Trends

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MAFSI Projects 2016 Sales Increase

Only 6 percent of reps report a decline in consultant activity.

 The Manufacturers Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry project sales of foodservice equipment and supplies will increase 4.5 percent in 2016. This represents a 0.4 percent increase over the reps projected sales totals for 2015, according to the MAFSI Business Barometer’s third quarter report.

Compared to the same period last year, foodservice equipment and supplies sales increased 5 percent during the third quarter of 2015, MAFSI reported. In addition, the participating MAFSI members project a 4.3 percent sales increase for the fourth quarter of 2015.

For the third quarter of 2015, MAFSI members reported a 5.5 percent increase in tabletop sales, 5.2 percent increase in equipment sales, 4.5 percent increase in supplies sales and 2.9 percent increase in the sales of furnishings. By region, the Northeast posted the strongest increase at 5.2 percent, followed closely by the West at 5.1 percent, Midwest at 4.7 percent, South at 3.8 percent and Canada at 2 percent.

Reps’ remain relatively optimistic about the future. One factor likely fueling this upbeat perspective is the fact that only 6 percent of reps report a decline in consultant activity. In contrast, 38 percent report an increase in activity with foodservice consultants.

Looking ahead to next year, MAFSI projects sales in the Midwest and Western regions will increase 5 percent, 4.4 percent in the south, 3.9 percent in the Northeast and 3.4 percent in Canada.