Trends

Keeping the foodservice equipment marketplace up to date with the latest menu and concept trends.

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Reps Project Increased Foodservice Equipment and Supplies Sales in 2018

 

Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies will grow at a rate of 3.7 percent in 2018, according to projections from the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry’s annual forecast.

Looking at sales growth by region: reps in Canada expect sales to increase by 4.6 percent in the coming year, Northeastern U.S. at 4.3 percent, Southern U.S. 3.6 percent, Midwestern U.S. 3.5 percent and the Western U.S. 3.4 percent.

Looking at the reps’ sales projections by product category, MAFSI members project equipment sales to increase 3.8 percent, supplies 3.7 percent, tabletop 3.6 percent and furnishings 3.4 percent. Sales of disposables will increase 3.6 percent, janitorial and sanitation equipment and supplies will increase 3.4 percent and 3.2 percent respectively.

Forty percent of reps report increased activity among foodservice consultants, while 50 percent report no change in consultant activity. Nine percent of reps report a decline in consultant activity. When asked to describe overall quoting activity for the coming year, reps reported the same breakdown as they did for consultant activity. 

Here are the four fastest growing operator segments, according to members of the rep community:

  1. Chain restaurants
  2. School foodservice (K-12)
  3. Healthcare
  4. Business and industry