Consumer Clutter Equals Gold for $1.5 Billion Garage and Shed Products Market

New York, March 9, 2007 — With U.S. home ownership at peak levels and consumer spending running rampant, America’s clutter has become a virtual goldmine for garage and shed storage product manufacturers and distributors. The market for such products has been robust, estimated at more than $1.5 billion in 2006 by market research firm SBI in a new report entitled Garage and Storage Shed Trends in the U.S., which shows a market experiencing double-digit growth annually since 2002.

SBI projects that retail sales of garage storage products—including everything from cabinets and shelves to containers and storage carts—rang up approximately $1 billion, with sales of sheds reaching $520 million in 2006. However, the slowing housing market will impact future sales with growth rates anticipated at 5% pointing the market towards $1.9 billion in 2011.

Playing into America’s compulsion to collect clutter and organize it are several trends analyzed by the report including the resurgence of “cocooning” after 9/11 when home became a safe sanctuary. Working at home and crafting helped transform garages into multi-purpose rooms that are showcases for neighborhood envy, and the latest organizational and storage products play heavily into the desire to have the biggest and most functional garage.

Manufacturers have taken note, creating new product lines to compete with already established organizations that expanded from in-home closet products to garage products. Numerous mergers and co-branding initiatives have taken place industrywide creating a niche market with a sense of style and purpose all of its own.

“This is a highly consumer-driven market, which should grow as remodeling continues to be a priority,” notes Tatjana Meerman, Managing Editor of SBI. “We expect easier-to-assemble and affordable products to be hitting the shelves, as well as customized items and services designed to maximize space and meet specialty needs.”

A comprehensive market assessment, Garage and Storage Shed Trends in the U.S. identifies key issues and trends affecting the marketplace and profiles major marketers along with manufacturer and retailer strategies. The report is available from SBI by visiting: http://www.sbireports.com/Garage-Storage-Shed-1352552. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Specialists in Business Information
SBI, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports in construction, materials, and consumer goods markets. For more information visit http://www.sbireports.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.