As the U.S. residential swimming pool market appears headed for another year of listless gains and tepid margins, more builders are looking to the commercial side of the business for fresh opportunities. While public sector budget cuts have impacted new construction in hotels, municipal facilities and institutions, many analysts see 2011 as a potential turning point. In addition to a somewhat revitalized tourism sector and new investments in infrastructure signaling potential increases in new pool construction, the increasing age of the installed base along with regulatory mandates have also created a reviving economy for the retrofit segment. This report provides important insights into the current state of the commercial pool business.
 

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A completely updated look at the U.S. swimming pool service market including market size and dynamics, the characteristics of backyard inground pools today, the effects of technology and consolidation, geographic analyses, a new survey of pool service firms, consumer profiles, and the trends that are impacting the future direction of the pool service business.
 

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This report details the characteristics of owners of inground residential swimming pools based on the type they own--concrete/gunite, vinyl or fiberglass. Learn what makes each group unique including how they accessorize their pools, how geographic regions differ, where they shop and where they turn for information about new products, as well as demographic distinctions.
 

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This is the most comprehensive study of prospective new pool and hot tub owners ever undertaken. Over 1,300 non-owners discuss their attitudes toward swimming pool and hot tub ownership, as well as their prior shopping experiences, likelihood to consider purchasing in the next two years, and where they would go to get more information about pools, hot tubs, and the companies that sell them.
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Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the country. This year, the Hispanic population is expected to number 42 million—some 17% of the total population and their buying power is increasing even faster. As a result, Hispanics are buying swimming pools and hot tubs at a higher rate than ever before. Yet their buying motives frequently differ from those of other demographic groups. In this report we examine the factors that most influence their pool and hot tub shopping decisions. We also take a look at what markets are today’s hotbeds of Hispanic purchasing activity.
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The growth of the inground residential swimming pool market has a significant impact on numerous aspects of the swimming pool and hot tub  industry. New unit construction not only impacts the original equipment market for such things as pumps and filters, it also has longer-term consequences for the aftermarket. In this report we profile inground pool consumers, including their purchasing experiences, use of products such as chemicals and accessories, the design characteristics that are currently the most popular, and the demographics of inground swimming pool purchasers.
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Hot tubs are the fastest growing segment of the pool, spa and hot tub industry. In this report we profile hot tub consumers, including their purchasing experiences, use of products such as chemicals and accessories, the design characteristics that are currently the most popular, and the demographics of hot tub purchasers.
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Aboveground pools have evolved dramatically over the past decade both in terms of design and innovation. In this report we profile aboveground pool consumers, including their purchasing experiences, use of products such as chemicals and accessories, the design characteristics that are currently the most popular, and the demographics of aboveground swimming pool purchasers.
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This in-depth evaluation of the inground swimming pool consumer compares key ownership, seasonality, design, maintenance, shopping, attitudinal, and demographic characteristics. It serves as a companion to IRL52, the 2004 Inground Pool Consumer Survey.
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Free with purchase of IRL52

This in-depth evaluation of the hot tub consumer compares key ownership, seasonality, design, maintenance, shopping, attitudinal, and demographic characteristics. It serves as a companion to IRL13, the 2004 Hot Tub Consumer Survey. Available in print or PDF.

Free with purchase of IRL13

This in-depth evaluation of the aboveground swimming pool consumer compares key ownership, seasonality, design, maintenance, shopping, attitudinal, and demographic characteristics. It serves as a companion to IRL51, the 2004 Aboveground Pool Consumer Survey.
Available in print or PDF.

Free with purchase of IRL51

Highlights of the 2004 APSP national survey of in- and aboveground pool owners and owners of hot tubs. Available in print or PDF.

Purchase all three volumes of the 2004 Consumer Survey (IRL52, IRL13, IRL51) for $285 and receive IRL22, IRL37, IRL30 and IRL43 free.

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This report addresses the current state of the swimming pool and hot tub chemicals market including market size and growth, historical data, demand in terms of the installed base of pools and hot tubs, consumer shopping habits as well as attitude toward and usage of chemicals. Anyone in the pool and hot tub industry will find this to be a valuable planning tool. Available in print or PDF.

One of the most exciting recent trends has been the growing market for portable swimming pools in the U.S. The appeal of the portable pool stems from its ease of set-up, its durability and, of course, its price. To get a handle on what is behind the dramatic growth of portable pools, P.K. Data recently conducted a survey of soft pool owners around the country regarding their usage of, attitude toward, awareness of, and satisfaction with portable pools. Here's what they told us. Available in print or PDF.

