Why do quality independent retailers choose SMG?
May 12, 2025
SMG has something for every retailer, large or small, long established or just starting out. Members run their businesses as they see fit but gain advantage from the most comprehensive package of benefits around and, all for the lowest annual membership fee.
With over 450 retail outlets throughout the UK, SMG is the largest Flooring Buying Group and can offer independent retail members a package of benefits which include preferential group pricing, rebates, promotions, a central ordering facility and options for own branding. No need to be on a committee, attend group meetings or go to AGMs – just increase your profit without changing what you do – it’s as easy as that.
As well as advantageous terms, members can enjoy downloadable marketing resources and a whole range of business support services to give them a real advantage in a challenging market. The key driver for SMG has always been to create profitable partnerships between members and approved suppliers. Both have the same goals and SMG is able to deliver more sales and greater profitability for both. This formula has meant that SMG has retail members who have been with the group for fifty years and more, as well as members who are just starting out. With all of these benefits, SMG really does have something for every retailer!
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The countdown has begun for this year’s Flanders Flooring Days event. From 2-5 June 2025, organisers say, Flanders will be buzzing with the fourth edition of this flooring-focused event. Over 100 international brands will be showcasing their latest products in ‘The Hub’ in Kortrijk Xpo as well as the local showrooms of participating companies. Alongside many now-familiar names, the organisers say they are delighted to be welcoming a list of newcomers to the event. Register now for your free visit!
As manufacturing technology continues to develop, the ability of LVT to accurately mimic any natural surface becomes even more impressive. Bypassing the often high costs associated with their real-life counterparts, wood- and stone-effect LVT ranges offer customers a variety of aesthetic options unmatched by almost any other type of flooring.
This month we’re finally able to reveal and celebrate the Gold Winners of this year’s National Flooring Innovation Awards – the showcase of the industry’s best and brightest ideas.
Following its 2024 launch, the INDX National Flooring Show returns to Cranmore Park on 13-14 May 2025, with a commercially crafted showcase designed to fuel visitors’ business growth.
In the constantly changing world of wholesale and retail flooring, staying ahead requires embracing digital tools that streamline operations, reduce costs and improve customer service. By developing industry-specific software that address the unique challenges faced by flooring businesses, klipboard is enabling the flooring supplies industry to improve their operations through technology.
First impressions count, so in addition to choosing a durable and practical floor for halls and stairs, this connective space needs to be welcoming and ideally have a wow factor.
The LVT market continues to grow, and product offers become hard to differentiate between, that’s why Inspiration by Tarkett is fast becoming a popular option for retailers and consumers alike.
The Cavalier in-store sales kit is well-known throughout the trade for its striking appearance, clean, crisp lines in a stunning white powder coat finish, which as well as making samples stand out against it, disguises its robust steel construction. Designed by Cavalier, the products are all custom-built within walking distance from its Blackburn premises.
BUSINESS NEWS
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by one point to -19 in March. Two measures were up, two were down and one was unchanged in comparison to last month’s announcement.
The prices of carpets and other floorcoverings fell 1.8% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. This is the second consecutive month of falling prices, with carpets seeing a drop of 1.7% in February, down from 2.5% growth in the same period last year.
As of 1 April, Herman and Age Mulder will take over the management of Rinos as Managing Directors. They represent the fifth generation to join as shareholders of the family business, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Milco Visscher will start as commercial director on 1 May. The current managing director, Peter Kuipers, will oversee the transition and step down on 31 July.
Imports of flooring to the UK this February were up 7% when compared to the same period last year, reaching a total value of £127.9m, according to figures compiled by The Furnishing Report.
Likewise Group, one of the UK’s largest flooring distributors, has announced a “particularly positive” start to the year with gross sales revenue in Q1 2025 increasing by 10.7% against the corresponding period last year. Sales in the Likewise Branded businesses have increased by 14.6%.
The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for Growth. The document is said to support BFC’s advocacy across four key pillars: skills and education; trade and exports; standards and regulations; and the environment and circular economy. It has been developed over the past few months, the organisation says, evolving from a combination of position papers written by the associations’ executives and a comprehensive survey of their collective members.
Consumer card spending grew 1.0% year-on-year in February – lower than January’s 1.9% increase and less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.9%, according to recent figures reported by Barclays. In anticipation of higher bills, consumers are said to be cutting back on essential outgoings, but still prioritising discretionary purchases, contributing to an uptick in optimism in the health of personal and household finances.
Kellars, which describes itself as the largest independent flooring wholesaler in the UK, saw another year of “substantial growth” to July 2024, according to its strategic report for the period. With six depots across the UK and a team of more than 100, the company has reportedly grown at a “rapid rate,” with the year leading up to July 2024 seeing a dramatic rise.
Victoria PLC, an international designer, manufacturer and distributor of flooring, today announces the planned appointment of Alec Pratt to the Group board as Chief Financial Officer Designate, who will replace Brian Morgan after three years’ service as Victoria’s Chief Financial Officer in June.
Based on data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), carpets and other floorcoverings saw inflation of 0.6% in January, though this is set against a 2.5% fall last month. In January of last year the same category saw a 0.5% decline.
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Fitters from flooring retailer Carpets R Us, in Taunton, used F. Ball and Co.’s Stopgap 1600 fast-drying, fibre-reinforced smoothing compound to encapsulate retrofitted water-fed underfloor heating boards as part of a textbook flooring installation in their own showroom.
Kathryn McHugh, Head of Operations at XPS Foam Ltd — the UK’s only manufacturer of XPS Underlay — shares why more flooring fitters are making the switch to XPS Foam Underlay.
For many UK flooring businesses, daily operations are a balancing act. Whether you’re managing hundreds of SKUs across multiple warehouses, juggling customer-specific pricing agreements, or trying to make the most of offcuts and remnants — there’s no margin for error.
IVC Commercial is bringing back the Roll Back Rewards limited time promotion. With each purchase of a full roll of qualifying high-performance sheet vinyl flooring, IVC Commercial is giving you £10 to spend at most major retailers. Roll Back Rewards runs from 1 May until 30 September on IVC Commercial floors ordered through distributors.