Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies grew by 1.8 percent in the third quarter of 2019, according to the latest Business Barometer from the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry. This was 1.1 percent less than the sales growth reps forecast for the quarter but up 2.7 percent from the second quarter of 2019.

Reps forecast 2 percent sales growth for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 3.0 percent for 2020.

Looking at results by region, sales grew by 3.2 percent in the Midwest, 2.4 percent in the West, 1.2 percent in the Northeast, 1.0 percent in Canada, and 0.8 percent in the South. Looking at results by product type supply sales were up 2.5 percent, equipment and tabletop grew by 1.8 percent each and furniture was up 1.0 percent.

Twenty nine percent of reps report an increase in quoting activity in the third quarter, which represents a 12 percent decline from the second quarter of 2019. In terms of consultant activity, 31 percent of reps reported an increase in third quarter of 2019.