Jane Twombley, director of specifications at Belknap White Group, talks about the company and the role of director of specifications at a floor covering distribution organization, including working with sales reps and customers. She talks about business levels in 2018 and being an Armstrong distributor for the northeast. Twombley also talks about retailers move into commercial business since the recession and the types of projects where retailers normally get involved.

Stuart Hirschhorn, founder and CEO and Catalina Research, talks growth in the carpet tile category, as well as competition from the big box retail sector and big box retailer's shrinking depth in its ceramic offerings due to the popularity of large format tiles, which are not DIY products. Hirschhorn also discusses online retailers and his expectations for growth in the sector

Stuart Hirschhorn, founder and CEO of Catalina Research, talks about spending and anticipated growth in the housing and remodeling sector as he shares his expectations on the long-term growth of the economy. He discusses the consumer and their propensity to spend, and the millennial consumer and his expectations for their spending going forward. He talks about the price range of flooring products consumers are buying and events in the industry over the past 12 months that he sees as significant, as well as the popularity of rugs.

Stuart Hirschhorn, founder and CEO of Catalina Research talks about the operations of Catalina, and the reports and studies it publishes. He discusses the economy in 2017 and year-to-date as well as the factors responsible for the economic improvement. He talks about the raw data he analyzes and events in both the housing and remodeling markets, the various factors driving these markets, and shifts among the floor covering product categories.

Steve Simonson, digital pioneer and founder and CEO of iFloor, talks about the concept of online sellers of floor coverings offering product through local independent retailers. Simonson sees a possible problem having a large pool of retailers executing their part of the transaction with excellence in a consistent and ongoing way. Also discussed is Amazon and their future in the floor covering arena as he offers advice as to how independent retailers can effectively compete with online sellers. Simonson also estimates the percentage of floor coverings that will be sold online.

Steve Simonson, digital pioneer and founder and CEO of iFloor, talks about the current digital environment, including Facebook, and the challenges involved in securing content for the platform. He outlines several avenues that can assist retailers in obtaining content. He also talks about the concept of selling floor coverings online and his view of its future, including his expectations for the big box players, the middle tier players, and small independents. He discusses the need to engage consumers, the characteristics of millennials, and the advantages to independents of being of an Omni channel retailer.

Steve Simonson, digital pioneer and founder and CEO of iFloor, talks about the current digital environment, including Facebook, and the challenges involved in securing content. He outlines several avenues that can assist retailers in obtaining content, and talks about the concept of selling floor coverings online, and his view of its future, including his expectations for the big box players, middle tier players, and small independents. He Also discussed is the need to engage consumers, the characteristics of millennials, and the advantages to independents of being an Omni channel retailer.