Economic Trends

NetPlus Member Outlook Slips, but Nearly 2 in 3 Still Expect 2025 Growth

While annual sales expectations tracked down slightly overall from midyear, almost 1 in 3 members anticipate 2025 growth of at least high-single digits.

Industrial and contractor supply buying group NetPlus Alliance shared the results of its 3Q25 Industry Outlook on Nov. 20, with the results reflecting a modest downshift in out look for 2025 annual revenue, though the vast majority still anticipate growth.

Conducted in October, the report was based on results from 2025’s third quarter.

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The Outlook showed that Q3 member purchases from NetPlus suppliers and wholesalers were up 8.1% year-over-year, and 8.2% year-to-date. Of those surveyed, 63% of distributors expect their 2025 revenues to grow, with 30% saying they will grow by 8% or more. About 22% expect revenue to be level with 2024, and 15% expect a decline (4% expect a significant decline).

Those figures compare with Netplus’ 2Q Outlook in which 67% of respondents expected growth and 10% expected a decline.

MDM’s 3Q25 MarketPulse Report (Premium access)

Year-over-year, 53% of respondents indicated Q3 sales were up year-over-year (vs. 51% for the first half of the year vs. 1H24); 31% said 3Q sales were up by 8% or more and 22% said sales increase 3-7%. Sales held steady for 29% of respondents, while 18% reported a decline (4% saw a significant decline).

Members attributed Q325 and forecasted growth to added salespeople, new or growing clients, new supplier partnerships, market/geographic exploration, product or category expansion and organic acceleration in previously slowed business. For those with Q3 or expected declines, they were attributed to tariff confusion, subsequent price increases, slow local economies and halted customer projects.

“This year offered challenges that our members turned into opportunities to learn, deepen relationships and think strategically,” NetPlus President and CEO Jennifer Murphy in a Nov. 20 news release. “I am confident there is continued growth in store for our distributor members and supplier partners as we approach the new year.”

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