Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) released its monthly TRENDS report, showing the average sales performance by HARDI distributors was an increase of 6.9% percent during January 2021.

The average annual sales growth for the 12 months through January 2021 is 4.8% percent.

“2021 is getting off to a great start,” said HARDI Market Research & Benchmarking Analyst Brian Loftus. “HARDI distributors were able to achieve 6.9% sales growth for the month despite two fewer billing days than the prior year. This helped the annual sales growth rate continue to recover towards mid single-digit territory.”

The Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), a measure of how quickly customers pay their bills, is 45.4 days. “DSO has been faster than normal since June 2020 and that persists,” said Loftus. “Recently the DSO for this time of year has been in the range of 47 to 49.”

“We see the economy improving as 2021 progresses,” said Loftus. “We can add this good TRENDS report to other encouraging recent economic indicators like durable goods orders, consumer confidence, industrial production and retail sales. All these things are looking up and that is why interest rates have been inching up.”

HARDI members do not receive financial compensation in exchange for their monthly sales data and can discontinue their participation without prior notice or penalty. Participation is voluntary, and the depth of market coverage varies from region to region. An independent entity collects and compiles the data that can include products not directly associated with the HVACR industry.

About HARDI

HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International) is the single voice of wholesale distribution within the HVACR industry.

HARDI members market, distribute, and support heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies. HARDI Distributor members serve installation and service/replacement contractors in residential and commercial markets, as well as commercial/industrial and institutional maintenance staffs. HARDI proudly represents more than 480 distributor members representing more than 5,000 branch locations, and close to 500 suppliers, manufacturer representatives and service vendors.