Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2014 28 "From the comments on the Remodeling Business Pulse survey, pent-up demand continues to drive the current remodeling market," said Tom O'Grady, CR, CKBR, chairman of NARI's Strategic Planning & Research Committee and president of O'Grady Builders, based in Drexel Hill, PA. "The general sense is that consumers are tired of waiting and feel more secure about spending money, which is also reflected in the higher values in jobs sold." Growth indicators in the third quarter of 2013 are as follows (rating is from 1 to 9, where 1 is much worse than a year ago and 9 is much better; 5 is about the same as last year): • Current business conditions was rated 6.41 (from 6.31 last quarter) • Number of inquiries up was rated 6.55 (from 6.50 from last quarter) • Requests for bids remained the same as last quarter, at 6.45 • Conversion of bids to jobs was rated 6.00 (from 5.91 last quarter) • Value of jobs sold was rated 6.31 (from 6.12 from last quarter) One interesting note in this second year of the survey is that going into the fourth quarter of the year, remodelers tend to be more cautious in their outlook—that rating fell 3.2 percent from last quarter, though at 6.12, it's still higher than the 2012 low of 5.34. "As we enter the holiday season, inquiries about projects don't slow, but the conversion rate inquiries to sales tends to, which has been reflected in the last two third-quarter Remodeling Business Pulse surveys," said O'Grady. "It's hard to judge for sure, after consumers spend money during the holidays, how serious they will be in the new year to get that remodeling project under way." Other significant contributors to overall activity: • Postponed projects continue to be the key factor in remodeling business growth, at 85 percent • Improving home prices came in at the secondary, at 72 percent of respondents (up from 65 percent last quarter) • Certainty about the future moved into the No. 3 spot, at 48 percent (edging out economic growth, which came in at No. 3 in the second quarter) "Weather continues to impact sales regionally," O'Grady says. "But another reason that stood out was that successful remodelers spent time refining their processes and skills." To review the research in its entirety, please send your request to marketing@nari.org. NARI is the source for homeowners seeking to hire a professional remodeling contractor. Members are full-time, dedicated remodelers who follow a strict code of ethics with high standards of honesty, integrity and responsibility. Visit the NARI.org site to get tips on how to hire a remodeling professional and to search for NARI members in your area. AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY AND WORLD ALLIANCE FOR RETAIL EXCELLENCE & STANDARDS ™ AN NOU NCE ACADE M IC R E LATIONSH I P American Public University (APU) and the World Alliance for Retail Excellence & Standards announced a strategic relationship designed to create greater access to academic programs and resources for Alliance member companies and their employees, highlighting their shared recognition and commitment toward the critical role of education in the long-term success of the retail industry. The University will develop a library portal that will provide Alliance members access to retail sector and related resources. World Alliance will grant APU faculty access to its private research clearing house and extend opportunities for APU faculty to write and contribute white papers on leading trends, opportunities and challenges experienced by professionals within the various retail industry sectors. As a comple- ment to these efforts, APU faculty will also have the opportunity to present at World Alliance Annual Retail Merchandising & Marketing conferences to further assist World Alliance in its efforts to provide affordable and quality academic and professional development options for its members. "Our programs are highly relevant to today's retail professional because we provide an academically rigorous program that provides the skills needed for a long-term career in the industry," said Kevin Forehand, APU program director for retail management. "We welcome the contributions of World Alliance members to the conversations and learning experiences in our online classrooms." "American Public University has proven its commitment to helping educate the broad diversity of retail industry professionals," said Tom Caddell, executive director of the World Alliance. "As a key ally, the university will help us serve the broader retail industry by providing an array of resources and educational opportunities that help members to become more effective and efficient." APU's retail management programs are designed in consultation with industry advisory councils to prepare students for the rigors of effective leadership in the global retail environment. Through a combination of applicable skills and theoretical knowledge, classes address critical retail management subjects in addition to interpersonal, managerial, human resource, and leadership communications and critical thinking. In a recent video, Retail Management faculty member Paul Potter offers insight into the program experience. To learn more, visit www.worldalliance-retail.org. continued on page 62 continued from page 24 I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ]

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