Private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i) activity has been weak in recent years, despite relatively benign economic conditions. Weak growth in consumers' expenditure has constrained the market. The current and expected climate is negative for the consumer and thus discretionary spending around the home. The credit crunch and rise in inflation, together with a contracting housing market, will inevitably reduce spending on repair, maintenance and improvement. While this sector is not expected to be as volatile as the new housing market the forecast indicates that output will be at a standstill this year and decline by 6% in 2009. No further growth is expected until 2011 and only then at a modest 2%.
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