FLOORtalk

Carpet One President John Gilbert and Keith Spano, president of Flooring America/Flooring Canada, The Floor Trader & The International Design Guild at CCA Global Partners, talk with Floor Trends Associate Publisher Tanja Kern about the state of retail, the group's new germ-killing installation system, and their commercial division initiative. ​

Jim McKay, vice president of sales for the western region at Great Floors, talks about the challenges COVID-19, the demonstrations and riots have had on Seattle and the company’s five stores in the area. McKay talks about the business community’s take on the events and efforts to end the situation.

Bob Peoples, executive director at CARE, Carpet America Recovery Effort, reflects on 2019 numbers and how the recent pandemic is impacting the carpet recycling industry.

David Elyachar, founder of Big Bob’s of America and chairman of Big Bob’s of Kansas City, talks about his focus on developing innovative ways of communicating with new customers including contractors, realtors, restoration companies, and small home builders.

Lewis Davis, senior director of technology & research, Floor Covering Business to Business (FCB2B), talks about increasing the participation rate among retailers for the FCB2B program.

Dave Elyachar, the founder of Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet, talks about the pandemic and impact on the flooring industry. He shares his predictions on what's going to happen to the brick and mortar businesses and big box stores.

Jim Gould, industry consultant, CEO, Floor Covering Institute discusses changes that have been occurring in the distribution sector.

Deb DeGraaf, owner of DeGraaf Interiors and WFCA Chair, talks about some of the ideas she initiated during the COVID-19 lockdown, such as the virtual design consultation.

Stuart Hirschhorn, research director at Catalina Research, talks about the funding to move Japanese company’s facilities in China back to Japan and if something like that could take place in the U.S. Also discussed is how the COVID-19 lockdown will impact millennials desire to buy houses.

Deb DeGraaf, owner of DeGraaf Interiors and WFCA Chair, talks about virtual consultations she began offering during the COVID-19 lockdown and how she intends to make them a permanent offering after the lockdown is lifted. Also discussed are the stringent lockdown rules in Michigan.