The Manufacturers' Agents' Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) reported a 5.7 percent increase in overall sales for the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. According to the MAFSI Business Barometer this performance exceeded the forecasted 4.9 percent increase and represented a further improvement to the first quarter gain of 4.0 percent.

This was the third consecutive quarterly increase recorded by the MAFSI Business Barometer after three years of contraction. Looking ahead, MAFSI members project 4.8 percent growth for the third quarter of 2011. Also, for the third consecutive quarter, reps report greater consultant activity and for the sixth quarter, a higher level of quotations, both key indicators of a strengthened pipeline of future business activity, according to MAFSI.

On a regional basis, the Northeast recorded sales growth of 7.1 percent, followed closely by Canada at 7.0 percent. The other regional sales increases include the Midwest at 6.0 percent, the West at 5.7 percent and the South at 3.2 percent.

By product categories, furniture was the strongest at 7.9 percent, followed by equipment at 6.2 percent, supplies at 4.1 percent and tabletop at 2.2 percent.