ATLANTA–The Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) has released their Second Quarter 2015 Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer; a member-sourced report compiling intelligence from the leading sales and marketing agencies in the commercial foodservice industry across the United States and Canada.
Overall sales for North America for Q2 2015 compared with Q2 2014 grew by a vigorous 5.1 percent, much stronger than the 4.6 percent level forecasted in the previous quarter’s Barometer Report.
Rapid growth was led by the West and Midwest at 6.2 percent, while the South grew by 5.1 percent. The Northeast lagged at 3.0 percent, and Canada trailed at 2.9 percent.
Compared to the second quarter of 2014, there were moderate regional variations within the aggregate Equipment Group: 7.0 percent in the West, 6.5 percent in the Midwest, 5.1 percent in the South, 3.0 percent in the Northeast, and 2.6 percent in Canada.
In the US and Canada, foodservice equipment sub?category sales varied from 6.4 percent Refrigeration and Ice Machines, 5.5 percent Primary Cooking, 5.3 percent Food Preparation, 4.9 percent Serving, 4.4 percent Storage and Handling, 3.8 percent Ventilation, and 3.6 percent in Warewashing/Sanitation.
Fifty-one percent of MAFSI rep members reported “More Quoting Activity” in the second quarter, which is 7.0 percent below the previous quarter. Thirty-nine percent of members report “More Foodservice Consultant Activity,” down from 49 percent in the previous quarter. Overall, prospects for third quarter sales are less robust with a 4.3 percent forecast.
“The Foodservice Equipment and Supply market continues on its eight-year best since the recession. That said, the forecast numbers quickly reveal we may have reached the ‘high water’ mark for the time being,” said MAFSI Executive Director, Alison Cody.
“The indicators remain strong, and the commercial foodservice market is still adjusting to a stronger economy. Factory lead times are growing as the demand for products and supplies remain strong. The current pendulum may finally be swinging away from price, and straight to availability.”
The MAFSI Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer is a proprietary, member-only benefit compiled solely by the members of MAFSI. To obtain a copy of the full report of the second quarter Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer, any past and future Barometer reports, or the 2015 MAFSI Commercial Foodservice Market Forecast, please call 404-214-9474, email info@mafsi.org, or visit www.mafsi.org.
About MAFSI
The Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) is a 65 year-old, professional trade association comprised of 250+ independent sales and marketing agencies and 240+ manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment, supplies, tabletop and furnishings. Representing over 2,400 sales and marketing professionals and manufacturing executives across North America, MAFSI provides market forecasting, networking and partnership opportunities, industry stewardship, education and resources, and member advocacy for the $10 billion commercial foodservice equipment, supply, tabletop, and furniture industry. For more information about MAFSI, please call 404-214-9474, email info@mafsi.org, or visit www.mafsi.org.
About The MAFSI Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer
The quarterly MAFSI Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer is one of the foodservice industry’s foremost snap shots of market dynamics on the non-food side, as well as sales and quoting projections. Cited in countless media outlets, and relied on by many Wall St. investment firms, the MAFSI Commercial Foodservice Business Barometer covers all pertinent areas of non-food foodservice items including equipment, supplies, tabletop, and furnishings. Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, the Barometer Report included market data for seven additional equipment sub-categories including primary cooking equipment, refrigeration and ice machines, storage and handling equipment, food preparation equipment, serving equipment, warewashing and sanitation, and ventilation.
Source: Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI)
