Articles
Appealing to Millennials & Gen Z
As of 2020, Millennials and Generation Z account for more than 42 percent of the U.S. population, with Millennials eking past Baby Boomers for the title of the biggest generation. And with Millennials ranging from their mid-20s to early 40s and Gen Zers entering adulthood, these combined demographics make up a significant, lucrative segment of consumers. Ensuring you have not only the products these consumers are looking for, but the messaging and marketing that they respond to, is critical to your success. Read More
Ceramic Imports Rose to 17.9M Square Meters in May
In the month of May, Italy jumped to first place in ceramic tile imports with 3.4 million square meters, followed by Spain 2.9 million square meters, Mexico 2.7 million square meters, India 2.46 million square meters, Turkey 2.4 million square meters and Brazil 1.8 million square meters, reports Grosser Consulting. Total imports for the month were 17.9 million square meters, the highest month so far for this year. Read More
Influencing the Journey
Consumers demand a seamless and simple journey. Once complicated by the stark contrast of what was presented online and what was in store, web-based and brick-and-mortar, when done right, can allow the consumer to research and select the product that fits both their need and personal style in a truly aligned and easy way. Today, that journey is being influenced by opposing forces further complicating the process of engaging and capturing the consumer’s attention and dollars. Read More
Inflation Woes Slow Economy
Just as the world comes out of the two-year pandemic, record inflation and gas prices have put the brakes on what was a fast-growing economy. With everything from groceries to gas costing more, consumers are reconsidering where to spend their money — and increasingly, that doesn’t seem to be on home projects and flooring products. Read More
MARITIME SHIPMENTS SLOWER AND COSTLIER DUE TO “LONG COVID”
According to the analysis, in 2019 it took 39 days for a container ship to travel from China to the United States, while in 2020 it took 49 days and in 2021 68. Costs increased as well: in 2019 shipping a container by sea cost an average of US$1,421, rising to US$2,171 in 2020 and to a whopping US$7,556 in 2021. Read More
DECIDED UPTAKE IN 2021 IN STONE/TECHNO-STONE EXPORTS TO THE USA
Final 2021 data processed by the Confindustria Marmomacchine Studies Center confirm the excellent growth in sales to the United States, the top destination market for both finished stone products and complementary stone technologies Made in Italy. Read More
IN 2021 ITALIAN STONE EXPORTS START TO GROW AGAIN: + 20.8% ON 2020 AND + 1.9% ON 2019
After closing 2020 with a 17.3% drop in sales abroad, the Italian stone industry last year recorded a marked growth in its exports - which affected almost all the main sector reference markets -, linking the economic recovery and the renewed momentum of the construction sector worldwide. Read More
2022 sees double digit growth in first half
Catalina Research has released its latest Floor Coverings Industry Quarterly Update. According to the report, U.S. floor coverings dollar sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) growth has been increasing at double-digit rates in the first half of 2022. Read More