Paint & Wallpaper Stores Industry Overview

Excerpt from Paint & Wallpaper Stores Report

Companies in this industry sell paint, coatings, wallpaper, and other related supplies. Major US companies include the retail divisions of paint manufacturers Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Kelly-Moore.

Competitive Landscape

Home maintenance, home sales, and construction and remodeling trends drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on effective merchandising and marketing and the ability to establish relationships with contractors. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, distribution, finance, and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by offering specialty products, providing superior customer service, or serving a local market. The industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 75 percent of industry revenue.

Products, Operations & Technology

Interior paint accounts for about 40 percent of sales, exterior paint for 23 percent. Other major product groups include coatings (10 percent of sales), such as stains, varnishes, and shellacs, and painting equipment (7 percent), such as brushes, rollers, sprayers, and tools. Companies typically also sell paint and wallpaper supplies, such as primers, adhesives, and caulks.