Quikrete Industry Dashboard: March sales

The Quikrete Industry Dashboard, mid-April 2022 edition, includes an update form the U.S. Census Bureau that shows sales for building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (NAICS 444) jumped more than 30 percent on an unadjusted basis from February to March.

It’s not unusual for Spring sales to kick into high gear in the building supply and hardware business. And according to the National Retail Federation, sales held steady even in the face of geopolitical turmoil and high inflation.

“We believe the strength of the consumer can carry the economy through this considerable economic uncertainty,” said NRF CEO and President Matthew Shay.

Elsewhere on the latest version of the Quikrete Industry Dashboard, gas prices actually dropped significantly, albeit the national average for a gallon of regular remains above the $4 mark.  Last month, the American Automobile Association cited gas at $4.32 per gallon. The current level is $4.07.

To put that price-drop in perspective: A year ago, the price for a gallon of gas at the pump was $2.86.

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Coming up: Monthly residential construction figures will be updated April 19, with existing home sales released April 20.