The AV Sales Index (AVI-S) was 56.3 in October, slightly down from September. Although not above 60 as in previous periods, this moderate growth suggests consistent market demand with potential for stabilization.
Tariffs, political instability, and inflation are key concerns affecting the AV industry. These factors contribute to uncertainty in business investments and lead to increased equipment and project costs, influencing client decisions and project scopes. Despite current challenges, some companies are strategically investing in talent and technology to prepare for expected market improvements and busy periods, such as end-of-year events and ongoing digital transformation demands.
“Summer is always our slowest season so fall-winter always is busier for us. Themed attractions we work on tend to be closed over the winter months, so this is when we do a lot of our installs,” shared a North American AV provider.
The AV Employment Index (AVI-E) increased to 56.9, indicating a stronger hiring environment. This aligns with the general positive trend in employment, though at a cautious pace given broader market uncertainty. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics has gone dark with the government shutdown (at press time), other reports outside the government data suggest the labor market just plodded along in September-October.
The Pro AV Business Index report is derived from a monthly survey of the AVIXA Insights Community, a research community of industry members that tracks business trends in commercial AV. The report comprises two diffusion indexes: the AV Sales Index (AVI-S) and the AV Employment Index (AVI-E). In each case, an index above 50 indicates an increase in sales or employment activity.
Visit www.avixa.org/AVindex to access the free monthly Pro-AV Business Index reports and learn more about the methodology. For more information about joining the AVIXA Insights Community, visit www.avixa.org/AVIP.
