In past years, the flooring industry's laminate segment has distinguished itself as a bastion of continuous technical innovation. Consider the abrupt sea change the product category made as manufacturers moved, almost overnight, from traditional glued installation systems to glueless, "click" configurations. And who does not remember the buzz generated by the registered embossing and other textural surface techniques that brought new realism to laminates?
Initially, I considered entitling this article, "Ceramic Tile for Geniuses and Dummies," as a play on the titles of that popular series of how-to books. However, I reconsidered when I realized that no one would admit to being a ceramic tile dummy and, therefore, I'd be discouraging readers from delving into what truly is an important topic.
Each new year brings new challenges to the floor covering industry. With that fact in mind, Surfaces 2004 organizer Hanley-Wood is assembling experts from across the spectrum to offer their experience on timely topics including consolidation, consumer awareness, the effect of Big-Box merchandisers and installer recruitment.
Coverings, North America's preeminent showcase for ceramic tile and natural stone floor coverings, will feature a greatly expanded educational program for 2004, according to show organizer National Trade Productions (NTP).
With few exceptions, retailers/contractors are confident their businesses will grow this year. Some see substantial growth, some modest, some minor growth -- but nevertheless growth is in their picture. At worst, a few see their businesses holding steady.
Reasons for the optimism vary. The improved economy, of course, is a reoccurring theme in their responses, as it has a positive effect on commercial and residential business.
I grew up in a family owned mom-and-pop retail operation. Though most of my career has been spent outside that realm, I always knew that someday I would return to the retail business. My intent was to apply many of the new ideas and approaches to selling and installing floors that I'd learned through my extensive travels and relationships within the flooring industry.
With more than 900 exhibiting companies slated to attend the 2004 edition of the flooring industry's biggest trade show extravaganza, Surfaces is shaping up as a can't-miss event.
The Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show will take place Jan. 15-18. The event promises a full complement of exhibitors, showrooms and booths showcasing the latest in area rug fashion and functionality.
The 21st annual Cersaie trade show -- which was held Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 in Bologna, Italy -- drew in excess of 97,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors. These totals represent a slight decrease from attendance at last year's show, a development show organizers attributed to international economic turbulence. Despite the decrease in attendance, business was brisk throughout the show and a wide variety of new ceramic designs highlighted cutting-edge trends in the product segment.
Flooring dealers/contractors are selling more hardwood floor jobs each month in 2003, according to results from a just-completed Hardwood Flooring Market Trends Study conducted by National Floor Trends magazine in partnership with the market research division of BNP Media. Dealers are now selling an average of 11 hardwood floors each month, compared to nine monthly hardwood sales in 2002.
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