Paint & Decorating Retailer

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. …

Minwax recently announced Special Walnut as its 2026 Color of the Year, an earth-toned stain and a popular shade among customers. “With wood emerging as a key element in interior design—from furniture and flooring to cabinetry and architectural details—there’s a renewed appreciation for finishes that enhance its natural character,” says Lisbeth Parada, color and design …

More than 50% of homeowners are now taking on DIY projects, according to data from the Farnsworth Group’s Quarterly Homeowner Activity Tracker. To keep up with the influx of DIYers taking on projects like wood staining, check out these five products DIYers are looking for to help complete their projects. The Stain Pad from MaKRS …

Behr recently named Hidden Gem, a dark green with shades of blue, as its 2026 Color of the Year. As customers come to your stores looking for advice on color trends, Paint & Decorating Retailer has compiled four alternatives to Hidden Gem to help keep your customers on-trend. Stemmed Green This shade from Dutch Boy …

Paint Shield The PS2 Paint Shield from Allway Tools is a polystyrene trim guide fitted with a sonically welded 12-inch stainless-steel edge. It provides a straight, easy-to-clean cutting edge to protect molding, glass, ceilings and other non-painted areas from splatter and overpainting. The sturdy yet lightweight design maintains form under pressure and simplifies The post …

Sherwin-Williams shared its Q2 2025 financial results, showing total net sales of $6.31 billion, a 0.7% increase year over year. The company attributes the increase to higher sales in its paint store group (PSG), to selling price increases. Sherwin-Williams also posted a comparable store sales increase in its PSG of 0.8%, down 2.4% year over …

Embodying leadership, grit and a passion for the independent channel, this year’s Young Retailer of the Year honorees prove that the future of the industry is in good hands.  The Young Retailer of the Year program, now in its 29th year, identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating …

PPG announced the appointment of Joe Gette to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of the company, effective January 1, 2026. Gette currently serves as vice president, deputy general counsel and secretary.  Gette joined PPG in 2005 as an assistant counsel and has served in regional operations as the lead transnational lawyer for the …

Retail spending increased in July as consumers sought out summer sales to purchase goods before additional tariffs take effect, according to the National Retail Federation’s CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. July sales in the building and garden supplies sector increased 1.32% seasonally adjusted month over month, but were down 4.11% year over year unadjusted. Total retail sales …

Behr Paint Company recently revealed its 2026 color of the year, Hidden Gem. The color is a smoky jade green, blending shades of blue and green. “Now more than ever, there’s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of …

A U.S. judge from North Dakota has vacated the Federal Reserve’s credit card swipe fee regulation that capped the amount banks can charge merchants for processing transactions. The ruling says swipe fees set by the Federal Reserve set the cap too high, causing financial stress for small- to mid-size retailers. The summary judgment granted was …

Valspar recently announced Warm Eucalyptus as its 2026 Color of the Year.  Warm Eucalyptus reflects a naturally restorative and serene feel, offering a calm and grounding design.  “Warm Eucalyptus is more than just a beautiful shade of green, it’s a reflection of the comfort we crave in our homes,” says Sue Kim, director of color …

The American housing market is facing a persistent shortage with home prices reaching record highs as affordability has decreased, according to an analysis by the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Eye on Housing. New home construction has not kept up with population growth and household formation, especially following the surge of demand following the …

The Sherwin-Williams Company recently announced its 2026 Colormix Trend Forecast Anthology Volume Two, the second iteration of the company’s biennial approach to the annual color trend report. This iteration focuses on color evolution and featuring four expertly curated palettes developed with both residential and commercial design in mind. The collection, organized by color families, contains …