The COVID-19 pandemic is causing sudden, seismic consequences for many commercial markets, especially hospitality and education. For Aspecta, the big question was, how will the pandemic affect commercial flooring manufacturers in these sectors? How many hotel and school projects will be cancelled or postponed, including renovations? After five months into the “new normal”, we’re finding that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
For the hospitality industry, in the early stages of the pandemic, developers opted to delay or postpone new building projects and existing properties were forced to shut down operations. Alternatively, many property owners have made the best of the situation by implementing renovation projects. One important learning curve we discovered through all of these scenarios is how the typical sales process for these orders has assumed a different dynamic: safety and hygiene now lead the dialog. Hoteliers understand that first and foremost, their customers need to feel secure in their guest rooms and public areas. Cleanability and functionality now meet design and performance as equally important criteria for choosing flooring.