Wednesday, June 24 2026 from Floor Covering Weekly

We asked retailers about the one thing they would like their vendors to start doing and one thing they would like their vendors to stop doing. While some were specific to a retailer’s format, many concerns rose to the top, especially when it came to clarity and transparency. Communication indeed was a top priority for respondents.

Pricing, of course, is always a topic. But here it was simply about being timely and clear on changes. Managing internet sales was also among top concerns along with managing pricing and keeping consistent in a market. Reps are the lifeblood of the vendor/retailer relationship. Frequent comments were about having knowledgeable reps in the field that could work with the retailer, provide training and be a strong resource instead of spending time on paperwork. Displays too were a hot button — the frequent updates, changes and cost of new merchandising. Here, we share the most frequently noted asks along with some candid commentary.
— Amy Rush-Imber

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPLIERS TO STOP DOING?

Top 5 things you would like your suppliers to stop doing
1. Creating confusion on pricing changes, freight and surcharges; Making it difficult to process claims
2. Advertising products that set unrealistic expectations
3. Frequent product changes, drops and inventory disruptions
4. Creating new displays — especially those that are too big and/or too heavy
5. Providing overly complex product marketing, or conversely, generic marketing

“We are a boutique store and appreciate customized options. Stop worrying about your competition and just provide me the best service you can. Stop selling everyone with a pulse.”

“Just shipping more samples without having us vet them first. We have a 5,000 square foot showroom which is fully loaded. We prefer to have new releases shown to us and we decide which products we want and which we don’t. We have to remove products to make room for anything new at this stage. Many new releases really are not as good a fit for our customers and we do not have room just to add them.’

“Over the last 12 months, all suppliers have had issues with timely deliveries.
Their operational quality has decreased significantly.”

“Stop mixing so many different qualities in the same display and stop offering new displays as frequently as you do.”

“Rolling fuel surchages into a true percentage or usable add on number so we can control our cost up front and not afterwards as they do now… The math makes no sense, every invoice is an adventure of unaccounted dollars, that makes no sense.”

“The retailer sells the product. Stop wasting money on marketing to consumers and spend the money supporting retailers.”

“Stop selling to online businesses that brick-and-mortar can’t compete with.”

“Stop advertising LVP as waterproof. Customers think they can have a flood and the floor will be OK.”

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPLIERS TO START DOING?

Top 5 things you would like your suppliers to start doing
1. Address sales practices and channel conflict – particularly online sales;
Provide better finance options
2. Provide better communication around drops
3. Provide better product information and price lists
4. Provide more training and in-person support
5. Build displays for how consumers shop — viewable and inviting

“Asking us how we would like to be serviced. Not one rep has asked us when it is convenient to stop in. Do we want appointments made or more casual stop ins. Teach the story of your product lines.”

“Be better at designing samples based on the feedback of those who actively use them and get proactive on talking to those actually selling their material for what sorts of designs/colors/etc. are actually working in their area (while not being afraid to include some unique options; even if they aren’t the top seller, they can enhance other sales)!”

“Have managers show up more often and provide more training on new product categories.”

“Provide information about product delays and inventory issues in a timely manner.”

“Get a better understanding that the better pricing we can be provided with, the more impact we can make for their products. Start finding ways to say YES, learn to take 30 percent of something instead of 100 percent of nothing.”

“Make it easy to buy – keep it simple!”

“Make your claims process more streamlined and time effective.”

“Get back to basics. Let your vendor reps sell, give them the power to take care of claims, free up their time to service accounts instead of having them fill out reports and meaningless paperwork.”