Rising employment levels are almost always a positive sign indicating a business is growing. That being the case, landscape contractors are on a roll — again. And this is also a positive sign for retailers, particularly outdoor power equipment dealers, who supply the equipment needs for those maintaining parks, corporate facilities and homeowners with turf services.

Landscape contractors, one of the prime market segments for rural lifestyle equipment dealers, continue to show strong growth potential in 2017.

Industry sales for agricultural equipment in the U.S. and Canada are forecast to be down 5-10% for 2017. Industry sales of turf and utility equipment in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be about flat for 2017, with Deere sales outpacing the industry.