their wellness across all aspects of their lives,” says Ashley McCollum, color expert at The Pittsburgh Paints Company. …