April's Industry Perspectives column, entitled "Live by Price, Die by Price, Live By Fashion, Thrive By Fashion," drew a heavy response from all segments of the industry. It is important to note that there is a strong and growing desire to put the emphasis on fashion and take it off of price. Here are some of the comments from our readers.
I can't figure out why anyone beats the price drum instead of the fashion drum. After all, we're a fashion industry. It's fashion that attracts customers and clients. The residential and commercial markets buy fashion, not price. So how come so many sit fat, dumb and happy? They cling tenaciously to the belief that price is the route to success. They don't have a clue about the real world. So they advertise price, talk price, promote price -- all the while ignoring floor coverings' fashion attributes.
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.
This year, many in floor coverings clung tenaciously to slogans that were repeated, repeated and repeated so often that they became sacred cows. One slogan is "It's tough out there," and the other is "Consumers aren't spending any money." Damned if some in the industry didn't come to believe and accept both without question. It's a truism that when something is said often enough it becomes accepted as a fact. With 2003 drawing to a close, I decided to expose these two slogans for what they really are -- excuses for not succeeding.
What follows is Position Statement #10 issued on Aug. 27, 2003 by the American Society for Concrete Contractors (ASCC). It represents input from many people, including representatives of the floor covering industry.
We have come along way in solving concrete and moisture problems. We now have the floor covering and concrete industries joining forces to seek solutions -- faster than many of us hoped.
NFT Panel Takes Penetrating Look at Distribution Trends.
Panel hones in on four key areas: Outlook for distributors’ importance! Product mix changes! Changes needed by retailers/contractors and distributors to make things better and more profitable for both! Changes needed by manufacturers and distributors to make things better and more profitable for both!
Libraries, bookstores, the Internet, and countless other sources of information contain tons and tons and miles and miles of advice given by valid as well as self-proclaimed experts on how to succeed in business without really trying. But what about those among us who appear to be hell bent on not succeeding in business without really trying? The time has come to look at these apparently forgotten souls.