Following a year in which revenues turned out to be better than they had forecast, dealers are largely positive in their outlook for revenue growth from the rural lifestyle market, according to the 2026 Dealer Business Trends & Outlook survey. According to the survey, over 90% of dealers are forecasting their wholegoods revenues to be as good or better than in 2025. Tillers, chainsaws and power hand tools top the list of dealers’ best bets for improving unit sales in 2026.  

 Compared to their forecasts for 2025 revenues, dealers reported better results overall. In their outlook ahead of 2025, 75.8% of dealers were calling for revenues to be as good or better compared to 2024. As 2025 drew to a close, 81.3% reported their total revenues were as good or better than 2024. The percentage of dealers who said their revenues were roughly flat improved by 6.7 percentage points compared to the 2025 forecast.

Just over 37% of dealers reported 2025 revenues were up 2-7% over 2024, up 6.3 points from the percent who forecast that level of growth a year ago. Fewer dealers reported their total revenue was up 8% or more than had forecast that level of growth a year ago  — 8.0% vs. 15.5%. 

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