Articles

2023 started as simply an extension of 2022. The industry could do no wrong. And then the industry had no answers for fixing how wrong the industry was. For the first time in years, the sales at manufacturing were not the perfect barometer as to how retailers did. Thousands of shipping containers stuck offshore in 2022 were finally delivered just as demand slowed down. Distributors who had been chasing stellar sales with built up inventory suddenly found themselves with way too much inventory for the second half of the year. Read More

U.S. floor coverings manufacturer sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) declined sharply in the first half of 2023 as final demand dropped and distributors and retailers worked off excess inventories accumulated in the second half of 2022. Manufacturers are also working through supply chain issues which significantly cut into import shipments. In addition, price increases leveled off as demand slumped and material cost pressures subsided. Catalina, however, sees the decline in manufacturer sales bottoming out in the third quarter of 2023 and could begin to recover in the fourth quarter as the inventory liquidation ends. Manufacturer sales could turn up by the fourth quarter as the drop in new home construction levels off, the decline in existing home sales slows, and commercial demand remains strong. Read More

In 2022, U.S. floor coverings sales slowed considerably from the sharp gains experienced in 2021, according to Catalina Research. The year started strong since flooring sales were still benefiting from the surge in housing demand in 2021. Floor covering sales growth weakened in the second half as the Federal Reserve sharply increased interest rates to curb inflationary pressures. Rising interest rates caused housing starts and existing home sales — the primary drivers of U.S. floor coverings sales — to decline sharply. At the same time, inflationary pressures and supply chain issues caused flooring prices and installation costs to surge. The rising cost of an installed floor resulted in customer purchases slowing at an even sharper rate than manufacturer sales. Read More

Floor Focus’ Survey 2023: What the Retailers Think, in the July 2023 issue of Floor Focus, shows flooring category trends among independent retailers over a five-year period. Read More

Decorative Materials Design Consultant, Monica Lozano, recently had the opportunity to chat with Denver design powerhouse, Atelier Interior Design, on their expert use of our products. The award-winning design firm, headed by Katie Schroder, is known for one-of-a-kind aesthetics driven by vibrant color, pattern and culture. Katie and her team never cease to amaze us with their creativity and ingenuity when it comes to using tile and stone in their designs. It's always a delight when the Atelier team comes into the showroom because we know they don't shy away from the playful products to create something fabulous! Read More

In the first five months of 2023 total U.S. imports of ceramic tile were 74.6 million square meters, a decline of 6% from the same period in 2022, according to Grosser Consulting. Read More

For the second year running tile flooring experienced sales growth after its 2020 decline, which had been the category’s first decrease in several years. Tile flooring was up mid-double digits in dollars in 2022 compared to 2021’s high single-digit increase. However, while dollar sales were up, much of that came from price increases and inflationary pressures. Volume experienced a slight decrease overall. Read More

Inside this edition are the ReCo results for the LVT category. Each year, Floor Covering Weekly commissions third-party research company The Wayman Group to conduct a nationwide survey of retailers. The Wayman Group is an independent marketing research and consulting firm with more than 40 years of experience. Read More

The annual RēCo Market Intelligence Report has held strong for 20 years. Below are the results for the ceramic category. Read More

Pool installations are expected to trend upward through 20271, fueled by rising disposable incomes. Though the pool industry is still recovering from its pandemic dip, pools continue to be a highly valued amenity and a great way to experience the social and health benefits they offer. Tile offers construction versatility, stunning design options and outstanding durability with less maintenance than other materials. Whether for residential or commercial use, tile pools require meticulous attention to detail for proper installation. Read More