CHICAGO – The NAFCD Quarterly Sales Trends Report, a robust benchmarking and forecasting tool, has provided NAFCD members with invaluable data on distributors and manufacturers for nearly two years. The report provides data and insights into near term and regional demand trends, sales forecasts and other industry issues. NAFCD is pleased to announce the release of the Q1 2015 report.

Initial 2015 sales growth forecasts are positive with NAFCD distributors forecasting six percent growth versus three percent growth in 2014. NAFCD manufacturers currently expect to maintain the eleven percent growth rate posted in 2014. NAFCD members are anticipating 5-6% profit growth on average in 2015.

Distributor-specific insights from the report show that input costs are expected to increase two percent in 2015, similar to the increase in 2014. Profits are forecast to increase six percent for distributors in 2015, a two point improvement compared to 2014. Distributors are anticipating lower fuel prices to add 0.7 points of growth in 2015.

The Q1 2015 growth forecast for manufacturers has increased moderately over the past thirty days. Manufacturer cost outlooks are also modestly higher since early 4Q. Over eighty percent of manufacturers plan to add headcount in 2015 despite over seventy percent of manufacturers citing difficulty finding quality candidates. Additionally, seventy percent of manufacturers plan to add distributors in 2015.

"Sixty percent of manufacturers feel better about growth prospects in 2015 compared to the same time last year," stated Kevin Gammonley, NAFCD executive vice president. "We are thrilled to deliver customized data to both our manufacturer and distributor members."

Learn more about all NAFCD member benefits including other reports and research at www.nafcd.org.

The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) is a North American, not-for-profit trade association serving distributors and suppliers of floor covering materials and related products. Its purpose is to enable wholesale floor covering distributors to be the most efficient, professional and profitable vehicle for bringing their suppliers' product to market resulting in the highest degree of customer satisfaction. NAFCD is dedicated to providing its members with opportunities to learn from each other, stay ahead of trends, and become better educated on ways to grow their business.

For more information about NAFCD, visit www.NAFCD.org or contact NAFCD Headquarters at (312) 673-6836.