Fritz Rench, chairman of Host Racine Industries, discusses floor covering maintenance and wet vs. dry cleaning methods, noting that the dry method has finally come of age. He discusses the advantage of the dry method in the multifamily sector, permitting an extended life for carpet and noting it is now in the first string of cleaning options. Rench adds that water is the primary cleaning agent in the Host method with little sponges controlling the moisture just enough to wet carpet fibers without losing control of the loose soil, which can happen with too much water.

Stuart Hirschhorn, research director of Catalina Research, talks about the changes that have occurred in the floor covering industry’s channels of distribution, noting that the home center segment has continued to grow and take market share, even though they are not adding locations as they once did. He adds that big box specialty stores are gaining share while the independent specialty flooring retailers continue to lose share. Hirschhorn also talks about the online players and his view on their growth in the future as he shares his view on the year.

Mike Cherico, vice president of Floors & More, talks about the new programs and products launched at the group's recent convention in Las Vegas, including their newest private brand offering and a lead generation program called the national sweepstakes program that will award a consumer $2,500. Members will be able to have their digital and social content managed by the company, which will also respond directly to consumers with discounts and other material. Also discussed is building retailer's brand locally.

Stuart Hirschhorn, research director for Catalina Research, discusses interest rates, the impact they had on the U.S. flooring market in 2018, and the potential effect they could have on the market if they rise in 2019. Hirschhorn also talks about the carpet sector and its market share decline over the last several years, noting that many northerners are moving south and west from carpet areas to hard surfaces. He also talks about the installation by designers and others of commercial carpet in residences in non-bedroom applications and the factors he sees affecting the future of residential carpet sales.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics and FiveStar Store Reviews, looks at the NAHB International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show held together in Las Vegas. He talks about the traffic at the shows, comparing it with the previous year, and the mood of the show, which he described as upbeat. He notes the lack of exhibitor participation at the Builder Show and the lack of exposure for various flooring products, as well as what he described as the lack of general knowledge of flooring products on the part of the builder community. Simonson also talks about the educational aspects of the show with the emphasis on hands-on opportunities and the over-abundance of wood look-a-likes in things such as siding and cedar shake shingles.

George Celtrick, owner of Whitewood Products, talks about consumer behavior while on the sales floor and decisions to purchase wood look-a-likes verses the real thing. He notes that consumers see the value of selecting ceramic or LVT for certain applications where perhaps low-end hardwood would not meet their needs. Celtrick talks about the decline in sales of hardwood flooring last year and the prime reasons for that drop, as well as the role the retail salesperson plays in consumer hardwood decisions.

John Simonson, president of Webstream Dynamics and FiveStar Store Reviews, looks back at Surfaces 2019 and the seminars he lead at the show. He discusses the attendance at the seminars, the basic online knowledge level of the retailers that attended and the types of questions that were asked. Simonson also discusses competition from the big box retailers and how independent retailers can be more effective competing with them