Decorative Carpets’ Crackle collection won top honors in the Area Rugs category.Winning first place in the Laminate Floors category was Heritage Cherry from Mannington Mills.Mannington Mills came out the big
Ask
anyone involved in the flooring adhesives and setting materials category to
identify their biggest priority these days and the answer almost always
involves “easy,” as in easy to use and easy on the environment. Manufacturers
say the demand for user-friendly and environmentally safe adhesives and setting
materials has come to define a product segment that continues to evolve. The
evidence is readily apparent in an emerging generation of lightweight mortars
as well as products that help with LEED certification. “Simpler” and “safer”
have become the watchwords for adhesives and setting materials.
On
the surface, the laminate category may seem fairly unchanged. Consumers are
still snapping up wide-width products and they remain enamored with dark wood
grains and hand-scraped finishes. Also, as evidenced by the popularity of
laminate inspired by African, Brazilian and Asian hardwood species, they still
can’t seem to get enough of exotics.
Best
Surfaces ever? Probably not. But despite concern that today’s market conditions
are making the climb a little steeper, last month’s meeting in Las Vegas
offered ample evidence that the flooring industry continues to advance on the
strength of product innovation and marketing savvy.
The search for new money-making ideas has led a growing number of flooring retailers to take up window shopping. Many who have expanded their inventory to include a display of window fashions – including blinds, shutters and shades – say the strategy offers a few advantages. Aside from bringing in consumers looking for a one-stop solution to home furnishings, it gives shoppers immediate mix and match possibilities.
NFT asked retailers and exhibitors a simple question: Why Surfaces? Almost always, they responded with one clear answer: to improve their business. Going to the industry’s biggest U.S. show, they say, keeps them on their toes. Not only do they find out about the newest products, they get a sense of how their peers are doing and which suppliers are ready to work with them.
The tile and stone industry has moved past its one-size-fits-all approach to installation products. Whether it’s surface prep, thinsets or even grouts, the products nowadays are often tailored to specific conditions, environments, materials and applications.
While they lament that they can not touch or feel the products they are considering, consumers using the internet to shop for flooring say they appreciate both the breadth of information available and the convenience it affords.
The consensus on 2007 is clear: The favorables will outweigh the unfavorables.
Retailers and contractors asked to reflect on 2006 and assess the business conditions in the flooring industry for the coming year agree that the terrain will be rocky at times. Unstable energy costs, a surge in low-priced, off-shore competition and a cooling real estate market are only a few of the market factors that have people on edge.
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