RESTON, VA – Cabinet sales for November 2006 decreased 2.9% compared to November 2005, ending a streak of 127 months of year-over-year growth, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn.’s monthly Trends of Business survey.

Stock cabinet sales decreased 5.2%; semi-custom sales increased 1.3% and custom sales decreased 10.6%. The year-to-date sales show an increase of 7.6%, with stock sales up 6.6%, semi-custom sales up 9.7% and custom sales up 2.3%.

Dick Titus, KCMA executive vice president, said, “After ten years and seven months of growth, the streak has come to an end. It has been a great run. In addition to the well-documented current softness in new housing construction, cabinet sales typically slow during the Thanksgiving to end of January holiday season.

“Cabinet manufacturers have adjusted production schedules in response to the current market. Long term, the outlook still is positive, with renewed growth expected this spring,” Titus said. He added that industry projections are for a flat year with sales comparable to 2006, which still would be at a very sustainable level.

KCMA President Bill Weaver of Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. of Monroe, WA, noted that in addition to the new housing decline and holiday season, weather has been a negative factor in some regions and also contributed to the decline because of disruptions to the normal supply chain and product distribution channels.