Until recently, overseas markets have been off the radar of many pool and hot tub products companies in the United States because of the costs and cultural barriers associated with selling pools and hot tubs on foreign soil. This is changing rapidly as international firms acquire U.S. companies, thereby leveraging entry into new markets offshore. In this analysis we report on the state of key overseas markets and discuss the opportunities that lie ahead in each.
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This report analyzes the retail value of new residential and commercial pools as well as residential hot tubs. We also evaluate the pool and hot tub products aftermarket and the service economy.
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As the hot tub and swimming pool industry jumps aboard the Internet bandwagon, retailers and manufacturers must comprehend the challenges and changes currently taking place in cyberspace. Despite the rampant growth of Internet access and e-commerce, pool and spa products have lagged behind other categories in terms of online transactions. This report looks into these issues. Two studies of pool and hot tub consumers and their Internet habits are included
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Sales of both inground and aboveground swimming pools have tripled over the past 25 years. This report tracks unit sales as well as the change in the installed base of backyard pools and also compares how pools were accessorized.
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The first hot tubs, popularized in the 1960’s in California, were nothing more than wooden vats fashioned from the barrels used in local wineries. They lacked effervescence, and circulation systems were quite crude by today’s standards. Since that time hot tubs can be found in millions of American households and have become a multi-billion dollar industry.  By far the most important growth has occurred during the past 25 years. This report details the history of hot tub sales, fluctuations in installed base, and trends that may impact future sales.
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Over 8 million families own a pool today; yet there are another 56 million households who are qualified to own one based on their household income, home value and other considerations. Who are these people, how do they feel about pools, and how many of them are likely candidates for pool ownership? This report examines the prospective owner market.
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While approximately 5 million families own a hot tub today, there are another 54 million households who are qualified to own one based on their household income, home value and other considerations. Who are these people, how do they feel about hot tubs, and how many of them are likely candidates for hot tub ownership? This report examines the prospective owner market.
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Climate is one of the most important factors that impacts the sale of new swimming pools. Cold wet years can result in lean selling seasons. To that end, geography can greatly define the characteristics of pools in terms of their design and demand for add-on features. In this report we examine some of the geographic influences affecting inground swimming pools.
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This report examines the regional differences in hot tub demand and the accumulated installed base. Like swimming pools, hot tub penetration has some very unique geographic characteristics. This analysis provides an in-depth review of those differences.
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Like inground pools, the characteristics of aboveground pools vary by region. Trends such as pool styles, chemical usage, and even purchasing habits all have distinct geographic identifiers. In this report we examine some of the regional influences affecting aboveground swimming pools. Available in print or PDF. 

With the heightening of international tensions since September 2001, many Americans have deferred travel and other expenditures in favor of investing in their own homes. One consequence of this attitude has been a significant interest in creating personal backyard resorts. In this report you will learn more about the impact of this trend on the pool and hot tub segment.
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Because of the seasonality of swimming pool and hot tub sales, many retailers today are seeking to expand their offerings in order to provide a more balanced product assortment. This report analyzes the current state of the backyard products market and suggests ways marketers can capitalize on their popularity.
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One of the consequences of heightened international tensions stemming from 9/11 has been a renewed interest in home improvement. People are diverting their dollars from expensive travel to faraway (and potentially dangerous) places and investing instead in their own home resort. One beneficiary of this change has been the water gardening industry whose business has increased substantially over the past four years. 
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P.K. Data analyzed thousands of real estate records across the country in order to evaluate the relationship between home value and the presence of an inground swimming pool. It turns out that there are important regional differences. This summary analysis will help guide the marketing efforts of builders and other pool professionals looking to expand their business (or simply capitalize on opportunities in their own trading area).
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The technology of converting solar radiation into useable energy has been in existence since the 1950’s. And over the past three decades, solar costs have fallen 90%. Yet the adoption of solar heating systems for residential swimming pools has been slow. This report examines the markets for both solar pool water heaters and solar covers.
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Despite the climatic difference, Canada's per capita sales of swimming pools is not significantly less than that of the U.S. However, differences do exist with regard to the habits and attitudes of Canadian pool owners. This report profiles the Canadian inground residential pool market and presents the results of a new survey of pool owners in Canada concerning their pools and how they maintain them.
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Does weather really affect the sale of new swimming pools, or does it simply serve as an excuse for a slow season? Contractors complain that unseasonably cool periods in late spring and early summer translate to fewer calls from prospective buyers. Especially wet periods not only dampen enthusiasm for a new pool but can also hamper progress with existing projects, thus impacting turnover. The extent to which pool sales and the weather are interrelated is the subject of this report.
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New inground pool sales are always a function of population, but also of climate and culture. State pool counts vary widely. This report is in the form of a map that highlights the installed base of inground pools by state. Available in print only. Please specify 11x17 or 24x36 wall map. 

While the West Coast has always been the cradle of civilization for spas and hot tubs, other regions—notably the South and Southwest—are gathering strength in key markets. This report is in the form of a map that highlights the installed base of hot tubs by state. Available in print only. Please specify 11x17 or 24x36 wall map. 

New aboveground pool sales are always a function of population, but also of climate and other regional factors. State pool counts vary widely. This report is in the form of a map that highlights the installed base of aboveground pools by state. Available in print only. Please specify 11x17 or 24x36 wall map. 

Illustrates the geographical distribution of all residential inground pools by metropolitan area for all 206 U.S. Designated Market Areas. 24”x36” color map on durable semi-gloss stock with underlying data table. Available in print. 

Illustrates the geographical distribution of all residential aboveground pools by metropolitan area for all 206 U.S. Designated Market Areas. 24”x36” color map on durable semi-gloss stock with underlying data table. Available in print. 

Illustrates the geographical distribution of all commercial swimming pools by metropolitan area for all 206 U.S. Designated Market Areas. 24”x36” color map on durable semi-gloss stock with underlying data table. Available in print. 

Illustrates the geographical distribution of all residential spas/hot tubs by metropolitan area for all 206 U.S. Designated Market Areas. 24”x36” color map on durable semi-gloss stock with underlying data table. Available in print.