What We’re Watching at IBS/KBIS 2025
This year, 14 of John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) Building Products and New Home Trends Institute team members will participate in the International Builder’s Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), sharing insights with their clients and contacts and exploring the latest innovations shaping the housing market.
As the team gears up for IBS/KBIS 2025 set to kick off Feb. 25, 2025, they detailed several of the trends they’ll be watching in a recent article by JBREC Vice President of Building Products Research Chris Beard.
According to Beard’s article, With stubbornly high inflation leading to ~7% mortgage rates and fewer expected Fed rate cuts, the housing industry continues to navigate a “higher for longer” rate environment.
Show watch: We expect cost-cutting product innovations and labor-saving solutions to take center stage. Companies that have invested in R&D in these areas will likely have a stronger market outlook. Our New Home Trends Institute team will be taking many photographs of great ideas.
New policies on tariffs and regulations are adding pressure on material costs. Companies are reassessing their cost structure and supply chains to stay competitive.
Show watch: We expect discussions around onshoring production and strengthening domestic supply chains to reduce costs and improve stability.