How big is picture framing industry?

[Mark Rogers]

I am new to this industry, and I was curious how large it is. I was only able to find revenue numbers about Michael's since they are publicly traded. I have heard that there are over 20,000 custom frame shops in the US which would put it around $2 billion if you assume that the average shop did $100,000 a year (which wont hardly pay the lease cost for an Aaron Brothers).

Mark

 

[JRB]

No one, except possibly the IRS, has the answer to your question. Picture framers are by nature, a very private lot of individuals. I would venture to bet that as many that are members of PPFA, just as many are not, or even more.

I am sure there will be a few of us Grumblers that may be able to give you a better answer.

Aside from that, welcome to The Grumble. I think you are going to be a great contributer. Your question is an excellent one.

John

 

[Puppyraiser]

Well, let's see... there's me. Then there is the gal down the street, and another one across town. Oh, yes, and the one up on the Mason-Dixon Line. and the guy down in Funkstown. That's it for our area.... But not many of the lot is making $100,000 a year.

[ 12-23-2003, 06:37 AM: Message edited by: EllenAtHowards ]

 

[Cliff Wilson]

Welcome

When I did some reasearch about 1 and a half years ago, the numbers I found from some franchisors, marketing companies, the magazine surveys, etc. were roughly ...

230k average per frame shop for franchises and
130-150k average for independents.

Now, you have to be careful about using those numbers. The franchise numbers are probably pretty close because the franchisor keeps tabs on them so they can get their cut. The independents are harder because not all of the indpendents are "in it for the money." You get a lot of "part-time" frame shops that are in it "for the life-style." (I know boggles the mind!

) Many of the independents are not included in the surveys because they don't want to disclose anything and some of those that do report sales don't report them all. (of course no one on TG does that.)

I was doing my research at the end of 2001 and early in 2002 and most of these numbers were from data acquired in 2000 and of course have changed since then.

Also, I do not believe these numbers include the BBs.

[ 12-23-2003, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: Cliff Wilson ]

 

[Bob Carter]

I will be giving a class at the National Convention in Vegas on this very topic and have some very up to date numbers. Since PMA is paying for this information, it might behoove you to join PPFA (another benefit of membership).

But for a teaser, Cliff is close but with the Franchise figure actually being higher than his.

And I can't resist this number, but the dreaded awful mall operators (according to the just completed survey) did a paltry, embarrassingly pittance of $481,000 average.

For a complete update, join PPFA and come to the National Convention and take the class.

I think non-members will be able to buy the survey for around $400 after the event, though

[ 12-23-2003, 10:33 AM: Message edited by: Bob Carter ]

 

[Jim Miller]

Bob knows how to locate and evaluate that kind of data. If he is going to reveal his information in a class for under $100, it's a great deal.

Come to think of it, $400 is also a great deal for information that could save someone's business.

Personally, I'll take the class.

 

[Mark Rogers]

Bob,

Thanks for the heads up. I am already in PPFA, but unfortunetly, the convention. I will get the report however.

I have found that Aaron Brothers has 148 stores, and they average $1.1 million each.

Mark