This title is a question to be answered by both you and I. I’ll attempt to tell you what I know and I’d appreciate hearing from you. From here we get a pretty good overview of what’s happening in the industry. Besides being inDaltonand having a pulse on the industry at the point of manufacture to talking to retail and commercial flooring dealers, architects and commercial end users we are closer to things than most.
On the manufacturing side things are not bustling to say the least. Business is off considerably and it shows in the number of cars in mills parking lots, the traffic on the street, in the real estate market and in what we know from talking to manufacturers. The word “lousy” comes up when you ask how business is. In fact, since just before Christmas there have been a considerable number of layoffs in management positions at both Shaw and Mohawk and everyone is as lean as they can be. This does not mean however that business is not being done. It is but on a less voluminous scale.
What is being sold? Carpet is the number one product and as I’ve said many times, in the flooring industry “Carpet is King.” It is affordable over a vast category of qualities, it performs magnificently well when the correct product is installed, it installs easily and in many ways, it will cover a multitude of sins, it has the most style and fashion, can be custom made and it goes in fast. The next category would be vinyl in sheet and tile form. This type product is being installed in great volume in hospitals and schools where there is still a lot of business. Next would be rubber type flooring, sheet and tiles, also in health care and schools. This would be primarily in the commercial market. Also in this market wood is gaining more interest. We have commercial clients that we consult with that want to use wood in specific locations such as food service areas and smaller common areas.
A lot of laminate is being sold as well in retail as it’s less expensive than wood and it can be made to look like almost any other hard surface flooring an advantage in versatility in appearance.
Since the builder business is off most flooring in retail is being sold for remodeling projects; one room at a time or an area of the house. Another area that’s busy is Do It Yourself. If you have a cash and carry product that fills this bill and promote it there’s a profit center you can capitalize on that eliminates the need for any other concerns such as installation. And if installation is the bane of the industry as so many say it is with a DIY product you eliminate any pain and suffering from installation issues.
We do see some places where business is picking up. After all you can’t look at an ugly home interior for too long before you have to change or freshen something up. Again, carpet as a floor covering is an easy way to do something like that. New paint and color on the walls, some accessorizing, bedding and carpet will certainly make you feel better about walking into a bedroom and that’s not a big investment. Consumers and we’re all consumers, want to walk into their homes and be wowed or love something new they’ve done. It makes you feel good and new floor covering accomplish that.
So now that I’ve given you news from this end let me know what’s happening with you? How’s business, what’s selling and how all of us can help each other. You give me the information and I’ll share it with our readers. My email is lgmtcs@optilink.us.
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts