Positioning for the challenge ahead - BGNFS report
Trend review from the showtime in Solihull
The flooring business is braced for the impact of inflation on consumer confidence in the months ahead, but smart product development has put the sector in a strong position to secure as much value from the market as possible in this tough environment.
During the pandemic, manufacturers were able to fine-tune those product launches that were held back and focus on the ranges that were going to perform best in the tight market ahead – mid-range products with added value performance and appeal, plus upmarket launches that justify a premium price.
Strong order books throughout last year and well into 2022 have helped support the cost of the new introductions. “Most manufacturers have had unprecedented demand in the last two years and it will help us through the months ahead, provided it doesn’t go on too long,” one leading manufacturer told The Stocklists in Solhull. But another supplier commented that the strong start to 2022 had stalled. “There’s no doubt that in the last few weeks it has gone quiet out there,” he said.
But Gavin Pugh of Associated Weavers expressed the mainstream view of the top manufacturers. “It is going to be a challenging summer for some but there are still many discerning buyers out there who are prepared to spend if the right products are available to them – products which can command a better margin for the retailer,” he said.
There are still many discerning buyers out there
who are prepared to spend if the right products are
available to them – products which can command a
better margin for the retailer,”
Carpets trends
After some stagnation in styles before and during the pandemic, there are some clear new trends emerging in carpets.
Soft is still selling strongly but harder, denser twists are returning, much to the delight of many retailers and to manufacturers eager to regain more share of the downstairs flooring that has been lost to LVT.
Polyester is coming through strongly as the man-made fibre of choice - it’s always had better performance than polypropylene and now that the fibre price has narrowed between the two options, manufacturers are keen to take advantage of PE’s extra benefits.
New colour trends are also very clear. Greys are warming up and giving way back to beige shades to some extent - but it’s not a return to the past entirely as calm pastel shades of greens and blues are very evident everywhere and this years most distinctive colour coming through is gold - in both pastel and bold options. Rugs have also taken the cue to cheer us all up with some of the brightest designs doing well and more quirky, playful designs as well as a strong tilt towards arty abstract options.
LVT and vinyl trends
Vinyl suppliers continue to ride the popularity of parquet but aren’t resting on their laurels. New range launches are a credit to the designers ingenuity to keep the sector fresh in ever more creative styles.
Urban slates and concretes are widening the appeal and some new eye-catching options in marble have been adding to the appeal.
