Consumer demand and awareness are two key reasons why a whopping 89% of dealers/contractors expect residential laminate floor covering sales to either increase or stay the same in 2001 compared to 2000.
Floor covering warranties are getting longer, longer and longer. In fact, I recently received information extolling the virtues of a 50-year residential finish warranty on a prefinished wood product. Why is the industry creating warranties with such a long duration? Does the long-term warranty benefit the consumer or you, the retailer?
The U.S. economic indicators released in recent months look positive. The unemployment, housing starts and other reports have been good. Low interest rates continue to fuel purchases of homes, both new and used. But the floor covering industry still seems mired in a lethargic state. Why such malaise? It’s all described in one word: ATTITUDE!
Well, the industry's largest show, Surfaces 2001, went over with a bang. And if you couldn't make it to Las Vegas for the event, I hope you visited -- or will soon visit -- NFT Online (www.ntlfloortrends.com) to browse our comprehensive virtual show coverage. No other industry publication covered Surfaces 2001 like National Floor Trends, and our multiple daily dispatches from the show floor prove it.
Just as easy as counting 1-2-3, you can win valuable educational seminars, installation tools and other exclusive prizes from National Floor Trends and Floor Covering Installer magazines.
I'm sure, if you're like me or anyone else, you have thought about some New Year's Resolutions. And, like me, as the months or weeks go by, some of the resolutions you've outlined simply are not going to be implemented. Well for 2001, let's all try as an industry to set some achievable New Year's resolutions.
I am sure you’ve heard them all: free displays, free samples and free money. But, as you’re reading this list, you must be saying, “Where’s the catch?” Well, let’s take a look at each of these items.
Cersaie 2000, Oct. 3-8, in Bologna, Italy, reconfirmed the position of the Italian tile producers as the leaders in the ceramic tile industry. Spanning 136,000 square meters of exhibit space at the Bologna Fairgrounds, the show included 1,078 exhibitors from 30 countries featuring ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. By far and away, Cersaie is the largest show worldwide in the floor covering segment.
To confirm what many specialty floor covering retailers/contractors and designers/architectural specifiers already knew, carpet cushion is an important part of any carpet sale — and highly profitable part, at that.
Think of the month of April. What comes to mind? April Fool’s Day, the Easter season, Earth Day, or maybe the April 15 personal income tax deadline. Well, beginning April 2001, you can add “National Floor Covering Month” to your thinking.