Articles

Tile closed out 2024 with minimal if any growth. “Sluggish” was the word Jamann Stepp, vice president of hard surface for Stanton, used to describe the market. While tile’s technology, style and performance, he said, were on point, economic conditions prevented significant growth. Read More

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has released its 2025 Bath Trends Report. Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, architects and more, the NKBA Bath Trends Report provides a look into current and upcoming trends in residential bathrooms. Read More

The kitchen and bath industry, moving into 2025, should see an upward projection after a flat year according to experts. Reported Tricia Zach, head of research, National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), “Demand for kitchen and bath products and remodeling projects in 2024 was flat, as economic and political uncertainty weighed heavily on U.S. consumers this year.” Read More

Lowe's reported total sales for Q3 2024 were $20.2 billion, a 1% decline compared to $20.5 billion in the prior-year quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter decreased 1.1%, driven by continued softness in DIY bigger-ticket discretionary demand, which was partly offset by storm-related sales and positive comparable sales in Pro and online. Read More

In the first nine months of the year, total U.S. imports of ceramic tile were 134 million square meters, a decline of 5.2% from the same period in 2023 when imports were 141.5 million square meters, according to Grosser Consulting. Read More

The Tile Shop reported Q3 sales of $8.5 million, an 8.3% decline compared to $9.2 million in the same period last year. Comparable sales declined 7.9% in Q3. Read More

The fact is, it isn’t the tile installers that are the problem, it is the management that is the problem. Tile failures are a symptom of a management problem. It is the lack of management providing supervision and oversight of the installers’ work. If management provided adequate oversight, they would catch deficiencies before they became expensive problems. Read More

Many companies serving the construction industry focus heavily on new construction opportunities, often overlooking the potential of renovation. It turns out that renovation spending quietly has been increasing its share of market, and it likely will continue doing so in the future. Read More

NFA Board discusses inconsistent business & 2025 forecast [Washington] Here in the nation’s capital, FCW sat with the NFA board to talk about the 2024 business climate and expectations for the new year. While business is soft, members are winning in their markets by diversifying and offering exclusive products and programs. “The market is soft and inconsistent,” reported Dave Chambers, Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) and vice president of NFA. Read More

Mohawk announced Q3 2024 net sales were $2.7 billion, a decrease of 1.7% compared to net sales of $2.8 billion in Q3 2023. Read More