Norwall Group Inc., one of North America's largest manufacturers and distributors of residential wallcoverings, announced today that its sales in the first quarter ended March 29 were $21.7 million, or 18%, lower than the same period last year. Norwall's President and C.E.O., Jim Patton, said, "The first quarter was characterized by weakening economic conditions which, combined with global political turmoil and inclement weather, led to an overall downturn in North American retail markets, particularly in the United States. This decline," commented Patton, "occurred during a period when the North American residential wallcovering market was continuing to contract. It should be noted however," furthered Patton, "that the prior year's comparative period included a $3 million initial one-time order to North America's largest retailer; excluding this event, sales for the current year's quarter declined by 9%, at a time when competitors are continuing to experience double-digit comparative sales declines." Norwall Group (TSX:NGI) manufactures quality residential wallpapers and borders and distributes them to thousands of home centres, specialty stores and mass merchants in Canada and through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Patton Wallcoverings, in the United States.