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Home » Authors » Al Stewart

Articles by Al Stewart

Demaree to succeed Hackel as Carpet One president

Al Stewart
May 15, 2008
No Comments
Evan Hackel is relinquishing his day-to-day responsibilities as president of Carpet One Floor & Home to oversee a new web-based venture set for launch by Carpet One’s parent, CCA Global Partners. Assuming the top position at Carpet One will be Eric Demaree, a 32-year veteran of flooring who joined CCA three years ago after 11 years at Home Depot.
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At Shaw's Retreat: No Surrender

Al Stewart
May 15, 2008
No Comments
“You never know who’s swimming naked until the tide goes out,” said Shaw president Randy Merritt, evoking a quote from Warren Buffett that drew knowing nods and laughter from the retailers on hand. He was speaking at a retreat for members of the three-year-old Shaw Design Center program. His point, of course, is that the challenges facing the flooring industry are very much like the receding water in Buffett’s metaphor: They have a way of revealing short comings that would otherwise stay covered-up.
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Adhesive Makers Feel the Pressure

Al Stewart
April 21, 2008
No Comments
If adhesives work best when pressure is applied, the current business climate may be perfect. Rising fuel prices have greatly increased production costs, environmental issues have never been more prominent and builders are demanding supplies that help speed construction. At the same time, contractors, installers and DIY consumers can afford to be fussy: they have never had more flooring adhesives to choose from. In short, those competing in the adhesives market are faced with a number of sizeable challenges on numerous fronts.
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Abbey's Golden Moment

Al Stewart
April 21, 2008
No Comments
As it happens, Abbey Carpet & Floor threw a better Oscar party this year than Vanity Fair. Who would have predicted that? The magazine canceled its soiree out of concern that the Hollywood writer’s strike could mean sad faces and uneaten hors d'oeuvres. Abbey, which was in Southern California celebrating its 50th Anniversary, threw a lavish bash using the Academy Awards as a theme.  It was two-days before the actual Academy Awards (and 60 miles away), but a very memorable night. They even had souvenir Oscar statues to go along with great food and outstanding entertainment. Thank you, Abbey! Thank you so very much.
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NFT Market Study: Hardwood Retailers Branch Out

Al Stewart
March 27, 2008
No Comments
Our exclusive survey of more than 290 floor covering dealers finds high hopes for the category in 2008. There is also growing interest in wood species beyond oak: Bamboo, pine and pecan make the list of top sellers.

Growth expectations may have been softened by market conditions, but it is clear that hardwood will remain a driving force in the flooring business this year; second only to broadloom carpet in popularity. Still, it is also evident that this venerable category is undergoing some changes.
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Surfaces and the Super Bowl

Al Stewart
March 25, 2008
No Comments
As a native New Yorker who grew up a short hop from Giants Stadium, I anticipated this year’s Super Bowl with mixed emotions. I was thrilled that the Giants made the big game but I also knew the Patriots were a powerhouse. I feared the game  would be a depressing experience; equal measures boredom and frustration. Like many of you, I had similar concerns going into Surfaces this year. I knew the show has never been more important, but attending is a business decision. Given the market conditions and recession fears that have gripped our industry, I thought it possible that attendance would be way down and that the people who did show up would be about as effervescent as high school kids in detention.
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Top Manufacturers Tell Retailers: Tighten Your Grip, Sharpen Your Focus & Opportunities Will Come. WFCA Exclusive Study

Al Stewart
February 25, 2008
No Comments
Top executives on the manufacturing side of the flooring industry have a two-word message for retailers who have paused to lament the sour market conditions seen over the past year:

Keep moving!
Read More

Retailers say ‘Enough Already!' Set sights on rebound in 2008

Al Stewart
February 22, 2008
No Comments
It looks like floor covering retailers have heard enough about slumping market conditions.

Their expectation for the coming year is an industry-wide rebound that will be most visible in the hardwood and ceramic tile categories. Although NFT’s year-end poll of more than 400 retailers identified the economy as the biggest factor determining the industry’s future, the survey results suggest it won’t be the only factor. Respondents listed their top areas of investment as marketing followed by showroom design, technology and training.
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The Most Important Surfaces Ever

Al Stewart
February 22, 2008
No Comments
The sense of urgency seen these days in the flooring business may make this year’s meeting the most important Surfaces ever. A great many flooring dealers traveling to the show were hit hard last year by the ripple of a lousy housing market. They’ve come to Las Vegas in search of solutions, fresh ideas and maybe a little encouragement. Given the show’s deep roots in our industry and the major improvements added this year, they have most certainly come to the right place. 
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Mohawk's 7th Annual Floorscapes. Lorberbaum tells dealers: ‘You face tough choices'

Al Stewart
January 17, 2008
No Comments
An ambitious slate of products-including 70 new hardwood entries-and the debut of a  benchmarking tool that encourages retailers to compare bookkeeping figures were among the highlights of Mohawk Industries seventh annual Floorscapes meeting.
Read More
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