Pool & Hot Tub Alliance's Pulse Survey Shows Continued, but Slowing Growth Across Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2023

Media Contact:
Amy Willer
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
703-838-0083, ext. 121 | awiller@phta.org

POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE'S PULSE SURVEY SHOWS CONTINUED, BUT SLOWING GROWTH ACROSS INDUSTRY

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, released the second-ever Quarterly Pulse Report for the 3rd quarter of 2023. These quarterly reports share the sentiments of pool and spa executives about their company’s performance compared to previous quarters, with a look ahead at how they think their company will perform in the next quarter.

The Q3 Pulse Report indicates revenue has remained the same or increased for more than 61% of respondents. A majority of the revenue increase took place in the service, maintenance, and repair sector, where 81% of respondents said revenue was flat (6%) or increased (75%). Echoing this data is revenue for the retail sector, where more than 77% of respondents said revenue was the same (22%) or increased (55%).

In terms of employment, the builder segment remained largely unchanged while the service, maintenance, and repair sector grew substantially, with 54% of respondents reporting increases in headcount. And of those 54% that increased headcount, 67% increased by 6% or more.

Looking at the current backlog of new build projects, the backlog has declined with 61% of respondents experiencing anywhere from a 1% to more than a 15% reduction in backlogs for new pool builds. That said, backlogs for remodel jobs remain at the same level from Q2 to Q3.

All said, a majority of builders, service providers, and retailers are optimistic and expecting steady or increased revenue for their companies over the next 12 months. Specifically:

• 87% of service, maintenance, and/or repair respondents said revenue will be the same or better;
• 67% of builders, designers, and remodelers said revenue will be the same or better; and
• 71% of retailers said revenue will be the same or better.

More than 135 companies participated across all sectors – retail, service, maintenance, hot tubs, and builders. Respondents reiterate that the top two issues weighing on their minds are the economy, including inflation and interest rates, and the ability to recruit and retain staff.

“The value of this market data is priceless to members who want—and need—to benchmark their performance against other members in their region or nationally,” says PHTA Chairman of the Board Joseph Laurino, PhD, MBA, President and CEO of Periodic Products, Inc. “PHTA continues to add data analysis tools like regional comparisons and sector focus to add further value to participants so they can access and analyze data that has never before been available to them.”

PHTA offers access to this data to participants only. Upon filling out the survey, an access key will be sent to participants when the quarterly data is available.

The Q4 Quarterly Pulse Survey will open on January 15, 2024, and closes 15 days later. The opening dates for the remainder of the year for the Quarterly Pulse Survey are:

• Q1 2024 opens April 15
• Q2 2024 opens July 15
• Q3 2024 opens October 15
• Q4 2024 opens January 15, 2025

This survey is open to all industry professionals in the builder, retail, service, maintenance, and hot tub sectors. PHTA plans to release Q4 results by February 15, 2024. To participate and receive a customized benchmark report, go to phtainsights.com.

For more information, please visit the PHTA Research Center or contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, at awiller@phta.org or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 3,800 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.