A majority of distributors in the NetPlus Alliance reported growth in the third quarter and expects to see year-over-year sales gains in 2025 as they head into the final quarter of the year.
The buying group on Thursday issued its latest “Industry Outlook,” which surveyed NetPlus members in October based on their results for the third quarter.
In that three-month window, 53% of NetPlus distributors reported increased sales compared to the same quarter last year, while 47% were either flat (29%) or down (18%). Companies posting increases pointed to a range of factors, including improvements in previously sluggish business segments, while others highlighted “tariff confusion,” “subsequent price increases,” “slow local economies” and halted customer projects.
Despite those challenges, 63% of member distributors indicated that they still expect to see growth over the full year — and 30% anticipated growth of 8% or more.
Another 22% expected flat sales this year, while 15% believed that full-year sales would be down in 2025.
NetPlus officials said that member purchases from the group’s suppliers and wholesalers were up 8.1% in the third quarter and 8.2% for the year to date.
“This year offered challenges that our members turned into opportunities to learn, deepen relationships and think strategically,” NetPlus President and CEO Jennifer Murphy said in a statement. “I am confident there is continued growth in store for our distributor members and supplier partners as we approach the new year.”
