Paint & Decorating Retailer

PaintCare officially launched its recycling program in Maryland on April 1, 2026. The program allows households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, stain and varnish conveniently and sustainably. Maryland’s paint recycling program was made possible under the paint stewardship law that passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore in …

Navigating the world of retail, I’ve come to realize that managing conflicts, especially with vendors, salespeople and your own team, is not just part of the job—it’s an art. Whether you’re dealing with a change in sales mix, unexpected problems with a product line or personnel performance, it’s rarely you against the “person responsible.” It’s …

Tile trends are moving away from the cool gray and white that have dominated the tile scene and shifting towards natural colors reflecting earth tones and bold statement colors. Tile shape trends are also changing, with more homeowners choosing options that look handmade and are dimensional and mix-and-match. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen …

All retailers “slip” sometimes on most aspects of delivering their customer service. It is natural and unavoidable. But can these slips be neutralized in the minds of your customers? I’ve reviewed hundreds of customer surveys with candid comments about store service. These voices of your customers are quite revealing. Extensive research over the years has …

When it comes to paint sales, dedicating enough time to each customer and their questions while also staying productive and completing daily tasks in a timely manner can be tricky to balance. Small tasks like sampling the paint color on the can provide customers with easy ways to choose the paint shade they’re looking for, …

Consumers have seen price increases across all paint segments, including interior, exterior and exterior stain, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study.  Exterior paint has experienced the largest increase, up $3.22 per gallon. While prices have skyrocketed, consumer satisfaction with value for price paid for exterior was up 14 points (on a …

Behr Paint Company recently announced Taupe as the company’s 2026 exterior stain color of the year. Blending soft brown shades with gray undertones, Taupe delivers a contemporary yet timeless look to outdoor decks, trim and railing. “Taupe brings a sense of harmony and balance to exterior spaces,” says Kayla Kratz, senior director of color & …

PPG and the PPG Foundation recently announced it will invest $10 million to support skilled trade initiatives, with a focus on advanced manufacturing and coatings, through 2030. The funding will support programs at technical and vocational schools, community colleges and other workforce training institutions to equip students with the hands-on training needed for modern manufacturing …

Consumer spending on Easter is expected to reach a record total of $24.9 billion this year, up from the previous record of $24 billion set in 2023, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.  Individual shoppers are expected to spend a record high of $195.59, up …

The Federal Reserve continued its pause on rate reductions, holding the short-term federal funds rate from 3.5% to 3.75%, the level set in December 2025. The Fed stated that “uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated” and “the implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain,” while emphasizing it is …

Canadian-owned paint brand, BeautiTone, recently announced Bark as its 2026 exterior color of the year. A warm, transparent stain that enhances the natural grain of wood, Bark is formulated with UV-resistant pigments designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, resist peeling and cracking and provide protection against moisture damage. “Designed to enrich outdoor living spaces with …

Retail sales in 2026 are expected to grow by 4.4% over 2025 to $5.6 trillion, based on new forecasts released from the National Retail Federation in partnership with Oxford Economics. The announcement was made during NRF’s sixth annual State of Retail & the Consumer virtual event, “Consumer spending was a steady and reliable engine of growth in …

For operations located on the coast or in boating communities, including a marine product section in your store is an essential category for these unique customers. With boating season approaching for many regions, Paint & Decorating Retailer recommends stocking these marine coatings for your boat-owning customers. The Spar Varnish from Rust-Oleum is a clear varnish …

Painter’s Tape (SPONSORED ScotchBlue™ PROSharp™ Painter’s Tape provides the sharpest paint lines yet, thanks to Edge-Lock™+ technology. Designed to handle both indoor and outdoor projects, it provides two times better hold than the original Edge-Lock™ technology, sealing out paint to leave consistently sharp lines across multiple paint types and finishes. 3M | scotchblue.com The post …

Credit and debit card “swipe” fees have reached $198.25 billion, a new record, amid calls by President Trump and others to decrease the fees, according to the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC). “Credit card swipe fees make just about everything Americans buy more expensive,” says MPC executive committee member and National Association of Convenience Stores general …

Paint and decorating retailers traded cold temps for Florida’s sunny skies to attend the ALLPRO 2026 Spring Show at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.  Over the course of three days, retailers discovered new products among the 136 exhibitors, shopped show deals and enjoyed each other’s company, making new friends and solidifying existing relationships. The …

At the ALLPRO 2026 Spring Buying Show, Paint & Decorating Retailer editor Lindsey Thompson explored the show floor, looking for new and exciting products. Here’s what she found: Flake Epoxy Flooring | Torginol Flake™ Flooring systems are renowned for their superior strength, chemical resistance and seamless finish. With a vast array of available blend options, …

The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The February unemployment rate was edged up to 4.4%, showing a slight increase from January. The labor force participation rate in February was reported at 62.0% and the employment-population ratio was 59.3%, both showing little change …

The Pittsburgh Paints Company recently announced its wood care brands has selected Black Oak as its 2026 Stain Color of the year. Inspired by naturally aged wood, Black Oak is a versatile neutral with deep forest tones, bringing warmth and depth to outdoor spaces. “In a world where homeowners are moving away from quick fixes …

Imports at major U.S. container ports are expected to remain below last year’s level for the first half of 2026 amid ongoing tariff uncertainty, although it is too soon to measure the anticipated impact of the conflict in Iran, according to the Global Port Tracker released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. …

Retail sales saw gains in February, with moderate growth month over month and strong growth year over year, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “Despite harsh winter weather, consumer spending grew once again in February, supported by continued wage gains and overall low unemployment levels,” says NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “This was the …

Consumer confidence increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2, up from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January, according to The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index. The Present Situation Index, based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions, decreased to 120.0 in February, down 1.8 points from January. The Expectations Index, based …

Paint industry leaders and elected officials gathered at the Illinois State Capital to discuss the early progress of the new architectural paint recycling program, operated by PaintCare. PaintCare estimates the new program will manage nearly one million gallons of leftover paint in its first year. The program has already signed with 345 partners, including primarily paint …

Looking at how fellow independent home improvement operations are performing throughout the year gives retailers in the channel a benchmark to make improvements to their own 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 performance metrics quarterly. …