While the flooring market is experiencing a number of challenges in 2023—economic and political uncertainty, housing market fluctuations, labor shortages, competitive pressures and supply chain disruptions—the wood category is still looking optimistic.
“It’s interesting to compare and contrast the national conversation and our niche industry’s conversation about the economy,” said Michael Martin, president and CEO, National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). “In general, there’s a bit of darkness about homebuilding and interest rates, yet our members continue to look for new employees and have work lined up a couple of months out. While it’s not the rush of work that came with COVID, business is steady for most.”