NEMA, the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers, says its lamp indices for incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps declined 7.1 and 18.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year during the third quarter of 2009. The incandescent lamp sales index fell for the twelfth consecutive quarter and registered its lowest level ever recorded (55.4). NEMA says CFL sales have contracted in five of the last 6 quarters, slipping to 184.1, which is a level that has not been observed since the end of 2006.
In terms of market share, CFLs gave back previous gains during the third quarter, decreasing to 23% from the record high of 26.6% observed during the previous quarter. NEMA thinks this drop comes from the fact residential construction still is at a low level and because households with a crimp in the pocketbook are shying away from the more costly CFLs. More info: