FLOORtalk

Jim Gould, international consultant and president of Floor Covering Institute, discusses the state of the independent floor covering retailer. He notes that the number of independents is shrinking as volume increases. Gould also discusses anticipated improvements with the internet including its speed and how that will affect independents.

Geoff Gordon, executive director of Fuse Alliance, talks to Tanja Kern about how the commercial flooring group is dealing with business and COVID-19 and what's in store for the second half of 2020.

Elena Grant, vice president of marketing for Taffy Event Strategies, discusses how the digital tradeshow went and how it may be implemented in the future.

Jim Gould, CEO of Floor Covering Institute, talks about trade shows in the flooring industry, domestic, regional, and international and if there is room for more shows. He talks about the function these shows serve.

Stuart Hirschhorn, research director at Catalina Research, talks about the opening of the economy and his expectations for the return of floor covering sales and how he expects it to be favorable to the housing sector and the flooring industry. He anticipates people staying home more and working from home more. He talks about anticipated home improvement projects and the effects that a vaccine for COVID-19 might have. Also discussed is the supply chain disruption in building materials from China.

Deb DeGraaf, owner of DeGraaf Interiors and WFCA Chair, talks about measures taken during the COVID-19 such as the company’s development. She talks about the rigid lockdown restrictions in Michigan and the likely toll it will take on flooring retailers and life after the lockdown.

Stuart Hirschhorn, research director at Catalina Research, talks about the effects the COVID-19 shutdown has had on the economy and what the economic recovery will look like once the economy is reopened. Hirschhorn talks about the effect of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and CARES Act checks should have on the economy and the strength and speed of the return of the economy. Also discussed is the return of the manufacturing sector and many food processing operations that were closed down during the shutdown and judging the strength of the comeback.

Bill Yeadon, a training facilitator at Jon-Don, talks about growth in the ranks of cleaning contractors in the U.S. especially among those entering the water damage and restoration segment of the industry, noting that most on the commercial side remain in cleaning. Yeadon talks about the deep cleaning of carpets as well as the importance of vacuuming.

Deb DeGraaf, owner of DeGraaf Interiors and WFCA chair, talks about the coronavirus lockdown order in Michigan and only allowing pick up of products in the company’s warehouse and receiving deliveries. DeGraaf outlines the company’s digital efforts communicating with customers including virtual tours of their showroom.

Darrel Harris, CEO of Xpress Global Systems and a specialist in the flooring business, discusses the recent growth the company has enjoyed and how shipping and logistics is changing in the industry. He talks about the company and its network of 30 service centers.