The flooring industry faces some tough headwinds – increased competition from home centers and new alternative suppliers entering the market; industry consolidation across manufacturing, distribution and retail; Amazon and other online shopping outlets; a severe shortage of qualified installers both in the short- and long-term; and new technology, products and innovation that require constant training and education. We’ll tackle all of them in this column at one time or another.
I’ve had the good fortune to speak with literally hundreds of flooring retailers and manufacturers over the course of my career, and I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned from them. But most of all, I’d love to get your feedback, address your concerns, talk about the issues that impact you most.