Support our non-partisan non-profit newsroom 💜 Donate now

How a decline in home sales also trips up retail

May 16, 2023
When people buy new homes, they buy a lot of other things too, like furniture, appliances and electronics. When home buying slows, that can have a real ripple effect on other industries.
Today’s retail sales numbers showed people spent less on things like building materials and garden supplies in April than they did a year ago. Home Depot also reported today that sales dropped in the first quarter.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

On Presidents Day, many elect to shop, despite prices 

Feb 20, 2023
Retail sales were up 3% in January from the month before, but some categories — like building supplies — were mostly flat.
While overall retail sales were up 3% in January from the month before, business at building materials stores was mostly flat.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

What Walmart and Home Depot's rising sales say about consumer sentiment

Aug 16, 2022
Walmart customers are thinking about rising prices. Home Depot customers are thinking about rising interest rates.
A look at Home Depot's sales indicates that people are opting to improve their existing homes rather than buy a new place.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Aging housing stock fuels home improvement boom

Feb 23, 2022
Among the beneficiaries: Lowe's and Home Depot.
Lowe's and Home Depot, chains that sell renovation products, reported strong financial results this week. The trend is tied to the undersupply of new homes.
Mandel Ngan/AFP Getty Images

"What supply chain crisis?" say Target, Walmart and Home Depot

Nov 17, 2021
Target, Walmart and Home Depot told investors they have more than adequate inventory to weather the holidays.
Large retailers including Home Depot, Target and Walmart have all reported well-stocked inventories ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Retailers may get squeezed by home improvement supply shortages

May 19, 2021
There's a limit on how much retailers can raise prices. At some point customers may just walk away.
Home improvement stores have a lot of demand but low supply.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Starbucks and Home Depot permanently raising wages

Nov 19, 2020
A growing number of people across the country and the political spectrum support raising the minimum wage. Is this a sign of a bigger shift?
Starbucks is boosting starting salaries to help attract and retain new employees.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Winter is coming for home improvement retailers

Nov 18, 2020
As people spend less time outdoors, will they keep shopping at places like Home Depot and Lowe's?
A shopper pushes her cart while people wait in line to enter a Home Depot in Marina del Rey, California, earlier this year.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

Home-improvement stores thrive as residents take on projects

May 19, 2020
Home Depot reported a 6% increase in sales and True Value says paint sales are up more than 20% as Americans use lockdown to clean up, paint up, and fix up.
A Home Depot in Miami. The home improvement chain reported a 7% increase in quarterly revenue.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Mild winter and revamp investments boost Home Depot

Feb 25, 2020
Home Depot posted better-than-expected earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter.
Home Depot reported better than expected sales and profits, partly due to a mild winter.
Scott Olson/Getty Images