Below is a new list of 7 things that consumers are still doing.  People are fixing their cars, remodeling their homes, and still making trips to the dentist.  While some consumer behaviors have changed, it is nice to hear that the world hasn’t stopped in the current economic climate.

 7 Things Consumers Are (Still) Doing:

• Auto repair shops grew their sales by an average of 2.4% over the last 12 months.
• In contrast, car dealerships saw their sales decline by 9.7% in the same period.

 2) Remodeling and fixing their homes instead of moving.

• Building equipment contractors (such as electricians, plumbing and heating contractors) saw their sales increase by 4.6% in the last 12 months.
• In contrast, home builders saw their sales decrease by over 5% in the same period.

 3) Shopping at grocery stores more than eating out.

• Grocery stores experienced average sales growth of 6.7% over the last 12 months.
• Sit-down restaurants saw growth of 3.9% in the same period.

 4) Attending technical and trade schools.

• Trade and technical schools saw their top-line sales grow by 7.8% in the last 12 months, compared to growth of 5.9% in 2007.

 5) Going to the dentist.

• The average dentists’ office experienced sales growth of 6.9% in the last 12 months, up from 4.9% in 2007.

 6) Getting personal care services such as haircuts and manicures.

• Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, and skin care providers experienced an average of 4.5% sales growth in the last 12 months.

 7) Visiting an accountant.

• Accounting firms saw average top-line revenues grow by 10.2% over the last 12 months, putting the accounting industry in the top 20 industries in the country by sales growth.

Sageworks Inc. released data today looking at how privately held residential remodelers and finishing contractors such as painters and flooring businesses are faring this year.  While privately held residential construction companies have seen sales decline by an average of 5.35 % in 2008, sales are still growing for residential remodelers (5.31% in 2008) and finishing contractors (7.43% in 2008).  Could the fact that it’s a buyer’s market be driving homeowners to stay in their current homes and fix up instead of move out?  The data is displayed below.  

Building Finishing Contractors (NAICS 2383): The types of businesses in this industry include painting, flooring, tile, carpentry and insulation contractors.  Sales growth increased for the average finishing contractor from 6.16% in ‘07 to 7.43% in ‘08.  The industry is not recession proof; the amount of time it takes to collect payment has increased from 47.63 days in 2007 to 51.4 days in 2008.  Net profit margins have decreased on average from 5.31% in 2007 to 3.74% in 2008. 

 Residential Remodelers (NAICS 236118): Sales growth for the average residential remodeler is at an average of 5.31% in 2008, down from 8.24% last year.  Residential remodelers are also not recession proof; the amount of time it takes to collect payment has increased from 15.22 days in 2007 to 22.09 days in 2008.  Net profit margins have increased from 6.98% in 2007 to 7.78% in 2008.